PRODUCT INFORMATION DIRECTOR USB & S/PDIF 24/192 DAC

Director delivers superior sound quality from , network players and other digital sources into an analogue hi-fi.

Meridian’s Director is a high-quality Director forms the ideal add-on for Key Features DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter) network players, video streamers designed to deliver superior audio and music servers, bringing • Up to 24-bit, 192kHz Digital to quality from digital sources such Meridian performance to an entire Analogue conversion as media players and computers class of audio products, significantly when listened to on analogue hi-fi out-performing the standard DACs • Meridian Resolution systems. Built in Britain to the same found inside computers and most Enhancement technologies exacting standards as any Meridian network players. including Upsampling and product, Director is particularly Apodising appropriate for installation systems. Director supports sample rates up • 16–24 bit 44.1/48kHz to 24-bit, 192kHz and incorporates inputs upsampled to 24-bit, Director features three digital Meridian Resolution Enhancement 88.2/96kHz inputs. A USB2 B socket allows technologies, including Meridian it to be connected to a Upsampling and the Apodising • Takes from USB, for playback of computer-based filter, which audibly improve audio Optical and Coax S/PDIF sources such as network and quality. The proprietary Apodising • Separate crystal oscillators for audio file players, far exceeding the filter can actually improve the sound 44.1- and 48kHz-based sample audio performance of a standard of some digital recordings by fixing rates for minimal jitter and computer . recording faults. Standard sample improved performance rate signals (16–24 bit, 44.1/48kHz) A 3.5mm hybrid socket provides are automatically upsampled to 24- • Music grade power supply input for S/PDIF digital signals, bit 88.2/96kHz, allowing filtering to capacitors either coax (via a 3.5mm mono be carried out far above the range of • Direct-coupled, fixed output for jack) or optical (via a Mini-TOSLINK human hearing. connection to an audio system connector). Two adaptors are or powered included: one allows standard Director includes separate precision • 4-layer PC board minimises coaxial S/PDIF phono cables to be reference oscillators for sample noise and improves used with Director while the other rates based on 44.1 kHz and on performance allows standard TOSLINK optical 48 kHz, minimising jitter. The cables to be used. DAC itself offers extremely low • Durable, elegant anodised metal modulation noise and distortion, enclosure Outline Specifications

Inputs • 1 x USB2 B socket for computer playback (24-bit, ≤192kHz) • 3.5mm socket offering S/PDIF coax (3.5mm mono connector, (24-bit, ≤192kHz) or S/PDIF Optical (3.5mm Mini-TOSLINK, Director front and rear panels 24-bit ≤96kHz)

Outputs • 1 x analogue stereo pair (gold- plated phono), 2v RMS fixed

Controls & Indicators • 3 x Sample rate LEDs: 44.1/48, 88.2/96, 176.4/192 kHz sampling • 2 x Input selection LEDs. Input selected with input pushbutton: S/PDIF, USB. Optical/coax digital selected automatically.

Inside the Director Construction • Aluminium extrusion with moulded endcaps

Power • 5v <500mA DC via USB interface

Dimensions • 80mm (3.15in) x 139mm (5.47in) x 34mm (1.34in) (WDH)

Weight • 0.25kg (9oz) and incorporates the highest- Director is designed for connection A further set of LEDs to the right quality components throughout, to an analogue hi-fi or audio system indicates the input sample rate. including audiophile grade with its own volume control, and When the 1x LED is illuminated, capacitors, resistors and gold-plated is particularly appropriate for Director is receiving a signal 44.1 phono sockets. Some features of installation environments. It is or 48kHz sampling: (upsampled to the design are based directly on bit-precise and delivers the lowest 88.2/96kHz). When the 2x LED is circuitry and components used in possible distortion and modulation on in addition, the unit is receiving Meridian’s 800 Series. noise. The 2v RMS fixed-level 88.2/96kHz and when the 4x LED analogue output includes anti- is also lit, 176.4/192kHz is being Director is powered solely via thump circuitry for trouble-free received. the USB2 B socket, either when performance at switch-on. connected to a computer for Director is particularly useful for playback or via the included power Director is enclosed in a sturdy, installations where, for example, a supply. The USB port is also used durable anodised aluminium network player is to be connected for upgrades. extrusion case with moulded to an existing analogue hi-fi system. endcaps. LEDs on the left of the The use of Director in this kind Director offers front cap indicate the selected input of configuration will significantly operation with in conjunction with a pushbutton increase overall audio quality. computers, while a driver is required that steps through the available for Windows (XP or later): this is the sources. When S/PDIF is chosen, Equally, Director can be used to same driver used for the Explorer the optical or coax input is selected link the digital output of a classic DAC. In USB mode, Director uses automatically. The most recently component such as a CD player or asynchronous transfer for the best selected input is remembered music with a digital output, sound quality. across power cycles. to an analogue audio system.

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