Mercury Red/Black
Mercury is the first mastering DA converter in 120V technology. It offers seven digital stereo input sources, all of which can be synchronized to each other or via word clock. The additional adjustable output qualifies Mercury as a monitor controller.
Seven digital sources
Mercury offers connections for a total of seven digital stereo input sources. For each digital source there is a dedicated and illuminated selector switch for quick selection and fast comparison listening.
The detected sampling rate of the respective source is shown on the display. One USB input and two coaxial, two optical and two AES/EBU inputs are available, with AES input 2 also supporting dual-wire (DW) mode.
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Sync:
The display shows the synchronization status and the detected sample rate. Any source except USB can be synchronized to another source or to an external word clock. If the sync source “Source” is selected in the display, each source uses its own sync code embedded in the signal.
O dBfs:
If you hold down the Sync button for more than two seconds, Mercury switches to the 0dBfs display. Here, Mercury offers all reference levels in dBu that correspond to a 0 dBfs (full scale) digital signal: +14, +15, +16, +17, +18, +20, +22 and +24 dBu
Double outputs
Fix & Var:
The FIX OUT is an analog balanced stereo output which can be calibrated to all common reference levels (see 0 dBfs). Mercury offers another analog balanced stereo output: VAR OUT. This provides the same signal as the FIX OUT, but the level is infinitely variable. This means that Mercury can also be used as a state-of-the-art monitor controller.
Variable output:
This analog potentiometer is used to control the level of the VAR OUT output. We use the ALPS RK27 “Big Blue” potentiometer with a nice “spoon in the honey” feel and excellent channel synchronization. This means that not only the auditory, but also the haptic experience of volume control is at the highest level.
The DAC768v2 - Only the best is good enough
The latest version of the SPL DAC “DAC768v2” uses the highly acclaimed AKM AK4493 SEQ VELVETSOUNDTM premium DAC chip as the converter chip in the Mercury's digital/analog converter, which thanks to its architecture reproduces the finest sound details. It boasts even lower distortion values and an even greater dynamic range than its predecessor.
It converts PCM audio with a resolution of 32 bits and a sampling rate of up to 768 kHz, which corresponds to 16 times the CD resolution. Direct Stream Digital is also supported up to a resolution of DSD4 or DSD256.
The DAC768v2 has the latest version of the Spartan FPGA - the Spartan 7 - on board. In contrast to the smaller SPL DAC “DAC768xs”, it not only offers an AES/EBU digital input, but also the new, optimized SPL SLP120 with 120V technology.
SLP120 (Super Low-Pass)
Every signal that is passed from a DAC chip into the analog world must be filtered through a low-pass filter. In contrast to all other DACs in the world, SPL's analog low-pass filters use SPL 120V technology, which brings a plus in dynamics, headroom and sound. The filter specially optimized for the new SPL DAC768v2 is called SLP120 (Super Low-Pass).
The DAC768v2 in the Mercury is equipped with the SLP120 - an analog “Super Low-Pass” filter with 120V technology.
The 120V technology
120V technology is SPL's reference technology. It is unique in the world of audio because it works with a DC voltage of 120 volts. This corresponds to four times the operating voltage of IC-based semiconductor operational amplifiers.
The highest possible audio quality requires the highest possible audio operating voltage.
The 120V technology works with +/-60 V. To be able to handle such a high voltage, we have developed special proprietary operational amplifiers that can work with a DC voltage of +/-60 V - the SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers. This high voltage would destroy conventional components and operational amplifiers.
The 120V technology achieves exceptional technical specifications and sonic advantages. Technically, in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio and clipping resistance. In terms of sound, in terms of richness of detail and an absolutely relaxed listening experience.
Incidentally, the “120V” in the name of the technology has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the socket. It refers to the operating voltage in the device with which the audio signals are processed.
The mains voltage from the socket is transformed to the required secondary voltage in the device's internal linear power supply unit with toroidal transformer. Rectifiers convert this AC voltage into the DC voltages required in the audio device.
Technical data
Analog inputs and outputs; XLR (balanced)
- Maximum input and output level: 32.5 dBu
- Input impedance: 20 kΩ
- Output impedance: 75 Ω
- Frequency response (-3 dB): 4 Hz - 300 kHz
- Crosstalk (1 kHz): -108 dBu
- THD (0 dBu, 1 kHz): 0.000992 %
- THD + N (+20 dBu): -101 dBu
- Noise (A-weighted): -95 dBu
- Dynamic range: 133.5 dB
Digital inputs; DAC768
- AES/EBU (XLR), PCM sampling rates: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz
- Coaxial SPDIF (RCA), PCM sampling rates: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz
- Optical SPDIF (Toslink F06), PCM sampling rates: 44.1/48/88.2/96/with fiber optic < 1 m: 176.4/192 kHz
- USB (B), PCM sampling rates: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384/705.6/768 kHz
- USB (B), DSD over PCM (DoP), sampling rates: 2.8 (DSD64), 5.6 (DSD128), 11.2 (DSD256) MHz
- Reference level for 0 dBFS (selectable): 14, 15,16, 18, 20, 22, 24 dBu
Internal power supply; linear power supply with shielded toroidal transformer
- Operating voltage for analog audio electronics: +/- 60 V
- Operating voltage for relays and LEDs: + 12 V
Power supply unit
- Mains voltage (selectable, see fuse chamber): 230 V AC / 50230 V AC / 50; 115 V AC / 60 Hz
- Fuse for 230 V: T 500 mA
- Fuse for 115 V: T 1 A
- Power consumption: max. 32 VA
Dimensions & weight
- W x H x D (width x height x depth): 482 x 44 x 300 mm
- Weight of the device: 4.55 kg
- Shipping weight (incl. packaging): 6.7 kg