Kassandra MkII 1

About the Kassandra MkII 1

The Aries Cerat Kassandra MkII Gen 1 DAC is a high-end R2R ladder DAC featuring 16 R2R converters per channel using top-grade Analogue Devices AD1865N-K chips. It employs a transformer I/V conversion stage with custom wideband transformers for balanced current to single-ended voltage conversion. The analog gain stage is a transformer-loaded super tube output stage using the E280F tube, biased with ultra-low-noise power supplies. The DAC offers user-selectable output levels (10V @ 50 ohms or 5V @ 12 ohms) and true balanced outputs with floating RCA outputs switchable for ground loop resolution. It supports USB input data rates up to 24/384kHz and achieves jitter attenuation down to femtosecond levels. The unit is large and heavy, measuring 540mm W x 520mm D x 165mm H and weighing approximately 60kg. It is designed for audiophiles seeking a natural, dynamic, and tonally dense sound with minimal digital filtering and no opamps in the signal path.