DMS-550

About the DMS-550

The Cary Audio DMS-550 is a high-end network audio player and DAC that replaces the DMS-500, adding a built-in discrete Class-A headphone amplifier, upgraded AKM AK4493EQ Velvet Sound DAC chips, and enhanced streaming features for both local and internet-based digital audio sources. It supports native playback of PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and DSD up to DSD512, and is MQA Certified with up to 16x decoding. It functions as both a network streamer and a digital preamplifier, with variable output level and the ability to connect directly to a power amplifier via its balanced XLR or single-ended RCA analog outputs. Streaming and connectivity features include Roon Ready certification, Qobuz, Tidal, AirPlay, aptX HD Bluetooth, MU-MIMO Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and playback from front-panel USB and SD card inputs. Digital inputs and outputs include coaxial, optical (Toslink), and AES/EBU connections. The built-in Class-A headphone amplifier uses discrete output transistors and drives headphones from 8 to 600 ohms. Cary's DSP features include user-selectable upsampling of PCM to 768 kHz or conversion to DSD64/128/256/512, and OSO reclocking to reduce jitter. A large full-color front-panel LCD displays album art, metadata, sample rate, format, and volume in 0.5 dB steps.