Merlot

About the Merlot

The Playback Designs Merlot is a sophisticated digital-to-analog converter (DAC) designed to deliver exceptional audio quality. It supports up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD formats, making it suitable for high-resolution audio playback. The Merlot features a discrete power amplifier architecture for its headphone output, providing ultra-precision control and an analog discrete volume control via a front-panel knob. It includes various input options such as USB, AES, Coax, and PLink, along with balanced and unbalanced line level outputs. The device uses a custom linear power supply with a toroidal transformer for optimal performance and minimal interference. Additionally, the Merlot is software upgradeable by the end-user, allowing for future enhancements and compatibility with evolving audio formats.