Maximinus MK2S

DSP CONTROLLED 32bit/384kHz AUDIO DAC

The original multibit DAC concept with the most sophisticated implementation and highest precision.

Multibit conversion
Full Differential operation
Shunt regulated power supplies
4 quadrant sign magnitude operation
6 Inputs
DSD Support
Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs
Silver Transformer output

No I/V conversion
No filtering after DAC
Total galvanic isolation of internal circuits from outside world
Highest precision internal clocks with lowest phase noise
Jitter removing re-clocking prior to conversion
Dither on/off

De-emphasis
Selection of 4 digital filters
Upgradable firmware
Modular design for field upgrades
Sealed solid aluminum enclosure
Streaming client supporting multiple protocols
Roon Ready

Maximinus uses a concept called R2R ladder. This is a resistor matrix that is switched for the various output levels delivering a fraction of an internal reference (much like a volume control). In order to bring the performance of multibit DACs to new levels a very fast and sophisticated switching logic controlling them had to be implemented. The in-house developed 1ppm precision conversion module takes advantage of the available resolution and bandwidth to present you the naked truth. (Not always a pretty picture) The result is analog tone and transparency surpassing the legendary NOS Philips or Burr Brown and modern incarnations, not to mention any of the delta-sigma converters whose tone we have all become used to.

Digital filtering doesn't like asymmetric signal, but most music is a pulsed signal, so the “digital sound” can be switched off on the Maximinus leaving the DAC artifacts to be dealt with via the natural characteristics of our silver line level output transformer.

Our suite of algorithms would apply digital filtering and upsampling to the incoming data stream for example incoming 16bit 44.1kHz CD data will be converted to 32bit 352.8kHZ data fed directly to the DAC. This greatly improves low-level resolution and the sense of space by averaging the DAC error over 8 cycles. (much like 8 dacs in parallel) The process is completely user controllable and can be bypassed for purist and non-oversampling use. Our dac module operates fully differential at 40Vp-p output to guarantee the highest signal to noise ratio. We have no reconstruction filter at the DAC output. The output transformer provides the cleanest possible output signal with ZERO feedback. while scaling the output to the accepted industry levels further reducing the DAC noise. We also use transformer or optical decoupling of all inputs, meaning that contaminated ground connection and other interfering signals from data sources don't make it to the inside of the unit.

Clock phase noise is as important to for the sound as is dac linearity. This prompted the use of ultra low phase noise clock generators that feed dedicated re-clock logic making sure all conversion and data handling are done at the right moment. Multi-bit dacs are far less sensitive to clock jitter as the conversion is governed by the latch signal. The latch being much lower frequency than the data stream can be with lower near carrier phase noise. This reveals another lear of hidden data that dare I say is better than any analog method.

Each block in the DAC: the Converters, Clock, Input Processing and Control Logic have separate power supplies and our trademark constant current regulator technology for zero AC on the wiring. Then the whole assembly is nestled in a solid aluminum case for vibration damping and EMI/RFI screening following the same construction concept as our preamplifiers. It's a different league from all currently available high end DACs hence the name of a huge Roman Emperor.

Available Finishes

BLACK ANODIZED ALUMINUM

SILVER ANODIZED ALUMINUM

Product History

Introduced in 2012 - the Maximinus was based around an MSB Diamond DAC motherboard reworked to use our shunt regulation power supplies and modules with bypassed output stages connected to a custom transformer made for us.

In 2015 we replaced the MSB modules with our own development further improving low-level eligibility and dynamics while still retaining the MSB motherboard as the core. There is no functional or cosmetic difference among the units.

In 2019 the Maximinus Mk2 was launched replacing the aging MSB with our own input board handling all digital processing and adding multi-format streaming capabilities while the development of our integrated converter board with local oscillators went a step further toward perfection and unmatched sonics. The Mk2 is recognizable by the feature of a color LCD display replacing the green dot matrix and a different back panel design.