Audiolab Mdac
Contents
British Audiolab has a few product lines that have one thing in common: affordable and good. For example, we tested the 6000 series amplifier and CD player and both products perform just fine. This M-Dac+ (Sabre 9018) also seems to be such a product. At 1100 euros an affordable device; especially if you look at what it all offers: AES input, two times coaxial and optical in, optical and coax out, USB and also XLR and single ended out. And a headphone output. That’s a lot. Not to mention the countless settings you can change. Our advice: choose Optimal Transient as a filter and leave it at that.
The sound
What is immediately noticeable when switching to the Audiolab M-Dac(+) is that the stereo image is higher than with the others. Very weird… where Beth Gibbons’ voice is just above the Sopras on the other four candidates, the Audiolab projects it about 20 or 30 cm higher. That may be due to the filtering; it certainly affects the projection. Just switch from a sharp-rolloff to a slow-rolloff. This is clearly audible in both the s-sounds and the projection.
The Audiolab otherwise has a fairly relaxed and neutral character. Slightly thinner in mid-bass and bass than the RME and Metrum, but just as tight and detail-rich in the bass. The detailing is average. On the RME, the piano in Moby’s “Why does my heart feel so bad” is easier to follow than on this Audiolab. Then again: the RME is also more analytical than this Audiolab and that should suit you.
Measurements
The Audiolab really measures up nicely. Great dynamic range, linear character and neat noise performance and extremely good channel separation. Jitter performance is slightly less good compared to the IFI and certainly the RME ADI-2. What is funny to map with the Audiolab are the effects of the different filters. We put the impulse behavior on the scope so you can see that (post / pre-ringing) and also mapped the filters as well as the frequency response.
Closing
Overall, the Audiolab is a product that is broadly applicable, measures very well, and delivers solid performance. The image is large and the reproduction is smooth and fluent without harshness (in slow roll and optimal transient). The sound is slightly thinner in the bass than the other candidates. That’s taste…
Samples
Download the lossless samples here
Specifications
| Brand / model | Audiolab M-Dac+ |
| Inputs | AES, 2x coax, 2x optical, USB |
| Outputs | Coax, optisch, XLR, cinch, hoofdtelefon |
| Remote | Ja |
| Max bit- / samplerate | 32 bit / 384 (USB), 24 bit / 192 kHz spdif – DSD |
| Dimensions | 11,4 x 24,7 x 29,2 cm |
| Weight | 3.7 Kg |
| Price | 1099 Euro |
In mijn set herken ik de scherpte niet met de standaard voeding van de RME ADI-2 DAC. Wel het mooie gedetailleerde hoog. (Auralic Aries, RME, Hegel H360 en Dynaudio Contour). Ik heb de RME aangesloten op een Keces P3 voeding en hoorde geen verschil.
In my set I do not recognize the sharpness with the standard power supply of the RME ADI-2 DAC. The nice detailed high. (Auralic Aries, RME, Hegel H360 and Dynaudio Contour). I connected the RME to a Keces P3 power supply and heard no difference.
Hi folks. Thanks for this. I know you compared 5 DACs already but can I ask you to add the Merason Frerot (sans the external power supply I guess) to the mix?
Since you reviewed it positively in the past I’d like to know where it stands, especially versus the RME. I have the latter and I’m looking for a warmer DAC to diversify my stack.
Thank you and keep up the good work. I follow the YouTube channel a lot.
Thanks! Yes, we can measure the Merason as well. Geoffrey uses it as a reference in this class.
Hi folks. Thanks for this. I know you compared 5 DACs already but can I ask you to add the Merason Frerot (sans the external power supply I guess) to the mix?
Since you reviewed it positively in the past I’d like to know where it stands, especially versus the RME. I have the latter and I’m looking for a warmer DAC to diversify my stack.
Thank you and keep up the good work. I follow the YouTube channel a lot.
Thanks! Yes, we can measure the Merason as well. Geoffrey uses it as a reference in this class.