Burr-Brown PCM1794A Current Output DAC
2 x better than Burr-Brown PCM1795
2.8 x better than Cirrus CS4398 (PCM mode)
4 x better than Cirrus CS4398 (DSD mode)
2.8 x better than Wolfson WM8740 (Dual DAC mode, 1-ch per DAC)
4 x better than Wolfson WM8740 (Single DAC mode, 2-ch per DAC)
High-power high-precision current feedback headphone amplifier
- High-power headphone amplifier
- Power output (THD < 0.01%)
- 32 ohms 400mW + 400 mW
- 300 ohms 43mW + 43mW
- Ultra-low-distortion at max output <0.01%
- Supports 16 ohms to 600 ohms headphones/earphones
- Ultra high slew-rate, genuinely responsive to Hi-Res content
The headphone output is powered by a high-power, high slew rate amplifier delivering speed that really reacts to the music. It supports a wide range of earphones and headphones, is capable of driving high-end full-size headphones and is more powerful than many standalone portable headphone amplifiers!
Future-proof High Performance Quad Core Processor
Plays virtually all Hi-Res audio formats including ALAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF,
Plus DSD64/DSD128 & DXD
Custom developed Hi-Res DSP processing
Upgradeable to support other new formats
Wi-Fi wireless audio
NAS with DLNA support
Online music service Android APKs can be loaded
Spotify tested. Tidal & Qobuz in testing
Not a throwaway product
With a future-proofed processor capable of being upgraded to handle new formats, strong metal construction and virtually unlimited memory expansion, the M2 is built for a long-life
Virtually unlimited expansion
64GB built-in memory
Micro-SDXC expansion Up to 200GB
USB OTG media playback support (TBD)
USB OTG Thumb Drive
USB Harddisk
easily portable - amazing with Sennheiser IE800
DESIGN BACKGROUND
The acoustic & digital design of M2 was derived from AR's acclaimed desktop UA1 DAC, delivering real audiophile sound and Hi-Res playback on-the-go. Like UA1, the M2 features a dual-clock crystal oscillator design for native frequency support at all multiples.
The best DAC - Flagship DAC Performance Ratings
AR concluded that the Burr-Brown PCM1794A Current Output DAC deliver the best playback sound quality
2 x better than Burr-Brown PCM1795
2.8 x better than Cirrus CS4398 (PCM mode)
4 x better than Cirrus CS4398 (DSD mode)
2.8 x better than Wolfson WM8740 (Dual DAC mode, 1-ch per DAC)
4 x better than Wolfson WM8740 (Single DAC mode, 2-ch per DAC)
High precision Lossless Audio Path - Android Bypassed for audio
One major challenge in M2 development was the proprietary high precision audio path. Android offers a good control OS but the audio framework causes serious damage to sound quality.To get round this AR developed TWO audio paths.
1. A dedicated Hi-Res Lossless path for the AR Music Player, totally bypassing the Android OS
2. A clean generic path allowing for Android audio apps like Spotify & Qobuz.
AR High-Res Music Player
The simple but comprehensive AR music player, plays music through the M2's proprietary Hi-Res Lossless audio path. Compared to other music player software for Android, it simply delivers better sound.
Battery Life
The linear/class A amplifier delivers best sound with the penalty of high power consumption. The solution in M2 is to
include a battery with double the capacity of most competition, to give about 9 hours of playback. On top of that, M2 is
powerbank-friendly. Any 5V-2A Power Bank will power M2 for very extended music playback
charge it simultaneously.
Heat dissipation
There are copper heat spreader shields on both sides of the M2 PCB and is dissipated quickly over the whole body of the
player. The copper heat spreader serves as RF shielding as well.
Memory expansion
On top of built-in memory, the M2 supports expansion through both micro SDXC (up to 200GB card supported) and
USB-OTG flash storage (e.g. Sandisk Ultra Dual USB).
Large screen for touch operation
Instead of building a thick brick, we put the battery and the audio circuit board side by side. Although the player is
bigger, it is slimmer. This is better for heat dissipation and allows the use of large screen for easy touch operation.
Why Android?
Android offers a good operating OS BUT the OS audio framework caused serious damage to sound quality for best sound the M2 has its' own High-Res audio Path that bypasses the OS
, we decided to build a proprietary audio path for precision. The AR music player played music through the proprietary audio path. Compare to other music player software for Android, it simply delivered better sound.
- Mature touch based interface
- Mature wireless network support
- Third party app support (e.g. Amazon Appstore, Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal…)
- Efficient media scanning (fast scanning of huge number of songs based on tags)
The M2 was designed to be more powerful than many portable headphone amplifiers, it is an excellent choice to show off high-end headphones on the go.
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ABOUT: Acoustic Research
From 1954 to now, over 60 years, Acoustic Research has shaped the modern home entertainment industry. AR's history of innovation, advanced technologies and unique design for the consumer includes the introduction in 1959 of the dome tweeter (still used in today's speakers), the first ever acoustic suspension sealed loudspeakers the famous AR-3 and the first suspended sub-chassis belt-drive turntable from which most modern designs derive.
The 'AR High-Resolution Reboot' project was started in 2011. The first products were limited to the Far East, 2015 sees the launch in UK and Japan prior to a global roll out. Products are not yet available in the USA.
The new AR High-End & Digital division is a very serious company, part of the huge Voxx Corporation and very well funded for R&D, manufacturing and global distribution. The designer Arex Li and his colleagues are purist audiophiles and music enthusiasts and they are bringing some great products to market.