Grace Design M900

Portable, high-resolution headphone amp/DAC

Description

The Grace Design m900 is a portable, desktop-friendly headphone amplifier / DAC / preamp combo designed to give audio professionals and enthusiasts musical and transparent audio playback from USB, S/PDIF, or TOSLINK sources. For small DAW studio setups, portable laptop editing or mixing rigs, or just pure playback enjoyment, the m900 provides the same analog and DAC quality as our large monitor controllers, but in a rugged, portable, and surprisingly affordable unit.

The m900 DAC uses the latest generation AKM 4490 chip, which features 32-bit processing and supports sample rates up to 384kHz PCM or 256x DSD. The USB interface operates in an asynchronous mode allowing the m900 to be the clock master which makes the system immune to USB bus jitter. S/PDIF and Toslink inputs allow the m900 to enhance to any DAW interface with true reference quality D/A conversion, headphone monitoring, and stereo speaker control.

An intelligent power supply design allows for two power operation modes – LOW and HIGH. The LOW power mode is from USB connector #1, which provides bus power along with data, allowing the m900 to operate from a single connection to your computer. The HIGH power mode is available by connecting the included 2A USB DC power supply to USB connector #2, which provides additional power for harder-to-drive headphones.

Transimpedance amplifier topology coupled to a zero ohm output impedance driver provides headphone performance that is incredibly spacious and transparent with a tight, enveloping low end. Our latest generation crossfeed circuit rounds out the design by simulating an acoustic listening environment in the headphones. Familiar tracks become new again with surprise details, while audio production tasks like tracking, mixing and editing happen faster and easier.

After many years of honing our DAC and headphone amplifier designs, the m900 distills the best of what we’ve learned in a compact, rugged and simple unit. Whether in the studio, on your desk, or on the road, the m900 will bring you closer to the music you love.

04/2018 – m900 Firmware v2.3 Available

Implements the following new features: Mono Mode, Left minus Right, Channel Balance adjust, Monitoring Modes (stereo, L&R swapped, left in both channels, right in both channels, left channel only, right channel only). Visit our support page for download and installation information.

Features

  • USB, S/PDIF, and Toslink digital inputs support up to 192kHz (Toslink up to 96kHz)
  • Asynchronous USB interface for jitter-free computer audio playback supports up to 384kHz PCM and 256x DSD
  • Dual zero ohm output impedance headphone outputs
  • Unbalanced level controlled outputs via RCA for connecting to a stereo monitor system
  • Compact, portable chassis perfect for travel, desktop or studio
  • Mono mode, Left minus Right mode
  • 6 monitoring modes: stereo, L&R swapped, left in both channels, right in both channels, left channel only, right channel only
  • Channel balance adjustment
  • Low power mode via USB Bus power
  • High power mode via included USB 2A power supply
  • 4 different DAC filter settings to tailor playback performance to personal preference
  • Simple user setup menu for setup and calibration
  • 7-segment LED display displays level and setup menu information
  • Large rotary encoder for volume control and setup menu navigation
  • Made in Lyons, CO USA
  • 5-year transferable Warranty

Specifications

THD+N AT MAXIMUM VOLUME, 1KHZ, 22HZ-22KHZ BW
@1.0V out, no load <0.002%
@1.0V out, 32 Ohm load <0.010%
INTERMODULATION DISTORTION SMTPE/DIN 4:1 50HZ, 7KHZ
@1.0V out, no load <0.008%
@1.0V out, 32 Ohm load <0.009%
FREQUENCY RESPONSE +/-3DB
Fs=96kHz 0.5-45.9kHz
DYNAMIC RANGE
20-22kHz bandwidth 112 dB
20-22kHz bandwidth and A-weighting filter 115 dB
OUTPUT NOISE
20-22kHz, volume=0-90 -106dBV
A weighting filter, volume = 0-90 -109dBV
20-22kHz, volume=90.5-99.5 -96dBV
A weighting filter, volume = 90.5-99.5 -98dBV
CROSSTALK
100Hz <107dB
1kHz <98dB
20kHz <72dB
ATTENUATION RANGE
0 to -99dB, 0.5dB steps
CROSSTALK TRACKING ACCURACY
+/-0.05dB
MAXIMUM OUTPUT LEVEL, NO LOAD
Low Power Mode +14.1dBV (5.1V)
High Power Mode +15.5dBV (6.0V)
IMPEDANCES
Headphone Output 0.08 Ohms
Line Output 47.5 Ohms
INPUT LOCK RANGE SAMPLE RATE LOCK RANGE
S/PDIF 44.1kHz 43870-45420Hz
48kHz 46590-49220Hz
88.2kHz 87760-90830Hz
96kHz 93520-98430Hz
176.4kHz 175700-181640Hz
192kHz 187050-196380Hz
TOSLINK 44.1kHz 43900-45410Hz
60Hz 48kHz 46590-49190Hz
60Hz 88.2kHz 87840-90830Hz
60Hz 96kHz 93520-97530Hz
USB supported sample rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384kHz
POWER CONSUMPTION
Max, High Power mode 8.0W
Max, Low Power mode 2.5W
DIMENSIONS
4″ x 5.25″ x 1.8″
HEADPHONE OUTPUT POWER / LOW POWER MODE OUTPUT POWER MW
S/PDILoad Resistance Ohms 1 Channel Driven 2 Channels Driven
4 80 22
8 140 45
16 310 90
20 350 100
32 600 175
50 560 280
300 83 83
600 40 40
HEADPHONE OUTPUT POWER / HIGH POWER MODE OUTPUT POWER MW
S/PDILoad Resistance Ohms 1 Channel Driven 2 Channels Driven
4 925 240
8 1800 490
16 1900 940
20 1575 1030
32 1020 950
50 680 650
300 115 115
600 57 57

 

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