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SPL Mercury

SKU: Mecury

Mastering D/A Converter

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About this item

Product

Description

SPL Mercury

Mercury is the first mastering DA-converter in 120V technology. It offers seven digital stereo input sources, all of which can be synchronized with each other or with a word clock. The additional variable output qualifies Mercury as a monitor controller.

Seven Digital Sources

Mercury provides connections for a total of seven digital stereo input sources.

For each digital source, there is a dedicated and illuminated tactile switch for quick selection and quick comparison.

The detected sample rate is shown in the display.

One USB input and two coaxial, two optical, and two AES/EBU inputs are available. AES input 2 also supports Dual-Wire (DW) mode.

Show me

Sync

The display shows the synchronization status and the detected sampling rate. Any source except USB can be synchronized to another source or to an external Word Clock.

If the sync “Source” is selected in the display, each source uses its own sync code embedded in the signal.

O dBfs

Holding the Sync button for more than two seconds Mercury will change to the 0dBfs display.

Mercury offers all reference levels in dBu corresponding to a 0 dBfs (full scale) digital signal: +14, +15, +16, +17, +18, +20, +22 and +24 dBu

Fix And Variable Outputs

Fix & Var

The FIX OUT is an analog balanced stereo output that can be calibrated to all common reference levels (see 0 dBfs).

Mercury offers a variable analog balanced stereo output. This output provides the same signal as the FIX OUT, but the level is continuously adjustable. Thus Mercury can also be used as a state-of-the-art monitor controller.

Variable Output

This analog potentiometer is used to control the level of the VAR OUT output. We use the ALPS RK27 “Big Blue” potentiometer with a nice “spoon in honey” feel and excellent channel tracking. So not only the auditory but also the haptic experience of volume control is at the highest level.

The 120V technology

The 120V technology is our reference technology. The 120V technology is unique in the world. It operates at a DC voltage of 120 volts. This is four times that of IC-based semiconductor op-amps.

The highest possible audio quality requires the highest possible audio operating voltage.

The 120V technology works with +/-60 V. To be able to handle such a high voltage, we have developed special proprietary operational amplifiers that can operate with a DC voltage of +/-60 V: the SPL 120V SUPRA operational amplifiers.
This high voltage would destroy conventional components and operational amplifiers.

The 120V technology achieves impressive technical specifications and sonic benefits. Technically, in terms of dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and headroom. Sonically, in terms of richness of detail and an absolutely relaxed listening experience.

By the way, the “120V” in the name of the technology has nothing to do with the local mains voltage from the mains power socket. This is about the operating voltage inside the device with which the audio signals are processed.

The mains voltage from the mains power socket is transformed to the required secondary voltage in the device’s internal linear power supply with a toroidal transformer. Rectifiers convert this AC voltage into the DC voltage needed for the audio device.

The idea for SPL 120V technology and the SUPRA operational amplifier based on this technology were developed in the 1990s by SPL founder and chief developer Wolfgang Neumann.

With the goal of building the best mastering console ever, this basic technological philosophy then took shape for the first time – thus the SPL MMC1 Mastering Console for Galaxy Studios saw the light of day in 2000.

The outstanding sonic and technical features quickly got around in the scene – so further orders were not long in coming.

Besides the MMC 1, another legendary product with 120V technology was created with the PQ, the “King of Parametric Equalizers”.

Since then, 120V technology has been the foundation for all SPL premium products. Meanwhile, not only for mastering applications but also for studio or hifi use.

Comparison

Most audio devices work with an internal operating voltage of +/-15 volts and can thus process a maximum input level of +21.5 dBu. If a DAC, for example, has an output level of +22 dBu at 0 dBFS, level peaks of the music material would already cause overload in the input stage of the device.
All components in the audio device often operate at their limits. The result is an unsteady sound that causes stress and faster ear fatigue.

SPL devices with 120V technology can handle input levels of +32.5 dBu thanks to the higher internal operating voltage of +/- 60 volts – thus offering 12 dB more headroom. All components consequently operate continuously in the optimum operating range. The result is a very pleasant, natural, and relaxed sound experience. So you can enjoy your music in every detail.

These diagrams clearly show the superiority of the 120V technology in comparison to other circuits with lower, common operating voltages.

Specifications

Analog inputs & output; XLR (balanced)

Maximum input & output gain
32.5 dBu
Input impedance
20 kΩ
Output impedance
75 Ω
Common mode rejection
-82 dBu
Frequency range (-3 dB)
4 Hz – 300 kHz
Crosstalk (1 kHz)
-108 dBu
THD (0 dBu, 1 kHz)
0.000992 %
Noise (A-weighted)
-102.5 dBu
Dynamic range
135 dB

Digital Inputs, DAC768

AES/EBU (XLR), PCM sample rates
44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz
Coaxial SPDIF (Cinch), PCM sample rates
44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz
Optisch SPDIF (Toslink F06), PCM sample rates
44.1/48/88.2/96/with Glass fiber <1 m: 176.4/192 kHz
USB (B), PCM sample rates
44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192/352.8/384/705.6/768 kHz
USB (B), DSD over PCM (DoP), sample rates
2.8 (DSD64), 5.6 (DSD128), 11.2 (DSD256) MHz
0 dBfs calibrated to
15 dBu

Internal Linear Power Supply with Shielded Toroidal Transformer

Operating voltage for analog audio
+/- 60 V
Operating voltage for relays and LEDs
+ 12 V

Mains Power Supply

Mains voltage (selectable, see fuse chamber)
230 V AC / 50; 115 V AC / 60 Hz
Fuse for 230 V
T 500 mA
Fuse for 115 V
T 1 A
Power consumption
max. 40 VA
Stand-by power consumption
< 0,3 W

Dimensions & Weight

W x H x D (width x height x depth)
482 x 44 x 300 mm
19 x 1.73 x 11.8 inch
Unit weight
4.55 kg
10 lbs
Shipping weight (incl. packaging)
6.7 kg
14.77 lbs

Reference: 0 dBu = 0,775 V. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

The Drivers

Mac OS & iOS

No driver installation is required for Mac or iOS devices (class compliant).

iOS devices must be connected using the Apple camera adapter.

Windows

To operate with a higher than the standard sample rate this driver installation is required.

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