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Meridian’s Explorer2 is a portable,
compact and rugged USB DAC
designed to deliver best-in-class
audio performance. Developed from
the highly successful and acclaimed
Explorer, Explorer2 features a
significantly more powerful DSP
capability than its predecessor. This
allows the full range of Meridian
enhancement technologies to be
included, along with decoding and
rendering for the MQA ‘Master Quality
Authenticated’ process.
Like its predecessor, Explorer2 includes
premium audiophile-grade components and
an elegant all-metal enclosure. Explorer2
delivers an exceptional Meridian audio
experience from virtually any computer –
and a lot more besides.
Meridian DNA
Explorer2 embodies Meridian DNA. The
design features a sophisticated 6-layer
circuit board. Audiophile-grade components
are utilised throughout, including resistors,
sockets and music grade electrolytics; and
polypropylene filter capacitors. The use of
direct-coupled outputs further maximises
audio quality.
Explorer2 was designed, and is built, in
the UK, in exactly the same way and with
the same attention to detail and quality
throughout, as any other Meridian product.
Meridian Resolution Enhancement
Explorer2 includes significantly more DSP
power than its predecessor, allowing the
Advanced High-resolution USB DAC
full suite of Meridian audio enhancement
technologies to be included, which
was not previously possible. Thus the
Explorer2 upsamples all input signal to
176.4/192kHz (4x standard sample rates)
– 4x streams are played at full resolution
with no downsampling. It includes Meridian’s
proprietary Apodising upsampling filter, which
minimises pre-ringing for a clearer, more
transparent sound, while at the same time
removing digital filter artefacts from earlier
digital recordings, audibly improving overall
smoothness of sound and stereo imaging.
The Explorer2 also features Meridian’s
approach to noise-shaping. This moves noise
out of the audio band, increasing the audible
signal to noise ratio.
Superior clocking
Explorer2 features full audio performance at
sample rates up to 192kHz, 24-bit resolution.
It doesn’t downsample 176.4/192 kHz
signals to lower levels, delivering instead
the full bandwidth of the original. Explorer2
is completely asynchronous – it does not
rely on the computer’s clock for timing.
Instead, it uses precision on-board low-jitter
crystal oscillators for the base sample rates.
These were developed from those used in
Meridian’s premium home entertainment
systems.
These oscillators provide the master clocking
for the entire playback system, and eliminate
all USB interface jitter. ‘Isochronous’ transfer
ensures maximum bandwidth and low latency.
This is particularly significant, for example,
when playing videos on the computer, for
which audio and video must remain in sync.
Explorer
Product highlights
True Meridian quality from a pocket
Digital to Analogue Converter
Includes USB DAC and
Headphone Amplifier
Meridian MQA Decoding and
Rendering with LEDs to indicate
authenticated master-quality replay
Full range of Meridian Resolution
Enhancement technologies
for ultimate performance:
Apodising filter, 4x upsampling to
176.4/192kHz, Noise Shaping
Asynchronous USB Audio Class
Compliant 2.0 HS 480Mb/s for
best-in-class performance
Bus-powered; plugs into any
computer with a USB port
Exceptionally high resolution
(24-bit/192kHz)
6-layer circuit board with
audiophile-grade components
throughout
Auto-sensing headphone and
192kHz-derived fixed analogue
outputs
Advanced headphone volume
control: 0 to –100dB, ideal for
sensitive headphones.
Ultimate playback performance
limited only by the source material
– makes any file sound its best
Compact, elegant and rugged
metal enclosure
Cable connection to avoid
motherboard stress
Hand made in the UK
Meridian Audio Limited
meridian-audio.com
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The DAC design also offers extremely low
modulation noise and distortion for the
ultimate in audio performance. The interface
is USB Audio Class Compliant 2.0 HS,
supporting data rates up to 480Mb/s.
Dual auto-sensing outputs
Two outputs are provided: one for
headphones and the other a line output
for connection to a hi-fi system. Explorer2
automatically senses which is in use and
deactivates the heaphone amplifier when the
line output is connected, reducing noise.
The 3.5mm headphone socket delivers up to
130mW of high-quality audio – capable of
driving plenty of level for even low-efficiency
headphones.
The volume is controlled from the host
computer. The volume control is an advanced
design with an extended range of 0 to
–100dB. This level of variability suits all kinds
of headphones including the most sensitive.
The second 3.5mm socket provides a
fixed-level analogue (2v RMS) output for
connection to an external audio system.
This is connected directly to the DAC for
bit-precise performance. It delivers a fixed,
full-level signal with no volume control. This
is exactly what you need for an audio system:
driving full level ensures both maximum
signal to noise ratio and maximum use of
digital resolution right through to the audio
system’s own volume control, which controls
the level for all sources in the system.
A Higher Class of DAC
Explorer2 is a USB Class 2 device that
works with the newer (2009) USB2
specification. This supports a transmission
speed of 480Mb/s – 40 times faster than
Class 1 – allowing Explorer2 to play 192kHz
audio streams. You can also plug it into
any available USB port – including a hub.
You’re not required to plug it direct into the
computer.
Whether replaying an mp3 or a highresolution lossless file, Explorer2 will make
any content sound its best. It delivers a level
of audio quality essentially limited solely by
the source material.
Three indicators show the status of the
Explorer2. The LED furthest from the
headphone socket illuminates white to
indicate that the unit is operating (and
playing PCM at 1x standard sample rates –
44.1/48kHz). The middle LED (2x standard
rate) indicates 88.2/96kHz operation and
the third LED 176.4/192kHz operation (4x).
Master Quality Authenticated (MQA)
Explorer2 includes a powerful decoder and
audio renderer for Meridian’s exclusive
‘Master Quality Authenticated’ system. This
ensures that MQA-encoded lossless audio
files and streams sound exactly like the
source. The 1x LED glows green to indicate
that the unit is decoding and playing an MQA
stream or file, and that the sound is identical
to that of the source material. It glows blue to
indicate that the Explorer2 is playing an MQA
Studio file – one based on a new, exclusively
sourced, artist/producer-approved studio
master. In all cases you hear exactly the
sound the production team intended.
Operation
Explorer2 connects to the computer via USB
mini B connector and a cable. Unlike many
other products of its type, Explorer2 does not
plug directly into the PC: it uses a standard
USB cable (included). This minimises the
risk of damaging the PC motherboard if
the product is accidentally knocked or the
headphone cord is pulled.
Explorer2 connects to virtually any computer
which has a USB port. Drivers are provided
for Windows. Macintosh and Linux operating
systems do not require drivers, allowing
simple plug-in and play operation. On the
Macintosh, the Audio MIDI Setup utility
is used to set the output sample rate; on
Windows, the Sound control panel is used.
Explorer2 requires Macintosh OS X 10.6.4
(Snow Leopard) or later, Linux kernel 2.6.37
or later, or Windows XP SP3, Windows 7
SP1, or Windows 8 or later.
Despite its powerful output and performance
capability, Explorer2 is entirely USB
bus-powered. It is supplied in elegant
presentation packaging and includes a short
USB cable and a soft carrying pouch that
stores both Explorer2 and cable.
Explorer
Advanced High-resolution USB DAC
Outline Specifications
Inputs
• USB mini type B.
Outputs
• 3.5mm analogue line out, fixed 2v RMS.
• 3.5mm headphone jack with variable-level
output, impedance 0.47Ω.
Construction
• Extruded Aluminium shell with moulded
plastic endcaps and rubber foot.
Power
• USB, nominal 5V at <500mA.
Processing
• Dual Tile XMOS DSP with 16 cores and
1000 MIPS
Indicators
• Three white LEDs (1x, 2x, 4x) show
connected state and audio stream rate. 1x
LED glows white for PCM, green to indicate
MQA playback and blue to indicate MQA
Studio playback. MQA indications will not
show if the bitstream is altered in any way.
Implementation
• USB audio class compliant 2.0 HS 480Mb/s
bandwidth.
• Asynchronous: device is the clock source for
high quality.
• Firmware upgrade via USB.
• Windows drivers provided, no drivers required
for Macintosh OS X or Linux.
• Analogue volume control for headphone
output, controlled from PC, control law
modified to match connected OS.
OS requirements
• Macintosh OS X 10.6.4 (Snow Leopard) or
later
• Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 SP1,
Windows 8 or later
• Linux kernel 2.6.37 or later and ALSA version
1.0.32 or greater
Dimensions (approx)
102 x 32 x 18mm (4.0 x 1.25 x 0.7in).
Weight (approx)
50g (1.76oz).
E&OE. Specifications subject to change
without notice. Original measurements use
SI units. Dimensions should be confirmed
against the original device or dimensioned
engineering drawings.
EXP2MDS-ENG v1.4 • REƒ • 20141110
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