Weiss DAC 501 MK 2 Streaming DAC/Headphone Amp

Engineered from Weiss’ studio-mastering DNA, the DAC501 MK2 is a compact, do-it-all digital front end built for listeners who want true reference transparency and real-world flexibility. It combines a high-performance DAC with a network renderer, precision preamp, headphone amplifier, and an advanced DSP engine—so your system can be both accurate and tunable to your room, headphones, and taste.

The MK2 designation reflects Weiss’ newest analog conversion stage: it’s designed as an enhanced two-channel DACtoday, and it’s built on the platform that supports four-channel capability (with additional multi-channel features enabled via software as Weiss develops them). Importantly, Weiss keeps the platform upgradeable, protecting long-term ownership.

Connectivity is equally serious: AES/EBU + S/PDIF (XLR/RCA/Toslink), USB, and Ethernet streaming with UPnP/DLNA and Roon Ready support—plus integration with JPLAY iOS for Qobuz, TIDAL, and local libraries in one interface.

Why it stands out

• MK2 performance uplift: a new conversion/analog section aimed at higher transparency and openness, while retaining the full DAC50x feature set

• Purist signal path: dual 32-bit DAC chips, low-jitter internal clocking, discrete analog stages for line and headphone outputs

• Network + studio-grade DSP: Room EQ, de-essing, crosstalk cancellation (XTC), vinyl emulation, loudness control, headphone EQ, crossfeed, and more

• Serious measured headroom (MK2/4ch platform): Weiss cites >128 dB SNR and >115 dB signal-to-distortion-and-noise, with very low spurious components and crosstalk

At a glance

• Formats: PCM 44.1 kHz–384 kHz, DSD64 / DSD128

• Inputs: AES/EBU & S/PDIF (XLR/RCA/Toslink), USB, Ethernet (UPnP/DLNA), Roon Ready

• Outputs: balanced XLR + unbalanced RCA line out, ¼″ headphone out; discrete output stages; independent output level steps for line/headphone