Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian Explorer

Hi Malcolm

Today i tested AQ Dragonfly, Arcam rPAC and M Explorer.

M was the best DAC in the group.
Sound very close to the M sound. Open, Detail, bass, resolution and musical.

AQ was second best.
Sound was more detailed than M but could be a bit harsh in the top. Not the same smoothness and overall complete sound.

Arcam rPAC was last.
Was not as punchy as the M and AQ. Not the resolution either. Sounded a bit dull, compared to the other ones.

Arcam had the best cables, see profile. M and AQ was using a decent 3.5mm to RCA cable from Genelec. Arcam rPac used AQ Forest USB and AQ Copperhead RCA. All files was played from my MacBook and through Korg Audiogate player. Files was in FLAC and there was both 16/44 and 96/24. The speakers where my Elac. Power cables was AQ NRG 1.

It is most likely that all the three would perform even better with better cables. But the AQ and M and the worst cables in the setup.

I would recommend M Explorer to everybody who is thinking about a USB DAC today.

I have no favors in any form from M for writing this review. I would not hesitate to say that M was a bad if that was the case.

Feel free to send a PM for more detailed info about my thoughts about these three.

Best Regards, Per Nilsson, Sweden