![]() Its silver-anodized aluminum case has rounded corners, and its top panel - secured by four large screws, one in each corner - is recessed to give it a clean appearance. The NADAC ST-2 measures 17”W x 3.7”H x 17”D and weighs 24.2 pounds. Other rear-panel connections include a word-clock input using a BNC connector, and an IEC power-cord inlet. One of Ravenna’s advantages is said to be ultraprecise clocking of the digital input using its Precision Time Protocol feature Merging specifies for the ST-2 a clock resolution of one nanosecond. The Ravenna protocol allows the NADAC to interface with your computer using the Ravenna Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) driver for Windows, or the Ravenna Core Audio driver for Mac OS X (both are downloadable from Merging’s website). Of course, you can easily find USB implementations that permit asynchronous hi-rez PCM and DSD transmission, though not with nearly the cable lengths offered by the NADAC. This connection is claimed to be asynchronous, meaning that the NADAC controls the rate at which digital data are sent from the computer to the DAC. Through this input the NADAC can accept 44.1-384kHz PCM, DXD, and DSD64/128/256. What sets the NADAC apart is its Ethernet RJ45 EtherCon connection, which permits cable runs of up to 100m. Analog outputs are stereo pairs of RCA and XLR connectors. ![]() Its digital inputs include AES/EBU on a three-pin XLR connector (compatible with PCM resolutions of 44.1 to 192kHz), S/PDIF optical using a TosLink connector (44.1-96kHz PCM), and S/PDIF coaxial using an RCA connector (44.1-96kHz PCM). The Merging NADAC ST-2 has all the features of a typical high-end DAC. Merging describes Ravenna as follows: “This open and published IP network technology had been created to meet the demands of national broadcasters and focused on essential requirements of extremely accurate clocking, high resistance to packet loss and very low latency.” Merging says that they “worked closely with the developers” of Ravenna to allow the software to accommodate high-resolution PCM and DSD content, which would of course be a requirement for a high-end home-audio DAC in 2016. It was the experience gained in designing the Horus and Hapi models that convinced Merging to launch the two-channel Networked Attached Digital-to-Analog Converter (NADAC) ST-2 an eight-channel version, the NADAC MC-8, is also available.Īs for the NADAC’s networking capability, it uses the Ravenna/AES67 protocol, also used in the Horus and Hapi products. Though probably best known for their Pyramix professional audio workstation, Merging has recently ventured far into networked audio interfaces with their Horus and Hapi products. ![]() Merging Technologies was founded 25 years ago by Claude Cellier, who’d previously worked with electronics maker Nagra, another Swiss company with a rich history in pro audio - namely in various types of recorders - that then ventured into high-end home audio. However, Merging Technologies is hardly a newbie - their reputation in professional audio is that of legend. The NADAC ST-2 is Swiss-company Merging Technologies’ first foray into consumer electronics.
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