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. The Mercury mastering DA-converter is available in red or black.
 
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 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.

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
By 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 & Var
The FIX OUT is an analog balanced stereo output which 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. SPL used the ALPS RK27 “Big Blue” potentiometer with a nice spoon-in-honey feel and excellent channel tracking. The auditory and the haptic experience of volume control is at the highest level.
 
The Specs
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 fibre <1m: 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
- Operating voltage for DAC768: + 7 V, +3.3 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
 
Physical
- Dimensions: 19" W x 1.73" H x 11.8" D
- Unit weight: 10 lb