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Meridian Explorer2 Portable USB DAC/headphone amplifier, MQA-ready

Item # 795EXPLRER

Meridian's original Explorer helped put the portable USB DAC category on the map.

Meridian's original Explorer helped put the portable USB DAC category on the map.

4 questions - 15 answers

Item # 795EXPLRER

Shop all Meridian DACs

About the Meridian Explorer2

James Ralston

Turn your computer into a high-fidelity stereo source

Meridian's original Explorer helped put the portable USB DAC category on the map. With their Explorer2, Meridian is taking it to new and exciting places. This compact, travel-ready device is packed with state-of-the-art audio technology that helps you extract every ounce of detail and musicality from all your computer audio sources. Grab your laptop and your favorite pair of headphones, and enjoy audiophile sound anywhere.

Turn your computer into a high-fidelity stereo source

Meridian's original Explorer helped put the portable USB DAC category on the map. With their Explorer2, Meridian is taking it to new and exciting places. This compact, travel-ready device is packed with state-of-the-art audio technology that helps you extract every ounce of detail and musicality from all your computer audio sources. Grab your laptop and your favorite pair of headphones, and enjoy audiophile sound anywhere.

Meridian Explorer2 DAC

Plug the Meridian Explorer2 into your laptop, grab your favorite headphones, and you've got high-end sound quality wherever you go.

When you plug the Explorer2 into your computer's USB port, it completely takes over the job of audio playback, right down to the timing of the data stream. Using its own separate, or "asynchronous," data clock, it eliminates timing errors — a.k.a. "jitter" — that can smear sonic detail and make your music sound harsh.

Raising the bar with MQA

With this advanced DAC, reclocking the data stream is just the beginning. The Explorer2 has a lot more processing power under the hood than its predecessor, so it can go further. There's built-in processing and audio rendering for Meridian's up-and-coming MQA (Master Quality Authentication) process. It's a new technology that ensures that MQA-encoded lossless digital files sound exactly like the original musical source.

Upsampling and more

This high-res DAC can handle audio files up to 24-bit/192kHz, and it upsamples everything you play. An advanced filter removes digital artifacts for smooth, transparent sound. The built-in headphone amplifier includes an analog volume control (which you operate digitally, through your computer). Fine volume adjustments let you dial in comfortable levels with sensitive headphones. If you download high-res music files from HDtracks and other audiophile sources, this DAC ensures that you'll hear them in all their glory.

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Product highlights:

  • supports sample rates up to 24-bit/192kHz for listening to high-resolution digital music sources
  • built-in decoder and renderer for MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio files
  • USB (mini Type B) input for connection to a computer
  • asynchronous USB technology for reduced timing jitter and better sound with computer audio sources
  • upsamples incoming signals to 176.4/192kHz
  • apodizing upsampling filter delivers clearer, more transparent sound
  • powered by USB connection — no need for external power supply
  • extruded aluminum case with molded plastic endcaps and rubber foot
  • 3.5mm fixed line-level analog audio output, 2V RMS
  • 3.5mm variable-level headphone output
    • analog headphone volume control is operated digitally via your computer
    • extended volume range of 0 to -100dB is ideal for sensitive headphones
  • supported incoming sample rates: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz
  • input bit depth: 16-bit, 24-bit
  • top-mounted LED sampling rate indicators helps verify source sample rate
  • operating system requirements:
    • Windows®: XP (SP3), 7 (SP1), 8 or later
    • Mac®: OS X 10.6.4 (Snow Leopard) or later
    • Linux kernel 2.6.37 or later, and ALSA version 1.0.23 or greater
  • Meridian USB audio driver provided for Windows computers; no drivers needed for Linux or Mac
  • carrying case and Type A to mini Type B USB cable included
  • 1-1/4"W x 3/4"H x 4"D
  • weight: 1.76 ounces
  • warranty: 2 years
  • MFR # Explorer

What's in the box:

  • Portable USB DAC
  • 7" USB cable (w/ a USB type-B connector on one end and a USB type-A connector on other end)
  • Cloth pouch
  • User Guide

Customer reviews for Meridian Explorer2

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5.0 out of 5 stars
18 reviews

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More details on the Meridian Explorer2

Mark G.

Features & specs

Design
Type ---
Built-in Rechargable Battery ---
Built-in Headphone Amplifier
Output Power ---
Output Impedance (Unbalanced) ---
Output Impedance (Balanced) ---
Audio Specs
Bit Depth (USB) ---
Max Sampling Rate (USB) ---
Bit Depth (S/PDIF) ---
Max Sampling Rate S/PDIF ---
S/N Ratio (Unbalanced, in dB) ---
S/N Ratio (Balanced, in dB) ---
THD (Unbalanced) ---
THD (Balanced) ---
Supported File Types
PCM ---
DSD ---
DXD ---
MQA ---
Inputs
Total Inputs ---
USB Mini Type B
Optical Digital None
Coaxial Digital None
3.5mm Digital None
Stereo RCA Analog None
Stereo 3.5mm Analog None
Stereo XLR Analog ---
Headphone Outputs
3.5mm Unbalanced ---
1/4-inch Unbalanced ---
4.4mm Balanced ---
XLR4 Balanced ---
Other Headphone Outs ---
Line Level & Digital Outs
RCA Line Out None
3.5mm Line Out 1
XLR Line Out ---
Subwoofer Out None
Optical Digital Out None
Coaxial Digital Out None
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth ---
Wi-Fi ---
Apple-compatible ---
Android-compatible ---
General Info
Width (inches) 1-1/4
Height (inches) 0-3/4
Depth (inches) 4-1/16
Weight 0.11 lbs.
Parts Warranty 2 Years
Labor Warranty 2 Years

Product Research

Features

Portable USB DAC & Headphone Amp: The Meridian Explorer² is a portable, compact, and rugged USB DAC designed to deliver high-quality audio performance. The Explorer² replaces your computer's sound card with a USB-powered DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) featuring Meridian's high quality audio circuitry and design derived from Meridian's award-winning Reference Series components, along with a powerful headphone amplifier with on-board analog volume control. Featuring premium audiophile-grade components throughout, a 6-layer circuit board, an elegant all-metal enclosure, the Explorer² delivers a superb audio experience from virtually any computer or laptop. Whether playing back an MP3 or a high-resolution lossless file, the Explorer² will make any content sound its best, delivering a level of audio quality essentially limited only by the source material.

Premium Audiophile-Grade Components: The Explorer² features a sophisticated 6-layer circuit board and direct-coupled outputs to further maximize audio quality. Audiophile-grade components are utilized throughout; including resistors, sockets, and music grade electrolytics, plus polypropylene filter capacitors.

Meridian Apodising Filter: The Explorer² 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

Asynchronous USB: TRather than rely on the notoriously unstable clocking of the host PC, the Explorer² is completely asynchronous, using precision on-board low-jitter crystal oscillators for the base sample rates, 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; the latter being significant when playing videos on the computer, for which audio and video must be in sync. The DAC's design also offers extremely low modulation noise and distortion for the ultimate in audio performance.

24-Bit/192kHz + Upsampling: The Meridian Explorer² offers high-quality audio performance at sample rates up to 192kHz/24-bit resolution. The Explorer²2 upsamples all input signals to 176.4/192kHz (4x standard sample rates).

Windows & Mac Compatible: The Meridian Explorer² connects to your desktop computer or laptop's USB (type-A) port via the DAC's mini-USB (type-B) connector and included mini-to-standard USB cable. The Explorer² connects to virtually any computer with a USB port. Drivers for Windows; Macintosh and Linux operating systems allow simple plug & play operation. The interface is USB Audio Class Compliant 2.0 HS, supporting data rates up to 480Mb/s.

  • The Explorer² supports Macintosh OS X 10.6.4 (Snow Leopard) or later; no additional drivers are needed.
  • The Explorer² is also compatible with Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 SP1, and Windows 8 or later; additional drivers are required and can be downloaded from the Meridian website.
  • In addition, the Explorer² supports Linux kernel 2.6.37 or later.

MQA (Master Quality Authenticated): Sourced from the original studio master recording as approved by the creative team, MQA combines an advanced new digital sampling technology that captures extremely high frequency timing and detail in an audio signal with an equally novel system to "encapsulate" that data into a form for delivery using any lossless file format or streaming. The listener's decoder reconstructs the entire original signal, bringing up an indicator confirming that what they are hearing is exactly the same as the original master. Without the decoder, the listener enjoys CD quality reproduction. Its most advanced form, "MQA Studio", uses the technology in the studio to generate an even higher quality master recording as the source.

Headphone Amplifier w/ Analog Volume Control: The Meridian Explorer² USB DAC features a powerful headphone amplifier with on-board analog volume control. The 3.5mm headphone socket delivers up to 130mW of high-quality audio; capable of driving even low-efficiency headphones. Most DACs simply alter the digital signal going into them, so the quieter you listen, the lower the quality. The Explorer² uses an analog volume control, driven from the operating system, so you always enjoy the full digital resolution. The volume will be controlled your computer/laptop.

Analog Output: The Meridian Explorer² USB DAC is fitted with an analog 3.5mm output and provides fixed-level analog (2v RMS) output to your external audio system. The analog output is connected directly to the DAC for bit-precise performance. The entire source resolution (up to 192kHz sampling, 24-bit) is employed to drive the analog output. The fixed-level output allows you to use your connected entertainment system's volume control.

3 LED Indicators: Three LED indicators show the status of the Explorer². The LED nearest the headphone socket illuminates to indicate that the unit is operating (44.1/48kHz). The middle LED indicates 88.2/96kHz operation and the third LED 176.4/192kHz operation .

Power Requirements: The Meridian Explorer² is entirely USB powered (5V/500mA) by your connected computer or laptop, and does not require AC outlet. Simply plug the Explorer² into a free USB (type-A) port on your computer or laptop.

Firmware Updates: Firmware updates can be downloaded from the Meridian website to your computer and the connected Explorer² USB DAC.

Carrying Pouch: A soft carrying pouch is included which will hold the Explorer² portable DAC and included USB cable.

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Customer Q&A

4 questions already asked

Q
Can this be used as a headphone amp for a turntable?
justin  Sep 11, 2017
3 answers
A
Assuming a USB turntable, it will do the conversion but without a computer you have no way to control the volume. You would need a headphone amp with a volume control. The Meridian has two outputs, one is computer adjustable and one is fixed for connecting to a headphone amp. i think the web page has more info in this type of setup. I am using B & O H3 earbuds. It is a great dac and does MQA. The Audioengine USB DAC might work, it has a volume control. I have a Audioengine D1 DAC for home use, works great. If you don't need MQA this might work best. Contact Audioengine because i think i have seen this setup at the a the audio show.
douglas  Sep 11, 2017
A
No, it only accepts a single input, digitally, via USB.
david  Sep 11, 2017
A
No. it doesn't provide power like that.
terry  Sep 11, 2017
Q
Has anyone gotten this to work with an Ipad or Ipod using the proper size adapters and cables? I want to get a dac to use with my Ipad(with lightning input) and Gen 4 Ipod.
troy  Jun 13, 2017
5 answers
A
No I could not get it to work with Lightning input. Also I have sent this back it only lasted a day for me hooking it up through the usb jack after that the unit failed. I would not recomend this at all.
mary  Jun 16, 2017
A
I'm using the Explorer2 DAC on the USB output of a Mac Mini. The DAC requires the computer's audio output to be set specifically to allow signal to bypass the Mini's internal DAC with the correct bit depth and frequency at the DAC's input. While it's likely that with the right cables the mobile devices can be connected to the Explorer2 I'm unsure if the IOS on these devices can provide the needed control of the audio output.
rick  Jun 16, 2017
A
No, this won't work with an iOS device as the Explorer 2 draws too much power from the device. There are other options if you would like a DAC for use with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, such as the AudioQuest Dragonfly Red or Black, Chord Mojo, or Oppo HA-2SE.
robert  Jun 15, 2017
A
I have not tried on a apple device. Currently using on a p.c. Meridian does a supplied device driver for P.C. to get the higher data rate. The special driver is not used on apple computers. I believe you need a lightning connector. The meridian comes with a small usb connector, one end is mini style and the other is a standard usb for the lightning connector. But no real experience with apple stuff. It is a great DAC sound wise, even with non MQA streams.
douglas  Jun 14, 2017
A
yes, use Apples lightning to USB adapter.
terry  Jun 14, 2017
Q
Can I use this DAC with my stereo via cable(3.5mm to RCA)? I want to use may laptop with Tidal's desktop app to play their MQA catalog. Thanks.
david  Apr 25, 2017
6 answers
A
Yes you can using the line level output. I use it that way that sometimes when I'm not listening with headphones and it sounds great!
cliff  Apr 26, 2017
A
Haven't been able to hook up the Meridian with my HP yet, so I can't answer the question. From what I've read, it should work. W
warren  Apr 25, 2017
A
Yes you can, I'm currently using 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable (AudioQuest from Crutchfield) Be sure to use Line Out Output and not the Headphone Qutput. When using the Meridian, be sure in Tidal application, your settings, all 3 options are checked, the main one being about software decoding, you want the Meridian doing the only decoding.
eric  Apr 25, 2017
A
Yes I do that and it sounds great. I turn off MQA first unfold in Tidal and the mac does the entire unfold.
terry  Apr 25, 2017
A
Yes, I am currently running mine from my iMac going through my home receiver via 3.5 to rca.
steve  Apr 25, 2017
A
Yes you can connect this to your home system. Just be sure to use the correct output on the Explorer. They are clearly labeled one for headphones and one line-level output for connecting to a stereo system.
david  Apr 25, 2017
Q
where is this item made?
denise  Mar 11, 2017
1 answer
A
Thanks for your question. Country of origin is listed as United Kingdom.
kenneth  Mar 11, 2017 (Staff)

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