Weiss DAC204 MK2
The next generat
ion of our most affordable and versatile digital-to-analogue converters is here. The DAC204 MK2 builds on the phenomenal success of DAC204 – a Stereophile Class A+ Recommended digital component and Stereophile’s Digital Product of the Year Runner Up for 2025, and elevates it with significant internal enhancements, ensuring the highest level of sonic purity – without increasing the price.
The core of the upgrade lies in a completely redesigned DAC board. This new design features a state-of-the-art DAC chip and a new output stage, bringing a substantial boost in performance to both units.
Key highlights of the DAC204-MK2 upgrade include:
• New upgraded DAC chip.
• Enhanced jitter elimination: The new chip, the ES9028PRO, includes a highly effective jitter eliminating circuit. This is crucial for maintaining pristine audio quality, even when dealing with sources or connections that are prone to jitter.
• Optimized output stage: A new output stage with a near-zero Ohm output impedance has been implemented. This design makes it easier to drive various loads, including difficult cables or low impedance headphones.
• Optimal sonic experience: The distortion figures and reconstruction filters have been acoustically optimized to deliver the best possible sound.
The DAC204 MK2 is the most versatile and affordable USB DAC offered by Weiss. It can be permanently connected to multiple digital units and the user can easily switch between them with the front-mounted Input Selector switch.
The DAC204 MK2 has three digital inputs; USB, Toslink and S/PDIF and two analog outputs; balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA. It accepts all standard sampling frequencies from PCM 44.1kHz up to 384 kHz plus DSD 64x and 128x, and it can convert DSD to PCM.
It employs no less than four oversampling sigma-delta D/A converters per channel, operated in parallel for enhanced signal-to-noise performance. Several signal reclocking schemes are combined for a high jitter attenuation.
An optional headphones adapter turns DAC204 into a high-end headphone amp/DAC.
An external power supply is included with the unit. All sensitive voltages have their own linear regulators. The result is an analog output free of “digital noise” and channel crosstalk. The DAC204 MK2 delivers a clean, neutral presentation with a high degree of musical integrity and excellent detail and separation of instruments.
The DAC is housed in a simple black chassis with a silver faceplate and delivers outstanding sonic performance for the money. Dimensions are 6.5” deep, by 4.2” wide by 3.8” tall. Features found on Weiss’ DAC501 and DAC 502 such as DSP, remote control and headphone output are not offered on the DAC204 MK2 nor is the 204 networkable / roon ready.
The Weiss DAC204 is a D/A converter for people looking for a no frills DAC with a small footprint that sounds as finely nuanced, fluid, fit and full as your music demands.
Michael Lavorgna, Twittering Machines, July 2023
This DAC has a clarity and crispness that I have never heard in this price range...The 204 is a bonafide winner, a bargain in the world of high end DACs.
Steve Huff Reviews, June 2023
Channel separation was superb, at >120dB. The low-frequency noisefloor was very low in level and free from power supply-related spuriae. The Weiss 204 was immune to jitter with all its inputs. Intermodulation distortion was extremely low in level. The noisefloor between odd-order harmonics is vanishingly low in level. The measured performance of the Weiss 204 is state of the digital art.
John Atkinson, Stereophile Class A+ Recommended Component, October 2025
