The French company Metronome Technology introduced an external DAC Mantax under the Kalista brand . The new product should become an organic partner for the ultimate transport of optical discs SACD/ CD Kalista DreamPlay X. In addition to the fact that the components belong to the same class, they perfectly complement each other in design. The company noted that Kalista Mantax was developed at the request of DreamPlay X owners who needed a digital-to-analog converter worthy of their SACD/CD transport.
Kalista Mantax DAC
To broadcast the digital stream from DreamPlay X to Mantax, the patented Kalista I²S interface is used. Digital-to-analog conversion is implemented by two separate paths on AKM and ESS chips, and the choice of a specific option is left to the user. There are also two analog paths here – tube and transistor. Thus, the user has a wide field for experimentation in finding the sound character that suits him. Of course, the new product can also be used with components from other manufacturers; for this purpose, the switching arsenal of Kalista Mantax includes, in addition to the Kalista I²S interface, the usual set of digital inputs, including a USB-B port for connecting a computer, optical and coaxial SPDIF inputs, as well as balanced AES/ EBU.
Kalista Mantax DAC
Jean Marie Clauzel , owner and developer of Metronome and Kalista, notes: “Designing and producing such exceptional devices is always a very challenging task. Mantax couldn’t arrive in the same time frame as DreamPlay X , but I’m convinced it was worth the wait! Fantastic build quality and great customization options are what I wanted to offer to the audiophile world. Now please watch and, above all, listen!”
Kalista Mantax DAC
The Kalista Mantax DAC is offered in two color options: silver Diamond and black Pearl. The new product will go on sale on December 1, 2023 at a recommended retail price of $60.000.
