ExaSound S82 Mark II: Streamer, DAC and Roon server in one

The Canadian brand exaSound introduced the second generation of the network source ExaSound S82 , which received the Mark II suffix in the model name. The novelty combines a network streamer, an external DAC, a Roon server and a high-quality headphone amplifier in one package.

The ExaSound S 82 Mark II network streamer is based on 32-bit ESS9038PRO DAC chips from ESS Technologies , which allows decoding PCM digital streams up to 32 bit / 384 kHz, as well as DSD up to DSD512. Work with the MQA format is also supported.

The ExaSound S82 Mark II switching arsenal includes coaxial and optical digital inputs, as well as a USB-B port for connecting a computer. The device can be integrated into a computer network both wirelessly via Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 and 5 GHz) and via a gigabit Ethernet port. The streamer has four USB-A version 3.0 ports and one USB-C port for connecting external drives, as well as two HDMI ports. There are two analog outputs – balanced on XLR connectors and unbalanced on RCA.

The new Roon Server Module is equipped with an Intel i5 processor, 8GB to 16GB of RAM and a 2TB to 6TB SSD. In addition to Roon, the ExaSound S82 Mark II offers a UPnP server and supports streaming with Signalyst HQPlayer, UPnP, AirPlay, Bluetooth, and playback of content from Tidal and Qobuz online services.

Network streamer ExaSound S 82 Mark II is already on sale. The suggested retail price starts at $7,599 for the 8GB RAM/2TB storage version.

ExaSound S82 Mark II Network Streamer Specifications:

• Sampling rates PCM ( USB, Network Streaming): 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz
• MQA sampling rates ( USB, Network Streaming): up to 384 kHz
• DSD sampling rates ( USB, Network Streaming): DSD64 (2.8224; 3.072 MHz), DSD128 (5.6448; 6.144 MHz), DSD256 (11.2896; 12.288 MHz), DSD512 (22.5792; 24.576 MHz)
• THD: 0.00014% (@ 1kHz, 0dBFS)
• Intermodulation distortion: 0.00004% (@ 19 – 20 kHz 0 dBFS)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 123.8 dB (balanced output, A-weighted, 4.6 Vrms) / 123.5 dB (unbalanced output, A-weighted, 2.0 Vrms)
• DAC Master Clock Jitter: 0.082ps (82fsec) rms
• Frequency response: 0 Hz – 20 kHz (-0.15 dB, @ 44.1 kHz / 48 kHz); 0 Hz – 30 kHz (-0.15 dB, @ 88.2 kHz and above)
• Channel separation: 133 dB (@ 1 kHz)
• Headphone amplifier – output current: 500 mA (peak)
• Headphone amplifier – output impedance: 1 ohm (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
• Headphone amplifier – output voltage: 0 – 6 Vrms
• Headphone Amplifier – THD: 0.0012% (1 Vrms, 60 ohms)
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 445 x 70 x 245 mm
• Weight: 5.2 kg