Métronome c|AQWO 2 D/A Converter with Separate PSU

Regular price: $40,800.00 USD
Regular price
Sale price: $40,800.00 USD

Color: Silver

Output Stage Solid State Vacuum tube

Options Standard Streaming

Free shipping

Description

Métronome c|AQWO 2 is a hand-assembled French digital-to-analog converter with two conversion lines, AKM AK4499EX and ESS ES9039MPRO, and a separate power supply. Two I²S inputs take native DSD256, USB accepts native DSD512, and AES/EBU, S/PDIF and Toslink inputs are included. The output can be switched between transistor and an optional tube stage, and a streaming option is available with Roon Ready, Qobuz Connect and Audirvāna support. The Métronome c|AQWO 2 pairs with the t|AQWO 2 transport.

Specifications

Type: DSD digital-to-analog converter with separate power supply (two-box design)
Available Finishes: Silver, Black
DAC Chips: Two conversion lines: AKM AK4499EX and ESS ES9039MPRO
THD+N: AKM -124 dB; ESS -122 dB
Dynamic Range: AKM S/N 135 dB; ESS S/N 137 dB
I²S Inputs: Two; PCM 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit; native DSD64 to DSD256
S/PDIF Input: PCM 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit; DSD64 to DSD128 (DoP)
AES/EBU Input: PCM 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit; DSD64 to DSD128 (DoP)
Toslink Input: PCM 44.1 to 192 kHz / 32-bit; DSD64 (DoP)
USB Input: PCM 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit; native DSD64 to DSD512
Analog Outputs: RCA (100 Ω output impedance, 3 V max); XLR (150 Ω output impedance, 3 V max)
Options: Analog tube output; streaming module
Streaming Module (Option): PCM 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit; native DSD64 to DSD256; MQA renderer
Wi-Fi (Streaming Option): Dual band (2.4 and 5 GHz)
Ethernet (Streaming Option): 1 x Gigabit (10/100/1000)
Supported Protocols (Streaming Option): DLNA/UPnP, Roon Ready, Audirvāna, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Deezer, vTuner
USB: 1 x USB 2.0 (device update); 1 x USB 2.0 (external storage, with streaming option)
Display: 7-inch touchscreen, 1024 x 600
Power Consumption: 65 W (standby 45 W)
Dimensions, Drive (L x H x W): 420 x 120 x 425 mm (16.5 x 4.7 x 16.7 in)
Dimensions, Power Supply (L x H x W): 420 x 85 x 425 mm (16.5 x 3.3 x 16.7 in)
Weight, Drive: 11.6 kg (25.6 lb)
Weight, Power Supply: 12.8 kg (28.2 lb)

More information View images

Métronome c|AQWO 2

The Métronome c|AQWO 2 is a DSD-capable digital-to-analog converter designed and manufactured in France, with a separate power supply in its own chassis. It is the second generation of Métronome's AQWO converter, now with two conversion lines, ESS and AKM. It accepts PCM and DSD over I²S, USB, AES/EBU, S/PDIF and Toslink, offers a transistor or optional tube analog output, and can be ordered with a streaming option.

Two Conversion Lines

The c|AQWO 2 carries both an AKM AK4499EX and an ESS ES9039MPRO, each rated in the High-End range. The AKM line is specified at -124 dB THD+N and 135 dB signal-to-noise, and the ESS line at -122 dB and 137 dB.

Inputs

Two I²S inputs accept PCM to 384 kHz and native DSD to DSD256. USB accepts native DSD up to DSD512, and AES/EBU and S/PDIF carry DSD up to DSD128 as DoP. The unit has no digital outputs. The t|AQWO 2 SACD/CD transport is designed to pair with it.

I²S over HDMI is not standardized across manufacturers, and Métronome does not publish the pin assignment, so confirm compatibility with your source before relying on it. A Windows driver is available for USB.

Transistor or Tube Output

The output mode can be changed at any time, between transistor and an optional tube output. RCA and XLR outputs are provided, both with a 3 V maximum output level.

Separate Power Supply

The power supply is housed in its own chassis, 85 mm tall and matching the converter in width and depth, which makes the c|AQWO 2 a two-box design.

Optional Streaming

With the streaming option fitted, the c|AQWO 2 becomes a network player. It is Roon Ready and carries "Plays with Audirvāna" and JPLAY certification, and supports Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Deezer, vTuner and DLNA/UPnP, with an MQA renderer and native DSD up to DSD256. Network access is by Gigabit Ethernet or dual-band Wi-Fi, and a USB port accepts external storage.

Display

A 7-inch touchscreen carries the unit's settings and status. Firmware updates are installed through the USB service input on the rear panel.

Place in the AQWO Range

The c|AQWO 2 is the converter in the AQWO range's separates. The t|AQWO 2 is the matching SACD/CD transport, and both use a separate power supply. For an all-in-one unit, the AQWO 2 and the AQWO 2+ combine the transport, converter and streamer.

Métronome AQWO Range Comparison
Specification	AQWO 2	AQWO 2+	t\|AQWO 2	c\|AQWO 2
Type	Hybrid DAC, SACD/CD player and streamer	Hybrid DAC, SACD/CD player and streamer	SACD/CD transport	DSD digital-to-analog converter
Power Supply	Internal (single-box design)	External power supply (2-box design)	External power supply (2-box design)	External power supply (2-box design)
Disc Playback	CD (44.1 kHz / 16-bit); SACD (DSD64 native)	CD (44.1 kHz / 16-bit); SACD (DSD64 native)	CD (44.1 kHz / 16-bit); SACD (DSD64 native)	None
DAC Chip	ESS ES9039MPRO (High-End range)	ESS ES9039MPRO (High-End range)	None	Two conversion lines: AKM AK4499EX and ESS ES9039MPRO (High-End range)
THD+N	-122 dB	-122 dB	Not applicable	AKM -124 dB; ESS -122 dB
Dynamic Range (S/N)	137 dB	137 dB	Not applicable	AKM 135 dB; ESS 137 dB
Tube Stage	Optional tube output	Optional tube output	Not applicable	Optional tube output
Analog Outputs	RCA (100 Ω, 3 V max); XLR (150 Ω, 3 V max)	RCA (100 Ω, 3 V max); XLR (150 Ω, 3 V max)	None	RCA (100 Ω, 3 V max); XLR (150 Ω, 3 V max)
Digital Inputs	S/PDIF, AES/EBU, Toslink, USB, streaming	S/PDIF, AES/EBU, Toslink, USB, streaming	None	I²S (x2), S/PDIF, AES/EBU, Toslink, USB, streaming (option)
Digital Outputs	S/PDIF, AES/EBU, I²S (resampling available)	S/PDIF, AES/EBU, I²S (resampling available)	S/PDIF, AES/EBU, I²S (resampling available)	None
Streaming	Built in	Built in	Optional upgrade	Optional upgrade
Max DSD, USB Input	DSD512 native	DSD512 native	Not applicable	DSD512 native
Max DSD, Streaming	DSD256 native	DSD256 native	DSD256 native (with streaming option)	DSD256 native (with streaming option)
Max DSD, I²S	DSD256 native (output)	DSD256 native (output)	DSD256 native (output)	DSD256 native (inputs)
DSD over S/PDIF and AES/EBU	DSD128 via DoP	DSD128 via DoP	DSD128 via DoP (outputs)	DSD128 via DoP (inputs)
Max PCM	44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit	44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit	44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit	44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit
MQA	Renderer, 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit	Renderer, 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit	Renderer, 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit (with streaming option)	Renderer, 44.1 to 384 kHz / 32-bit (with streaming option)
Roon Ready	Yes	Yes	Yes (with streaming option)	Yes (with streaming option)
Streaming Protocols	DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Deezer, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, vTuner	DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Deezer, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, vTuner	DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Deezer, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, vTuner (with streaming option)	DLNA/UPnP, Audirvāna, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Deezer, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, vTuner (with streaming option)
Network	Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz); 1 x Gigabit Ethernet	Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz); 1 x Gigabit Ethernet	Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz); 1 x Gigabit Ethernet (with streaming option)	Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz); 1 x Gigabit Ethernet (with streaming option)
USB Port	1 x USB 2.0 (device update); 1 x USB 2.0 (external storage)	1 x USB 2.0 (device update); 1 x USB 2.0 (external storage)	1 x USB 2.0 (device update); 1 x USB 2.0 (external storage, with streaming option)	1 x USB 2.0 (device update); 1 x USB 2.0 (external storage, with streaming option)
Display	7-inch touchscreen, 1024 x 600	7-inch touchscreen, 1024 x 600	7-inch touchscreen, 1024 x 600	7-inch touchscreen, 1024 x 600
Power Consumption	40 W	48 W	45 W	65 W
Standby Power Consumption	32 W	34 W	26 W	45 W
Dimensions (L x H x W)	420 x 120 x 425 mm	Drive: 420 x 120 x 425 mm; PSU: 420 x 85 x 425 mm	Drive: 420 x 120 x 425 mm; PSU: 420 x 85 x 425 mm	Drive: 420 x 120 x 425 mm; PSU: 420 x 85 x 425 mm
Weight	15 kg	Drive: 13.3 kg; PSU: 12.6 kg	Drive: 12.9 kg; PSU: 11.2 kg	Drive: 11.6 kg; PSU: 12.8 kg
Finishes	Silver, Black	Silver, Black	Silver, Black	Silver, Black

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