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MBL 1511E DAC - As Traded
Condition: Used. Very good, no obvious marks or damage (some light cleaning swirls on face plate)
Includes: Power Cable Only (No box)
SN: 40025
Includes 3 month (90 day) warranty
Made in Germany
Overview
Sporting balanced analogue output and the typical, tried and trusted input options, the 1551E DAC from MBL shows that while DAC technology has certainly progressed, there's still gems to find from years passed.
The 'True Audio' setting disables the DAC’s error correction circuits and is recommended by MBL for "maximum sound quality". In MBL's own words describing the 1511 "We want to give our customers a more emotionally-oriented sound; one could say a more 'analogue-style' sound, with smoother and more relaxed high frequencies."
Please note, as with other 1511 models all inputs are limited to accepting data up to a maximum of 24-bit/96kHz.
With a toroidal power supply and well designed chassis, the unit will look the part in any high end hifi system - and certainly sound it!
Specification
Multi level Delta Sigma
Sampling (f) 96, 48, 44.1, 32 kHz
Digital filter Oversampling 16 times =705,6 kHz (44.1 kHz red book)
Switch capacitor filter +Oversampling 128 times (smoothing)
Converter (f) Resolution 2.82 MHz, 24 bit linear
Error correction Repeat block on error
Signal/ Noise-Ratio 110 dB/ 112 dB
Digital Inputs
1 x XLR AES/EBU 110Ω
1 x RCA 75Ω
1 x BNC 75Ω
1 x TOSLINK 2 1 ./.
Wavelength 660 nm
Allowable input power 3 µW - 30 µW
Optimum Input power 10 µW
Cut- off frequency 6 MHz
Digital Outputs
1 x RCA
Output Impedance 75Ω
Operating voltage 0.5 Vp-p
Cut-off frequency 30 MHz
Analog Outputs
2 x RCA, 1 x XLR
Frequency Range DC - 20 kHz, +0 / -0.5 dB
Signal to noise 110 / 112 dBr, 2 V 110 / 112 dBr, 2 V 110 / 112 dBr, 2 V >110 dB
Dynamics 97 dB
Channel separation 110 dB, 1 kHz
THD 0.0007%, 1 kHz
Output level 2V, 1kHz (RCA), 4V,1kHz (XLR)
Output Impedance RCA= 100 Ω, XLR= 200 Ω
Power consumtion 50 VA max
Line Voltage 230/115 Vac, 50/60 Hz
Weight 29 kg
Dimensions (WxHxD ) mm 450 x 112.5 x 400
AUDIO CONNECTION QUALITY GUARENTEE
✔️Comprehensive three month warranty on Trade In's*
✔️Passed our checks for functionality
✔️A full inspection noting for any defects
✔️A full completeness check for all included parts and accessories
Generating expert take…
MBL stands as a German high-end audio manufacturer founded in 1979 by three engineers—Meletzky, Beinecke, and Lehnhardt—whose initials form the company name. The brand emerged from Berlin with a singular vision: to create loudspeakers that distribute sound omnidirectionally in a 360-degree pattern, a radical departure from conventional speaker design. This breakthrough technology, called the Radialstrahler (radial emitter), debuted at the 1979 IFA Berlin trade fair and immediately captured the audio world's attention with its distinctive "rocket" shape and room-filling acoustic performance.
MBL's product portfolio centers on high-end loudspeakers and premium audio electronics, with the company maintaining complete in-house manufacturing of all components and speakers near Berlin. The brand has built its reputation on precision engineering combined with handcrafted assembly, ensuring meticulous quality control across its lineup. While loudspeakers remain the cornerstone of MBL's identity, the company has expanded into complementary electronics to serve discerning audiophiles seeking integrated solutions.
Positioned firmly in the luxury high-end segment, MBL commands respect among serious collectors and enthusiasts willing to invest substantially in audio excellence. The brand's nearly five-decade heritage, German manufacturing credentials, and pioneering omnidirectional speaker technology have established MBL as a globally recognized leader in high-fidelity audio. The company's commitment to in-house production and its role in shaping the modern high-end audio industry underscore its status as a premium, innovation-driven manufacturer rather than a mass-market player.
See all MBL listings on RADAR.
