Vitus Audio RD-101 mk2  DAC

Visually the mk 2 looks identical to the original RD-101, but the streaming board has had a sizeable update. Stream Tidal or Qobuz via using the MConnect or JPLAY apps, both of these apps can also playback content stored on a local NAS or a shared folder on a computer all controlled simply by the easy to use MConnect App on your phone or tablet.

To get up and running all you need is the RD-101, a network connection, a music subscription and a tablet!

Please note, the Vitus RD-101 mk2 is a not yet a certified Roon Endpoint, but a future software update will add this functionality in time.

USB Connectivity

The USB input on the RD-101 is likely to be the most commonly used input, alongside Ethernet, simply connect it to a Melco or server/streamer of your choice and away you go. It can also be connected a computer as well if preferred.

Sound Quality

In performance terms the RD-101 mk2 sounds superb, in typical Vitus fashion the presentation is wonderfully refined, engaging and incredibly seductive to listen to. Due to the way Vitus voice their products you could be mistaken for thinking you are listening to an analogue source and very fine one at that!

The RD-101 sits just on the warmer side of neutral, it never sounds cold or clinical to listen to like so many DAC’s these days which simply want to extract every ounce of information from a recording to sound immediately  impressive, but so often leave you not being able to listen to certain recordings or ended up being fatigued after a long session. The RD draws you in with its melodic and mellifluous presentation.

It comfortably outperforms the internal DAC board for the RI-101 and is a sizeable upgrade. It instantly sounds bigger, bolder with a much grander presentation, switching between the internal DAC and the RD-101 the differences are not subtle.