Mytek Audio, a renowned pioneer in both professional recording studio hardware and high-end consumer audio equipment, officially unveiled its flagship Mytek Empire V2.0 DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier at the prestigious Audio Video Show 2026 in Warsaw, Poland. Marking a major evolutionary step forward for the brand’s top-tier digital ecosystem, the Empire V2.0 integrates high-resolution digital-to-analogue conversion, powerful network streaming, comprehensive preamplification, and studio-grade analogue recording into a single, beautifully engineered chassis. Available in sleek silver or sophisticated black anodized aluminium finishes, the new flagship aims to redefine what audiophiles can expect from a centralized digital hub.
The introduction of the Empire V2.0 in Warsaw highlights Mytek Audio’s deep-rooted connection to the European capital. While the company was originally founded in New York City in 1992 by Michal Jurewicz—initially carving out a stellar reputation in the professional recording industry by supplying high-performance digital gear to top-tier studios—its contemporary operations and manufacturing are anchored in Warsaw. Showcasing the brand-new flagship on home turf for European manufacturing allowed Mytek to demonstrate its latest engineering breakthroughs directly to international reviewers, dealers, and high-end audio enthusiasts.
Advanced Architecture and Dual-Mono DAC Technology
At the heart of the Mytek Empire V2.0 lies a comprehensively redesigned dual-mono hybrid DAC architecture, which pairs customized silicon chipsets with advanced digital signal processing (DSP). This meticulous engineering approach ensures ultimate channel separation, vanishingly low distortion, and an expansive, three-dimensional soundstage.
The digital processing engine boasts staggering technical specifications, offering native support for high-resolution PCM audio up to 32-bit/768kHz, alongside native DSD reproduction scaling all the way up to DSD512. To maintain absolute signal purity, Mytek has equipped the unit with completely independent power transformers for the left and right channels, eliminating cross-talk and electrical interference. Furthermore, the newly refined analogue output stage gives users the ultimate flexibility of choosing between transparent analogue volume control or high-resolution digital volume control, catering to varied system topologies.
Connectivity options on the Empire V2.0 are exceptionally robust, ensuring it can seamlessly integrate into virtually any legacy or modern high-end audio setup. The unit features six dedicated analogue inputs—comprising two balanced XLR inputs and four single-ended RCA connections—making it fully equipped to handle traditional source components like turntable phono stages or CD players. On the digital side, it offers four distinct inputs: two coaxial ports, one optical port, and a high-speed USB interface, allowing the unit to function effortlessly as a standalone reference-grade DAC.
Powerful Streaming, Ubuntu-Powered OS, and Massive Storage
Moving beyond traditional digital-to-analogue conversion, the Empire V2.0 functions as a powerhouse network streamer driven by robust Intel NUC computing hardware. The software environment is managed by Mytek OS, a customized and optimized platform running on Ubuntu Linux. Users can interact with the device intuitively via a responsive front-panel touchscreen display or remotely through dedicated smartphone and tablet applications.
Out of the box, the streamer offers native compatibility with industry-standard platforms such as Qobuz Connect and Roon Core, ensuring seamless access to expansive lossless music libraries. Mytek has also confirmed that support for Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect will be integrated via upcoming software patches.
One of the standout features carried over and refined in the V2.0 platform is its internal storage capacity. The unit comes equipped with a massive 8TB internal solid-state drive (SSD) for local music storage, with factory provisions allowing for custom configurations scaling up to a staggering 16TB. For users with even larger libraries, external USB drives and network-attached storage (NAS) devices are fully supported. Mytek’s commitment to a flexible software ecosystem means the platform will continue to evolve via over-the-air internet updates, introducing new features, expanded DSP capabilities, and enhanced streaming protocols over time.
Studio-Grade Mastering ADC and Advanced DSP
True to Mytek Audio’s professional recording roots, the Empire V2.0 bridges the gap between consumer playback and studio-level creation. The unit incorporates a built-in mastering-grade analogue-to-digital converter (ADC). This allows audiophiles to take legacy analogue sources—such as vinyl records played through an external phono stage or reel-to-reel tape decks—and archive them in pristine high-resolution digital formats directly onto the internal solid-state drive.
Complementing the recording capabilities is a versatile digital signal processing architecture. The Empire V2.0 is designed to support sophisticated third-party software plug-ins, opening the door for advanced features such as highly accurate digital room correction, acoustic tuning, and real-time record noise removal. This ensures that the device can adapt dynamically to the acoustic peculiarities of any listening environment.
Matching Empire GanFET Power Amplifiers
To create a fully cohesive, top-tier amplification ecosystem, Mytek Audio has positioned the Empire V2.0 alongside its matching Empire GanFET power amplifiers. Departing from traditional topologies, these Class D amplifiers utilize advanced gallium nitride (GanFET) transistors, which offer significantly faster switching speeds, higher efficiency, and lower thermal dissipation than conventional silicon-based designs.
The GanFET amplifiers offer remarkable operational flexibility. They can be deployed individually in a traditional stereo configuration, or paired together to operate as high-current monoblocks, bi-amping units, or bridged powerhouses. In standard stereo mode, each amplifier delivers a robust 2 x 400 watts into a 4-ohm load, or 2 x 200 watts into an 8-ohm load, ensuring they can effortlessly drive even the most demanding, low-impedance loudspeaker loads with absolute authority and control.
Pricing, Availability, and Market Implications
The Mytek Empire V2.0 DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier is available immediately through authorized global dealers and distributors, commanding a retail price of €20,000 / $20,000. For enthusiasts looking to build a complete Mytek-centric amplification chain, the matching Empire GanFET power amplifiers are also shipping now, priced at €10,000 / $10,000 each.
The launch of the Empire V2.0 arrives at a pivotal time in the ultra-high-end audio market. As consumers increasingly demand minimalist component counts without compromising on sonic purity, versatility, or build quality, all-in-one flagships are seeing rising prominence. By merging reference-grade DAC architecture, powerful Intel-driven streaming hardware, vast internal storage, vinyl archiving capabilities, and cutting-edge GanFET power amplification, Mytek Audio has positioned its Empire ecosystem as a formidable contender at the very pinnacle of the high-end audio landscape.
