CES 2018

The Mytek Digital is now shipping the Clef. What, exactly, is the Clef? Oddly shaped, it is a digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier that lets you significantly up the quality of playback from your phone.

I was not surprised to see that Mytek Digital was located in the Hi-Res Audio Pavilion. Mytek is no stranger to the hi-res game; for example, Mytek was MQA's first standalone-hardware technology partner. The Clef, Mytek's first consumer audio product, is a pocket-sized, battery-powered device that provides a high-end audio output stage for your phone. Eschewing some of the newer fancy bells and whistles, it adheres to a more straight-wire design ethic.

It has USB and Bluetooth inputs. Using that data, the DAC can range up to 32 bit/384 kHz PCM resolution, with a dynamic range of up to 120 dB. The headphone amplifier has 2.2 VRMS output into 1-ohm impedance. Accepted USB formats include USB of 32/384, DSD128 via DOP, MQA decoded internally, as well as garden variety FLAC, AAC, MP3, DTS, etc. Bluetooth formats include 32/384 PCM, AAC, and AptX; these resolutions may be limited by the source device.

Other things you might want to know about the Clef: it has a built-in microphone for taking calls; battery life is approximately 8 hours; it charges via micro USB; the size is 3.5 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches; it weighs 3.5 ounces.

The Clef will be available in a piano black finish in February for $299.