Opus 2010 Mega May 2026

While the standard Opus 2010 used dual Burr-Brown PCM1798 chips, the Mega version stepped up to the legendary PCM1794A chips in dual-mono configuration. This meant discrete decoding for the left and right channels, offering a theoretical dynamic range of 127dB. In real-world terms, this eliminated crosstalk. When you listened to a binaural recording on the Mega, the separation felt surgical—a quality that modern all-in-one USB DACs still struggle to emulate without costing thousands.

Upon release, the Opus 2010 Mega carried a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of approximately $65,000 to $70,000 (depending on configuration and phono module inclusion). Used units, when they appear on forums like Audiogon or US Audio Mart, still trade hands in the $30k-$45k range, a testament to their durability and sonic relevance.

It is worth noting that the "Mega" became a cultural touchstone in the "Show-Off Systems" of the 2010s. It was frequently paired with:

If you are looking to buy a used Opus 2010 Mega in 2024, proceed with caution. These units are 10–15 years old. Here is what to check: Opus 2010 Mega

The Opus 2010 Mega is a two-chassis design, but not in the conventional sense. Most dual-mono preamps separate the power supply from the audio circuit. The Mega goes further.

Chassis One: The Control Center The main unit houses the fully discrete, dual-mono amplification stage. There are no integrated circuits (op-amps) in the signal path. Instead, Siltech employed surface-mount discrete transistor arrays, hand-matched to a tolerance of 0.1%. The volume control is a proprietary switched-resistor ladder network—a "stepped attenuator" with 128 steps, controlled via a magnetic rotary encoder. This avoids the degradation of sound associated with carbon potentiometers.

Chassis Two: The Power Fortress The second chassis is often mistaken for a power amplifier due to its heft. It contains a 300VA toroidal transformer, but the magic lies in the regulation. The Opus 2010 Mega features twelve independent voltage regulation stages. Every single active component on the gain board has its own dedicated, isolated power supply rail. This eliminates crosstalk and intermodulation distortion to a degree that was, in 2010, considered impossible outside of laboratory measurement equipment. While the standard Opus 2010 used dual Burr-Brown

In the rarefied world of high-end audio, where price tags often rival the cost of luxury automobiles and engineering tolerances are measured in microns, few components command as much reverence—or as much debate—as the Opus 2010 Mega. Produced by the German firm Siltech (and later its sister brand, Crystal Cable), this preamplifier and phono stage system represents a watershed moment in analog playback. For audiophiles, collectors, and studio professionals, the Opus 2010 Mega is not merely a component; it is a final destination.

To understand the Opus 2010 Mega, one must first understand the context of the late 2000s. Siltech, already famous for its proprietary G6 (Generation 6) Silver-Gold alloy cables, decided to prove a thesis: that their metallurgical and shielding breakthroughs could be scaled up from cables to a full-blown electronics platform.

Launched in 2010 (hence the '2010' nomenclature), the "Mega" designation was critical. It distinguished the flagship, no-compromise model from the standard Opus 2010. While the standard model was a world-class preamplifier, the Mega took the concept to what Siltech founder Edwin van der Kley described as "the edge of physical possibility." The goal was simple yet audacious: create a preamp that introduced absolutely nothing to the signal except gain, while driving any power amplifier—no matter how exotic—into full saturation. When you listened to a binaural recording on

Why would anyone buy a 15-year-old DAC in 2025? It is a valid question. Modern DACs like the Topping E70 or Schiit Modius offer better measurements (SINAD, THD) for less money. However, the Opus 2010 Mega offers things modern DACs do not:

The Mega wins on feel and authority. It loses on convenience (no Bluetooth, no MQA, limited to 24-bit/192kHz).