Mytek Audio has launched the Empire V2.0, its new flagship DAC/streamer/preamplifier, at the Warsaw Audio Show 2026 in Poland. Priced at $20,000 / €20,000 and shipping now, the V2.0 succeeds the original Empire streamer as the reference point of the Mytek range, joined by matching Empire GanFET power amplifiers at $10,000 / €10,000 each.
At the heart of the Empire V2.0 is what Mytek calls its best DAC design to date: a dual-mono, hybrid 6-bit DAC running at 12 MHz with a specified dynamic range of 130 dB. The architecture combines custom chipsets with digital signal processing, and supports PCM up to 32-bit/768 kHz and native DSD up to DSD512. Each channel gets its own power transformer, feeding a revised analog output stage, and the analog preamplifier offers a choice of analog or digital volume control.
The V2.0 is built to be a complete front end rather than a DAC alone. It works as a streamer, a preamplifier, a balanced headphone amplifier, and a standalone DAC, with six analog inputs (two balanced XLR and four RCA) and four digital inputs (two coaxial, one optical, and USB).
On the software side, the streamer runs on Intel NUC hardware with Mytek OS, based on Ubuntu Linux. Qobuz Connect is available now, with Tidal and Spotify Connect listed as upcoming additions, and a built-in Roon Core option is offered for larger networked systems. Music can be stored on an internal 8 TB SSD (configurable up to 16 TB), with external USB and network storage also supported, and the unit is operated from a smartphone or tablet or from its front-panel touchscreen. Software updates arrive over the internet.
Two specialty features set the Empire apart from a conventional streamer. A built-in mastering ADC lets analog sources such as vinyl be recorded in high-resolution PCM or DSD and stored on the internal drive for instant playback. And a high-resolution DSP signal path supports audio software plug-ins, including room correction and record scratch/noise removal, with further DSP options promised through future updates.
For amplification, Mytek pairs the V2.0 with the Empire GanFET power amplifiers. These Class D designs use gallium nitride transistors and can run individually in stereo, or as a pair in monoblock, bi-amping, or bridged configurations. Each amplifier delivers 2 × 400 W into 4 ohms or 2 × 200 W into 8 ohms in stereo mode.
The Empire V2.0 is available in silver or black sculpted aluminum, priced at $20,000 / €20,000, and is shipping now. The Empire GanFET amplifiers are priced at $10,000 / €10,000 each. Mytek products are distributed in the US from New York and in Europe from Warsaw.
