M2TECH YOUNG MKIV User manual

M2TECH
YOUNG MKIV
HIGHEST RESOLUTION DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER
PREAMPLIFIER
USER MANUAL
REV. PRA – 12/2020

M2Tech
www.m2tech.biz
YOUNG MKIV
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER AND PREAMPLIFIER
REVISION PrA – DECEMBER 2020
Copyright © 2017, M2Tech Srl
2

M2Tech
www.m2tech.biz
YOUNG MKIV
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER AND PREAMPLIFIER
REVISION PrA – DECEMBER 2020
Copyright © 2017, M2Tech Srl
3
Warning!
Changes or modifications not authorized by the manufacturer can invalidate the
compliance to CE regulations and cause the unit to be no more suitable to use. The
manufacturer refuses every responsibility regarding damages to people or things
due to the use of a unit which has been subject to unauthorized modifications or to
misuse or to malfunction of a unit which has been subject to unauthorized
modifications.
This unit is compliant with the following CE regulations: CEI EN 55022:2009 Class B (Radiated Emissions),
CEI EN 55024:1999, CEI EN 55024:A2/2003, CEI EN 55024:IS1/2008 (Radio Frequency Electromagnetic
Fields, 50Hz Magnetic Field Immunity Test and Electrostatic Discharges – ESD).
For a proper operation of this unit, all connections to other equipment in the system must be done
when all equipment are off. Failing to comply with this advice may lead to damage to the YOUNG
MKIV.
The label above, printed on the product case, indicates that the product, when no more usable, can’t be
treated as generic garbage, but must be disposed of at a collection point for recycling of electrical and
electronic equipment, in compliance with the WEEE regulation (Waste of Electrical and Electronic
Equipment).
By making sure that this unit is correctly recycled, you will help preventing potential damages to environment
and human health, which could be caused by a wrong treatment of this product as generic garbage.
Materials’ recycling helps saving natural resources. For more in-depth information about recycling this
product, please contact M2Tech Srl.
WARNING: the information contained in this manual are considered to be reliable and accurate.
M2Tech reserves the right to change or modify the information any time, without prior advice. It’s up
to the customer to ensure that the manual being consulted is the latest version.

M2Tech
www.m2tech.biz
YOUNG MKIV
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER AND PREAMPLIFIER
REVISION PrA – DECEMBER 2020
Copyright © 2017, M2Tech Srl
4
Dear customer,
Thank you for purchasing YOUNG MKIV. You are the owner of a very high quality digital-to-
analog converter with many unique features designed to obtain the best performance in
every hi-fi system.
YOUNG MKIV implements a specific set of technological and functional solutions, from the
asynchronous USB interface, to the MQA®decoder on all inputs, to passive anti-alias
filtering, to the ability of delivering a high output level with the purpose of exalting sonic
performances, ease of use and reliability. Moreover, YOUNG MKIV shares many features
with preamplifiers, therefore it is recommended to directly drive power amplifiers
YOUNG MKIV is provided with a complete set of digital and analogue inputs, to allow for
using every kind of source. The Bluetooth®receiver with aptX®decoder makes high-quality
music streaming from your smartphone or tablet straightforward.
The balanced and single-ended outputs allow for driving every kind of amplifier. The ability
of setting the maximum output level to two values ensures that the maximum power will be
reached even with the most inefficient tube amplifier whenever the YOUNG MKIV is used as
a preamplifier.
The fully-loaded remote control allows for total control of both YOUNG MKIV and most audio
players running on the computer attached to its USB input, as well as other M2Tech
Rockstars series products.
We’re sure that your expectations will be fulfilled by purchasing YOUNG MKIV: you’ll hear
your favourite music as never before, so you can now prepare for a whole new listening
experience!
Marco Manunta, CEO
MQA®and the Sound Wave Device are trade marks of MQA Limited © 2016.
MQA is an award-winning British technology that delivers the sound of the original master
recording. M2Tech has adopted MQA technology, which enables you to play back fully
authenticated MQA audio files and streams, delivering the sound of the original master
recording.
'MQA’ or ‘MQA Studio’ indicates that the product is decoding and playing an MQA stream
or file, and denotes provenance to ensure that the sound is identical to that of the source
material. ‘MQA Studio’ [‘MQA.’ ]* indicates it is playing an MQA Studio file, which has
either been approved in the studio by the artist/producer or has been verified by the
copyright owner.
The Bluetooth®word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by the Bluetooth
SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by M2Tech Srl is under license. Other trademarks
and trade names are those of their respective owners.
Qualcomm aptX®is a product of Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd.
Please note here your YOUNG MKIV serial number and purchase info for future reference:
S/N: _______________________ Date of Purchase: _________________________
Place of Purchase__________________________
Note: Proof of retail purchase, such as your purchase receipt, will be required in the unlikely event
that any warranty service will be required.

M2Tech
www.m2tech.biz
YOUNG MKIV
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER AND PREAMPLIFIER
REVISION PrA – DECEMBER 2020
Copyright © 2017, M2Tech Srl
5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Unpacking and Placing the Unit.......................................................................................8
2. Front Panel ....................................................................................................................10
3. Back Panel.....................................................................................................................12
4. Remote Control..............................................................................................................14
5. Connecting and Powering the Unit.................................................................................16
6. Cleaning the Unit ...........................................................................................................18
7. Using the YOUNG MKIV ...................................................................................................20
7.1. Volume Setting........................................................................................................20
7.2. Mute Toggle ............................................................................................................20
7.3. Choosing the Signal’s Phase...................................................................................21
7.4. Source Selection .....................................................................................................21
7.5. Menu Navigation .....................................................................................................21
7.5.1. BALANCE: Balance Setting..............................................................................22
7.5.2. FADER: Fader Setting ......................................................................................22
7.5.3. DISPLAY BACKLIGHT: Setting the Display Backlight ......................................23
7.5.4. I2S INPUT MCLK: Choosing I2S input master clock ratio ................................23
7.5.5. DSD FILTER: Choosing the DSD Filter ............................................................24
7.5.6. THD+N VS S/N: Optimizing DAC performance ................................................24
7.5.7. BAL OUT VOLTAGE: Choosing the Maximum Balanced Output Level............24
7.5.8. SE OUT VOLTAGE: Choosing the Maximum Single-ended Output Level........25
7.5.9. HP OUT GAIN: Choosing the Gain of the Headphones Amplifier.....................25
7.5.10. VOLUME STEPS: Choosing Volume Steps....................................................26
7.5.11. VOLUME MODE: Choosing Volume Mode.....................................................26
7.5.12. VOLUME CONTROL: Choosing How Volume Control Affect Levels..............27
7.5.13. HEADPHONES FADE: Setting the Auto-fader for Headphones Connection..28
7.5.14. POWER ON VOLUME: Choosing the Volume Set at Power-on .....................28
7.5.15. AUTO OFF: Setting the Automatic Switch-off.................................................28
7.5.16. STANDBY LED: Setting the Front Panel LED behaviour................................29
7.5.17. AUTO ON: Setting the YOUNG MKIV Behaviour when power is applied...........29
7.5.18. REMOTE ON/OFF: Setting the YOUNG MKIV to Accept/Ignore the IR Remote
ON/OFF command .....................................................................................................29
7.5.19. BLUETOOTH®: Enabling/Disabling the Bluetooth® Receiver........................30
7.5.19B. BT® PAIRING: Enabling Bluetooth® Pairing (Japan version only)...............30
7.5.19C. BT® INFO: Accessing Bluetooth® Interface Information (Japan only).........31
7.5.20. BLE® CONTROL: Toggling the BLE® Interface.............................................31
7.5.21. SET STARTUP ITEM: Choosing the item to be shown when accessing the
menu...........................................................................................................................31
7.5.22. FIRMWARE REVISION: Accessing Firmware Revision Information ..............32
7.5.23. DEFAULT SETTINGS: Restoring Factory Settings ........................................32
7.5.24. EXIT: Exit from Menu......................................................................................33
7.6. Connecting a Bluetooth® source for streaming.......................................................33
7.7. Power Mode and Standby .......................................................................................33
8. Using a Computer as Digital Source..............................................................................36
8.1. Plug’n’Play Operation with Apple OSx ....................................................................36
8.1.1. DSD files playback with OSx ............................................................................36
8.2. Plug’n’Play Operation with Linux.............................................................................36
8.2.1. DSD files playback with Linux...........................................................................37

M2Tech
www.m2tech.biz
YOUNG MKIV
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER AND PREAMPLIFIER
REVISION PrA – DECEMBER 2020
Copyright © 2017, M2Tech Srl
6
8.3. Using the YOUNG MKIV with Windows ......................................................................37
9. Controlling the Computer Player by Using the YOUNG MKIV Remote Control.................38
10. Updating YOUNG MKIV Firmware ..................................................................................40
11. Controlling the YOUNG MKIV by the Bluetooth® Interface .............................................42
12. Specifications...............................................................................................................44

M2Tech
www.m2tech.biz
YOUNG MKIV
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER AND PREAMPLIFIER
REVISION PrA – DECEMBER 2020
Copyright © 2017, M2Tech Srl
7

M2Tech
www.m2tech.biz
YOUNG MKIV
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER AND PREAMPLIFIER
REVISION PrA – DECEMBER 2020
Copyright © 2017, M2Tech Srl
8
1. Unpacking and Placing the Unit
Lay the package on a table and open the external box by removing or cutting the adhesive
tape seal. Then extract the internal box and open it by lifting the front wing. The following
items are included:
one YOUNG MKIV;
one wall wart (AC-to-DC adapter);
one USB A-B cable;
one remote control;
two AAA type batteries.
Should one or more item be missing, please contact your retail dealer.
Remove the YOUNG MKIV from the box and place it onto a stable base, far from heat
sources. Avoid full sunlight on the unit. Allow for ample room around the unit for venting.
The YOUNG MKIV is a high efficiency device; therefore it doesn’t produce relevant heat
during its operation. Regardless, it’s recommended to guarantee an adequate air flow
around the unit. Moreover, every time it will mainly be operated by remote control, it’s
recommended to place it so as the remote control’s infrared signals can easily reach its
front panel.
Avoid smoke, moisture, dirt and liquids from reaching the unit. Please note that any signs
of abuse will void warranty coverage.
Do not place the unit on thick carpets or inside a box or piece of furniture, not even close
to curtains.

M2Tech
www.m2tech.biz
YOUNG MKIV
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER AND PREAMPLIFIER
REVISION PrA – DECEMBER 2020
Copyright © 2017, M2Tech Srl
9

M2Tech
www.m2tech.biz
YOUNG MKIV
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER AND PREAMPLIFIER
REVISION PrA – DECEMBER 2020
Copyright © 2017, M2Tech Srl
10
2. Front Panel
1
2
3
4
5
6
Figure 1
1) Headphones output. Connect your headphones set to listen to your YOUNG MKIV.
Stereo 6.35mm (1/4”) jack.
2) IR receiver. Aim the remote control to this point to send commands to the YOUNG MKIV.
3) Display. Multifunction OLED display. During normal operation, it indicates the listening
level, the selected source, the sampling frequency (not for analog), the format (not for
analog) and the status of mute and phase (if set). When the menu is accessed, the display
shows the selected menu item and its current value.
4) Encoder. It allows for accessing and navigating the menu, selecting inputs and setting
the volume. It can be rotated and pushed. Please refer to Chapter 7 for more details.
5) Standby LED. When the YOUNG MKIV is in standby mode, this LED blinks to indicate to
the user that the device can be switched on by the included remote control. This LED is
steadily lit during the firmware update procedure.
6) Power on/power off/mute/menu exit button. Press this button to switch the YOUNG
MKIV on when it’s off. When the YOUNG MKIV is on, a short press will toggle mute, unless
the menu is active: in this case a short press will cause the menu to exit discarding any
configuration change. A more prolonged press while the YOUNG MKIV is on will cause it to
switch off.