As 2025 comes to a close, we invite you to look back with us at a year filled with thoughtful reviews, meaningful recognition, and shared listening experiences. From respected international publications and experienced reviewers to feedback from our own customers, these perspectives reflect what mattered most in high-end audio this year.
Come with us as we look back on a Year in Reviews and exciting moments.
Outstanding Achievement Award
Edmund Meitner
We are proud to share that Edmund (Ed) Meitner was honored with an Outstanding Achievement Award by the SoundStage! Network as part of their 2025 Awards for Outstanding Achievements and Products of the Year.
This recognition reflects Ed’s more than five decades of contributions to audio engineering and music reproduction.
From his early work in professional audio and measurement systems to his pioneering role in high-end digital and analog design, his influence continues to shape how music is recorded, reproduced, and experienced worldwide.
This honor provides meaningful context for the product recognition that follows and underscores the design philosophy that continues to guide EMM Labs and Meitner Audio.
DV2i
SoundStage! Network 2025 Product of the Year
We are honored to share that the EMM Labs DV2i Streaming DAC-Preamplifier was named Product of the Year by the SoundStage! Network in their 2025 Awards for Outstanding Achievements and Products of the Year.
In his review for SoundStage! Ultra, Phil Gold described the DV2i as “a milestone, not only within the world of digital audio, but for audio in general.” This recognition reflects the DV2i’s role as a reference component that unifies streaming, digital conversion, and preamplification at the highest level.
Read the full review and award announcement on our blog.
DA2i
A New Benchmark in Digital Audio
HiFi+ Names the DA2i as the winner in the Digital – DACs over £25k category. You’ll have to hit news stands to see this one for yourselves this December to read all about it in Hifi+ Magazine.
Stereophile described the EMM Labs DA2i D/A Converter as a rare component whose sound consistently speaks the truth, praising its exceptional clarity and transparency. The review highlighted the DA2i as one of the cleanest and most honest digital presentations available today.
In Hi-Fi News’ review, the DA2i was recognized for its transparency, dynamics, and musical coherence. The reviewer noted its ability to elevate modern digital sources while preserving natural flow and musicality.
From Asia, Audiotechnique Hong Kong praised the DA2i’s refined digital architecture and its ability to deliver world-class streaming performance without reliance on complex or complex network solutions.
Read all DA2i reviews on our blog.
Jay’s Iyagi & The MA3i on the 1Bit Podcast
MA3i
Home Theater High Fidelity Best High End DAC Winner!
The Meitner MA3i Integrated DAC received an in-depth review from Home Theater Hi-Fi, one of the most respected publications in high-performance audio. The MA3i was described as a formidable performer, offering exceptional clarity, tonal balance, and texture. Its expansive soundstage and emotional realism were noted as defining strengths. Read the Review
In a recent Hi-Fi Voice review (Czech), the Meitner MA3i is celebrated for combining technical precision with a more natural, musical presentation that lets the music truly shine. Read the Review
MA3 in the Studio: Trusted by Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre in Canada
Ww were honored to have the Meitner MA3 selected for monitoring in Studio Bell’s flagship Control Room A at the National Music Centre. While the room has always been world-class, the Studio Bell team shared that installing the MA3 in February 2024 took the listening experience to an entirely new level.
Over the past two years, every artist working in Control Room A—from JUNO-nominated musicians to emerging artists recording for the very first time—has heard their music through the MA3. The converter has handled an extraordinary range of genres, including rock, country, folk, hip hop, orchestral jazz, traditional pow wow, and experimental electronic works, with visiting engineers and producers consistently remarking on the room’s clarity and translation.
One comment from a veteran recording engineer stood out above all:
“I listened to yesterday’s rough mixes when I got home last night. You were right—there were no surprises. Everything sounded exactly as I expected.”
In a field where opinions on sound are plentiful, this kind of trust and consistency is the highest praise we could hope for.
Global Coverage & Show Highlights
In addition to formal reviews and awards, our reference systems were featured at major international events throughout the year.
A standout performance this year was at the Warsaw Audio Video Show, where our systems showcased the DA2i, TXi CD Transport, PREi, and MTRX2 amplifiers in a full reference configuration, demonstrating the coherence of our system-level approach.
Across regions, our products continued to receive positive editorial coverage and industry attention, further validating our focus on musical truth.
Jay’s Iyagi Joined us at Axpona for a Full EMM System Feature
SonicFlare Puts the CAP on Capital Audio Fest 2025
Customer Experiences
What Listeners Are Saying
Alongside critical reviews, we continue to hear directly from customers who have upgraded their systems with EMM Labs and Meitner Audio products. Many share how these upgrades deepen their connection to the music, bringing not only clearer sound, but greater long-term listening enjoyment.
Common feedback includes:
- Greater clarity without listening fatigue
- Improved spatial presentation and realism
- Stronger emotional connection to familiar recordings
- Longer sessions in the listening room reeking havoc on their sleep schedules!
2025 was a significant year for upgrades across the EMM Labs and Meitner Audio range. We regularly heard from customers who described clear, meaningful gains after updating long-owned components, including upgrades from DA2 to DA2i or V3, MA3 to MA3i, DV2 to DV2i, DS-EQ1 to DS-EQ1 V2, and the XDS1 V4. Many shared how these upgrades renewed their enjoyment of familiar music and extended the life of systems they already loved.
These experiences reinforce our commitment to long-term product support and thoughtful upgrade paths.
SonifFlare’s Top 3 Albums of 2025!
