“Conclusion: There are various high-end DACs and streamers on the market, each with its own design philosophy. Some use precision resistors to create R-2R ladder decoders, while others use modern decoding chips with unique tuning, and some use FPGA programming. EMM Labs, however, uses its advanced DSD technology (MDAC) to convert any PCM or DSD input signal to DSD1024, then to analog. Their MDAT2 digital signal processor, MCLK ultra-precise independent clock, and MFAST high-speed synchronous clock system, combined with optimized circuit design and stable operation, are their unique assets.
This time, EMM Labs' DA2i left a very deep impression on me. It was already very refined when it first arrived. Later, I was convinced that as it warmed-up, the sound quality improved day by day. When this article was nearly finished, its sound quality was comparable to the best DACs and streamers I have tried in the past. Compared to other products, it is one of the best I've heard.
Most surprising is that I did not need to use any expensive network cables or audio-specific network switches. I only used a TP Link gigabit switch worth a few hundred dollars and connected it with a regular CAT 7 network cable. For those without a CD player or computer (CAS) at home, the DA2i's network interface can make streaming music sound as good as a high-end CD player. The quality is excellent, and the sound is more realistic and moving.”
