I just wanted to drop you both a note to thank you again for getting the DA2i to me before the holidays.  I’ve got a ton of listening in.

The DA2i is spectacular!  I’ve never enjoyed music this much before. It’s hard to describe but music is just more emotionally engaging than I’ve ever heard it.

More deail than I’ve ever heard but in a musical rather than a distracting sense.  It’s not detail in the sense of high frequencies but rather across the entire frequency spectrum. It leads to an amazing sense of realism.

The bass is INCREDIBLE!  It is authoritative but also very nuanced and detailed. I’m listening to Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories right now and the bass is huge but so well controlled. 

Maybe related to dynamics and detail but music is extremely rhythmical through the DA2i. It’s so easy to follow rythmic lines of different instruments and vocals and how they all contribute to the tempo of the song. I hate the term “toe tapping “ but, wow, is this ever engaging!

Anyway, thanks again for your great service and support.  And of course on creating a fantastic product!

- Cam

The DA2i builds on the DA2’s strengths with noticeable improvements in resolution, timing, and control. Harmonic details are more effortless, the soundstage has more dimension, and instruments and voices feel even closer to live performance. Most importantly, the DA2i retains the musicality and natural flow that made the DA2 so enjoyable and represents an incredible value compared to many other brands in the industry. 

- Shunyata Research

Last night, we finally got the chance to upgrade my personal DA2 to the V3 specification.

We plugged it in and ...........wow!

We were both blown away by the improvements made to what was already my favourite sounding DAC.

Improvements were everywhere but the bass was another level of energy, delineation and resolution.As so much begins with the bass, this change was transformative as it gave each note a more tonal, timbral foundation.The extra delineation was across the frequency range and I can write paragraphs about it but ultimately it gave the sound a more emotionally expressive presence and solidity.

At some point, Mark yelled out "they have found the tonality in digital!"

Just wanted to say a huge "well done" and "thank you". Great work gents!

Thank you and warm regards,

 GEORGE MORAITIS

Hi Amadeus

I wanted to send you a small write up on the DA2V3 DAC after ~550 H of playback and being optimized and fully integrated into my system. Apologies for the verbosity - I feel it is important for readers to have context ;-).

I purchased the DA2 used from a seller on US Audio Mart, and I had reached out to the EMM factory to see what upgrade options were available.   Within 2 hours I received a phone call from Amadeus explaining in detail the difference between the 2 upgrade options.   In my case, I opted to not do the full "i" upgrade as I did not need a built in streamer.    The Customer Service from EMM labs is utterly amazing, and a much needed welcome, as the folks at EMM Labs took care of setting up shipping from Texas (where I purchased my unit) to Calgary, and then from Calgary to Ontario Canada where I live.     Not only did they keep me apprised of what was going on, they performed the upgrade, testing and shipping out of the unit within a 2 week period!

Much is written on the build quality, it is top class, very well built.   Packaging is also 10/10!  Now for the good part.   I have mostly Synergistic Research Power cords and interconnects in my system, so I didn't even listen to the included Kimbre power cable.   This is probably not a fair comparison, as my existing DAC for the past 5 years has been the excellent Rocka Wavelight R2R DAC out of Romania.    The Wavelight gets you to about 80% of its big brother the WaveDream Signature.  I use a Synergistic Galileo UEF power cord on my existing DAC, and feel this chord does well with digital sources, so I kept it in place with the DA2V3. 

The factory recommends leaving the DAC on for 3-4 days.  I left it playing continuously for the past three weeks.   That said I feel that the dac came into its own and fully opened up at about the 250 - 300 H mark.  I have not heard any shifting in sound since that milestone.   My streamer is a custom built kit built around a Raspberry Pi 4 compute-module, but running Gentoo Player with a real time kernel and the Dirreta streaming protocol.   On the back end, an AudioLinux server runs Roon server and HQPlayer.   No oversampling in HQPlayer.  HQP is used only to replace the RAAT protocol from ROON with NAA.   The output of HQPlayer is sent to the Diretta target in my listening room.   Networking is single  mode 1G fiber. 

The DA2i / DA2 V3 is the best sounding digital source I have heard in my system - full stop.  I am not one of those audiophiles that replace equipment every few months, and I have not heard of other DAC offerings at this price point within my system.   I have heard  EMM Labs as well as other similarly priced DACs many times at audio shows over the years, and had always lusted over owning a more recent EMM Labs DAC.  

As mentioned earlier - it probably isn't fair to compare the DA2i to my Rockna Wavelight, but I will since that was my reference for the past 5 years.  The wavelight is super dynamic, very energetic, at times almost can present too much presence with some recordings. The DA2i is very well behaved, (in a good way) I would call it naturally dynamic.  The DA2i / V3 never gets to the point of being annoying (even with poor recordings).  What I love about the DA2i  / V3 is that it portrays a realistic body and texture on both vocals and instruments.   I am using the word body, not to describe chestyness or thickness, but rather, going from a sharply defined outline of an object, to an object with depth, height and width but with a realistic dose of  "flesh on the bones".   It does this so amazingly well, without blowing anything out of proportion size wise. I cannot  stand it when DACs make vocalists and instruments sound larger than life. The DA2i / V3 creates lifelike images, each instrument in its own space, but part of the whole.  Side to side speakers disappear, and the DA2i / V3 is able to make sounds emerge from space!   I would be remiss if I didn't bring up what I think are its greatest strengths.  The bass region!  My gosh, the definition, articulation, ability to differentiate fast moving base lines, base instruments, and texture.   I have never heard my system do this before or to this degree!   The lower frequencies are the foundation of music, this dac accomplishes this in spades, but again, it isn't overblown, everything is so well integrated.

For me this DAC is a keeper!  I would say the following to any potential buyers.  If you cherish music of all genres, this DAC will draw you into the music.  IMHO It has this almost magical ability to present gobs of resolution, but in a way that does not rip a lister's ears off.  At the same time - the DA2i/V3, is still dynamic and spacious.  It does not homogenize all recordings to sound the same.  If you listen to a poor recording, you know that said recording is not the best, BUT, it is still damn listenable, still able to draw you in.   Put a great recording on and my gosh you are in for a treat!     After all, isn't that why we are in this hobby - to listen to music? 

To Ed and Amadeaus - I want to send a personal thank you note from one  Canadian to the other.   @Ed, I turn 50 this year, and I have been following your journey since the late 90's when I owned a used BiDat.   I have followed in great detail the work you have done throughout your career, and always lusted after one day being able to acquire an EMM DAC.   Now that this has come to fruition, I wanted to thank both of you for bringing to market such an amazing music making machine!  The fact that this is made in Canada in these weird times is even better!    Amadeus, your customer service as well as the extended team at EMM Labs is so welcome and much appreciated.   

Guys and gals please keep doing what you are doing!  Continue to innovate!   You have a fan for life!

Kind Regards

Lou Walters

I did upgrade my DV2 recently to DV2i full upgrade with streamer, through my dealer. I think I got one of the first upgrade slots.

I can give more detailed impressions in about a week. But I will say:

1. The difference is not subtle; it's one of the more striking improvements in various upgrades I have done.
2. Improvements are broad, in the area of bass (did not think that possible), detail and clarity of the musical lines, soundstage depth, much richer midrange timbres, reduced glare. Especially on good program material. Poor material sounds about the same as it did.
3. Streaming onboard seems to have a better overall sound than streaming NS1+optilink did. I have to actually directly compare though—it could just be the other parts of the component like the analog stage are better—but onboard streaming is definitely not a downgrade, and I believe it has less glare than the NS1 but have to verify.
4. Playback via new local USB is fantastic. It is a no-brainer for material that you already own. This form of playback has already won me over very enthusiastically.
5. Was it worth it? Depends on your pocketbook, but I do not regret the full upgrade at all.

Happy listening!

- Anonymous

My analog front end is the heart and soul of my audio system.  Over the years, I have used a variety of turntables ranging from a Goldmund Reference to a Walker Audio Proscenium Black Diamond, with an assortment of the finest cartridges available at the time.  I am currently using a DS Audio Grand Master EX optical cartridge mounted on an Acoustic Signature TA-9000 NEO tonearm which is mated to an Acoustic Signature Invictus NEO turntable.  Since the DS Audio optical cartridges require a special phono preamp, I chose the EMM Labs DS-EQ1 because I trusted EMM Labs, with your world renowned reputation for high-end electronics, to make the finest compatible phono preamp available. Never, in all my years of listening to vinyl, have I heard as much musical information from those magical grooves and I can honestly say that combination was a true revelation.  Stunning performance across the board.  

When I heard about a V2 upgrade for the DS-EQ1, I found it hard to imagine how it could be better.  Well, I'm here to tell you that V2 is not just an incremental upgrade, it is a giant leap forward in terms of musicality and listening enjoyment.  All of the strong points of V1 are retained, but now everything just sounds more like real music.  Every voice and instrument now has a layered sound quality that adds richness, color, and believability to the experience.  The best analogy I can come up with is the difference between watching movies in regular definition and then switching to 4K or 8K High Definition.  Everything just looks better and more three dimensional. In audio terms, with V2 handling the signal, the highs no longer thin out as they reach their peak.  They are just as pinpoint focussed and clean sounding, but now they have a layered richness to them that eliminates any stridency or listening fatigue.  Or take the midrange which now sounds far more rich, colorful, and satisfying.  And the bass range has more heft, sharper attack, and increased color.  Then you can add in the imaging improvements which provide a more palpable sense of shape and space that is totally addictive.  

And it's not just on audiophile recordings. Pull out long forgotten records which might have been disappointing in the past and get ready to be shocked by how good they now sound.  My useable library of recordings has been multiplied dramatically.  

I believe these improvements must be due to the retrieval of hidden layers of overtones that have been missing in the past.  With V2 at work, my brain no longer has to fill in the blanks.  Instead, I can just relax into the music and forget about trying to decide if it sounds real or not because there is no longer any doubt about it.  This reminds me of the experience I have whenever our tuner finishes adjusting the strings on our Steinway Concert Grand piano.  The piano goes from sounding fine to the point where it just sings. Notes ring out with a soul satisfying richness and clarity that energizes the room. I believe this phenomenon is also related to those all important overtones which are only heard when all of the strings are vibrating in perfect harmony.  With V2, I get that same experience while listeniong to my Von Scheweikert Audio Ultra 11 speakers. They just sing! 

If there is one drawback to this upgrade it is the irresistible desire to keep listening into the wee hours, so addictive is the sonic performance.  I have never grinned so much while seated in my listening chair and all I can say is that V2 is some kind of miracle.  My sincerest thanks goes to all involved in developing this upgrade which now provides me with immense listening pleasure every time I spin a disc.  

- Anonymous Customer in Montana

Before getting the MA3 I owned the EMM Labs DCC2 dac/pre and the CDSD CD transport and was really enjoyed the sound from these units. Unfortunately the CD players drive failed and wasn’t able to be fixed.  When I called EMM Labs , Amadeus told me about the MA3 and what it does. He also mentioned that if I liked the DCC2 I would love how the new unit sounded. Boy was he right. The silky, toe tapping liquid and revealing sound was intoxicating and very similar but taken to another level entirely. When I was told there was an upgrade to the unit I had asked was it a little or big difference, and was told it’s a very large improvement. I couldn’t get my head around that initially as it already sounded great. After getting the unit back with the upgrade the change was dramatic. All the earlier attributes were present however the space between instruments/voices was very apparent . The bass was much tighter. The feeling that the music was being played live just for me in my house was noticeable and really just makes me smile while listening. I can’t say enough about this MA3i upgrade and EMM Labs / Meitner as well.

-Seth   

Hi Amadeus ,

Thanks for all your help with MA3i Upgrade process which was quick and easy . I thought I would share my experiences so far . I had enjoyed the MA3 for 3 years using it directly into ATC Active 50 speakers with great results . When I heard of the MA3i upgrade scheme through my dealer Audio Venue I booked it in at the first chance and was without it for only a couple of days 

The upgrade is really  something , I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such a jump in sound quality with any addition before , I thought I was at a level where diminishing returns had well and truly kicked in but not this time . It’s reset my expectations from Digital audio completely .

Everything I liked from the MA3 is there but with so much more depth and transparency  etc . Its quite an achievement . It did take a week or so for me to fully get used to the same box sounding so different but I’m completely tuned in now and loving it . Well done to all at Meitner-Emm Labs .

- Peter, UK 

I had a chance to give the MA3i a proper listing session last night and I am really impressed.

Blown away in fact.

It hits all the check boxes and then some. Revealing but not sharp or critical. Increased realism. Solid resonance and imaging with notes persisting in air. Increased detail and soundstage both horizontal and vertical and most importantly, it just pulls you in. For me, it hits the right balance of being warm without being too laid back ( I am running a tube system and this was a concern going in). Its one of those few pieces that makes you really want to replay all your favorites again, and won’t let you leave your chair…

I will say if you want to sell a ton of these, start the demo with Sarah McLachlan’s song Angel from her “Surfacing” album. It stopped me in my tracks - it pulled my wife in from a room down the hall. We both looked at each other with that “OMG” look on our faces throughout the song.

I honestly can say, I cannot wait to be done with work today to hit the sweet spot and cue up some more.

Well done guys!

- Kevin R

An unbelievable sense of realism, you can almost visualize the instruments in space.  The images created are that three dimensional snd that stable.  This sense of the music being real came not only from the holographic imaging but also from the physicality which is highly unusual.  Soundstage extended from wall-to-wall.

On great recordings it is like having a window into the recording studio.  Remarkably palpable, almost visualize.  You feel as if you can touch the instruments.

Clean, clear top end with absolutely no harshness or added brightness.  Nothing cold either, just gorgeous top end extension.  Seems to play exactly what is there, but with natural warmth and musicality.  Resolution was outstanding.  Noise floor extremely low if not non existent.

Outstanding resolution which is probably the key to the imaging.  Certainly better depth than the earlier versions.  We did not really listen to any music that taxed the bass but what bass was there was accurate.  

For whatever reason, the amps seem to deal better with AC noise which in the past could be a problem at times, the transformers could get noisy in the past.

Absolutely stunning and absolutely in service of the music.  I think that subjectively, these sound a bit warmer/richer.

- Fred Crowder