New EMM Labs DAC 2 or Accustic Arts Ref Tube DAC

Both are too new in the market for any to have tried yet. But based on the old versions of EMM compared to AA, I would recomment the latter. Firstly, the chassis of the AA is a solid piece of aluminium artwork compared to EMM industrial cheaper look, so you know which one looks more grand and appealing at that range of pricing ;-)
Soundwise, you would have read by Teajay's detailed review on how AA Tube DAC2 eats up other brands of DAC many times its price. Furthermore the performance of AA Tube DAC2 can be further improved by upgrading the manufacturer provided stock tubes with much better NOS tubes like Mullard, Amperex etc. You cannot improve the performance of an Emm DAC once you get it... unless you modd it.

Dazzdax, I am not technically that competent to tell you why but if you can write to [email protected] and I am sure one of its designers, Stefan Schunk (son of the founder) will answer you. Though he's German, he's quite well versed in answering in English unlike many German companies' rep. You can read their company history at

Accustic Arts History

For myself, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and you should try it out. ;-)

To DCStep
Many tube equipment when sold also do not provide you the best tubes, the reason being that it's quite hard to find the best tubes which are NOS, new old stock, which are no longer in production. They are limited in numbers, and the prices rise each year for many of these good tubes. And no tube audio equipment manufacturer will cost in their equipment or otherwise their equipment will fluctuate monthly with the price of these NOS tubes.
I guess you never used any tube audio equipment before. ;-)

As to why NOS tubes are still the best, google and find out yourself

Hi Jason, glad to know that you distribute EMM Labs in NZ. I was just checking who carries Accustic Arts in NZ, and found that that there are currently no takers for Oceania at http://www.accusticarts.de/pages/en/distributors_fr.html
So maybe you can consider taking up Accustic Arts as a new line as they do make other good electronics like pre/power amps too.
I am just a happy customer and not a spokeman or in the audio trade, just happened to be swayed by Teajay's excellent reviews to upgrade to Tube DAC and later their reference transport. If you need more info on whether the designer is hiding or opening up, I suggest you personally email [email protected] for their personal views.