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Meitner/EMM Labs Firmware Upgrade = Sonic Bliss

As some of you know EMM Labs/Meitner has just released a MAJOR Firmware Upgrade for the DAC2x and MA-1.

I have the MA-1 and here is my impressions on the differences in the sonics after the upgrade.

But first, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AND GET THIS FIRMWARE UPGRADE, PERIOD!!

OK, So far I hear HUGE dynamics with more lifelike harmonics, better imaging, separation of instruments, with a bigger sound-stage, cleaner-less noise, not that it was noisy before, better spacial cues. Better leading and trailing edge. Highs that go ever so high but are not harsh but clean, in a natural way. Better timing and pace, so more musical...etc.

And I can go on and on. I do not know how they could do so much of a sonic improvement with just a Firmware Upgrade.

Two of the PCM hirez albums I used. Lang Lang, Rachmaninoff:Piano Concert No, 3 (24/176) and Dave Brubeck, Concord on a Summer Night.

I have not tried DSD yet.

Contact your dealer or EMM LABS or Meitner for the firmware.
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whatthe's avatar
whatthe
87 posts
 
I have the dac 2X and I did the upgrade. There are subtle improvements. But what can you expect it was a great dac to begin with. Only boredom would get me to change. And not with the dac. Please people who say their dac is so much better then the dac 2X or I have friend bla bla bla, tune them out. It's all bull!
I'm just say'in ✌️
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I'd be happy if EMM Labs provided the update for the original XDS1 which I owned for less than 3 years.

But they didn't.

And with the new DA2.. I think it signs a death knell for the older models.
rcprince
3,059 posts
 
Maybe the death knell, but you know, the older products still stack up well against the other products out there.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
Sadly they don't.

I have the EMM Labs v1 and while I prefer it over the Playback, it is not a night and day to me. Yale OS on the DS is a very big improvement over the EMM.
bill_k
880 posts
 
Doggiehowser - I've seen that you've done many DAC comparisons and find it interesting that you find the DS with Yale OS to significantly outperform your EMM DAC. Have you had a chance to hear the Bricasti M1 DAC in comparison? Interested to know if you've found any DAC that outperforms the latest Yale DS. TIA for your time!
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