What is the popular or recommended Ethernet cable to use with this DAC?
I have the Meitner MA3i DAC in the house for a 2nd round of demos. The first time it was brand new and not sounding optimal and I only had it for a day and a half (I liked it a lot though via USB and fibre). The unit seems to have a lot more hours on it now and I will have it for 2 weeks.
Anyways, I have already decided to buy it to replace my Schiit Byggy DAC. Going to sell my CODA #16 to buy it. The CODA #16 is driving a $1000 used Magnepan Mini speakers which it not the smartest pairing, CODA is way too good for that. I am going to replace the CODA with the Schiit Wotan (buying again) or a Class D GAN amp (going to demo it).
Compared to my imersiv D-1 DAC the MA3i does not have the same level of resolution. However, as an overall package feature wise and sound wise it is terrific, better than the Byggy. I also put it together with my GeerFAB. D.BOB and listened to some SACD’s and that was something special. Better than streaming in my books. The Byggy and the imersiv D-1 do not work with the D.BOB.
The MA3i reminded me of my old KRELL DOU 175XD amp. It was not the best in any particular area, but overall, the listening experience was one of the very best. You are just immersed in the music. My imersiv D-1 DAC is better at this but I need 2 DACs and the imersiv D-1 is PIA since it is limited to XLR only output. It has RCA but it may not work in some setups like mine.
The MA3i Ethernet streaming is NOT as good as my fibre optic to USB streamingi, but I may sell one of my Sonore OpticalRendu streamers in a package deal with my Schiit Byggy DAC. The Ethernet streaming is almost as good as the fibre. When I had it for the first demo the Ethernet streaming was terrible, but much better today. The USB was fine on day one.
I have also been listening to the MA3i | imersiv D-1 | Schiit Byggy via the Allnic HPA 15000 OTL/OCL headphone amp (demo) using the RAAL 1995 Magna phone (demo). I love this phone now. It used to be fatiguing with my old RAAL VM-1a tube amp, but I sold that and it now sounds great with the Allnic tube amp and also my $400 used Schiit sold-state Aegir v1 amp. That amp is a 20-watt Class A 2-channel amp.
The MA3i and the imersiv D-1 are the best DACs I have heard on this setup. This includes the PlayBack Designs MPD-8 which I heard on the same gear in Denver last month. Though only for 3 songs. It was way too mellow for me. The MA3i is not mellow but not irritating either.
Down the line when I have some extra cash I would like to get the $6500 Allnic ASRA headphone amp that is almost as good as the $15k Allnic HPA 15000 I have at home on demo. The RAAL 1995 Magna is also a long-term goal.
