Millennia Media imersiv D1

@yyzsantabarbara as you know I have the Meitner MA3i and really like its smooth and detailed delivery. There’s got to be balance for me. Personal preference and system synergy is key.

@audphile1 -

"if your favorite dac is a tubed AC, the odds of you liking the imersiv are near zero."

That is exactly my concern.  Even considering the groundbreaking S/N and all the over-the-top accolades I have read from owners/reviewers of the Imersiv D-1 DAC, I am wondering whether its clean and detailed sonic signature is too different from the naturally organic and rich tonal characteristics of the Helene and other R2R DACs I have enjoyed, or even the Merason DAC1 MkII that I also currently use in my main system.

In his Twittering Machines review, Michael Lavorgna indicated that the Imersiv D-1 displays  immediacy and excitement, and presents music "up close, personal and unadorned."  He found it to improve on his reference totaldac d1 unity but he then compared it to two other DACs known for clarity and detail, the Grimm MU2 and Weiss Helios DAC.  However, he did also write "the Imersiv DAC doesn’t give up the rich, warm, and lovely naturalness that I so enjoy with the totaldac."

Based on what I have heard and read so far, and on my previous experience owning the Mola Mola Tambaqui (another DAC known for clarity and detail), I suspect the Imersiv D-1 may not be a slam-dunk for me and so, as you say, I need to hear it for myself.  

@mitch2 

If you ever get around to auditioning it please post your thoughts. 

@mitch2 

Based on what I have heard and read so far, and on my previous experience owning the Mola Mola Tambaqui (another DAC known for clarity and detail), I suspect the Imersiv D-1 may not be a slam-dunk for me and so, as you say, I need to hear it for myself.  

Fellow from Bulgaria says it sounds "different sound than the Tambaqui" but doesn’t elaborate, and then says he could keep either of them as end-game- he owns them both. I must say Chris gave the Immersiv designer/owner JohnL quite a grilling, but John is still posting. 

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/69850-imersiv-d1-multi-path-dac/page/4/#comments

"It’s so hard to describe audio in words, but this unit adds just the right amount of vibrance, clarity and detail to the audio that, in most cases, is really pleasing to the ear and complements the music. Again, I use it to feed my analog mastering chain, not for monitoring at the end of my chain.

On the other hand, occasionally I'll be mastering something that is either intentionally (or unintentionally) lo-fi or not great-sounding, and fortunately or unfortunately, the D-1 DAC can highlight those unattractive things a bit too much."

This resembles the debate of someone having "studio monitors" for home speakers. 

https://www.recordingmag.com/imersiv-d-1-dac/