Millennia Media imersiv D1


yyzsantabarbara

The review states the following 

Equipped with all the customary outputs and all digital and analog inputs except I2S, it converts PCM up to 24/192, MQA, and DSD up to DSD128. 

That’s actually incorrect. It upconverts to DSD1024. 
 

I agree with reviewer’s notes on comparison to original MA3 and the sound characteristics of the new MA3i. It’s a stellar DAC. 

I have actually paired the D-1 with the following amps and they all sounded great:

  • Class D Audio GanFet 6.5 amp ($995)
  • Schiit Wotan (Class AB $2000)
  • CODA #16 (mostly Class A, $16500)
  • CODA #11 (mostly Class A, $5000 30 years ago)

My current and final amp for the Livingroom is the CODA #11. However, I would love to try the D-1 with the Benchmark AHB2 amp just to hear that combo. This amp is actually very smooth on top though it can be flat. The D-1 could match nicely with the AHB2. I say this because the GanFet amp (I still own) was very good with the D-1.

I think the reviewer tried a few amps with the D-1.

 

Through the MA3i, colors were warm, and tones were full and rounded. I've heard even more transparent presentations with more color variation and wider soundstages. Yet everything I played sounded musical and alive. Piano, tambourine, and drum timbres were very convincing, and the drum's resonant core sounded right. Images were fleshy and rounded.

Exactly what my friend and I say about this DAC. It is not the best at any particular attribute but overall, you never have a bad listen. Same way I feel about the KRELL Duo XD amps.

@yyzsantabarbara I agree that the D-1 is very musical. Its speed and detail render and reveal nuances in voices and instruments very well.

This thread has me interested in trying the Meitner MA3i now. 
The west coast distributor for Playback Designs also recommended this DAC. 

Has anyone here compared it the Grimm MU2? It has been receiving great reviews and seems to be of a similar nature as the Imersiv and other neutral / natural DACs. It has the benefit of a great integrated streamer too.