Millennia Media imersiv D1

@yyzsantabarbara 

I am still probably leaning towards Imersiv D1. If your friend is an authorized dealer, I will get his information when I am ready to purchase. 
 

I value bass, dynamics, and transparency as much as tonality and timbre. I tend to prefer more neutral gear, as long as it’s not super thin sounding like the cheap SMSL and Topping DACs. I’m running Kef Reference 3 Meta speakers and a Coda No 8 amp. I am also running subwoofers and a lot of room treatment so I get tonal density from those areas. From reading the comments and reviews, I understand many might find the D1 too revealing and analytical but that sounds right up my alley. 
 

I actually bought a Tambaqui a month ago from USAudioMsrt but it turned out to be a scammer. I got a full refund from PayPal. Then just recently heard about the Imersiv D1. 

@kumizi I have the CODA #11 now, so it is similar to your setup. I also know KEF well and was on the path to get a Reference 3 or a Blade before I got something else. I also owned the #8 v1 but did not hear it with the D-1 or MA3i

I think the both the MA3i and the D-1 would work well with your gear. Imersiv has a way to hook up subs to the D-1 though I have not investigated that. The main issue would be if you need a preamp. If so, I would go with the MA3i. 

My friend Danny has both the MA3i and D-1 that I demoed at home at the same time. He is a tube guy (builds gear) and loves the MA3i and likes the D-1 but not as much as the MA3i.  He is the principle at Requisite Audio in Ventura, CA. I met him long ago after I learned about the RAAL Requisite SR1a earphone (still use it). 

From reading the comments and reviews, I understand many might find the D1 too revealing and analytical but that sounds right up my alley. 

I can never understand how something can be too revealing. Not in my books, the more the better. I want to be there in person in the studio or the live performance.

Now I usually discount lots of revealing gear because I get fatigue easily or it sounds thin. The Benchmark DAC3B for example is revealing but hot on top and nothing like the D-1. I owned all the Benchmark DACs going back DAC1. 

I think the MA3i and the D-1 are great DACs because I listen to more music with these 2 DACs, especially the D-1. For example, the Lana Delray (sp?) which is often mentioned in audio reviews was an album where I like only a few songs. However, through the D-1 I listen to the album from start to finish,

Another review of the D-1.

imersiv D-1 DAC (HDR-A) | Page 8 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

(11) Imersiv D-1 DAC | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

does the Meitner MA3i (which as i understand has integrated streamer) feature quboz connect? My internet research says yes, but wanted to confirm. 

@artg 

yes it does

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/meitner-ma3i-dac-vs-berkely-alpha-series-3-dac.42021/post-1113625