An owner of the new DA2I posted the following: "Hello everyone, i was the owner of a DA2 V2 and now a very happy owner of the DA2i, no doubt in my mind, this is the best upgrade i ever had in my system, please do not hesitate a second , the DA2 V2 was excellent, the 2i is perfect!"
Emm labs DA2 v2 upgrade
- Thread starter awsmone
- Start date
Andrew, this was the most info I've seen yet on the streamer.
Everyone, from the DA2v2, the upgrade is $6500 for the DA3 and another $5500 for the streamer portion ($12k total). The DAC upgrade is obvious, but I'm curious as to what we get for that price? The benefits of internal pass-through are one, but what about other components than the CDM4140? Are we talking Lumin U2 benefits? I have an MA3, and I do enjoy the built in streamer with Roon, but I find mconnect unpolished. I'm wondering if people have compared the internal streamer to anything else yet? It will be a while before I have the chance to see one. I live pretty remote.
Thank you!
Hello, has anyone compared the DA/V2v2 to the MPD-8? Or the 2i? Just wondering how they compare.
So I'm selling my NS1 and Aural Symphonics Optimism Lotus cable to fund the DA2i upgrade, and I really hope I'm doing the right thing here, replacing my optical moat via NS1 with a direct network connection from Taiko Switch+Shunyata Omega ethernet.
Optical isolation was one of the key points of my system thus far because I hate digital noise, but removing the NS1 means I can remove one of my ethernet switches (NS1 couldn't do Taiko 1000mps speed), one box/power supply from my system, and fund an amp PC upgrade from Sigma NR v2 to Omega.
I don't have funds for a Taiko Extreme etc, and in previous tests with Aurender servers I found that NS1+USB hard drive+Optilink connection sounded better. My unconventional use case will have either uncompressed files playing off an external SSD connected to the DA2i or eventually connected to a future Taiko Router, using MConnect and not Roon.
Still, I'm really skeptical about the glare and sharp edges I introduce even with a clean network setup (having experienced lower tier DCS network). I hope the tradeoff is worth it (and that I can find a buyer for my NS1!).
Optical isolation was one of the key points of my system thus far because I hate digital noise, but removing the NS1 means I can remove one of my ethernet switches (NS1 couldn't do Taiko 1000mps speed), one box/power supply from my system, and fund an amp PC upgrade from Sigma NR v2 to Omega.
I don't have funds for a Taiko Extreme etc, and in previous tests with Aurender servers I found that NS1+USB hard drive+Optilink connection sounded better. My unconventional use case will have either uncompressed files playing off an external SSD connected to the DA2i or eventually connected to a future Taiko Router, using MConnect and not Roon.
Still, I'm really skeptical about the glare and sharp edges I introduce even with a clean network setup (having experienced lower tier DCS network). I hope the tradeoff is worth it (and that I can find a buyer for my NS1!).
New member here - I have looked at some of the EMM threads here to glean some info and appreciated whatever detail I got!
I did upgrade my DV2 recently to DV2i full upgrade with streamer, through my dealer. I think I got one of the first upgrade slots.
I can give more detailed impressions in about a week. But I will say, (1) the difference is not subtle, it's one of the more striking improvements in various upgrades I have done. (2) improvements are broad, in area of bass (did not think that possible), detail and clarity of the musical lines, soundstage depth, much richer midrange timbres, reduced glare. Especially on good program material. Poor material sounds about the same as it did. (3) streaming onboard seems to have a better overall sound than streaming NS1+optilink did. I have to actually directly compare though, it could just be the other parts of the component like analog stage are better, but onboard streaming is definitely *not* a downgrade and I believe it has less glare than the NS1 but have to verify. (4) Playback via new local USB is fantastic, it is a no-brainer for material that you already own. This form of playback has already won me over very enthusiastically. (5) Was it worth it? Depends on your pocketbook but I do not regret the full upgrade at all.
Happy listening!
I did upgrade my DV2 recently to DV2i full upgrade with streamer, through my dealer. I think I got one of the first upgrade slots.
I can give more detailed impressions in about a week. But I will say, (1) the difference is not subtle, it's one of the more striking improvements in various upgrades I have done. (2) improvements are broad, in area of bass (did not think that possible), detail and clarity of the musical lines, soundstage depth, much richer midrange timbres, reduced glare. Especially on good program material. Poor material sounds about the same as it did. (3) streaming onboard seems to have a better overall sound than streaming NS1+optilink did. I have to actually directly compare though, it could just be the other parts of the component like analog stage are better, but onboard streaming is definitely *not* a downgrade and I believe it has less glare than the NS1 but have to verify. (4) Playback via new local USB is fantastic, it is a no-brainer for material that you already own. This form of playback has already won me over very enthusiastically. (5) Was it worth it? Depends on your pocketbook but I do not regret the full upgrade at all.
Happy listening!
This is good to hear. Though, also bodes poorly for selling my NS1...
Glad that the local USB sounds good because that is how I do it, with a whole bunch of USB filters and isolators plus Omega USB. When you can get the noise off the USB line AND have the streamer doing the actual playback (so no jitter etc) it's a good way to go.
I know it can be heard to hear anything at those shows, but as someone who does you DA2 with headphones I'm curious how you find the DA2i+Viva combo, with any of those headphones.
Actually, I'm not at the show. I let the dealer who sold me the 2i to use it for the show so he could send out the other v2s he had to 1 person to test and the other one in to upgrade. This will allow the other folks to get them earlier.
However, word from the show is the combo on 1266 is "big gud". However, in general, the 2a3 is not everyone's first choice of headphone amps. Sure, the 1266 it does well, but Susvara and Tungsten are less compelling. The 845 wasn't working so they couldn't use it and that would have been my preference to test it out. 845 gives more of a 300b experience and the DV2v2 with the ampsandsound RO XL in the Abyss room at CanJam in LA was one of the big highlights. At Axpona, I was able to hear a DV2v2 with both Viva 845 and Mass Kobo 465 with Susvara and it was perhaps the best headphone experience I've had to date which is why I'm going up. Still, one more comparison to do. 2i vs MPD-8 me and a couple of other folks are working to line that up now.
I have Pink Faun Ultra 2.16 connected through USB (pink faun has come with a new USB card that is so good) and I do not see how emm's USB is not very good... I think it is one of the better ones on the market. I hear in the DV2i the USB input is even better. I don't have the TX2, but compared to NS1, Pink Faun is miles ahead
Is the pre-amp on the Dv2/Dv2i analogue or digital?
Google AI says it is digital.
I'm sure that's wrong. But why doesn't Meitner offer any analogue inputs on this model?
Who's running it direct into power amps? How does it compare to a very good analogue pre-amp?
Google AI says it is digital.
I'm sure that's wrong. But why doesn't Meitner offer any analogue inputs on this model?
Who's running it direct into power amps? How does it compare to a very good analogue pre-amp?
It's just a DAC with a digital volume control.Is the pre-amp on the Dv2/Dv2i analogue or digital?
Google AI says it is digital.
I'm sure that's wrong. But why doesn't Meitner offer any analogue inputs on this model?
Who's running it direct into power amps? How does it compare to a very good analogue pre-amp?
Hi, I am currently running my DV2 directly into the Constellation Centaur power amplifier. However, note that the Constellation Centaur has a preamp stage in each channel. I find the digital volume control to be extremely transparent to the source. Whether you need a preamp for the DV2 depends very much on the sensitivity of your sound system.Is the pre-amp on the Dv2/Dv2i analogue or digital?
Google AI says it is digital.
I'm sure that's wrong. But why doesn't Meitner offer any analogue inputs on this model?
Who's running it direct into power amps? How does it compare to a very good analogue pre-amp?
Would be very interested in the 2i vs MPD-8, as similar platform but different approaches to power supply, isolation, and digital filters. Curious if their strengths start to converge at a certain point.
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