Emm labs DA2 v2 upgrade

[Ian B]

Mine is still playing - I didn't get a chance to listen last night - will be exactly 250H for me this afternoon. Ian - how many hours are on your unit?

It must be 500-800.

 

[Genesis168]

JVS of Stereophile (March 2025, p. 75) says: "Streaming with Roon: First I streamed far more music via the Innuos Statement Next-Gen music streamer and PhoenixNET switch than I have time and room to discuss.. Then I bypassed the Innuos duo and plugged my network's Ethernet directly into the DA2i. After changing the DA2i's input setting from USB to Ethernet, I was ready to test the DA2i sound using Roon ... without an outboard server. Having previously found Roon's sound a distinct second best to Innuos's proprietary playback software, I expected to be disappointed. Imagine my delight when, streaming Mozart's 'Haffner' Serenade, K250, from Mozart's Serenata (24/192 WAV, Harmonia Mundi/Qobuz), with the Munchener Kammerorchester conducted by Enrico Onofi, the DA2i delivered music almost as colorful, airy, and involving as what I heard when I used the InnuOS 'Sense' playback software to play the files directly from the Statement Next-Gen's internal SSD. The sound was almost as good as when played through devices that, together, cost $25,000 more than the DA2i and require two additional power cables, an extra Ethernet cable, and a USB cable. That's quite an accomplishment."

Thanks Yuen. I am always wondering what something like a high end Innous or a Taiko Extreme would compare to the internal card. I guess that sums it

 

[Ian B]

I have a Synergistic Research Master Fuse in my current DV2 and really like it.
Debating if I will swap it into the DV2i when it arrives.......

How did this turn out?

 

[louawalters]

How did this turn out?

I was also thinking of popping an SR master fuse into my DA2V3. I hard wired a QSA red into my existing Rockna Wavelight which made an unbelievable improvement. I'm not sure I can improve the DA2is sound as it's pretty bloody amazing right now. But interested to hear if others have done so

 

[gfroman]

Sounds great!
I have been running the SR Master Fuse since I took delivery of the DV2i and it is sounding so much better than my previous DV2.
No doubt the fuse is helping in my opinion.
I also have an Ansuz Sortz Signature connected to the unused AES digital input.
Also using a Stealth Audio Cloude Grande power cord.
Imaging is spooky and my MBL speakers completely disappear!

 

[louawalters]

I have a Synergistic Research Master Fuse in my current DV2 and really like it.
Debating if I will swap it into the DV2i when it arrives.......

What size fuse did you get?

 

[gfroman]

S 2A 250v

 

[searoll923]

Probably unlikely, but curious to know how the DA2i would compare to the MSB Cascade and even Wadax Reference?

 

[gfroman]

I'd love to hear or own them both, but for 2X the money I'm probably not interested.
Perhaps when they hit the used market.
For now I am delighted what I am hearing with mine.
My system never sounded so good!!

 

[Ian B]

Probably unlikely, but curious to know how the DA2i would compare to the MSB Cascade and even Wadax Reference?

Definitely different sound signatures and approaches to digital with each. I haven't spent time with the others, but I know this is a style of sound that I like and the audio quality is fully satisfying to me. It does seem that the DA2i is a faster, more neutral, energetic, and perhaps smoother style, while the others seem to aim for the weight and tone of analog. I would wager there are some benefits with throwing substantially greater expense at the design, but then again, these could also be inefficient designs compared to DA2i.

 

[louawalters]

I agree with Ian B - in addition its all relative to personal tastes and the rest of your system. Everything said about throwing greater expense at design is probably true, but it may also be more along the lines of trying to build gear to an utterly ridiculous price point. Now with 350H of play on my DA2i I think I have a good handle on this DAC. Perhaps it isn't fair to compare the DA2i to my Rockna Wavelight, but I will since that was my reference for the past 5 years. The Wavelight is the little brother of the WaveDream and at about an 8th of the cost gets 85%-90% of the way to its bigger brother. The wavelight is super dynamic, very energetic, almost too much presence with some recordings. The DA2i is very well behaved, (in a good way) I would call it naturally dynamic, it never gets to the point of being annoying. On some recordings the WL can present music with almost too much presence region getting to the point where it could become annoying. What I love about the DA2i is that it portrays the natural body and texure of vocals and instruments. Its a subtle but important thing. DA2i is able to present the body of the vocalist or instrument, instead of presenting an outline of the singer or instument, there is a portrayal of realistic body. I am using the word body, not to describe chestyness or thickness, but rather, going from a sharply defined thing, to a thing having depth in the z access with "flesh on the bones". It does this to such a realistic degree, without blowing anything out of proportion size wise. One thing that I cannot stand is when systems make vocalists and instruments sound bigger than they are in real life. IMHO this is a neat parlour trick, but isn't aligned with reality. The DA2i creates lifelike images. I would be remis, if I didn't bring up what I think are its greatest strengths (so far). BASS BASS BASS! My gosh, the definition, articulation, ability to differentiate fast moving base lines, I have never heard my system do this before or to this degree. Base is the foundation od music, but this dac does this in spades, but again, it isn't overblown, everything is so well integrated.

So these are my initial thoughts, after about 350H, and I think my system will improve quite a bit in the near future. Why? Because, my Audia Flight Strumento No 1 pre is having its main board replaced under warantee, so my backup is an older Chord Pre amp. The Chord is very good, but it isnt at the same level of performance as the Audia Flight. The Chord does not have the dynamics nor the front to back layering of the Audia Flight. I also have the Audia Flight Stumento 4 as my amp, which is a perfect match with their own pre amp. Unfortunately, I have not heard the DA2i with the strumento as it has been at the shop for the past month as we wait for parts to arrive from Italy. I would imagine once my AF comes back into the system, that last 10% of system synergy will lock in, and it will get even better!

All said, at this point, I do not plan on ever replacing this DAC! It just does so much right, in a way that makes me want to sit and listen to music. For me that is what this hoby is about, and FWIW I have not spun a single record since turning this DAC on 2 weeks ago. End game for me!

 

[louawalters]

I have placed an order for a Master Fuse for my DAC - should be here next week. Will let you all know what I hear once I get it in.

 

[nicoludio]

I have previously listened to the MA3 and, thanks to the excellent feedback from everyone here on the improvements from the “i” & “V3” updates, have an MA3i on order.

Since then, an unexpected opportunity has cropped up for a pre-owned DV2 at an attractive price (less than 40% premium to a new MA3i).

Just wondering if anyone has compared or would be willing to hazard a guess as to how the MA3i (with the trickled down improvements) would compare to the DV2 (assuming that I do not upgrade to “V3” or “i” status).

Thanks.

 

[louawalters]

I have placed an order for a Master Fuse for my DAC - should be here next week. Will let you all know what I hear once I get it in.

Master fuse arrived via FedEx this morning. Amazing. Good thing for me PartsConexxion is 2H from where I live. Fuse is in DAC playing but I won't sit to listen until later tonight. Installation was a bit of a chore.... But got everything all sorted eventually.

 

[louawalters]

The DAC has been playing for almost 24 hours since inserting the master fuse. It’s hard to describe what has changed, but it has, and for the good. Its like the final ounce of resolution, detail retrieval, and dynamics are flowing from the DA2 V3 but without any negative aspects. I listen mostly to alternative rock, electronic, jazz and blues, and everything I throw at it just sounds wonderful. I am listening to “We Used to Wait” by Arcade Fire ( a favourite song of mine off of “The Suburbs”) not an audiophile recording by any measure, but it’s presented in a way that I can enjoy the intent of the track without trying to analyze it. I would say if your cables and system are well sorted, the Master fuse is the final link in the chain that allows the DAC to really perform at its best. I have never heard digital sound this good, and am so blessed to be able to have this experience in my home. I think my vinyl playback may start to collect dust, even though I like spinning records, time is limited and this DAC gets so dam close!

 

[tonypdb]

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.

Going back to this question, has anyone listened to both and compared pros / cons? Would also be curious to know how the volume controls compare, as one is purely analog, and the other digital.

 

[louawalters]

Going back to this question, has anyone listened to both and compared pros / cons? Would also be curious to know how the volume controls compare, as one is purely analog, and the other digital.

I would gander that the MPD8 may outperform in an amp only system, its output impedance is <1 ohm. I would be interested to hear impressions comparing MPD8 to DA2i as a DAC only into a preamp. Mostly for entertainment purposes as I have zero inclination to change the EMM DA2 V3.

 

[delm]

I have previously listened to the MA3 and, thanks to the excellent feedback from everyone here on the improvements from the “i” & “V3” updates, have an MA3i on order.

Since then, an unexpected opportunity has cropped up for a pre-owned DV2 at an attractive price (less than 40% premium to a new MA3i).

Just wondering if anyone has compared or would be willing to hazard a guess as to how the MA3i (with the trickled down improvements) would compare to the DV2 (assuming that I do not upgrade to “V3” or “i” status).

Thanks.

The main difference in electronics between the DV2 and MA3i is the power supply, the Converse Digital network board, and ceramic analogue board in the DV2. The improvements in the MA3i make it the choice for best sound. A DV2i would be better for the ceramic analogue board and power supply but I have no experience with this.

 

[chrisyak]

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.

Did you ever get a chance to test the 845 and the MK465? Just wondering how it sounded with the DV2v2 as I just bought mine and will be using it with those two headphone amps.

Which headphones did you manage to test it out on? I plan to use it on my Susvara Unveiled, Modhouse Tungsten's an Raal Immanis.

You get yours from TJ at Mimic Audio?

 

[chrisyak]

New member here with what might be a typical newbie question, but I'd love to tap into your collective wisdom.

I'm excited to be receiving my EMM Labs DV2 V2 DAC this week! While I'll likely take advantage of the V3 upgrade when it becomes available, I'm hesitant about upgrading to the DV2i just for the integrated streamer.

I generally prefer separates in my system, so I'm curious - what streamers had you been pairing with your DV2 V2? I'm open to investing in a quality source and might consider a used/demo unit to start. Budget-wise, I'm thinking up to $5-15K for the right used model.

The NS1 from EMM Labs seems like an obvious pairing, but I'm not entirely convinced. I've done extensive research on various streamers, but as we all know, component synergy isn't always predictable from specs alone.

I'd really appreciate hearing about your real-world experiences and recommendations. Which streamers have you found to be exceptional matches with this DAC? And conversely, are there any I should avoid?

Thanks in advance for sharing your insights!