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Meitner/EMM Labs Firmware Upgrade = Sonic Bliss

As some of you know EMM Labs/Meitner has just released a MAJOR Firmware Upgrade for the DAC2x and MA-1.

I have the MA-1 and here is my impressions on the differences in the sonics after the upgrade.

But first, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AND GET THIS FIRMWARE UPGRADE, PERIOD!!

OK, So far I hear HUGE dynamics with more lifelike harmonics, better imaging, separation of instruments, with a bigger sound-stage, cleaner-less noise, not that it was noisy before, better spacial cues. Better leading and trailing edge. Highs that go ever so high but are not harsh but clean, in a natural way. Better timing and pace, so more musical...etc.

And I can go on and on. I do not know how they could do so much of a sonic improvement with just a Firmware Upgrade.

Two of the PCM hirez albums I used. Lang Lang, Rachmaninoff:Piano Concert No, 3 (24/176) and Dave Brubeck, Concord on a Summer Night.

I have not tried DSD yet.

Contact your dealer or EMM LABS or Meitner for the firmware.
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doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I haven't heard the M1 though.

But the upgrade path on the DS hasn't ended. In the PS Forums, Ted Smith is already talking about what he is working on - from the firmware side and it looks like we might be getting another Christmas present on the way. :)
rgs92
974 posts
 
I finally got the upgrade to the V2 and OMG it's amazing like people said! All the cliches apply: like musicality, unforced/plankton detail, see-through transparency, holographic soundstaging and a more controlled powerful deeper and most importantly more detailed bass. I had the Playback Designs for a while when I decided I liked the original EMM v1 better, but now the EMM is way ahead in my book. Thanks to the members here for steering me in the right direction.

I have owned EMM continuously since 2004 (DCC2/CDSD), and when I tried other brands, I keep deciding that nothing reaches into the music and affects my music-senses in the uniquely profoundly fine way that EMM does. I just can't put into words how the EMM sound is uniquely good, but somehow it is.
rgs92
974 posts
 
Should I be switching to the latest 3.30 (June 2016) firmware for my XDS1-V2 (that I had upgraded from my V1)?
(This vs. the older Feb. 2014 version 2.20?)
[Is this latest firmware for the XDS1/V2 or is it for another product like the new DACs?]
Thank you.
dpac996's avatar
dpac996
684 posts
 
BUMP. Curious about impressions with the MA-1 Dac with the hardware V2 upgrade that came out in 2017. I am about to pull the trigger for this hardware/firmware update on my MA-1.
Thanks!
bill_k
904 posts
 
Thought this review follow-up would be of interest here: https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1258-the-best-got-better-revisiting-emm-labs-da2-reference-digital-to-analog-converter
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