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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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Showing 8 responses by doggiehowser

doggiehowser
672 posts
 
Is there one for the XDS1 v1? :(
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
The XDS1 v1 does not get the upgrade. I am a bit cheesed off. This is not a cheap player by any means and it should still be supported by EMM Labs.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
*sigh* no love for the XDS1 which is still a DAC - just apparently not current enough :(
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
Make sure you give it at least 2 weeks of running in before you do any serious listening. :)

It really is ground breaking
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
Except for SACD playback, I have been using the PS Audio DirectStream DAC. With the new Yale OS, it's superb. Had a friend who sold his DAC2X after getting the DS as well.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I'd be happy if EMM Labs provided the update for the original XDS1 which I owned for less than 3 years.

But they didn't.

And with the new DA2.. I think it signs a death knell for the older models.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
Sadly they don't.

I have the EMM Labs v1 and while I prefer it over the Playback, it is not a night and day to me. Yale OS on the DS is a very big improvement over the EMM.
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. :)
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