Meitner MA3i DAC Review

ayang90, thanks for sharing that review.  It's a great read.  I have had the same listening experience he described.

I had a chance to listen to it paired with the Meitner PRE. OMG, it’s really a next level experience. I thought the realism was phenomenal with the MA3i but the PRE takes it and goes even deeper on every level.

Bottom line is my current preamp is limiting the full potential of the MA3i.

I wasn’t in a position to purchase it because I just upgraded the MA3 but if I had the money I would have.

When the Pre was released Shahin at Meitner told me it really elevated the performance of the MA3.  But I suspect any number of high quality pre amps might be able to do so. Before you dismiss your current preamp, make sure you have fully bypassed the volume control on the MA3i and are sending max output voltage to your preamp by turning the MA3i to full volume - 100.  Then adjust the volume level on your preamp to suit your listening preferences.  Also, have you tried drving your amplifier directly from the MA3i?  The output voltage from the MA3i's balanced and single ended outputs are much higher than that of the MA3.  If the input voltage requirements of your amp is low enough you might be pleasantly surprised by the results you get from removing the preamp from the chain, particularly if your amp can accept a balanced signal from the MA3i and it's higher output voltage.😉  

@buzz,

You make some good points. I did try bypassing my preamp and went direct but I still preferred having my preamp in. While I know preamps should just be an attenuator, it just added a smidge of cohesiveness that wasn’t there when going direct. I actually like running the MA3i at 97 or 98 rather than 100. I have a Bryston BP17 cubed with a Bryston 4B3 amp. All Canadian stack. 😀

Interesting review, but I’m left with a couple of questions.  First is why no I2s and Second, in the review they mention a dollar amount, but not whether it’s in Canadian or American dollars.

 I am interested in getting a new DAC, but I’ll definitely have to hear this one in person rather then relying reviews before buying.

@ayang90, I don't understand why listening at 97 or 98 vs. 100 would produce better results since at 100 max output voltage is attained, but trust your ears. Have you tried using the balanced outputs from the MA3i directly into your Bryston amp?

@curiousjim the MSRP shown in the review is USD.  It's a U.S. publication.  Regarding why no I2s, Meitner states that based on its specifications, I2s "is meant to be an internal connection format for serial communication between system or modules, not meant to be an external format. Hence we don’t use it as an external interface [because] it would introduce more noise and jitter."  So, they view it's benefit differently from those mfrs. who implement it.

As far as hearing a MA3i in person before buying it, that's always the best thing to do.  But, it should be in your system.  Perhaps you might be able to find a dealer that can offer a home audition.  Good luck. 

Is the feature that was available with the original MA3 where a Roon track info was displayed on the DAC screen now gone in the MA3i?

Never mind checked the manual and got my answer - track information will not be displayed on screen while connected to Roon 

Strange but OK. I can’t read it from my listening chair anyway  

@audphile1 and any others wondering why this is happening with the updated MA3i, per Meitner "This issue only occurs with Roon due to its latest, stricter certification requirements for language support. These exceed the small controller's RAM and CPU capacity, aimed at minimizing internal noise."  

@buzz cool. I don’t think it’s of any use because screensaver kicks in after two mins and you have whatever roon remote you use where this info is displayed. So if it was removed to reduce noise I’m all for it!!!

@audphile1  Do you have an MA3i in house? If so, can you share any impressions relative to your Bricasti M3? Are you also using your Aurender via USB into the MA3i or are you also going to try the internal streamer? Curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

@sfpeloton I just got it on Tuesday earlier this week. I have about 70hrs of play time on it. Preliminary results are positive but I will hold off on jumping to conclusions at this time as I can still notice changes in how it sounds. It’s going thru a minor rollercoaster of a break in.

I’m running it 90% of the time as a Roon end point and occasionally have my Aurender N200 feed it via Audience Studio One USB cable. 
 

I’ll have some thoughts on it after I put some more mileage on it. 
 

The Meitner is slated to replace my long time reference DAC, Bricasti M3.

Congratulations! Looks great on that stand. I have had my eye on the MA3i as well and will be keen to hear your comparison to the Bricasti (also my current DAC). Enjoy.

Thanks @sfpeloton !

I’ll keep you posted. 

What Ethernet cable are you guys using with your Meitner?

I am not using any special network hardware or cable with my MA3i NET input. I had an audiophile switch, clock, and power supply but sold it when I acquired a MA3 as they made no difference.  Try an experiment with this.

Try the MA3i output direct to your amp. You may be searching for a new preamp.

Thanks @delm 

I’m not using any network tweaks other than the Purist CAT7 Ethernet cable and I have a LinkUp cable from Amazon as well as I throw it into the mix. Comparing the two, as with all other streamers I had, the Purist wins. That’s why I was interested in what others use. Purist is good but I think it can be improved upon

Also, I run the MA3i into Boulder 866 integrated amp. Volume control is bypassed on the Meitner by setting it to 100. 

@audphile1 , I use this right now.

https://a.co/d/81uQMKa

It's an inexpensive, well built, low gauge solid core cable that performs very well. I needed to finalize placement of my components so I would know what length cable I would need long-term before investing in anything more expensive. I plan to try some "audiophile" cables in the near future to determine if more expensive results in any benefits

@buzz it looks similar to my linkup cable 

https://a.co/d/eTGIjAy

Good cable for sure but Purist beats it.