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Thread: EMM Labs NS1

  1. #1
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    EMM Labs NS1



    A new arrival to our digital stable. The EMM NS1 uses a proprietary link to the DV2 (or DA2) and acts as a Roon Endpoint.

    If you own an EMM Labs DAC, this is a must IMO. The sonic boost has been significant.

    MSRP is $4500


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  2. #2

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    For anyone who has an EMM NS1, please post what you like and dislike about this streamer.

    Thanks,
    Duke
    Vandersteen Model 7 Mk2 / Ayre MXR-20 / MSB Ref DAC+Transport / Nordost SC+IC / Audioquest PC /

  3. #3

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    "The sonic boost has been been significant." ...compared to what?

  4. #4
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by dznutz View Post
    "The sonic boost has been been significant." ...compared to what?
    Lumin U1 mini we were using to feed it.


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    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  5. #5
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    There is an MQA update coming soon for the NS1 which will allow even higher resolution MQA streaming.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  6. #6
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by Duke97 View Post
    For anyone who has an EMM NS1, please post what you like and dislike about this streamer.

    Thanks,
    Duke
    I wouldn't buy one if you don't have a EMM DAC. The EMM link is the key and what gives it such great synergy. I think it sounds way better than the Aurender N10 it replaced in my room, especially with DSD.

    No USB output. Really need to use it as a Roon endpoint, because there isn't proprietary software like other streamers.


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  7. #7
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    There is an MQA update coming soon for the NS1 which will allow even higher resolution MQA streaming.


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    Hopefully it's a software update that doesn't require the unit to be shipped back to Canada.


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    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
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  8. #8
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    There is an MQA update coming soon for the NS1 which will allow even higher resolution MQA streaming.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    That's interesting Mike. There are so many in our hobby who revel in denigrating MQA yet three companies (MSB, dCS and EMM) all of which would be included in most everyone's list of TOP 5 have chosen include MQA as a option for their customers.
    Jim

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  9. #9

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by still-one View Post
    That's interesting Mike. There are so many in our hobby who revel in denigrating MQA yet three companies (MSB, dCS and EMM) all of which would be included in most everyone's list of TOP 5 have chosen include MQA as a option for their customers.
    Having the option doesn't mean it's worth using. EMM Labs included MQA because not having every option can affect sales. It's a lossy format, there's no getting around that.

  10. #10

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Most, if not 99% of, DACs on the market will not accept DSD over Toslink or AES... so youre in essence buying a PCM/MQA streamer unless you have an EMM DAC

  11. #11
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by Bar81 View Post
    Having the option doesn't mean it's worth using. EMM Labs included MQA because not having every option can affect sales. It's a lossy format, there's no getting around that.
    24000+ MQA releases and growing. All the howling is having no effect.
    Jim

    D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
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  12. #12

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by still-one View Post
    24000+ MQA releases and growing. All the howling is having no effect.
    and there are millions of mp3s, what's your point?
    EMM Labs TX2 SE|DA2 V2| Ayre KX-R Twenty | D'Agostino Momentum M400 | Focal Maestro Utopia III | MIT Oracle MA | VH Audio | Shunyata King Cobra CX | Shunyata Everest | Harmonic Resolution Systems | CAD Ground Control

  13. #13
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by Bar81 View Post
    and there are millions of mp3s, what's your point?
    My point is there are plenty of anti MQA threads on the net. This thread is not one of them.
    Jim

    D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
    Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 2 speakers
    Digital: dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC, Clock & Upsampler
    Analog: SME 20/3 with Esoteric E-03 Phono
    Transparent Opus Speaker Cable & Interconnects & Opus Power Cords
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  14. #14

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Would be nice if EMM released a stand-alone streamer+dac one box product.

    Aka like a Lumin

    Remove all the legacy ports from the DA/DV2 such as SPDIF and AES etc.

    Sell it a more accessible price point than their current 30K flagships.

    They would have a hit on their hands.

  15. #15

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by still-one View Post
    My point is there are plenty of anti MQA threads on the net. This thread is not one of them.
    So stating facts makes someone "anti" a thing. Pretty strange thinking there.

  16. #16

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by mdp632 View Post
    Would be nice if EMM released a stand-alone streamer+dac one box product.

    Aka like a Lumin

    Remove all the legacy ports from the DA/DV2 such as SPDIF and AES etc.

    Sell it a more accessible price point than their current 30K flagships.

    They would have a hit on their hands.
    According to EMM AES and Toslink are by no means legacy ports. In fact they consider them superior to USB, its just that USB is much easier to implement so everyone does it. How much truth there is to that I don't know

  17. #17
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    I don’t see the all in one streamer-DAC-pre coming form EMM. Next up in the product line is their new phono pre-amp. I’ve seen it via FaceTime.


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  18. #18

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Has the NS1 retail price jumped to $7500?

  19. #19
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by dznutz View Post
    Has the NS1 retail price jumped to $7500?
    Not that I’m aware of.


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    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  20. #20

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Fake news, spoke with EMM. Retail remains $4500

  21. #21
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Bumping this old thread. Is the NS1 still "relevant".

    I've toyed with trying the DA2, so the NS1 would be a fit in that scenario.

    Alternatively, I've considered an Aurender N10, or a Lumin U1 (or possibly an Innuos Zenith MK iii). SQ is my top priority over onboard storage, etc. Roon isn't important to me - --
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  22. #22
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by Grasshopper View Post
    Bumping this old thread. Is the NS1 still "relevant".

    I've toyed with trying the DA2, so the NS1 would be a fit in that scenario.

    Alternatively, I've considered an Aurender N10, or a Lumin U1 (or possibly an Innuos Zenith MK iii). SQ is my top priority over onboard storage, etc. Roon isn't important to me - --
    No. So much better out there.


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    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  23. #23

    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    No. So much better out there.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Yup. Seemed to be a low effort product from EMM. It feels like it was released just so they could say they have a streamer.
    EMM Labs TX2 SE|DA2 V2| Ayre KX-R Twenty | D'Agostino Momentum M400 | Focal Maestro Utopia III | MIT Oracle MA | VH Audio | Shunyata King Cobra CX | Shunyata Everest | Harmonic Resolution Systems | CAD Ground Control

  24. #24
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Got it. Reading reviews (for those that ended up with the DA2) it seemed people loved the sound due to the proprietary connection.

    What should I be looking at in the general price range?

    Quote Originally Posted by Bar81 View Post
    Yup. Seemed to be a low effort product from EMM. It feels like it was released just so they could say they have a streamer.
    Speakers: Sonus Faber Aidas
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  25. #25
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    No. So much better out there.


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    So what current recommended streamers are there?

  26. #26
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Duplicate
    Main System

    Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B

    Headphones

    Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
    Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2

  27. #27
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    You named all the ones I’d consider if I was looking - Lumin, Aurender, Innuous. Perhaps Melco, have read good things about that also.
    Main System

    Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B

    Headphones

    Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
    Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2

  28. #28
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    Re: EMM Labs NS1

    Quote Originally Posted by jmusica View Post
    You named all the ones I’d consider if I was looking - Lumin, Aurender, Innuous. Perhaps Melco, have read good things about that also.
    Yes seems the new Lumin U2 Mini has an outstanding price / performance ratio.

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