Meitner MA-1 update

Rayooo

Rayooo

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Joined
Apr 5, 2013
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422
So just as I was thinking about possibly replacing my old trusty MA-1 ... I received confirmation from both Meitner and my dealer that Meitner are offering an update.

Since mine is so old, no doubt I'll have to send it back for the update.

As I understand it.. an update for DAC2X as well.

Nice to have this option and I'm taking advantage of it asap!
 
Yes, nice option. Also heard it from my dealer the other day.
I have also thought about upgrading the MA-1 to the DAC2X, but what will give the best sound? I will follow close here..
 
Buch73 said:
Yes, nice option. Also heard it from my dealer the other day.
I have also thought about upgrading the MA-1 to the DAC2X, but what will give the best sound? I will follow close here..
Click to expand...

I've really enjoyed the MA-1! I've never listened to the DAC2X, considering it's twice the price of the MA-1 though it better be extremely good!
 
Go for the gusto!


01.jpg
 
That has caught my eye as well, but I just can't get myself to spend that much on any digital gear. The changes are so rapid and the depreciation so large! :(
 
audio.bill said:
That has caught my eye as well, but I just can't get myself to spend that much on any digital gear. The changes are so rapid and the depreciation so large! :(
Click to expand...

Bill.......I have little doubt the EMM Labs DA2 is one of the top tier DAC's currently available, but like you I continue to see fairly rapid DAC development in two to three year cycles. Any way you look at it, $25,000 is a serious chunk of money for a digital to analog converter. Maybe in three years a DA2 can be picked up for $14,000 or a little less. That's what the new Berkeley Audio Design's Alpha Reference 2 DAC is selling for now. It is another spectacular DAC but only decodes CD. The Esoteric K-01X is another amazing DAC that also decodes DSD, with a premium transport included for $20,000. It's the wild, wild West out there.
 
jdandy said:
Bill.......I have little doubt the EMM Labs DA2 is one of the top tier DAC's currently available, but like you I continue to see fairly rapid DAC development in two to three year cycles. Any way you look at it, $25,000 is a serious chunk of money for a digital to analog converter. Maybe in three years a DA2 can be picked up for $14,000 or a little less. That's what the new Berkeley Audio Design's Alpha Reference 2 DAC is selling for now. It is another spectacular DAC but only decodes CD. The Esoteric K-01X is another amazing DAC that also decodes DSD, with a premium transport included for $20,000. It's the wild, wild West out there.
Click to expand...
Dan - Just a point of clarification regarding the Berkeley, it won't decode DSD directly but it handles PCM up to 24bit/192kHz.
 
I am really looking forward to the MA-1 update. Was already about to sell the DAC, had already a buyer and all, but decided to keep it to check out the update.

The previous one was just a SW update and the impact was mighty good. This one will however update the HW components as well, I wonder what kind of an improvement that will bring. Meitner says the difference is not subtle. :excited:


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I'm supposed to hear tomorrow what the details are regarding the update process.
At this point I'd surely end up spending 2-3X the update cost for a new DAC, so.... might as well see what happens with the updated Meitner.

Kuoppis said:
I am really looking forward to the MA-1 update. Was already about to sell the DAC, had already a buyer and all, but decided to keep it to check out the update.

The previous one was just a SW update and the impact was mighty good. This one will however update the HW components as well, I wonder what kind of an improvement that will bring. Meitner says the difference is not subtle. :excited:


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
 
Rayooo said:
I'm supposed to hear tomorrow what the details are regarding the update process.
At this point I'd surely end up spending 2-3X the update cost for a new DAC, so.... might as well see what happens with the updated Meitner.
Click to expand...

Exactly my thinking, please keep me posted.

Here's what I got from Meitner directly:

---

All the upgraded systems including MDAT, and the MDAC are a combo of both hardware and firmware upgrades in a combined package.
The upgrade itself is not available yet. We are moving to get this done
soon.

The upgrade however does not include any networking. We are working on this separately.

Once the upgrade is ready, it will be announced and all dealers will be able to provide it to our customers.

---

I heard more details will be shared in Feb.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Rayooo said:
I'm supposed to hear tomorrow what the details are regarding the update process.
At this point I'd surely end up spending 2-3X the update cost for a new DAC, so.... might as well see what happens with the updated Meitner.
Click to expand...

I am also full ears for the details :)
 
I'm curious what the statement "Does not include any Networking" means?


Kuoppis said:
Exactly my thinking, please keep me posted.

Here's what I got from Meitner directly:

---

All the upgraded systems including MDAT, and the MDAC are a combo of both hardware and firmware upgrades in a combined package.
The upgrade itself is not available yet. We are moving to get this done
soon.

The upgrade however does not include any networking. We are working on this separately.

Once the upgrade is ready, it will be announced and all dealers will be able to provide it to our customers.

---

I heard more details will be shared in Feb.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
 
Rayooo said:
I'm curious what the statement "Does not include any Networking" means?
Click to expand...

[emoji3] - pushed them a bit, asking whether there would be any streaming client in the future for e.g. Tidal. The answer was that they are working on that separately.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
:D That's what I kinda thought... sure didn't hurt to ask them!

unrelated I guess... I'd been making one big big big ASSumption that in time...if MQA/Tidal/high rez streaming services really get some traction..the folks at JRiver and or others will eventually pay the license money and offer it. Of course J River's current statement is: "We're not planning to do MQA either. It's a lossy format with a royalty."...



Kuoppis said:
[emoji3] - pushed them a bit, asking whether there would be any streaming client in the future for e.g. Tidal. The answer was that they are working on that separately.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
 
I think I might not be done with that DAC yet, let's see what they have up their sleeves.


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Got the V2 MA-1 up and running now. Update process was smooth. Now for some listening. :D
 
Wow, that was quick. Nice to hear. Looks VERY much forward to your impressions :)
I am not sure if I should take the upgrade or maybe upgrade to the DACX2 instead.
 
Rayooo said:
Got the V2 MA-1 up and running now. Update process was smooth. Now for some listening. :D
Click to expand...

Now I'm really excited, eager to hear your impressions.

I have not yet gotten the go from my dealer, the turn-side of living on the other side of the pond.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Kuoppis said:
Now I'm really excited, eager to hear your impressions.

I have not yet gotten the go from my dealer, the turn-side of living on the other side of the pond.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The modification includes replacement of the PWA that has all of the digital input processing and connectors and the USB Service port on it. In addition, new firmware must be installed after the hardware is fitted.
The firmware updater is the same utility that was used in the prior update back in 2014 ...or whenever it was. The entire update could be done in an hour.

I'm always leery of stating my initial impressions...so.... I'll just say that so far I'm very impressed. :yahoo1: This improvement seems greater than the GAT V2 Update I did last year.
More listening impressions to follow for sure.
 
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