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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!
Some details on the upgrade were posted by a dealer at Computer Audiophile.
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..
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!Quote:
Originally Posted by Buch73
Go for the gusto!
http://www.hifi.co.kr/files/attach/i...159/001/01.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! :(
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by audio.bill
Dan - Just a point of clarification regarding the Berkeley, it won't decode DSD directly but it handles PCM up to 24bit/192kHz.Quote:
Originally Posted by jdandy
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:
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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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kuoppis
Exactly my thinking, please keep me posted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rayooo
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.
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I am also full ears for the details :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Rayooo
I'm curious what the statement "Does not include any Networking" means?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kuoppis
[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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rayooo
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: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."...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kuoppis
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.
Now I'm really excited, eager to hear your impressions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rayooo
I have not yet gotten the go from my dealer, the turn-side of living on the other side of the pond.
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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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kuoppis
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.
Any further impressions after a couple more days?
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This before and after stuff is getting tougherQuote:
Originally Posted by Kuoppis
In no particular order...so far...
I removed the UpTone reclocker for a bit.. then re-installed it. For whatever reason, I do seem to prefer it in. I'm a bit surprised that all these years later and all these companies building DACs, that whatever supposed tweaking/re-clocking that's being done in a $200 "puck" is somehow not possible to accomplish within the DAC.
As expected the new V2 MA-1 handles everything I threw at it, 44.1 up to 2xDSD nicely. no glitches ever. I guess this is easy and expected these day, but I've owned DACs that could not elegantly mix formats during playback.
I do like the improvement. It's rather subtle (at least to my ears and system) the update a couple years back was I believe greater. I noticed right away the slightly tighter and better defined sound stage.
I'm continuing to listen and enjoy. I must also thank EMM/Meitner for continuing development. I don't know the original release date, but the 6moons review was back in 2012.
All considered I'd do this update again no doubt about it.
Thanks for your impressions/thoughts of the V2 update.
Any further impressions after burn-in of the boards ?
Or still consider the SW update a couple of years back a bit better ?
It was also a very nice update, indeed :)
I've had an MA-1 for years and a couple of months back I bought a used EMM Labs DAC 2X. I sent the DAC 2X in for the update and got it back a few weeks ago but have not had tons of time as I've been dealing with lightning damage and the insurance company on stuff and also just got a lightly used Lumin U1 for the main system and just scanned the library in and have gotten my JRiver stuff for the secondary systems cleaned up. Only have a couple of hours on the upgraded DAC 2X at this point. For now I moved the MA-1 to a secondary system. Was going to do the upgrade to it but may wait a bit to see what's up with the lightning damage coverage.