EMM Labs NS1

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May 29, 2020, 12:22 PM
Mike

EMM Labs NS1

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...aa05fc7bae.jpg

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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May 30, 2020, 02:31 PM
Duke97

Re: EMM Labs NS1

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

Thanks,
Duke
May 31, 2020, 04:41 PM
dznutz

Re: EMM Labs NS1

"The sonic boost has been been significant." ...compared to what?
May 31, 2020, 04:43 PM
Mike

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznutz

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

Lumin U1 mini we were using to feed it.

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May 31, 2020, 04:45 PM
Mike

Re: EMM Labs NS1

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

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May 31, 2020, 06:44 PM
Phishphan

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke97

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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May 31, 2020, 06:45 PM
Phishphan

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

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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May 31, 2020, 07:06 PM
still-one

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

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

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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.
May 31, 2020, 07:12 PM
Bar81

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by still-one

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.
May 31, 2020, 07:31 PM
dznutz

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
May 31, 2020, 11:28 PM
still-one

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bar81

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.
June 1, 2020, 12:08 AM
Bar81

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by still-one

24000+ MQA releases and growing. All the howling is having no effect.

and there are millions of mp3s, what's your point?
June 1, 2020, 09:05 AM
still-one

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bar81

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.
June 1, 2020, 09:47 AM
mdp632

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.
June 1, 2020, 12:33 PM
Bar81

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by still-one

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.
June 1, 2020, 02:33 PM
dznutz

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdp632

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
June 6, 2020, 06:03 PM
Phishphan

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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October 22, 2020, 06:15 PM
dznutz

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Has the NS1 retail price jumped to $7500?
October 22, 2020, 06:24 PM
Mike

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznutz

Has the NS1 retail price jumped to $7500?

Not that I’m aware of.

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October 22, 2020, 08:25 PM
dznutz

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Fake news, spoke with EMM. Retail remains $4500
February 10, 2022, 04:26 PM
Grasshopper

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 - --
February 10, 2022, 04:28 PM
Mike

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

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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February 10, 2022, 04:47 PM
Bar81

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

No. So much better out there.

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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.
February 10, 2022, 05:12 PM
Grasshopper

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

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.
September 17, 2022, 04:36 PM
markush

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

No. So much better out there.

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So what current recommended streamers are there?
September 17, 2022, 06:43 PM
jmusica

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Duplicate
September 17, 2022, 06:44 PM
jmusica

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.
September 17, 2022, 07:59 PM
markush

Re: EMM Labs NS1

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmusica

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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