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  1. #1
    Senior Member
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    Sep 2017
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    Boynton Beach, FL
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    EMM Reference PRE

    Starting this thread to discuss the “PRE”, which is the newest top of the line PRE in the EMM line. I’ve seen a few reviews on it to date and all of the reviewers have called it the best solid state pre on the market.

    I have one coming tomorrow.. assuming FedEx gets here.. to check out along with my updated DA2. I have little doubt it’s going to make my Bryston SP3 look foolish.

    More to follow.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  2. #2
    Audioshark
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    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
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    30,044

    Re: EMM Reference PRE

    Looking forward to your impressions.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    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.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  3. #3

    Re: EMM Reference PRE


  4. #4
    Senior Member
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    Re: EMM Reference PRE

    First impression, out of the box, it already sounds phenomenal. The placement of instruments in the soundstage is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Listening to Medeski, Martin, and Wood’s Last Chance To Dance Trance (perhaps), I’m taken back by how crisp the bell of the ride cymbal sounds. I’ve been a drummer for most of my life, and that’s a sound I’m quite familiar with. What is being reproduced here is so lifelike it’s jaw dropping. The entire drum kit is present in the room. Bass has yet to really open up, but I’m going to assume that will happen over the next few days.

    More to come. I’ll post a video later on if I get a chance.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    Sep 2017
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    Boynton Beach, FL
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    Re: EMM Reference PRE

    Ok.. so I’m playing a song from Blitzen Trapper’s Furr album. Black River Killer. I’ve listened to this song hundreds of times, in several cars I’ve owned (with top end factory stereos), various iterations of stereos I’ve had. Work systems, Sonos.. you name it, I’ve played it.

    Anyway, it’s a track I’m very familiar with. I just heard this faint guitar part in the background coming from the left channel that I’ve never heard before. How the (four letter word) is that even possible.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  6. #6
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,044

    Re: EMM Reference PRE

    Fantastic!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    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.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  7. #7
    Senior Member
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    Sep 2017
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    Re: EMM Reference PRE

    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  8. #8

    Re: EMM Reference PRE

    Quote Originally Posted by Phishphan View Post
    Ok.. so I’m playing a song from Blitzen Trapper’s Furr album. Black River Killer. I’ve listened to this song hundreds of times, in several cars I’ve owned (with top end factory stereos), various iterations of stereos I’ve had. Work systems, Sonos.. you name it, I’ve played it.

    Anyway, it’s a track I’m very familiar with. I just heard this faint guitar part in the background coming from the left channel that I’ve never heard before. How the (four letter word) is that even possible.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Looks like you found yourself a new preamp? Awesome product for sure and one of my favorite SS pre-amps out there.

    George
    Wilson Audio Alexx|Pair of Rel No25’s
    VAC Statement Preamplifier
    VAC Statement 452 Monoblocks
    Sonorus ATR10 MkII
    Esoteric D-02X|Esoteric P-02X|Aurender W20SE
    MIT Oracle MA-X SHD SC and IC
    Transparent Reference Power

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    3,837

    Re: EMM Reference PRE

    Are you keeping the EMM Pre?
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
    Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
    Phono Pre: Pass XP-27
    Digital: Esoteric N01XD Esoteric K05
    Speakers: MBL 101E MKII
    Subwoofers: REL Carbon Specials
    Conditioner: Shunyata Triton 3
    Power Cables: Shunyata Sigma 1 & 2, Alpha 2, Delta and Venom
    ICs and SCs: Wireworld Platinum 8
    Rack: Artesania Exoteryc

  10. #10
    Senior Member
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    Sep 2017
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    Boynton Beach, FL
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    Re: EMM Reference PRE

    Quote Originally Posted by Ritmo View Post
    Are you keeping the EMM Pre?
    It’s not going anywhere. It’s phenomenal.

    Writing a review for EMM as we speak. I’ll share it here when I’m done.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  11. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Boynton Beach, FL
    Posts
    1,010

    Re: EMM Reference PRE




    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    Preamp/Digital: Meitner MA3
    HT Processor: Bryston SP3
    Amps: Bryston 14b3, Bryston 4b3
    Speakers: Kef Reference 5, Kef Reference 4c
    Sub: REL Carbon Special
    Power: Shunyata Denali, Bryston BIT15
    Wires: Wireworld Silver Eclipse XLR & SC, Ethernet - WW Platinum USB
    Other: Stillpoint Ultra SS, ISO-Acoustics ISO Pucks

    -Kyle

  12. #12

    Re: EMM Reference PRE

    Congrats on a great pre! So ... when are the EMM Labs Amps coming in?

    I heard they are amazing as well!

    George
    Wilson Audio Alexx|Pair of Rel No25’s
    VAC Statement Preamplifier
    VAC Statement 452 Monoblocks
    Sonorus ATR10 MkII
    Esoteric D-02X|Esoteric P-02X|Aurender W20SE
    MIT Oracle MA-X SHD SC and IC
    Transparent Reference Power

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EMM Reference PRE

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