• EMM Labs New Upgraded Dac DA2i - DA2 V3 Follow Up.
• After the Flood - An Audio Human Interest Story
• Capital Audio Fest Photos of Other Rooms Part 2.
• Happy Chinese New Year - Year of the Snake
• List your used Merrill Audio equipment for sale here.
  ​See ad for Christine Reference preamp and Element 116 amps
  See ad for Veritas amps, See ad for Veritas Twin (Stereo) amp.

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EMM Labs DA2i Follow Up
​
DA2 V2 - DA2 V3
​

By Alan Hyman, Editor

In last month's newsletter I compared the DA2i loaner to my DA2 V2. At the end of my article I noted that John McGurt of Audio Shield the distributor had left me the loaner and took my DA2 V2 to be upgraded at Emm Labs. This past January 15th John returned with my upgraded unit now called the DA2 V3.

I was expecting the upgraded unit to sound identical to the DA2i after break-in. It did but took about 100 hours to do so. Right out of the box and still being ice cold, the sound was not good as you would expect. After about an hour of playing while John was still here the sound was sounding much better. Still there was a slight edge that I hoped would disappear with more playing time. Overall it was not as resolving as the loaner as well.

I left my server sending music to the dac 24/7 just muting the preamp while I slept. After four or five days I started listening critically. The loaner was no longer here to compare but I can confidently claim that the upgraded unit and loaner sounded identical.
​Here is some of what I wrote last month:​
"The increased dynamics were accompanied by a more precise, cleaner presentation. Soundstage was deeper and wider when the music called for it. The bass was better controlled, more impactful and powerful. (Merrill's System)

Besides what I heard at Merrill's house I noticed even more of a difference in the DA2i's favor. You can hear spatial cues more readily. Imaging and depth are much better. Bass is better controlled and powerful. As much as I liked the DA2 V2, I always felt the top end could be a bit more lively. It was more of a bottom up sound. Not so with the DA2i. It is better balanced top to bottom." (My System)

I would like to add additional comments. The V3 version has more of a wrap around effect to the imaging and soundstage compared to the V2. Even lower noise floor, tighter, controlled and more powerful bass than I noticed before. It just sounds real and closer to analog musicality than I thought possible. The music pulls you in to the performance more effectively.

The looks are the same for the upgraded unit but a V3 sticker is placed on the back panel and the shipping box. Well worth the $8000k upgrade price in my opinion.

Editor's System:
Digital:​
Aurender N30SA streamer/server. Emm Labs DA V3 convertor. Synergistic Research (Ethernet Switch UEF with three Ethernet UEF filters, Galileo SX USB and Ethernet cables, SRX AES cable).
​Phono:​
Lyra Etna SL Lambda cartridge, VPI Avenger Basic TT with 12" 3D arm and Periphery Ring, VPI ADS speed controller, Merrill Audio Jens phono stage, Synergistic Research (Galileo SX phono cable, UEF Record Weight and UEF Platter Mat).
​Speakers, Amps, etc:​
Magico M6 speakers, Merrill Audio Element 118 amps, Constellation Virgo III preamp with optional DC filter, Synergistic Research (SRX & SRX XL cables, PowerCell 14 ac conditioner, Galileo SX Grounding Block).
​Room Acoustics:​
Real Traps Room Kit, Vicoustic Flat Panel VMT Absorbers, Synergistic Research (HFTs, Atmosphere Infinity and Black Box).
​Isolation:​
Synergistic Research Tranquility Bases powered by an LPS, MIG and SRX footers. Various IsoAcoustic Footers, Three Merrill Audio Anjali Racks.

After the Flood - An Audio Human
​
Interest Story

By Alan Hyman, Editor

Back in the December 2023 newsletter I listened to the P.S. Audio FR30 speakers. This was at the home of newsletter reader and Merrill Audio 116mx owner Chris D. It was a first listen and I intended to do a follow up. In fact a couple readers asked me when I would that would happen. Chris travels often so I was not sure of the time line.

In February of 2024 tragedy struck Chris's home. While he was away a faulty toilet valve sprung a leak. The main floor of his ranch home was severely damaged and the water flowed down the stairs to his basement where his main system is. There ended up being eighteen inches of water. It would have been even worse but a neighbor who checks on Chris's home while he is away alerted him to the problem.

Some of the audio equipment was destroyed including the P.S. Audio speakers. Amazingly the P.S. Audio PowerPlant 12 worked fine after drying out! The whole main floor and basement had to be rebuilt. Chris ended up doing reasonably well with his insurance and just recently was able to move back in.

While he was waiting for the construction to be complete he was auditioning speakers. He decided to go a little more upscale from the P.S. Audio FR30 and decided to purchase Vandersteen Kento Carbon models from Audio Connection in Verona New Jersey.

Going from a $30k speaker to a $47k should result in better sound. In this case I think it did. Chris invited myself and two others over for a listen. I have heard the Kento Carbon at a dealer but this the first time at an owners home. I usually enjoy the Vandersteen sound as long as they are set up correctly. Care has to be taken especially because the powered bass is really powerful. Besides speaker placement the speaker has an eleven band equalizer, contour and level control for the bass. The dealer did do the initial set up. Chris told me he moved the speakers father out from the wall after the dealer left. When I got there the speakers only had a couple of days playing time. I thought the sound was very good but just a little too much bass. Chris agreed and turned down the bass a notch or two. Even not completely broken in the presentation was very opened with excellent imaging. Bass is nice and tight and still very powerful. I hope to be invited back for more listing in the future!

The other equipment is mostly the same since they were on high enough shelves as not to be damaged. Here is a list. Merrill Audio Element 116mx amps, BAT preamp, Mola Mola dac, Grimm MU1 server, Synergistic ethernet switch, Synergistic Galileo LE interconnects and speaker cable. Audioquest power cables. Finally the flood defying P.S. Audio PowerPlant 12.

There is a moral to this story. Shut your main water valve off when you go away! Chris does that now through a phone app. I have been doing that for a long time in my own home but I need to turn a valve. BTW the renovations came out great! See photos below of Chris's room.

Photos of Other CAF Rooms Part 2

By Alan Hyman, Editor

I did not visit all the rooms but would like to share some of the photos I took. Say about three rooms every month.

Shortage of used Merrill Audio
equipment. List yours here.

All of our demo and used Merrill Audio equipment have been sold.
We have no inventory of used equipment.

Any reader that would like to list any Merrill Audio equipment can send me their contact info and or a link to an ad. I would be happy to list it here.

Christine Reference and Element 116 monos
for sale.

Merrill Audio Preamplifier Christine Reference (with Kratos power supply) Price : $ 6000.

Merrill Audio amplifier Element 116 ( 2 mono blocs ) Price: $ 12000.

The prices above do not include shipping cost and US customs. The devices are in very good condition. I'm living in Paris France.

Contact Paul at paul.boub@gmail.com for more info and photos.

1 Pair Merrill Veritas mono-blocks in
Platinum Silver for sale.

Excellent condition - some minor marks from handling. With upgraded Stillpoint Ultra SS footers and original boxes and cloth bags. Asking price $4400 includes two Audience Forte F3 PowerChord power cords, PayPal fees, and Fedex Ground shipping to the lower 48.

Contact Brian at bbreneman@gmail.com for more info and photos.

Merrill Veritas Twin (Stereo) Black for Sale

Asking $3500.

Contact Paul at ppomerantz@yahoo.com for more info and photos.
Here is a link to his US Audio Mart ad. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650181553-merrill-audio-veritas-stereo-amplifier/​

If you would like to comment on anything or subscribe in the
newsletter please email me at:
Alan@MerrillAudio.net
With your permission I will print your comments in a future edition.