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JSeminetta

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  1. They are not very communication focused (thankfully they make great audio products). It often takes a few calls and/or emails to get a response from them. They are supposed to have another update later this year but I would guess that it will be early in 2015. I am glad they are still updated the DAC2X instead of just releasing another model. I only wish I had a local dealer to update the firmware. I plan on demo ing the new PS Audio DSD machine that is getting all of the amazing reviews. While it seems like the EMM should be in a different league.....only the ears will decide :-) jts jts
  2. Miguel: My expectation of the DSD128 upgrade is from several direct conversations with EMM. Others have posted the same on this forum. DSD128 is important because of the ability for advanced noise shaping/filters, not because of the limited catalog of material at this resolution. I think they need to do this given PS Audio and other manufacturers are at this level of resolution and technology. I have spent more time with the new Firmware and have a few more thoughts. Although there were no hardware updates, my DAC to travel from here to Canada and back and it seems to have settled a bit over some time (or my ears have adjusted to it). The new firmware has significantly increased the volume of my system (though the mighty 8WPC of my Shindo Monoblocks). While my usual listening volume was 10:30AM on my Vosne Romannee Pre amp, it is now 9AM. When I have adjusted for the new gain, the sound is much less harsh. The soundstage is amazing in DSD64 recordings. The increase in gain (intentional or not) makes low level listening more enjoyable. I have not noticed the same soundstage increase on lossless PCM yet. I am less disappointed than before, I should be ecstatic after a few more hours of music :-) jts
  3. I agree that this must be system dependent. There is a sense of harshness that accompanies the new firmware. It sounds much less analog sounding. It makes my Shindo system sound less Shindo like :-( I hope they can design this out of future upgrades. I am also disappointed that DSD128 was not part of this release as expected (heck, I started this thread a long time ago on that basis). Finally, I am fairly tech savvy, yet I had to send the DAC back to the factory (for a round trip cost of $400+) EMM did not send a complete set of files for the upgrade and it shut down my DAC, so I had to send it to the factory. Finally, I agree with those that have commented that there was no communication (via email, snail mail or the EMM website) about the upgrade at all. This should happen with a $15K DAC. It took them a long time for this upgrade, now they are going to do another one later this year? I hope they make this upgrade easier for the non MIT crowd.
  4. Sorry if it was harsh but it is sad for a company to fall from the forefront of technology. I was a very early customer of theirs (when it cost $800 for a license). They made the Betamax mistake in not supporting native DSD (despite many people warning them more than a year ago). I now use is for background music in my office. I cannot seem to get them to return my calls and most of their website links are broken (not good for a tech company). If you can reach them, ask them if they have any real plans to start supporting native DSD playback. Thanks.
  5. Unfortunately, Amarra is no longer a serious music player. Many of their links on their website do not even work anymore. Its too bad as it was a great player back in the day.
  6. Ah...I see you deserve your TroubleMaker name. To be clear.....it does everything it said it does (which BTW is native DSD64 playback...read the CA review or the company's website). I did call the company before I bought it and asked about native DSD128 and they said it would be coming out in a future firmware release. This was over a year ago. Whenever I call to get an update (twice in the last year), they say they are still working on it. Yes, I think you should get better service when buying a $15K piece of audio gear. Try some decaf if you feel compelled to respond....
  7. All: I have owned the EMM Labs DAC2X for about a year now. It is an amazing sounding DAC. However, the customer service/upgrades have been disappointing. The company has been saying for a year that they would going to upgrade the firmware to allow native DSD128 files. They have not done so, nor have they had any software updates over the past year. I call them every 6 months or so to ask them about this and feel like I am bothering them (which I should not feel given that their DAC costs $15K). I love the sound of the DAC but wonder if they have the commitment to stay current with this rapidly changing environment. Any thoughts? jts
  8. I am not an Amarra expert but it sounds like it has reverted to Demo mode. You might try restarting it and re entering your activation code.
  9. Thanks. I have signed up for an audition. Ironically, they specifically make Shindo replacement cords as well. The rest of my system is all Shindo (although I would be kicked out of the club if I violated Shindo gear with a non Shindo cable :-)
  10. Not sure if you saw the Ultra Audio review of the DAC2X: SoundStageXtreme.com | UltraAudio.com | EMM Labs DAC2X Digital-to-Analog Converter The reviewer feels the Synergistic Research Element Copper-Tungsten-Silver Digital cord is a big upgrade from the stock Cardas cable. Has anyone tried this? I would like to hear some opinions before dropping $3K on a power cord. Thanks. jts
  11. Thank you. I was speaking in general (Direct Mode, Integer Mode 1 or 2, which level of upsampling to use) but you make a good point on IZotope settings as I do also listen to a lot of PCM. Awhile back, I had contacted Audiophile Engineering for their upsampling recommendations that matched what The Absolute Sound found to be the best sounding (having nothing to do with my DAC). They suggested: Filter steepness: 32 Cutoff scaling: 1.00 Preringing: 0.00 Any thoughts? Thanks. Joe Seminetta
  12. Hi: I have been experimenting with both PureMusic and Audirvana. I prefer Audirvana but have not found the optimal settings for native DSD playback. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
  13. I have been a loyal Amarra supporter since the cost was something like $800. I now own several Amarra Symphony licenses (as well as a Pure Music and Audirvana licence). However, it is getting harder and harder to support Amarra. I cannot believe that Sonic Studio has not supported native DSD playback with all of their Pro Audio experience and vast resources. I think Amarra still sounds the best for PCM but DSD on Audirvana or even Pure Music sounds better than PCM on Amarra. MEMO TO SONIC STUDIO: OFFER DSD PLAYBACK ON AMARRA. IT IS NOT A FAD AND IS NOT GOING AWAY.
  14. All: I am not looking for a flame war. However, I am intrigued by people who are certain of what can or can not make a sonic difference based on what they believe they understand about technology versus what they might actually hear. I have an highly evolved system and decided to try upgrading my MacMini with some of the Core upgrades. I am very impressed with the sound. As advertised, the noise floor and distortion is greatly improved. The music flows more organically and the sound is more coherent. I am impressed with both the performance and value of the upgrades I received.
  15. It is amazing how quickly software companies can fall behind. Amarra used to be cutting edge, now they do not even do DSD. I have asked them several times if they had plans to offer native DSD playback and they have repeatedly said no.
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