First I would like to thank in advance anybody that can share their experience an have the patience to read my story.
I stream mostly, have a well treated internet and power. My streamer is the EMM Labs NS1, my DAC is the Meitner MA3, connected through AES/EBU. My Pre is an ARC Ref 5SE, my amps are MBL N15 monoblocs, my speakers MBL 116, cables are not bad, don't want to bore you. Mostly purchased used and assembled through the last 3 years, with a lot of care and patience. I love music. It touches my spirit and it is my medicine not to lose my mind in this stressful world.
I live in Brazil, where there are just a couple brick and mortar stores for Hi Fi, mostly without inventory, and audio shows are a dream we read about on the Internet. I want to upgrade my DAC, but the options I can get (EMM DA2V2, Verity Monsalvat Pre-2) have to be ordered and prepaid in advance. No chance to demo or at least listen them. After taxes and the dealer's cut, its about a $50K USD gamble. Like buying a car without the chance of looking at it in person, much less drive it around the block.
Because of this I am very reluctant to pull the trigger. It is a very big commitment for me. Are they much better than what I have? I think yes. But which one? If anybody have heard both I would deeply appreciate any comments or guidance. Thank you in advance for any help.
I stream mostly, have a well treated internet and power. My streamer is the EMM Labs NS1, my DAC is the Meitner MA3, connected through AES/EBU. My Pre is an ARC Ref 5SE, my amps are MBL N15 monoblocs, my speakers MBL 116, cables are not bad, don't want to bore you. Mostly purchased used and assembled through the last 3 years, with a lot of care and patience. I love music. It touches my spirit and it is my medicine not to lose my mind in this stressful world.
I live in Brazil, where there are just a couple brick and mortar stores for Hi Fi, mostly without inventory, and audio shows are a dream we read about on the Internet. I want to upgrade my DAC, but the options I can get (EMM DA2V2, Verity Monsalvat Pre-2) have to be ordered and prepaid in advance. No chance to demo or at least listen them. After taxes and the dealer's cut, its about a $50K USD gamble. Like buying a car without the chance of looking at it in person, much less drive it around the block.
Because of this I am very reluctant to pull the trigger. It is a very big commitment for me. Are they much better than what I have? I think yes. But which one? If anybody have heard both I would deeply appreciate any comments or guidance. Thank you in advance for any help.