The Meitner MA3 Integrated D/A Converter also houses a Roon Ready network player and volume control making it a plug & play streaming Preamp/DAC solution.
And like its upscale EMM Labs cousin, the DA2 V2, the Meitner MA3 also employs the company’s MDAC2™ fully discrete single-bit, 16xDSD, D-to-A converters, coupled with our MDAT2™ DSP which performs real-time transient detection in addition up-conversion of all incoming audio. VControl™ maintains the input signal without re-quantization allowing for complete transparency at any volume setting, wide attenuation range, and no loss of audio resolution.
In addition to the network input, the MA3 offers four digital inputs, as pictured, along with single-ended RCA and balanced XLR outputs.
I’m a unrepentant fan of the streaming DAC and look forward to taking Ed Meitner’s take on one for more than a spin. Stay tuned.
Meitner MA3 Integrated D/A Converter
Price: $10,500
Company Website: Meitner Audio
Specifications
Digital inputs
AES/EBU, S/PDIF COAX, TOSLINK, USB Audio and Network(RJ45) supports up to 24bit/192kHz and DSD
USB Audio also supports 2xDSD, DXD (352/384kHz) & full MQA® decoding
Network(RJ45) also supports full MQA® decoding
Stereo Analog Outputs: Balanced (XLR), Unbalanced (RCA)
Output voltage: XLR outputs: 4.36V (+15.0dBu) | RCA outputs: 2.19V (+9.0dBu)
Output impedance: 300 ohms balanced (XLR) | 150 ohms unbalanced (RCA)
Dimensions: W x D x H: 435 x 400 x 92mm
Weight: 7.43kg (with remote control)
Designed and Manufactured in Canada
Key Features
Up to 24bit/192kHz & DSD support over all inputs: USB Audio, AES, TOSLINK, COAX and Network(RJ45)
2xDSD (via DoP), DXD (352/384kHz) over USB Audio
Full MQA® unfolding via USB Audio and Network(RJ45)
Proprietary & discrete dual differential D-to-A converters (MDAC2™) with Meitner Digital Audio Translator signal processing technology (MDAT2™)
MFAST™ instant signal acquisition and jitter-free performance
Proprietary asynchronous clocking system (MCLK™)
VControl™ high resolution volume control
Galvanically isolated USB Audio interface
Network streaming with UPNP/DLNA and ROON READY/ROON ENDPOINT functionality
High resolution, Tidal and Qobuz and popular, Spotify, Deezer, vTuner plus many more, streaming audio services support
AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV and WMA audio file playback
USB service port for future software upgrades
IR remote and serial port for wired remote control
mConnect app for network control on Android, IOS and tablets
Newly designed strong and elegant all-metal chassis