Solid State Power Amp Reviews

EMM Labs MTRS power amplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital sources: dCS Vivaldi Apex, Vivaldi Upsampler Plus, and Vivaldi Master Clock; EMM Labs DV2 Integrated DAC; Innuos Statement Next-Gen Music Server; Small Green Computer Sonore Deluxe opticalModule; Uptone Audio EtherRegen with SOtM sCLK-OCX10 Master Clock and sPS-500 power supply; Nordost QNet Ethernet Switch; Nordost QSource (2); Sonore Audiophile Linear Power Supply; Synology 5-bay 1019+ NAS with Ferrum HYPSOS linear/switching hybrid power supply; Linksys MR9000 mesh router and Arris modem; Apple 2023 iPad Pro and 2017 MacBook Pro laptop with 2.8GHz Intel i7, SSD, 16GB RAM.
Preamplifiers: Dan D'Agostino Momentum HD.
Power amplifiers: Dan D'Agostino Momentum M400 MxV monoblocks.
Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia V with Acoustic Diodes, Wilson LōKē subwoofers.
Cables: Digital: Nordost Odin 1, Odin 2, and Valhalla 2 (USB and Ethernet), Frey 2 (USB adapter); AudioQuest WEL Signature; Wireworld Platinum Starlight Cat8 (Ethernet), OM1 62.5/125 multimode duplex (fiberoptic). Interconnect (XLR): Nordost Odin 2 and Blue Heaven subwoofer, AudioQuest Dragon, Canare (subwoofers). Speaker: Nordost Odin 2, AudioQuest Dragon. AC: Nordost Odin 2, Valhalla 2, Valhalla 1; AudioQuest Dragon and Firebird. Umbilical cords: Ghent Audio Canare on NAS; QSource Premium DC cables with Lemo terminations for QSources; SOtM sPS-500 umbilical cable for SOtM Master clock.
Accessories: Grand Prix Monza 8-shelf double rack and amp stands, 1.5" Formula platform; Symposium Ultra Platform; Nordost 20A QB8 Mark III, QKore 1 and 6 AC power accessories; Titanium and Bronze Sort Kones, Sort Lifts; Stromtank S 2500 Quantum MK II power generator, SEQ-5 Audio Distribution Bar; AudioQuest Niagara 7000 and AudioQuest Niagara 5000 power conditioners, NRG Edison outlets, JitterBugs; Environmental Potentials EP2050EE surge protector/filter; Wilson Audio Pedestals; A/V RoomService Polyflex Diffusers; Resolution Acoustics room treatment; Stillpoints Clouds (8); HRS DPX-14545 Damping Plates; Marigo Aida CD mat.
Dedicated listening room: 20' L × 16' W × 9'4" H.—Jason Victor Serinus

COMPANY INFO
EMM Labs and Meitner Audio
119-5065 13th St. S.E.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2G 5M8
sales@emmlabs.com
(403) 225-4161
emmlabs.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
georgehifi's picture
Submitted by georgehifi on March 20, 2024 - 3:07pm

JA: "As a result, the variation in the frequency response with our standard simulated loudspeaker (fig.1, gray trace) was minimal."

Impressive result for an amp using just local feedback (good DF/output impedance), always a good thing if you can get that and good distortion figures without global feedback.(good achievement)

That's why I'm looking forward to measurements on the new Peachtree Class-D's "GaN1" or "Carina GaN", as they both don't use any global feedback, which is a huge thing for Class-D amps, which usually have masses of global feedback to get their good distortion figures with.

Cheers George

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on March 20, 2024 - 7:07pm

... the "MTRS is able to drive the most severe loads" and the "MTRS can handle any speaker load with ease" and the "MTRS has the uncanny ability to drive low impedance speakers down to an ohm!"

Per JA1's test, "when I examined the maximum power into 2 ohms with one channel driven, the amplifier went into standby mode."

JohnnyThunder2.0's picture
Submitted by JohnnyThunder2.0 on March 21, 2024 - 5:25am

isolate the one negative test measurement and shines a light on it - a measurement by the way - that would never happen in real world listening. I'm sure your plastic Parasounds would melt too. Or your bargain Marantz clones which are not even good enough to undergo such a test. This is what I took away from Jason's review: The EMM Labs MTRS is the finest, most musically complete stereo amp I've reviewed to date. As much as the word "neutrality" come to mind, it falls short as a descriptor of sound as honest, true, thrilling, heart-warming, and emotionally rewarding as the MTRS's.

But you don't ask a question about anything about the music or the build quality or anything other than being the measurement police. Please go away.

Anton's picture
Submitted by Anton on March 21, 2024 - 8:24am

To the good:

He didn't simply list comparably priced gear and opine the fact they weren't mentioned.

So, I'd call it progress, of a sort!

;-D

JohnnyThunder2.0's picture
Submitted by JohnnyThunder2.0 on March 21, 2024 - 9:15am

Baby steps.

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on March 21, 2024 - 2:08pm

... Dave Ramsey?

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on March 21, 2024 - 1:48pm

... so-called "plastic Parasounds", you should note that JA1 has a Parasound preamp and a pair of Parasound monoblock power amps in his reference system. Regarding Marantz amps, check the test results from Hi-Fi News before you criticize them.

As far as an isolated test measurement, the EMM brochure brags three times about the amps ability to drive low impedance loads, yet it fails JA1's test. Shouldn't an amp, especially one with a $65K price tag, be able to be meet or exceed all of the claims made for it?

If you want an amp to drive Wilson speakers, then get one from Dan D'Agostino. At least you know that they test them using Wilson speakers.

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2022/11/11/dan-dagostino-momentum-s250-mxv-amplifier-review/

Regarding build quality, how much can you determine from one interior photo showing mostly the power supply filter capacitors?

Regarding music, this is an equipment review.
If you want to determine whether or not the amp is "neutral", then perform a bypass test as David Hafler proposed decades ago.

JohnnyThunder2.0's picture
Submitted by JohnnyThunder2.0 on March 21, 2024 - 2:39pm

JA never mentioned what you see as a fatal flaw in his summation. The amp didn't blow a fuse or catch on fire. It went into standby mode during a test that would never mimic real world listening situations which maybe is what it was supposed to do! You, by always looking for something negative so you can say "gotcha" to the Stereophile reviewer or measurer, should go into standby mode and leave the driving to the professional magazine journalists that work at Stereophile.

JohnnyThunder2.0's picture
Submitted by JohnnyThunder2.0 on March 23, 2024 - 7:20am

it's a review of equipment that amplifies recorded music. You judge the equipment by how it plays back the MUSIC. You don't "listen" to measurements. What David Hafler proposes is of no interest here. Art Dudley and Herb and Alex didn't/don't give a sh-t about Hafler's method. They listen(ed) to music. They didn't measure. That's JA1s job. Ignorance and arrogance is a dangerous cocktail and you freely imbibe when posting your silly musings here. You will never get it.

cognoscente's picture
Submitted by cognoscente on March 21, 2024 - 1:36am

only a power amplifier (how expensive is the full set matching this?) for 2x the price of a (complete) Audi A3 or more than the price of a (complete) Audi A6, and that's a hell of a car. Again, this price is not in proportion between things.

You cannot buy goosebumps, a tear or a laugh from music with an expensive set. Goosebumps, a tear or a laugh are caused by elements in music and combination with emotional and psychological circumstances at that moment. Not the equipment!

And no, I'm not saying that we all should all listen music with a Sonos, or Audio Pro or small JBL speakers. I'm not doing that either. But buying a disproportionately expensive set is no longer about enjoying and experiencing the emotion in the music, but is food for psychologists.

If you drive a Bugatti, okay, I understand. But then I ask why do you need a Bugatti? What do you need to compensate or camouflage?

Anton's picture
Submitted by Anton on March 21, 2024 - 8:29am

Exactly one click prior to seeing your post, I was perusing 2024 Audi S4 sedans.

It gave me a start to then see your post!

Cheers, man!

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on March 21, 2024 - 2:06pm

... and am never going back there. Things broke on the Audi that never failed on the Acuras I had afterwards. If you really want the Audi, then consider leasing it for no longer than the length of the warranty.
Or, do as JVS does (at last report) and drive a Toyota Corolla - which leaves more disposable income to spend on audio equipment and recordings.

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