EMM Labs DA2i

Among the many reasons to be grateful for audio shows,' one stands out: They allow me to set reasonable expectations of what components and whole audio systems can or cannot achieve. They have helped me set standards.

- JASON VICTOR SERINUS

Name your component:² I've heard enough of them in every price range to know what's cutting edge, what's good, and what's barely (if at all) living up to its marketing promises. Although these days I mainly cover the higher priced spread, when I encounter a component that costs considerably less yet delivers most or all that I've come to expect from high five- and six-figure equipment, I know it's worth cheering about.

More than five years have passed since I evaluated the original, Canada-made DV2 D/A converter ($30,000 in 2019) from EMM Labs.³ Since then, I've heard it and other top DACS-many of them at audio shows; some in my reference system-and my appreciation for what the original DV2 could deliver has only increased.

At first, I found the DV2's presentation darker than that of my reference dCS gear, yet its bass was at least as strong as the original dCS Vivaldi's bass. Though the two DACs sounded different, both were musically satisfying. Somewhere along the line, EMM Labs made some changes to the DV2 that brought more light into its sound. Then came changes to its USB interface that improved sound quality with data input through that port. With each upgrade, my appreciation deepened. If given the opportunity to live with the DV2 long term, only a fool would reject it.

Now arrive two new components, the DV2's twin successors: the DV2i, an "integrated" stereo D/A converter with a software-driven, high-resolution digital volume control, and the subject of this review, the DA2i, a straight D/A with no volume control. Both cost $35,000.