EMM Labs MTRS power amplifier

Edmund (Ed) Manfred Meitner's name and reputation have long been synonymous with pioneering achievements in the fields of digital audio, especially DSD. In 1971, after designing the first fully automated studio console, Ed identified what he calls "the jitter problem." He worked with Sony and Philips to help create and refine SACD and subsequently designed the first complete six-channel DSD playback system for home use.

In 1998, while developing the eight-channel A/D and D/A DSD converters still used to create most SACDs, Ed founded EMM Labs and became head of design, with the goal of bringing DSD to the consumer realm...

Less widely discussed are Ed's amplifier circuit designs, which are the heart of the EMM Labs MTRX and MTRS amplifiers he designed collaboratively with Mariusz Pawlicki, EMM manager of R&D, and the late Zenon "Zanny" Muzyka.

Wed, 03/20/2024

Von Schweikert Audio, Ideon Audio, JMF Audio, Pear Audio

Von Schweikert Ultra 55 speakers ($120,000 in Porsche Oslo Blue) are the company's smallest flagship-level offering, but still reference-level in capability with a response specification of 20Hz-40kHz. In practice, they delivered a completely enveloping and absorbing musical presentation.
Wed, 03/20/2024

EMM Labs MTRS power amplifier Measurements

Wed, 03/20/2024

COMMENTS
georgehifi's picture

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

... 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

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

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

Baby steps.

Ortofan's picture

... Dave Ramsey?

Ortofan's picture

... 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

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

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

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

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

... 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.

Pages

EMM Labs MTRS power amplifier Associated Equipment

Wed, 03/20/2024

COMMENTS
georgehifi's picture

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

... 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

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

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

Baby steps.

Ortofan's picture

... Dave Ramsey?

Ortofan's picture

... 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

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

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

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

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

... 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.

Pages

EMM Labs MTRS power amplifier Specifications

Wed, 03/20/2024

COMMENTS
georgehifi's picture

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

... 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

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

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

Baby steps.

Ortofan's picture

... Dave Ramsey?

Ortofan's picture

... 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

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

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

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

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

... 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.

Pages

EMM Labs MTRS power amplifier Page 2

Wed, 03/20/2024

COMMENTS
georgehifi's picture

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

... 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

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

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

Baby steps.

Ortofan's picture

... Dave Ramsey?

Ortofan's picture

... 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

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

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

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

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

... 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.

Pages

Spin Doctor #11: Alternative Phono Cartridge Technologies and the DS Audio DS-W3 optical cartridge system

Over the last 50 years, I must have installed well over 1000 phono cartridges, but I still remember the very first one: a Goldring G850 I put into the family Garrard Autoslim turntable when I was 11 years old. In 1973, the G850 was the least expensive moving magnet cartridge Goldring made. The change from the flipover-stylus ceramic cartridge that came with the Garrard wasn't an attempt to satisfy a youthful audiophile itch but, rather, a result of my first encounter with a system compatibility problem.

A few months earlier, I had convinced my nonaudiophile dad to upgrade the family stereo. We went from our ancient Monacor SMX-50 tube receiver to a pretty weird but less ancient Sony all-in-one cassette system called the TC-133CS. I failed to understand that the new Sony's magnetic phono input was incompatible with our old ceramic cartridge. Once I figured that out, I tried to convince my dad that what we really needed was a Shure M75ED. After all, that cartridge came from the same company that made the legendary V-15 Type III, widely regarded as the best cartridge in the world at the time. My dad, however, had different plans. Guided by his home-product purchasing bible, Consumer Reports, he decided we should go instead with the less-costly Goldring.

Tue, 03/19/2024

Songer Audio S1x Field Coil Loudspeaker

Ken Songer of Songer Audio must be on to something because his demo led me to experience a heart rate of 141 while listening to "Sharkey's Day" from Laurie Anderson's Mister Heartbreak.
Tue, 03/19/2024

Van Zyl Audio: Alpine Mid-Horns with BB-10 Subwoofer

The Van Zyl Audio Alpine mid-horn speaker ($12,000/pair) is designed to cover a frequency range of 125Hz up to 20kHz. It uses a horn-loaded 8" Tang Band full-range driver that connects to the amplifier directly, free of crossover componentry. The design adds a physically time-aligned AMT tweeter—implemented as a super tweeter—to extend the highs with a simple first-order crossover applied.
Mon, 03/18/2024

Synergistic Research Voodoo Streaming Server

Ted Denney used a top-tier stereo system to demonstrate Synergistic Research's latest product, the Voodoo Streaming Server ($14,995), at the inaugural Southwest Audio Fest. The demo also included the Vibratron SX ($3995), a passive resonator design from the company's early days.
Mon, 03/18/2024

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