Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Exceptional sonically, with resolution of musical detail and leading-edge definition superior to the Audio Note Kegon Balanced
- High bandwidth (DC to 500kHz at full power) and a high damping factor (1,000)
- Instruments and voices are separated from orchestra and choir better than anything else heard by the reviewer, providing a consistent top-to-bottom revelation of detail
- Exceptional treble detail
- Upgraded input boards provide a step-change in performance with a more spacious presentation and greater air around instruments, improved bass definition, more sub-bass, and more realistic transients
Product Considerations
- Very subtle bass cues seemed to be missing prior to input board upgrades
- The level of detail can, at times, be a bit overwhelming
- Each amp requires a dedicated 220 volt electrical service
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audio Note Kegon Balanced: The EMM Labs MTRX is superior in resolution of musical detail and leading-edge definition
- Vs Edge NL Reference: The EMM Labs MTRX amplifiers are like Superman to the Edge NL Reference Clark Kent, doing everything one would want from a big amp, but spectacularly
Takeaway: The EMM Labs MTRX amplifiers provide exceptional sonic detail and clarity and are able to control speakers in a way that brings out their full potential. With upgrades, the amps reveal improved spatial presentation and more realistic sound.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Mtrx Reference
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
Description
EMM Labs celebrates the eagerly anticipated return of designer Ed Meitner to the world of power amplifiers with the debut of his MTRX reference monoblocks. It has been 20 years since the last Meitner amplifier and we believe the MTRX is well worth the wait.
EMM Labs celebrates the eagerly anticipated return of designer Ed Meitner to the world of power amplifiers with the debut of his MTRX reference monoblocks. It has been 20 years since the last Meitner amplifier and we believe the MTRX is well worth the wait.
More than a decade in the making, these 1500W Class A/B solid-state powerhouses are able to drive the most fiendish and complex speaker loads effortlessly, while sounding as sweet, musical and detailed as a classic single-ended triode tube amps. "It is truly a gentle giant," as Ed would say.
The MTRX monoblocks achieve their superlative performance and transparency using 21st century technology with proprietary Meitner circuit topologies and zero overall negative feedback. Its systems are fully discrete, offering ultra low distortion, very high bandwidth and the ability to deliver massive transient currents instantaneously. It also employs our custom made ceramic PCB boards plus a host of proprietary systems for speaker protection and self-protection.
These monoblocks have been meticulously designed, from its short and fully balanced audio paths throughout, to its proprietary power systems and beautifully finished chassis and custom plated panels. Conservatively rated at 750W into 8Ω and 1500W into 4Ω. The MTRX is also completely stable driving difficult, complex loads, and has uncanny ability to drive low impedance speak...
More than a decade in the making, these 1500W Class A/B solid-state powerhouses are able to drive the most fiendish and complex speaker loads effortlessly, while sounding as sweet, musical and detailed as a classic single-ended triode tube amps. "It is truly a gentle giant," as Ed would say.
The MTRX monoblocks achieve their superlative performance and transparency using 21st century technology with proprietary Meitner circuit topologies and zero overall negative feedback. Its systems are fully discrete, offering ultra low distortion, very high bandwidth and the ability to deliver massive transient currents instantaneously. It also employs our custom made ceramic PCB boards plus a host of proprietary systems for speaker protection and self-protection.
These monoblocks have been meticulously designed, from its short and fully balanced audio paths throughout, to its proprietary power systems and beautifully finished chassis and custom plated panels. Conservatively rated at 750W into 8Ω and 1500W into 4Ω. The MTRX is also completely stable driving difficult, complex loads, and has uncanny ability to drive low impedance speak...
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- EMM Labs products are designed to reproduce sound with complete transparency, avoiding any coloration and letting the signal pass through unaltered.
- The brand's designs leverage technology from their monoblock amplifiers, such as real-time monitoring, automatic protection, and a zero-feedback topology, extended to other product categories.
- The company employs custom-designed ceramic circuit boards with superior thermal and dielectric properties as a crucial component in their designs, treating the board as an interconnect.
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EMM Labs PRE
- Positioning: A high-end stereo preamplifier designed for audiophiles seeking precision and control.
- Description: Offers transparency with fully discrete dual-balanced signal paths and precision software-driven analog volume control. Provides superior strength and vibration resistance due to its aerospace-grade circuit boards. Its multiple stereo analog inputs and outputs allow for flexible system configurations, catering to those who need versatile connectivity options.
EMM Labs DA2i
- Positioning: A flagship digital-to-analog converter for high-resolution audio enthusiasts.
- Description: Features proprietary Dual Differential DACs and Class A analog output stage, delivering exceptional sonic clarity. Integrates advanced network streaming capabilities, supporting high-resolution formats and streaming platforms, which is perfect for users who want seamless access to digital music. Uses state-of-the-art DSP and provides jitter-free performance.
EMM Labs MTRS
- Positioning: A premium stereo amplifier for those demanding the best in audio reproduction.
- Description: Features a 400W Class A/B solid-state design and proprietary power system, ensuring high power and low distortion. Can drive low impedance speakers with ease, setting it apart from other amplifiers in the lineup.
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Avg. Product Price
$100,001+
Used For Sale
12
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
272
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
4
Founding Year
1998
Our take on the brand
EMM Labs is renowned for its proprietary MDAC and MCLK technologies, which set benchmarks in precision digital-to-analog conversion and clocking. Founded by Ed Meitner, a celebrated audio engineer, the brand has a long-standing reputation for producing reference-level audio equipment trusted by recording studios.
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EMM Labs
MTRX2 V2
118111
/
Released
2023
Introducing the MTRX2 V2: A Masterpiece of Precision and Passion. Unlock the pinnacle of audio excellence with EMM Labs' latest innovation, the re-imagined MTRX2 V2. These 1000W Class A/B solid-state mono amplifiers are meticulously crafted to deliver an unparalleled auditory experience, setting a new standard in high-end audio amplification technology.
EMM Labs is renowned for its proprietary MDAC and MCLK technologies, which set benchmarks in precision digital-to-analog conversion and clocking. Founded by Ed Meitner, a celebrated audio engineer, the brand has a long-standing reputation for producing reference-level audio equipment trusted by recording studios.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- High amounts of power
- Gorgeous, velvet-smooth sound throughout the audioband, and particularly in the midrange, it was rich and sultry with most recordings, yet with all the resolution one could hope for
- Revealed everything
- Could image with tube-like dimensionality, laying out soundstages of depths so convincing they were sometimes uncanny
- The quality of metalwork is among the best seen or laid hands on, the finely textured metal surfaces felt like suede
Product Considerations
- The MTRX2 is big and heavy, each measuring 21.4"W x 11.7"H x 23"D and weighing 180 pounds
- The MTRX2's big, blocky look was not appealing to the reviewer
- Potential buyers should be careful when installing them due to their weight
Takeaway: The EMM Labs MTRX2 mono amplifiers provide a super desirable listening experience with high power and extremely high resolution and build quality. If you want to hear sound without colorations and with velvet-smooth delivery, these could be the right amps.
Video review
Our take on the brand
EMM Labs is renowned for its proprietary MDAC and MCLK technologies, which set benchmarks in precision digital-to-analog conversion and clocking. Founded by Ed Meitner, a celebrated audio engineer, the brand has a long-standing reputation for producing reference-level audio equipment trusted by recording studios.
Product Page
Product Page
Dan D'Agostino
Relentless 800
195500
/
Released
2023
After setting the measure for amplifier excellence, the new Relentless 800 Mono Amplifier extends the Relentless sound quality to a smaller platform. Every major section of the Relentless circuitry - power supply, input, driver, and output stages - have all been enhanced and these all feature in the new Relentless 800. The Relentless 800 incorporates the same circuit platform as its bigger brother with a lower power output. Mind you, the Relentless 800 is virtually unlimited when it comes to power delivery and is only outdone by the Relentless 1600 itself. Nuanced and musical at low volume levels, the Relentless 800 delivers the striking dynamic contrasts – that brings music to life.
Dan D'Agostino is an ultra-premium hifi brand distinguished by its unique copper heat sinks with holes and distinctive circular green-lit VU meters that give their amplifiers a steampunk aesthetic. Their amplifiers feature proprietary "Super Rail" technology that maintains high voltage for front-end transistors, while their three-chassis Relentless Preamplifier uses 30-pin interlocking connectors to eliminate wiring anomalies.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional sound quality right away that continues to improve
- Capable of uncompressed dynamics at both loud and soft volumes, micro and macro, and doesn't harden or distort when playing loud
- Can handle big scale, orchestral, beautiful music to really raw, crazy metal music, all played convincingly at loud and soft levels
- New details are revealed without being hyper-analytical, sterile, or harsh
- Built like military materiel
Product Considerations
- Each monoblock weighs 145kg, so owners will welcome assistance when receiving it
- Inputs are on balanced XLR only, while the solid copper speaker terminals are designed for spade lugs, not 4mm bananas
- The Breguet watch dial-inspired meter's 'time-keeping' is less accurate
Takeaway: The D'Agostino Relentless 800 reproduces a wide range of music genres with detail and dynamics, offering an immersive and enjoyable listening experience. It brings out the best in music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Dan D'Agostino is an ultra-premium hifi brand distinguished by its unique copper heat sinks with holes and distinctive circular green-lit VU meters that give their amplifiers a steampunk aesthetic. Their amplifiers feature proprietary "Super Rail" technology that maintains high voltage for front-end transistors, while their three-chassis Relentless Preamplifier uses 30-pin interlocking connectors to eliminate wiring anomalies.
Product Page
Product Page
Engstrom
Eric Encore
174965
/
Released
2021
Named after a great Swedish choir conductor, ERIC is our no-compromise statement power amplifier. Fully balanced and transformer-coupled, it was created to drive even the toughest loads. ERIC uses separate power supplies for input and output stages and DC filaments.
Engström is a Swedish hifi brand that handcrafts amplifiers with a minimalist Nordic design, featuring fully balanced, transformer-coupled circuits and no negative feedback to preserve natural sound dynamics. Their amplifiers, which use KR Audio's T-100 power tubes, are known for creating an expansive, three-dimensional soundstage with what audiophiles call a "Scandinavian Sound"—characterized by open, detailed, and natural sonic qualities.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Crisp, tight rhythms are allied to a sonorous, close-focused view of vocals
- Capable of bags of detail and definition, while bathed in a lovely warmth
- Massive bass weight is available, with fabulous rosiny bite to the low strings, silky violins, and the feeling of space and air around the performers
- Big, substantial sound makes the most of remasters, bringing out all the character of vocals
- Focus and warmth contributes to a solid, three-dimensional soundstage, and remains clean and tight when cranked
Product Considerations
- The precious bottles should never be left unattended or used without the purpose-designed glass hood installed
- The amps' thermal characteristics may be a problem in a globally-warmed English summer
- Each amp draws 430W from the wall
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Dan D'Agostino Relentless Monoblocks—the ERIC Encores are more expensive per watt
Takeaway: The Engström ERIC Encore Mono Power Amplifiers offer a captivating and enthralling presentation that challenges old clichés about valve amps. One should hear them if given the chance, for they sound glorious.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Engström is a Swedish hifi brand that handcrafts amplifiers with a minimalist Nordic design, featuring fully balanced, transformer-coupled circuits and no negative feedback to preserve natural sound dynamics. Their amplifiers, which use KR Audio's T-100 power tubes, are known for creating an expansive, three-dimensional soundstage with what audiophiles call a "Scandinavian Sound"—characterized by open, detailed, and natural sonic qualities.
Product Page
Product Page
Krell
KMA i800
139995
/
Released
2023
The Krell KMA i800 represents the pinnacle of monoblock amplifier design, delivering extraordinary power and precision for the most demanding audio enthusiasts. As a flagship model in Krell's lineup, the KMA i800 is engineered to drive even the most challenging speaker loads with effortless authority, revealing every detail of your music with stunning clarity and depth. Whether you're listening to a delicate piano solo or a full orchestral crescendo, the KMA i800 delivers a sonic experience that is both powerful and profoundly immersive.
Krell is a hifi brand whose amplifiers use iBias technology to operate in Class A up to full power without excessive heat, while maintaining the ability to double power output as speaker impedance halves. Their amplifiers feature XD technology for better control over speaker drivers, and modern models like the K-300i include Bluetooth, HDMI, and streaming features for contemporary audio setups.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delivers 800W of class-A power regardless of the speaker load
- Features XD technology that lowers output impedance, resulting in more control over the speaker drivers and improved soundstage depth
- Employs Sym-Max technology to significantly reduce second-order harmonic distortion, bringing out more detail and improving the sense of timing and pacing
- Has a power supply consisting of 5400VA of transformers and 188,000µF of filter capacitance for substantial power delivery
- Offers protection against excess direct current, short circuits, and voltage sags—brown outs
Product Considerations
- It may be too much power for some users
- High idle heat dissipation at 890 btu/hr per channel
Takeaway: The Krell KMA-i800 is a powerful amplifier with technologies that aim to provide a clean and controlled sound. Its high power output helps to improve sound quality even at average listening levels.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Krell is a hifi brand whose amplifiers use iBias technology to operate in Class A up to full power without excessive heat, while maintaining the ability to double power output as speaker impedance halves. Their amplifiers feature XD technology for better control over speaker drivers, and modern models like the K-300i include Bluetooth, HDMI, and streaming features for contemporary audio setups.
Product Page
Product Page
Meitner
MTRX2 V2 Mono
115000
/
Released
Introducing the MTRX2 V2: A Masterpiece of Precision and Passion. Unlock the pinnacle of audio excellence with EMM Labs' latest innovation, the re-imagined MTRX2 V2. These 1000W Class A/B solid-state mono amplifiers are meticulously crafted to deliver an unparalleled auditory experience, setting a new standard in high-end audio amplification technology.
Meitner Audio's MA3 DAC uses a unique one-bit circuit that upconverts all audio to 16xDSD, with proprietary MFAST and MDAT2 technologies for jitter removal and upsampling. The MA3 features a VControl digital volume system that maintains signal integrity without requantization, while offering network streaming and Roon Ready capability.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- High amounts of power, supreme bass weight, and woofer control
- Velvet-smooth sound throughout the audioband, particularly in the midrange, with high resolution
- Images with tube-like dimensionality, creating soundstages of convincing depth
- Sound reproduces without colorations
- Functions flawlessly, with no operational glitches, and is bulletproof in terms of safety and reliability with a comprehensive monitoring system
Product Considerations
- The MTRX2s are big and heavy, making them difficult to move and install
- The MTRX2's big, blocky look was not well-received
- High power output might be overkill for rooms of typical size
- The balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) inputs seem of good quality, if nothing extraordinary
Takeaway: The MTRX2 offers exceptional sound quality, high power, and reliability. If you desire a top-tier listening experience with no coloration and are seeking an end-game amplifier, the MTRX2 could be the perfect choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Meitner Audio's MA3 DAC uses a unique one-bit circuit that upconverts all audio to 16xDSD, with proprietary MFAST and MDAT2 technologies for jitter removal and upsampling. The MA3 features a VControl digital volume system that maintains signal integrity without requantization, while offering network streaming and Roon Ready capability.
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