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Aqua Acoustic La Diva M2
The new generation La Diva
Aqua has never followed the whims of market fashion but has always remained focused on achieving true high fidelity sound reproduction.
La Diva M2 | pure-CD machine
The new generation La Diva is a machine that while maintaining the previous name is completely new, both in regards to the CD mechanic and all the internal electronics, power supply, FPGA decoding, clock, floating digital output circuitry, display, etc., entirely a new design.
This was necessary to increase the performance and sound quality. Our goal is always to amaze our customers.
The La Diva M2 remains a "pure-CD" machine: Aqua has chosen to keep focused solely on CD reading, aiming for the best possible results with this medium. This was done by interfacing the latest and most advanced Philips CD decoding circuit - with digital servo control - to our proprietary Aqua electronics.
The reading mechanism used is designed and optimized solely for reading CDs and nothing else, the modified new CD Pro-8S transport has attained a new level of performance and mechanical silence.
Proprietary circuits have been developed in the coding / output FPGA, in order to implement the galvanically isolated AQlink I2S, AES/EBU outputs, AT&T Fiber, S/PDIF outputs. The internal Master-Clock of the CD Pro-8S has been disabled, therefore managed via FPGA.
This is an important point: during the listening tests, and also in the laboratory ones, we obtained the best results with the use of this fully-floating isolated architecture.
Furthermore, the new display offers a really nice and ultra-visible micro-LED display with adjustable brightness! No LCD or commercial panels, Aqua only uses industrial components.
• High performance proprietary ISC (Isolated Synchronous Circuit) digital decoding via FPGA with proprietary code
• Fully-Floating custom design for galvanic and magnetic isolation between CD drive unit and digital output (upgradable)
• Ultra massive chassis construction and newly developed high-rigidity sub chassis with Nextel for CD drive unit cancels internal and external acoustic and mechanical vibrations, enabling exceptionally accurate "Red Book" RF signal
• DC disc drive motor allows to read the data accurately and minimize Jitter
• Moplen clamp to avoid flywheel masses and vibrations
• Sophisticated signal processing technology assures excellent CD Red Book signal
• High-performance multi-stage voltage regulator (high-current stage for accurate servo DISC drive rotation, tracking and focus)
• Galvanically isolated output stage (upgradable)
• Jitter free digital interface AQlink (I2S protocol), uncompromising digital connection to our DACs
etherCON RJ45 (AQlink) outputconnection to DAC, employs CAT6 cable can connect both RJ45 and professional etherCON RJ45
• 2 separate low noise toroidal power transformers for digital and servo motors/actuators
MODULAR DESIGN with upgradeable multi board system
• Precision CD Pro-8S transport customized
• High-quality industrial - professional parts selected for sound quality:
- 105° long life capacitors
- low noise Metal Foil ultra-precision resistors
- metallized film pulse capacitor
- ultra-fast diodes
- halogen free cables
• Aluminum top loading tray machined from billet
• Non-magnetic low-resonance aluminum chassis with Nextel
• Field upgradeable firmware
• Ultra-visible micro-LED display with adjustable brightness and off-selectable illumination
• Designed and handmade in Italy
• Output:- etherCON RJ45 - AQlink (I2S serial bus)
- XLR AES/EBU
- BNC coax (S/PDIF)
- RCA coax (S/PDIF)
- ST fiber (AT&T)
- BNC word clock
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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
92/100
Features Usability
87/100
Value for Money
86/100
The La Diva M2 makes Red Book CD replay feel vividly alive, pairing an ultra-low noise floor with explosive transient precision, dynamic punch and assured rhythmic flow. Jason Kennedy admired its calm, unblurred authority, while Edgar Kramer found compelling immediacy, rich tonal texture and fine detail. Broad digital outputs make this beautifully engineered transport a serious hub for DAC-led CD systems.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally clean, precise presentation with a very low perceived noise floor, sharply defined transients and no apparent digital edge.
Delivers convincing dynamics, rhythmic drive, immediate attack and detailed tonal textures without sacrificing musical flow.
Extensive DAC-friendly connectivity includes I2S, BNC and RCA S/PDIF, AES/EBU, AT&T optical and word-clock provision.
Immaculately built, with a robust customised mechanism and effective vibration-conscious chassis design.
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Cons
Manual top loading needs generous top-shelf clearance and can be fiddly when fitting or removing discs and the magnetic puck.
A specialist CD-only transport: it requires an external DAC and offers no SACD, DVD-Audio or USB output.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviewers find the La Diva M2 exceptionally poised, immediate and musically persuasive, with unusually convincing dynamics, timing and tonal texture. Its presentation remains precise and composed with complex material while avoiding the hard-edged character sometimes associated with CD replay.
Overall Sound
95/100
Edgar Kramer heard greater fluidity, rhythmic flow, dynamic expression and incisiveness than from his Yamaha used as a transport, alongside superb low-level detail, tonal texture and instrument separation. Jason Kennedy likewise praised its compelling precision, realistic transient power, rhythmic grip, open voicing and confident handling of large dynamic contrasts.
Digital Signal Integrity
95/100
Both reviews describe a notably stable and clean digital delivery: Kennedy heard very low perceived noise, sharply defined leading edges and strong timing without digital edginess. Aqua’s FPGA-generated clocking, regenerated output signals, galvanically isolated AQlink path and highly precise digital servo also directly support the reported absence of blur and calm, controlled presentation.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
As a dedicated CD transport, the La Diva M2 concentrates on straightforward physical operation and unusually broad digital-output flexibility rather than network functions. Its front-panel controls, adjustable Micro-LED display, IR remote and manual top-loading arrangement suit a focused disc-playing role, while the connection provision accommodates a wide range of DACs and clocked systems.
Streaming Software
85/100
The La Diva M2 is a dedicated CD transport rather than a network player, with operation handled through front-panel transport controls, an adjustable or switchable-off Micro-LED display and an IR remote. The reviews do not offer detailed comments on day-to-day ergonomics, library handling or long-term remote use, but its physical interface is appropriately direct for its purpose.
Features Connectivity
93/100
Kramer calls the La Diva M2 a powerhouse of connectivity for a disc-only component. Outputs include AQlink Pro I2S, BNC and RCA S/PDIF, AES/EBU and AT&T optical, plus a BNC word-clock connection; Kennedy similarly notes the strong choice available to owners of DACs from other brands.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
92/100
Kramer describes a solidly built chassis with high-quality metal controls, anti-resonant Nextel finish and rubberised feet. He also highlights the customized CD-Pro8-S mechanism’s thick steel enclosure and carbon-fibre vibration-control panel, while Kennedy characterises overall build quality as very high.
Value for Money
86/100
At the supplied 8,960–9,960 price range, the La Diva M2 is a specialist, premium-priced CD transport rather than an all-in-one player. Kramer contrasts it with the far cheaper and more multifunctional Yamaha CD-S2100, but still calls the matching Aqua transport/DAC combination a must-audition at its combined asking price; Kennedy presents high-quality CD replay as a comparatively straightforward route to serious sound.
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Authorized dealers for Aqua Acoustic La Diva M2
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- Ars Antiqua Audio — online and in-store — Boadilla del Monte, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Audio Concept - Luxembourg — in-store — Gare, Luxembourg, Luxembourg (website)
- Audio Connect — in-store — Bydgoszcz, Województwo kujawsko-pomorskie, Poland (website)
- Audio Magic — online and in-store — Preston, Victoria, Australia (website)
- AV Corp — online and in-store — Jawor, Województwo dolnośląskie, Poland (website)
- Delve Audio — in-store — Caldwell, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Elite Audio UK — online and in-store — Pittenweem, Escocia, United Kingdom (website)
- Fred's Sound Of Music AV — in-store — Portland, Oregon, United States (website)
- Hearken Audio — online and in-store — Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (website)
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