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DC-1
Dec 8, 2013 17:25:43 GMT -5
Post by john57 on Dec 8, 2013 17:25:43 GMT -5
It is not easy to put all of your full gamut of emotions and your experiences on paper. I too have lost hours of typing and I now use my word processor with auto save and revert. This problem only happens when you are typing in the forums with a lot of passion!
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Post by GreenKiwi on Dec 8, 2013 17:27:30 GMT -5
@klown sorry you lost the text... I always type in a separate program because I've lost too many posts on proboards
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DC-1
Dec 8, 2013 17:35:11 GMT -5
Post by paintedklown on Dec 8, 2013 17:35:11 GMT -5
Yeah, I was mad for sure. I am currently working an a full review of the DC-1, in MS word. LOL! This review will include my feelings on the build quality, sound quality, and PC DAC and headamp features. It's already VERY long, but I feel it's a decent read. When I have it finished, I will post my final and full review as a new thread.
Coming soon...
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Post by GreenKiwi on Dec 8, 2013 17:46:51 GMT -5
You should also post it in the reviews section about the DC-1 on their website.
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DC-1
Dec 9, 2013 23:44:46 GMT -5
Post by paintedklown on Dec 9, 2013 23:44:46 GMT -5
Hey gang, does anyone else think the DC-1 runs a bit hot? Not hot to the point you cannot place your hand on it and hold it down, but it's certainly considerably warmer than I had expected. Most of the heat seems to be on the right side of mine.
Thoughts?
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 0:00:54 GMT -5
Post by Emosean on Dec 10, 2013 0:00:54 GMT -5
I've had the same experience with the heat.
No explanation though...
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 0:12:20 GMT -5
Post by lsdeep on Dec 10, 2013 0:12:20 GMT -5
Hey gang, does anyone else think the DC-1 runs a bit hot? Not hot to the point you cannot place your hand on it and hold it down, but it's certainly considerably warmer than I had expected. Most of the heat seems to be on the right side of mine. Thoughts? well mine just arrived today. it's plugged in for some hrs now. yes, i agree it gets warm, the right side maybe a bit more so. that's where the heatsinks are. just for SAG i put a thermometer on the housing (my trusty bbq digital one). it seems well within temp ranges here for me. i don't burn my hand, on contact the thermo reads 110F on the right, 98F on the left. considering 80F average temp here - i don't see that as anything close to 'concerning'. the metal backplates of my active speakers cause me more headaches sometimes, being hot to the point you can fry steaks on them so, sofar i can't share your concern. i might change my opinion after having the dc-1 a little longer.
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 0:24:49 GMT -5
Post by paintedklown on Dec 10, 2013 0:24:49 GMT -5
Hey gang, does anyone else think the DC-1 runs a bit hot? Not hot to the point you cannot place your hand on it and hold it down, but it's certainly considerably warmer than I had expected. Most of the heat seems to be on the right side of mine. Thoughts? well mine just arrived today. it's plugged in for some hrs now. yes, i agree it gets warm, the right side maybe a bit more so. that's where the heatsinks are. just for SAG i put a thermometer on the housing (my trusty bbq digital one). it seems well within temp ranges here for me. i don't burn my hand, on contact the thermo reads 110F on the right, 98F on the left. considering 80F average temp here - i don't see that as anything close to 'concerning'. the metal backplates of my active speakers cause me more headaches sometimes, being hot to the point you can fry steaks on them so, sofar i can't share your concern. i might change my opinion after having the dc-1 a little longer. I wouldn't go so far as to say it causes me concern (as in worry). I can place my hand on it, and leave it there without wanting to quickly pull it away. I was just surprised that it's get as hot as it does. I figured a DAC with a couple of headphone amps would run rather cool. I don't think the operating temperature is at a level that would cause damage to the unit, nor do I feel that mine may be defective or running outside of normal operating temps. Like I said, I am just "surprised" at the level of heat it kicks out for being a small unit, that isn't a traditional amplifier. I posted just to see if anyone else had the same observation. Thanks for your input on the heat. Complete with measurements even! Congrats on the new DC-1, by the way. Please post your impressions, once you have had an opportunity to give it a good workout. Do you plan to use it in a full size setup, or as a desktop unit with headphones?
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 0:48:19 GMT -5
Post by lsdeep on Dec 10, 2013 0:48:19 GMT -5
i wish emotiva would hook up with newtronics for some fine tuned stuff/ i think this (my newtronics temperance mk1 - active) is a match make in haven . yes i can see better, but it compliments each other great sofar. pc -> dc-1 -> newtronics works great. as i thought before (having the dc-1 as a loaner). going to the warm up and (sorry don't believe in it to much) burn in process. but we will talk after 100 hrs! sure, there is always better... (if you can afford it). for the money spend at this point, i am a happy camper!!! now i just have to get used to the headphone idea my wife pushed on me. never had hp's before. the set she got me sounds nice so far. i miss the bass 'hitting' my stomach. i guess she tried to push a point, me and the music are a little loud.... (really?). i got banned to the shittiest room in the house with my 2 channel setup! others would kill to avoid that!!! i would like to , i work hard on it - no dead wifes for small rooms , i promise LOL
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 4:20:35 GMT -5
Post by john57 on Dec 10, 2013 4:20:35 GMT -5
It is good that Emotiva put a good size heat-sink on it. It appears that it is part of voltage regulation. In many products manufacture usually use the small clip on heat-sink that really gets hot. I have burn some of my fingers on those clip-on heat sinks. Emotiva uses a die cast heat-sink block which cost more but longer life for the chips. One of my class A tube amps goes up to 138%F even when it has two fans that tries to cool it down. Feeling the heat from the DC-1 tell me that the heat is finally getting out instead of the chips being hot as a toaster.
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 5:29:39 GMT -5
Post by audiobill on Dec 10, 2013 5:29:39 GMT -5
Hey gang, does anyone else think the DC-1 runs a bit hot? Not hot to the point you cannot place your hand on it and hold it down, but it's certainly considerably warmer than I had expected. Most of the heat seems to be on the right side of mine. Thoughts? Same here - somewhat warm, but not concerning.....
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 5:37:37 GMT -5
Post by garbulky on Dec 10, 2013 5:37:37 GMT -5
Hey gang, does anyone else think the DC-1 runs a bit hot? Not hot to the point you cannot place your hand on it and hold it down, but it's certainly considerably warmer than I had expected. Most of the heat seems to be on the right side of mine. Thoughts? Same here - somewhat warm, but not concerning..... +1 It runs warm-hot.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 6:28:40 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2013 6:28:40 GMT -5
Hot here as well
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 10:02:15 GMT -5
Post by monkumonku on Dec 10, 2013 10:02:15 GMT -5
Same here about the heat - even when it is off on standby it is warm.
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 11:04:09 GMT -5
Post by paintedklown on Dec 10, 2013 11:04:09 GMT -5
Well, it looks like we are all in agreement about the heat.
Stupid question time here guys:
Why would a DAC require heat sinks? What parts in it would get hot enough to require them? I have always (incorrectly, it seems) assumed that DAC chips are kind of like microprocessors found in computers and that surrounding resistors and what have you don't really get hot either.
Are the heatsinks more for the headamp section maybe?
***Off to cluelessly look at the pics of the internals of the DC-1***
EDIT: Ok, I am seeing what looks to be two banks of capacitors to the left and right of the heatsink. To the right of it there is a cluster of smaller caps, while on the left, I am seeing a smaller group of larger ones. I know that in amplifiers, caps have the job of storing electricity for sudden demands for more current. Not being educated on this, I would guess that it's the caps that are generating the bulk of the heat, and are what calles for the use of the heatsink?
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 11:06:09 GMT -5
Post by brubacca on Dec 10, 2013 11:06:09 GMT -5
I personally would think that the DAC chips would get quite hot. They are crunching all the numbers. In a PC the CPU and Video Card generate the most heat.
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 11:13:20 GMT -5
Post by paintedklown on Dec 10, 2013 11:13:20 GMT -5
I personally would think that the DAC chips would get quite hot. They are crunching all the numbers. In a PC the CPU and Video Card generate the most heat. Interetsing, I did not know that. Thanks for the info. I know I am only shining a spotlight on my own ignorance here, but we're all family...right?!
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 9,945
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Post by KeithL on Dec 10, 2013 11:16:09 GMT -5
The DC-1 uses the newer C-Media USB chip, which is more stable than the original one - but let's not overstate things. The vast majority of XDA-2's work with the vast majority of Macs with no problems whatsoever. There is no problem with the original C-Media CM6631 and Macs - it's just that the newer CM6631a, which is used in the DC-1, is better. (The "a" version also supports 176k over USB, which the older version - and the XDA-2 - do not.) The reality is that USB audio is a bit "fussier" than USB data, so sometimes you encounter compatibility issues between specific devices, certain ports on certain computers, and certain cables... and, yes, the newer chip is more tolerant of these issues when they do occur. With Windows, you also are required to use a C-Media driver - with either chip - which can occasionally have compatibility issues with other software. In contrast, the driver is built into the Apple O/S; this is good because you don't have to load a driver, but, if the driver from Apple has problems, there is no opportunity to update or replace it. (We really would prefer if Microsoft would add the UAC2 driver into Windows - but they persist in refusing to do so.) (I must note, though, that many of the so-called "problems with Macs and the XDA-2" were really problems with Apple's USB implementation.... things like failing to see the DAC after waking from hibernation are caused by the operating system failing to handle the USB connection properly - and not by anything the DAC does or doesn't do. It is the computer "locking out" and not the USB chip on the DAC; the computer should reconnect to all USB devices when it wakes up. When you disconnect and reconnect the DAC, or any other USb device, it forces the USB port to reset and "reacquire" the connected device. You will occasionally see similar behavior with USB stick drives and HDs. Likewise, on computers with multiple USB ports, often one or more ports deliver better - tighter tolerance - timing than others; which is why sometimes certain ports have problems.) ^^^ Except that I think he has a Mac as his source and Emotiva hasn't confirmed whether or not they have implemented a fix for USB issues between the XDA-2 and Macs. The USB chips in models earlier this year had a problem that would cause the CMedia chip to lock up and stop responding. It required unplugging the USB and a full power cycle for the DAC. The DC-1 has a later CMedia chip and doesn't have that problem. Emo may have updated the XDA-2 so that it doesn't have this problem either, but they haven't said so yet. @klown I find the easiest way to figure out whether it's worth it or not is to actually NOT listen to whatever device you're evaluating. Give it a good week of listening... then pull it out and see how much you miss it. I have a Mac Mini feeding my XDA-2 (which is a first production run unit with updated firmware) and don't have that issue as long as I make sure that the XDA-2 is powered up before the Mac. If you change USB ports, then the MIDI configuration must also be reset. Santa "may" (wink wink) be putting a new DC-1 under the tree for me this year and I'm looking forward to comparing it to my XDA-2. For me, I'll be looking at more than just the differences (or lack thereof) in sound quality, but also what it will bring to my system as a whole. If my DC-1 works out well, I'll effectively "upgrade" both my XDA-2 and my ERC-2 with just one purchase.....
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,230
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DC-1
Dec 10, 2013 11:20:08 GMT -5
Post by novisnick on Dec 10, 2013 11:20:08 GMT -5
I have the Canadian version of the DC-1, It has a glow plug in it!!!!! It's easier to start when it's already warm!!!!!!! Peace, Nick He,,,,,,,He,,,,,,He,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 9,945
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Post by KeithL on Dec 10, 2013 11:25:10 GMT -5
The heat sinks on the DC-1 are mostly on the power supply regulators; the linear power supplies in the DC-1 do get a bit warm, but certainly nothing to worry about. It is the regulators that get warm; capacitors themselves (in linear power supplies) don't make significant heat (although they are warmed by their neighbors). Actually, the processors found in most current PCs do generate a lot of heat - and most have rather large heat sinks (some Intel quad-core processors burn in the neighborhood of 100 watts at full crank). However, modern DAC chips in general don't get terribly hot (although some of the older ones did). Well, it looks like we are all in agreement about the heat. Stupid question time here guys: Why would a DAC require heat sinks? What parts in it would get hot enough to require them? I have always (incorrectly, it seems) assumed that DAC chips are kind of like microprocessors found in computers and that surrounding resistors and what have you don't really get hot either. Are the heatsinks more for the headamp section maybe? ***Off to cluelessly look at the pics of the internals of the DC-1*** EDIT: Ok, I am seeing what looks to be two banks of capacitors to the left and right of the heatsink. To the right of it there is a cluster of smaller caps, while on the left, I am seeing a smaller group of larger ones. I know that in amplifiers, caps have the job of storing electricity for sudden demands for more current. Not being educated on this, I would guess that it's the caps that are generating the bulk of the heat, and are what calles for the use of the heatsink?
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