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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 7, 2013 21:23:46 GMT -5
For those who don't hear any weaknesses in the performance of the Stealth DC-1 DAC, will the Stealth DC-2 be a sly attempt to just pry more money out of your wallets, or might Emotiva actually think that there are some performance areas that can be improved on?
If the former, why do you buy Emotiva products?
If the latter, then why don't YOU hear the areas where performance could be improved with the DC-1?
I'm neither making statements about the DAC nor expressing any opinions. I'm asking a reasonable question. Have you a reasonable answer?
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Nov 7, 2013 21:34:36 GMT -5
Until a product is perfect in every way for everyone (and none are), then there will be room for improvement.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2013 21:34:49 GMT -5
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Post by dcg44s on Nov 7, 2013 21:42:35 GMT -5
I haven't heard it.I can't really say more,can I?
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Post by Jim on Nov 7, 2013 21:44:01 GMT -5
Technical performance and specs don't matter if there is some preference. It's like asking "why do some people like flat frequency response"?
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novisnick
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CEO Secret Monoblock Society
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Post by novisnick on Nov 7, 2013 21:45:47 GMT -5
Boom, do you ever sleep? he,,,,,,,,he,,,,,,,,,,,,he,,,,,,,,,,, YOU JUST GOT TO LOVE THIS GUY! or am I just nuts? Nuts,,, There!! I said it
ha,,,,ha,,,,ha,,,,,BOOM  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2013 21:50:00 GMT -5
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Post by ews0899 on Nov 7, 2013 21:53:20 GMT -5
See below.. Ha ha  |
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Post by mgbpuff on Nov 7, 2013 22:14:37 GMT -5
I found my new DC-1 to be quite revealing to the point of astonishment. I had no idea that what made a truly great crooner was having a severe lisp. Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Vic Damone, even the newer guys, Michael Buble, and Harry Connick, Jr. I wouldn't set any closer to one of their live performances than the tenth row for fear of being sprayed. Thanks DC-1 - I've gained a new appreciation for Daffy Duck and I'm trying to sing like him in the shower cause now I know what it takes!  (Does that make you feel any better Boom?) |
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Post by audiobill on Nov 8, 2013 5:16:16 GMT -5
I found my new DC-1 to be quite revealing to the point of astonishment. I had no idea that what made a truly great crooner was having a severe lisp. Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Vic Damone, even the newer guys, Michael Buble, and Harry Connick, Jr. I wouldn't set any closer to one of their live performances than the tenth row for fear of being sprayed. Thanks DC-1 - I've gained a new appreciation for Daffy Duck and I'm trying to sing like him in the shower cause now I know what it takes! (Does that make you feel any better Boom?) Spit is one thing, but I have found that the DC-1 lets me see the color of lipstick Diana Krall's wearing while recording........ |
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Post by brubacca on Nov 8, 2013 6:42:37 GMT -5
I think that companies rev their products for many reasons. Sometimes maybe their initial offering missed the mark, or possibly they have to adjust to market trends. Sometimes people (like me) just go for the new shiny things. Sometime sub suppliers obsolete a part that forces a change.
Companies like Denon release new models every year! Even the Jolida FX Tube Dac is on version 3. With Emotiva they quickly moved from XDA-1 to XDA-2. In my opinion because of the whole volume control issue and the market demand for asynchronous USB.
So in regards to a possible DC-2, there could be many reasons for a product change, not necessarily sonic in nature.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 8, 2013 6:56:13 GMT -5
I have no quibbles re. The DC-1 sound...I just want one without some things I don't need but adding the one thing I do need: Add HT Bypass, drop headphone amp. But, if they could possibly make it any quieter and any more neutral...sure.
Mark
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Post by garbulky on Nov 8, 2013 6:57:32 GMT -5
Hmmmm..... Well it's hard to understand the latter question? But anyway, for improvements. I would like A bigger form factor for more inputs, easy stacking. A revamped pre-amp that can bring the dynamics of the USP-1 while retaining the transparency and detail that the DC-1 brings directly. But the USP-1, though not as transparent as the DC-1, could really bring dynamics in the mid-range and some treble. And I hope the next DAC will retain some of that magic because that was NICE. Moar Dynamic slam! Roar!   |
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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 8, 2013 6:58:12 GMT -5
I'd like to try to answer my own question. Sometimes, even sterling products are updated by their manufacturers. A case in point is the XPA-2 amplifier. IMHO, the first generation XPA-2 was the very best product I've ever heard (and for a fourth of the price of any reasonable competitor). Despite this, the XPA-2 never got any "traction" in the audiophile press. Neither Stereophile nor TAS ever reviewed the amp, and therefore, the majority of the public never got to hear about how awesome the amp truly was.
Since magazines typically prefer to review newly-issued products, the generation two XPA-2 was a fresh opportunity to (maybe) get some good reviews so the amp could sell to a wider audience. Are there performance improvements in the XPA-2, generation two? Maybe, but if so, they're probably so small that very few people could hear them in a blind test. I'm speculating, here, because I haven't heard the version two amp. In fact, I think the version one amp so close to perfection that I'm not even tempted to audition the version two. Emotiva may have also found ways to improve the design with a combination of better parts, less expensive construction, and/or better cooling. I'm again speculating, because I truly don't know what's in the version two.
In any case, there may be a variety of reasons to have issue a version two, none of which have anything to do with audible shortcomings in the previous version. Ditto the Stealth DAC.
Pace - Boomzilla
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Post by audiobill on Nov 8, 2013 7:02:33 GMT -5
I have no quibbles re. The DC-1 sound...I just want one without some things I don't need but adding the one thing I do need: Add HT Bypass, drop headphone amp. But, if they could possibly make it any quieter and any more neutral...sure. Mark I'm very happy with the DC-1 as it is. But it also could be offered in a "full size" version, which maybe adds the 1/4" headphone jack and the HT bypass others like. I like the HP jack for listening without firing anything else up. Personally, I think it's best without adding any "slam" or additional stages beyond it's output. Bill |
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Post by garbulky on Nov 8, 2013 7:11:59 GMT -5
I have no quibbles re. The DC-1 sound...I just want one without some things I don't need but adding the one thing I do need: Add HT Bypass, drop headphone amp. But, if they could possibly make it any quieter and any more neutral...sure. Mark I'm very happy with the DC-1 as it is. But it also could be offered in a "full size" version, which maybe adds the 1/4" headphone jack and the HT bypass others like. I like the HP jack for listening without firing anything else up. Personally, I think it's best without adding any "slam" or additional stages beyond it's output. Bill Hehe I didn't mean to add slam where it wasn't there like some sort of bass "enhancer" or the "3d awesomeifier" that's coming out in the Geek Pulse DAC. The USP-1 was a conundrum. It had top notch dynamics but wasn't as transparent as either the XDA-1 or the DC-1 direct especially in the treble. But it was able to present "weight" of instruments just beautifully and when there were dynamics it was EXTREMELY quick in bringing them. It was "almost" immediate for lack of a better description. When I listened to both movies and music, I was startled at how quick, weighty and powerful those dynamics were compared to just direct via the XDA-1 to amp. If they could combine the stregnths of the DC-1 with that ability, that would be nice. However, I don't think a DC-1 coupled to a USP-1 integrated into a box would be a good combo. It would need to be a different design. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2013 7:15:04 GMT -5
I think that companies rev their products for many reasons. Sometimes maybe their initial offering missed the mark, or possibly they have to adjust to market trends. Sometimes people (like me) just go for the new shiny things. Sometime sub suppliers obsolete a part that forces a change. Companies like Denon release new models every year! Even the Jolida FX Tube Dac is on version 3. With Emotiva they quickly moved from XDA-1 to XDA-2. In my opinion because of the whole volume control issue and the market demand for asynchronous USB. So in regards to a possible DC-2, there could be many reasons for a product change, not necessarily sonic in nature. Yeah and some folks just need to have the newer model or simply like getting deliveries from Fed Ex to irritate their wives (oh no, what did he buy now). Some get very anxiety/panic driven as soon as the five year warranty passes the one year mark (what if it quits working and I have to pay all that shipping back from LA to Tennasee). Don't be surprised if you see a DC-1 for sale at the emporium soon, shipping from an LA area zip code. I won't mention the membermember namename. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2013 7:36:09 GMT -5
A revamped pre-amp that can bring the dynamics of the USP-1 while retaining the transparency and detail that the DC-1 brings directly. But the USP-1, though not as transparent as the DC-1 All this talk about transparency in DAC's drives drove me nuts! There is very little if any transparency that can be contributed to DAC's. The real transparency is in the skulls of the golden ear pedo audiophiles who think they can hear our astronauts on the moon fart. IMO (humble) I think the large majority of the transparency available in audio/HT system for hearing on this planet is from the speakers!  |
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Post by Metaldude on Nov 8, 2013 7:42:16 GMT -5
Seems Clear to me  He he he he |
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Post by garbulky on Nov 8, 2013 9:00:02 GMT -5
A revamped pre-amp that can bring the dynamics of the USP-1 while retaining the transparency and detail that the DC-1 brings directly. But the USP-1, though not as transparent as the DC-1 All this talk about transparency in DAC's drives drove me nuts! There is very little if any transparency that can be contributed to DAC's. The real transparency is in the skulls of the golden ear pedo audiophiles who think they can hear our astronauts on the moon fart. IMO (humble) I think the large majority of the transparency available in audio/HT system for hearing on this planet is from the speakers! Well, despite that passionate objection, I do hear it. It is what it is I guess. It's sort of banging your head on a brick wall to tell anybody they can't hear it. If you hear electronics to be identical, then that is GREAT. Your wallet is luckier for it! If that means I have a golden ear, then I'd also like a golden wallet to go with it so I can buy the stuff I want! I think we come from two different ways of looking at audio. I am a subjective reviewer. What I hear takes first place. I haven't heard a single product that was perfect. I'm not interested in "neutral" sound. Though it's a good goal to strive for, I don't think it exists in real life. I'm interested in good sound to my ears and I'm pretty picky. And that's where I'm at. The gear that I own and love have been shown up by better gear in my own room. Sometimes I prefer the better gear and sometimes for some reason I don't. But let me tell you. The DC-1 is giving me THE BLUES, Chuckie! (Did you read my PHD thesis review on it?) My XDA-1 doesn't do it for me anymore. I have heard better and I don't want to go back!    |
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