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Post by garbulky on Apr 20, 2015 3:10:28 GMT -5
Has anybody done this?
Basically one DC-1 acts as a DAC and the other acts solely as its preamp. I am very interested in hearing how this turned out.
My experiments with the Dc-1's analog pre-amp has so far been quite positive. I was able to get a subjective lower noise floor and a bit more detail in the quiet bits going through the pre-amp and an asus xonar essence ST soundcard as the source.
My reasoning is that the second DC-1 wouldn't be taxing the power supply with the DAC decoding possibly allowing more power on tap for dynamics and a lower noise floor in some way.
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Post by chaosrv on Apr 20, 2015 8:37:23 GMT -5
Has anybody done this? Basically one DC-1 acts as a DAC and the other acts solely as its preamp. I am very interested in hearing how this turned out. My experiments with the Dc-1's analog pre-amp has so far been quite positive. I was able to get a subjective lower noise floor and a bit more detail in the quiet bits going through the pre-amp and an asus xonar essence ST soundcard as the source. My reasoning is that the second DC-1 wouldn't be taxing the power supply with the DAC decoding possibly allowing more power on tap for dynamics and a lower noise floor in some way. If I had to guess, I think if there was any improved quality it could be from separating the functions of the DAC & preamp rather than taxing the power supply. (and that is tenuous at best) Emotiva overbuilds their power supplies as it is and I can't imagine a DAC even with dual chips needing to draw much power. Unless, you're using the headphone amp, of course. |
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Post by monkumonku on Apr 20, 2015 9:07:34 GMT -5
Hmm.. my suggestion would be to refer this to the Department of Redundancy Department.
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Post by garbulky on Apr 20, 2015 12:49:05 GMT -5
Has anybody done this? Basically one DC-1 acts as a DAC and the other acts solely as its preamp. I am very interested in hearing how this turned out. My experiments with the Dc-1's analog pre-amp has so far been quite positive. I was able to get a subjective lower noise floor and a bit more detail in the quiet bits going through the pre-amp and an asus xonar essence ST soundcard as the source. My reasoning is that the second DC-1 wouldn't be taxing the power supply with the DAC decoding possibly allowing more power on tap for dynamics and a lower noise floor in some way. If I had to guess, I think if there was any improved quality it could be from separating the functions of the DAC & preamp rather than taxing the power supply. (and that is tenuous at best) Emotiva overbuilds their power supplies as it is and I can't imagine a DAC even with dual chips needing to draw much power. Unless, you're using the headphone amp, of course. I thought about that too. Keeping the DAC and analog sections separate. I'm at a point where I may be able to save enough money for an upgrade but not enough for the system I really want. Which is... an XSP-1 and two XPA-1 L's. So I was thinking in the mean time upgrade to something that costs less and eventually sell and upgrade up. So here's my new idea.... an additional UPA-2 amp for bi amplification. And if the DC-1 pre-amp to DC-1 provides better sound, buy another dc-1 to act as a pre-amp rather than an xsp-1 for the time being. Anybody with two DC-1's out there? |
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Post by chaosrv on Apr 20, 2015 13:21:41 GMT -5
Have you considered a used (G1) XSP-1?
That way you don't have the added electronics from the DAC in the preamp.
Price would be about the same as a new DC-1 as well.
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Post by garbulky on Apr 20, 2015 14:01:26 GMT -5
Have you considered a used (G1) XSP-1? That way you don't have the added electronics from the DAC in the preamp. Price would be about the same as a new DC-1 as well. Hehe, I would be considering a used DC-1  For some reason if I was going to go XSP-1 I would jump in at gen 2. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 20, 2015 15:03:23 GMT -5
Is the crux of your theory that the DC-1's power supply is under designed (or executed), and that by using two you'll have improved performance? So you'll input your digital sources into one device and send its output to the analog input of the second DAC? Personally I'd expect you to have more noise due to the series line amps, but just a guess. Probably need to find one nearby to try yourself.
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Post by garbulky on Apr 20, 2015 15:17:02 GMT -5
Is the crux of your theory is that the DC-1's power supply is under designed (or executed), and that by using two you'll have improved performance? So you'll input your digital sources into one device and send its output to the analog input of the second DAC? Personally I'd expect you to have more noise due to the series line amps, but just a guess. Probably need to find one nearby to try yourself. That's the idea. But I wouldn't say that they are under designed or anything like that. But the general idea is basically what you said. I'm really trying to find a cheaper upgrade solution to say an XSP-1 as a pre-amp. |
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Post by soundmaster on Apr 20, 2015 18:45:52 GMT -5
I have no idea what your trying to achieve, but in theory adding another piece in the chain will make matters worse, unless you like that kind of sound, which explains why people buy preamps....
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For some reason if I was going to go XSP-1 I would jump in at gen 2. 
