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Post by Gary Cook on Sept 25, 2015 17:49:55 GMT -5
Can the filter be disabled? I run HQPlayer which has its own excellent upsampler & filters and plan to run it at 384KHz PCM. Yes, there are switches on the Big Ego. Cheers Gary
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Dec 8, 2015 12:44:31 GMT -5
If this becomes an issue for anyone, you can buy a low cost "slim 3.5mm stereo extension cable" that has a narrow plug on each the end. (There are lots of them; apparently many phones and phone cases also don't have room for fat connectors.) I guess I missed it in the pictures, etc. But a note to owners of Grados or headphones with a "bulge" at the plug, please be aware that they will not just plug into the headphone output of the Big Ego. The headphone port is recessed just enough to make it an issue.
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Dec 8, 2015 12:56:16 GMT -5
The DAC chip we use is an oversampling DAC chip - so you can't totally disable the oversampling function or the filter. The only DACs that are going to let you disable the oversampling entirely are actual "non-oversampliong DACs" that use a DAC chip without built-in oversampling - which are a bit of a niche product. There are a few commercial NOS DACs out there, and you can find several low cost ones on eBay. Unfortunately, the outdated DAC chips a lot of them use have poor enough analog audio performance to sort of obviate any other benefits you might hope for, and there are huge drawbacks to running an NOS DAC without software upsampling from something like HQPlayer. I played with HQPlayer a while back, and it was interesting to play with the selection of filters they offered. I would only offer two kudos to anyone considering it: 1) Some of their filters require truly massive processing power (one or two of them wouldn't even run reliably on my quad-core desktop machine with 8 gB of RAM - with nothing else running). 2) While having a variety of filters to choose from is interesting, and the Egos give you three, I'm not totally convinced that any of the ones I tried in HQPlayer actually sounded better than the filters in the Ego, or the one default filter in the DC-1. Can the filter be disabled? I run HQPlayer which has its own excellent upsampler & filters and plan to run it at 384KHz PCM.
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Dec 8, 2015 12:57:51 GMT -5
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Post by creimes on Dec 8, 2015 15:12:48 GMT -5
Is there a volume control built into the Little EGO ?, I read there is but can't see it anywhere.
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Post by garbulky on Dec 8, 2015 15:53:56 GMT -5
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Post by creimes on Dec 8, 2015 16:23:55 GMT -5
I pasted this from the Features section of the Little EGO product page ? Precision lossless volume control – Even at low listening levels the Little Ego’s digitally controlled analog volume control tracks precisely and doesn’t degrade your sound quality.
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Post by copperpipe on Dec 8, 2015 17:20:07 GMT -5
From what I understand, the volume control is triggered through the OS? So no physical knob, but when you adjust the volume in the OS then the lossless volume control works it's magic internally in the Egos.
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Post by timmechengr on Dec 21, 2015 1:35:50 GMT -5
Just wondering... I play most of my music using JRiver Media Center 21 from my laptop connected to my XMC-1 using USB streaming with no issues. It sounds amazing! I buy most of my hi-res music from HDtracks in the best format available for any given album I'm purchasing, i.e., 24/192, 24/96, etc. However, HDtracks is beginning to offer more music in 32 bit quality although the selections are quite limited right now. The XMC-1 can play music up to 24/192 quality coming from my computer. Under the Overview tab for the Big Ego down near the bottom, it says, "Feel like using your Big Ego to play your computer audio over your existing home audio or hi-fi system? No problem. The Big Ego will convert your computer audio into high quality digital or analog audio streams that are compatible with virtually any sound system". So, my question is this: Can I connect the Big Ego using the Line Out or Toslink connection to the XMC-1 and be able to play 32 bit music files?
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Dec 21, 2015 11:40:26 GMT -5
Basically yes...... The Ego DACs (both of them) have an internal lossless stepped analog volume control (which is digitally controlled). Under most circumstances, this is controlled automatically by the system volume control (so you want to leave your player program volume at 100% and use the system volume control). Some programs (like jRiver) actually let you decide which to use. Other programs may "tie" their own volume control to the system volume control (in which case you have no choice). (With some programs it's hard to tell what they're doing so, if you have options, and you hear a difference between them, then just pick the one that sounds best.) The only kudo there is that Windows 10 has a sort of disturbing quirk; depending on how you have things configured, if you unplug the DAC, then plug it back in, the system volume control will sometimes jump to 100%. (This is a problem in Windows, so there's nothing much we can do about it.) And, depending on your amplifier and your other equipment, this could end up being awfully loud. If you're worried about this, you may prefer to use the software volume control in your player program, which will usually stay put where it belongs. (Even though it's "technically" not as good as the control in the Ego, it won't jump up in level, and, especially in jRiver, the software volume control still sounds fine.) From what I understand, the volume control is triggered through the OS? So no physical knob, but when you adjust the volume in the OS then the lossless volume control works it's magic internally in the Egos.
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Dec 21, 2015 13:30:27 GMT -5
You're actually asking several different questions.... and I'm going to do my best to answer each.... 1) As far as I know the Toslink input on the XMC-1, and all standard S/PDIF connections in general, cannot accept anything past 24 bits of depth. 2) Likewise, as far as I know, the Toslink output on the Big Ego and Little Ego both top out at 24/192. 3) The LINE OUT on the Big Ego is an analog output. As such, it will give you a high quality analog signal from anything the Big Ego can play, which means anything up to 32/384k, and you can connect that output to any analog input on the XMC-1. 4) According to the engineers who developed the Big Ego (and the Little Ego) for us, they can play anything up to 32/384k; however, we're pretty sure that the Thesycon drivers we use for Windows only support up to 24/384k. I would also like to point out a few "facts of life" about 32 bit files..... First, a 16 bit file (like Red Book CD) has a dynamic range of about 95 dB (and about 90 dB if you use dithering); this is arguably not quite enough. However, a 24 bit file has a dynamic range of about 140 dB, which is greater than the dynamic range of all but a very few amazingly expensive DACs; it is also greater than the dynamic range of virtually all microphones, microphone preamps, and recording consoles. (The Big Ego has a dynamic range of 106 dB, which is excellent). Since the 140 dB of dynamic range you get with a 24 bit file is more than you could possibly need, the 190 dB of dynamic range you would get with a 32 bit file is sort of unnecessary. (Many programs use 32 bits INTERNALLY, because it is quite useful for preserving accuracy for certain types of DSP calculations, but that extra range is only used during the calculations.) Second, most programs, including jRiver Media Center and Foobar2000, will do an excellent job of playing everything, including 32 bit files, via a 24 bit DAC (and remember that any errors introduced by reducing a 32 bit file to 24 bits will be about 140 dB down - and well below the noise floor). So, both jRiver or Foobar2000 play 32 bit files just fine via a Big Ego; just set their output format to 24 bits. (I tried to play a 32 bit file via Foobar2000 and jRiver, with the output set to 32 bits, using WASAPI in Windows 7, and it failed. I haven't tried on a Mac, which has its own internal drivers, nor on ASIO; so it's quite possible that some ASIO drivers will do 32 bits.) And, third, while I've heard about 32 bit files from time to time, I've never seen one "in the wild" so far. I tried searching on "32 bit" on HDTracks and drew a blank. If anyone happens to know of any specific 32 bit albums that they do currently have for sale, I'd be interested in the details (since there is no single standard for 32 bit audio files, I'd be curious to see what they used). {It's pretty easy to tell a 32 bit file; a stereo file recorded at 32/192k has a bit rate of 12,288 mbps and takes up just under 100 mega-bytes per minute of audio.} Just wondering... I play most of my music using JRiver Media Center 21 from my laptop connected to my XMC-1 using USB streaming with no issues. It sounds amazing! I buy most of my hi-res music from HDtracks in the best format available for any given album I'm purchasing, i.e., 24/192, 24/96, etc. However, HDtracks is beginning to offer more music in 32 bit quality although the selections are quite limited right now. The XMC-1 can play music up to 24/192 quality coming from my computer. Under the Overview tab for the Big Ego down near the bottom, it says, "Feel like using your Big Ego to play your computer audio over your existing home audio or hi-fi system? No problem. The Big Ego will convert your computer audio into high quality digital or analog audio streams that are compatible with virtually any sound system". So, my question is this: Can I connect the Big Ego using the Line Out or Toslink connection to the XMC-1 and be able to play 32 bit music files?
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Dec 21, 2015 16:28:41 GMT -5
Someone who owns these needs to post reviews on Head-Fi.
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Post by jmilton on Dec 21, 2015 16:28:46 GMT -5
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Post by Axis on Dec 21, 2015 17:20:18 GMT -5
Someone who owns these needs to post reviews on Head-Fi. I have Head-Fi shortcut on my desktop and visit everyday to see what is new and popular but never joined. There are many new and amazing products in the Head-Fi world. It is a playground for anyone into Audio in my opinion. The most popular of the DAC/headphone amps are Chord Electronics made in England. This has always confused me with the prices for them. I have never heard them and do not know if they sound as grand as often described but the prices are not for the budget minded. They make a new smaller DAC/headphone amp that has a smaller price but not Emotiva price. KeithL lives over at Head-Fi answering questions about the Emotiva DC-1 and those who have it seem enjoy it very much. The new Cavalli Liquid Carbon is a balanced solid state headphone amp that had a limited production. When everyone was seeking a balanced DAC to mate with it the Emotiva DC-1 came up very often. Emotiva is known over at Head-Fi but like David is pointing out the little DAC/headphone amps like the Ego's would be news to them. Even with all the competition over there if these had good truthful reviews they may be very welcome for the price/performance.
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Post by timmechengr on Dec 21, 2015 19:46:19 GMT -5
You're actually asking several different questions.... and I'm going to do my best to answer each.... 1) As far as I know the Toslink input on the XMC-1, and all standard S/PDIF connections in general, cannot accept anything past 24 bits of depth. 2) Likewise, as far as I know, the Toslink output on the Big Ego and Little Ego both top out at 24/192. 3) The LINE OUT on the Big Ego is an analog output. As such, it will give you a high quality analog signal from anything the Big Ego can play, which means anything up to 32/384k, and you can connect that output to any analog input on the XMC-1. 4) According to the engineers who developed the Big Ego (and the Little Ego) for us, they can play anything up to 32/384k; however, we're pretty sure that the Thesycon drivers we use for Windows only support up to 24/384k. I would also like to point out a few "facts of life" about 32 bit files..... First, a 16 bit file (like Red Book CD) has a dynamic range of about 95 dB (and about 90 dB if you use dithering); this is arguably not quite enough. However, a 24 bit file has a dynamic range of about 140 dB, which is greater than the dynamic range of all but a very few amazingly expensive DACs; it is also greater than the dynamic range of virtually all microphones, microphone preamps, and recording consoles. (The Big Ego has a dynamic range of 106 dB, which is excellent). Since the 140 dB of dynamic range you get with a 24 bit file is more than you could possibly need, the 190 dB of dynamic range you would get with a 32 bit file is sort of unnecessary. (Many programs use 32 bits INTERNALLY, because it is quite useful for preserving accuracy for certain types of DSP calculations, but that extra range is only used during the calculations.) Second, most programs, including jRiver Media Center and Foobar2000, will do an excellent job of playing everything, including 32 bit files, via a 24 bit DAC (and remember that any errors introduced by reducing a 32 bit file to 24 bits will be about 140 dB down - and well below the noise floor). So, both jRiver or Foobar2000 play 32 bit files just fine via a Big Ego; just set their output format to 24 bits. (I tried to play a 32 bit file via Foobar2000 and jRiver, with the output set to 32 bits, using WASAPI in Windows 7, and it failed. I haven't tried on a Mac, which has its own internal drivers, nor on ASIO; so it's quite possible that some ASIO drivers will do 32 bits.) And, third, while I've heard about 32 bit files from time to time, I've never seen one "in the wild" so far. I tried searching on "32 bit" on HDTracks and drew a blank. If anyone happens to know of any specific 32 bit albums that they do currently have for sale, I'd be interested in the details (since there is no single standard for 32 bit audio files, I'd be curious to see what they used). {It's pretty easy to tell a 32 bit file; a stereo file recorded at 32/192k has a bit rate of 12,288 mbps and takes up just under 100 mega-bytes per minute of audio.} Just wondering... I play most of my music using JRiver Media Center 21 from my laptop connected to my XMC-1 using USB streaming with no issues. It sounds amazing! I buy most of my hi-res music from HDtracks in the best format available for any given album I'm purchasing, i.e., 24/192, 24/96, etc. However, HDtracks is beginning to offer more music in 32 bit quality although the selections are quite limited right now. The XMC-1 can play music up to 24/192 quality coming from my computer. Under the Overview tab for the Big Ego down near the bottom, it says, "Feel like using your Big Ego to play your computer audio over your existing home audio or hi-fi system? No problem. The Big Ego will convert your computer audio into high quality digital or analog audio streams that are compatible with virtually any sound system". So, my question is this: Can I connect the Big Ego using the Line Out or Toslink connection to the XMC-1 and be able to play 32 bit music files? I think now that I had to be mistaken about 32 bit files at HDtracks because I can't find them again either. Sorry about my confusion. What I did find is 24 bit/352kHz and DSD. Your response did answer what would have been my next question about playing 352kHz files. As long as we're at it, and because I keep trying to learn as much as I can about the technical aspects, is there a realistic benefit in listening to higher sample rates such as 384k, 352k, etc. over say, 96k? I realize this is a very subjective question as I can definitely hear the difference between CD quality 44.1k and 192k. I'm just coming at it trying to understand the technical side of things.
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Dec 22, 2015 13:06:07 GMT -5
HDTracks has a recent issue of the 1812 Overture whose cover shows the DSD logo - but the CD version of that same album available on Amazon shows "32 bit mastered" on the front cover; you probably saw something like that. I have to admit that I'm not really willing to try and give you a totally definitive answer to your question. I have several high-res versions of albums that do sound noticeably different than the CD version, but it's difficult to know for sure whether the difference is because they're high-res, or just because they've been remastered (and the mix is better). The problem is that it's virtually impossible to compare "identical" copies at different sample rates - because, every time you perform a sample rate conversion, filtering is applied - so you can't ever know for sure if a slight difference you hear is because of the different sample rate or an artifact of the conversion process itself. And, if you hear no difference, you also can't know if some potentially audible difference was obscured by the particular sample rate conversion software you used, or simply isn't audible with your other current equipment. (I've heard samples of files that were converted from and to the same sample rates, from the same source files, using various conversion programs, and there are audible differences between them.) The way I generally look at it is that, if someone is offering versions at 384k and 192k, or 192k and 96k, or whatever various sample rate options, then the album was hopefully mastered at the highest sample rate they're offering, and so any copies at lower sample rates have gone through an extra conversion. Therefore, the highest sample rate version they offer is probably at least one conversion step closer to the original. Because of this, and because I don't consider any of the current arguments that "the difference can't possibly be audible" to be totally compelling, I'm usually inclined to buy the highest sample rate version available - but as much on "general principles" as because I'm sure that I hear a specific difference. (And, therefore, since I'd rather not add another conversion step, I want my DAC to be able to play any files I might purchase without having to re-sample them.) I think now that I had to be mistaken about 32 bit files at HDtracks because I can't find them again either. Sorry about my confusion. What I did find is 24 bit/352kHz and DSD. Your response did answer what would have been my next question about playing 352kHz files. As long as we're at it, and because I keep trying to learn as much as I can about the technical aspects, is there a realistic benefit in listening to higher sample rates such as 384k, 352k, etc. over say, 96k? I realize this is a very subjective question as I can definitely hear the difference between CD quality 44.1k and 192k. I'm just coming at it trying to understand the technical side of things.
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Post by eveningsky on Jan 16, 2016 7:40:38 GMT -5
I just purchased the Big Ego. I just connected it to my MacPro 2008, with contains a quite decent sound card. I hear a difference. At times subtle, but a definite improvement to my sound from a variety of sources. It is very very nice. I am still trying to understand the effect of the "filters". The more I listen through a pair of quality headphones, the less I wish to leave this new sound world. Amazing. From quality Youtube videos, to USB music, just amazing! Thank you Emotiva.
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Post by copperpipe on Jan 16, 2016 9:33:35 GMT -5
I just purchased the Big Ego. I just connected it to my MacPro 2008, with contains a quite decent sound card. I hear a difference. At times subtle, but a definite improvement to my sound from a variety of sources. It is very very nice. I am still trying to understand the effect of the "filters". The more I listen through a pair of quality headphones, the less I wish to leave this new sound world. Amazing. From quality Youtube videos, to USB music, just amazing! Thank you Emotiva. That definitely matches my experience too. I also just picked up a Big Ego; I came from a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 which ended up giving up recently, and then used my behringer uca 202 as a backup. Not willing to say the ego is better than the focusrite since it was a few weeks since I heard it last, but definitely a big improvement over the behringer; for a start, it's pretty quiet, no discernable hiss coming through my speakers whereas the behringer it was noticable 5+ feet away in a quiet room. Also noticed a little tighter bass (and a little more of it; makes me want to invest in some floor standers). All in all, the sound is clear, detailed and smooth, I'm very happy with it. I haven't played much with the filters, I think I'm using F2 since reading up on them in the manual.
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Post by minthral on Jan 21, 2016 1:03:15 GMT -5
Thinking about getting one for work and travel...some questions:
If I just want to use the headphone amp, will the big ego be noticeably better? Or I can get the small one and not lose much?
Does it work with iPhone? If so, what is required?
How compatible is it to dc1 dac headphone amp?
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Post by creimes on Jan 21, 2016 1:42:06 GMT -5
Thinking about getting one for work and travel...some questions: If I just want to use the headphone amp, will the big ego be noticeably better? Or I can get the small one and not lose much? Does it work with iPhone? If so, what is required? How compatible is it to dc1 dac headphone amp? The specs both say a maximum of 1.8vrms so I'm assuming they will drive headphones equally. It is USB powered and such so is not compatible with smart phones I have owned a DC1 but it has been some time so it would be hard for me to compare the two but owing the Little EGO I am impressed so far, I currently have it between my Mac Mini and Sherbourn Processor but do from time to time use some Sennheiser HD598's with it and really enjoy it. Hope that helps in some way Chad
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