XDA-2 gen2 vs DC1 in this "beginning" system...

[crenca]

I have recently discovered "audiophile" sound through quality headphones + amp/DAC (currently running NAD HP 50 through JDS Labs C5D) and high resolution 24/96.  Wow!  All my mp3 went out the window, and I can barely stand my Best Buy TV "Home Theater" system or XM in the car anymore.

I am now ready for my first "audiophile" main system - one that is obviously on the lower end of $price$ and could be termed "beginning" (but I don't think "mid-fi").  I am thinking about pairing a XPA-200 with some Tekton's (probably Lore S).  I am all digital, so I only need a DAC.

I have read a couple of XDA-2 vs DC1, but it seems ambiguous as to a clear winner even with folks who have better amplification/speakers than I am looking at.

As far as I can tell, the DC1 uses the same DAC (just 2 in a dual mono set up) so I am concerned there is not that much that seperates them from a SQ angle.

So my question is, with the Tekton's and XPA-200, does the DC1 really get you that much more clarity, transparency, seperation, etc. in your opinion?

Has anyone directly compared either of these DAC's with a Schiit bitfrost?

Thanks!!

[audiobill]

The DC-1 clearly trumps either of those, and most anything under $1,300 IMO.

[creimes]

Having owned the XDA-1, XDA-2 and DC-1 I did prefer the DC-1 as I did have it from time to time connected to two XPA-1L's, that being said if $299 fits your budget better than $499 I wouldn't worry too hard about it as the XDA-2 is still an excellent DAC but if you can swing the DC-1 I say go for it as then you are not guessing haha.

Chad

[novisnick]

I now own a pretty descent system IMHO, But not too long ago I was in your boat. Did the XDA-2 fit my budget better? Dang straight it did, at which point I stopped to think logically,,,,,,,is Emotiva learning and building better gear over time or going backwards and unlearning ? I delieve they are progressing in their education which leads me led me to believe their gear is getting better not worse sounding. Therefore I opted to wait, save some more money and not waist it on a step in the right direction but take a leap to better SQ.

I hope this make sense and answers your question!,,,,,,go for the DC-1, ive been very happy with that decision.

[vcautokid]

The DC-1 is the real deal! All the best Emotiva has put together is in there. The XDA-2 is still great, who else has a full rack DAC this good, this well priced? The DC-1 is something real special though. The sonics are off the charts detailed, well balanced, and very open. Honesty is the best way to describe the DC-1. If you want is sugar coated, the DC-1 isn't the right choice. I have never heard a better DAC your money can buy. And I have heard allot of DACs. Easy to spend more? Sure. Get really better? Don't know about that. Different yes.

The DC-1 with its balanced Architecture, and resistor ladder volume control, and terrific analog stage is just so well done. You have to hear it for yourself. A great buy.

[AudioHTIT]

I agree with everything that's been said, but maybe with creimes most. The DC-1 is the best and I enjoy it quite a bit, but I still use the XDA-2 without regret. If you're starting out on a budget don't worry that there's something better, there always will be. A used XDA-2 would be a very good buy for your system too (digital electrons take longer to find their way than analog ones )

[crenca]

Thanks for the input everyone! It is not a budget thing - but then I don't want to spend $200 (or even 20) more for a very minor or dubious improvement. If folks are actually hearing a significant improvement (even if not earth shattering), I am going to go for the DC-1.

[garbulky]

The DC-1 is better. I got nothing terribly satisfying out of the XDA-2. Nothing about it really stood out for me. My main complaint was going direct to the power amp the dynamics felt rather weak. Even when things got loud you could tell that things were at the same volume.
The DC-1 is not perfect. But it does make some very nice music imo and it DOES stand out. It has better detail. It's got a natural sound.
HOWEVER....
If your system is not setup at its best (speaker placement wise, and angling speakers wise) or if your speakers aren't too resolving there's a very good chance you will not hear any difference in electronics.

If you haven't spent time figuring out the best placement for your speakers and listening area, it's hard to guarantee what you would hear.
I can only speak for myself. Most people who have got the DC-1 that I know have found an improvement in the sound. I know of two notable people who weren't thrilled with it, one of them rather disliked it. But on the overall the majority appear to like it. I really like it What I heard that beat it - in the same room - was an Oppo 105 connected to an XSP-1.
So as you can see that's quite a bit of money!

So at its best you can hear the soundstage stitched together better than before. Everything appears like it was produced in the same hall it was recorded in on recoridngs that were done in such a way. There is also a lot of small details that you can hear. Voices are GORGEOUS on it. Especially women's voices. At times it can do a bit of height information as well. It feels very transparent. Now it does have a sound signature. But you don't realize that until you hear better.
FWIW, my planned upgrade to this very fun unit is a schiit yggdrassil.

[crenca]

Sept 18, 2015 23:21:49 GMT -5 garbulky said:

The DC-1 is better. I got nothing terribly satisfying out of the XDA-2. Nothing about it really stood out for me. My main complaint was going direct to the power amp the dynamics felt rather weak. Even when things got loud you could tell that things were at the same volume.
The DC-1 is not perfect. But it does make some very nice music imo and it DOES stand out. It has better detail. It's got a natural sound.
HOWEVER....
If your system is not setup at its best (speaker placement wise, and angling speakers wise) or if your speakers aren't too resolving there's a very good chance you will not hear any difference in electronics.

If you haven't spent time figuring out the best placement for your speakers and listening area, it's hard to guarantee what you would hear.


This is something I have learned talking to others - that a room, speaker placement, etc. has almost if not as much effect on the sound as the SQ of the speakers themselves, so I am planning on this



FWIW, my planned upgrade to this very fun unit is a schiit yggdrassil.



I have heard this from more than one person also.  Seems like that unit is something special.  However, I am just starting out, so I want to spend something in the neigborhood of $2k (give or take) for a complete "beginning" system - and that yggdrassil is $2k by itself.  Seems like to me that with the Tekton's and Emotiva amplification and DC-1 I should have a good starter system that gets me real "audiophile" sound, even if it is only 90% of the SQ of much more expensive systems.  Perhaps someday in the future (very likely actually) I will be going after that last 10%, but for now I am starting out more reasonable.


The only other real competitor to an Emotiva amp/dac that I am thinking about is a Peachtree (NovaSE 125 probably) - which is nice because it is a single box solution.  However, the DAC in those units is considered middling at best it seems by most folks, and of course the amplification is "class D" - which does not bother me as it seems to have the wrinkles ironed out of it but it makes some folks nervous.  NAD also seems to make some nice stuff, but the $price$ is starting to creep up when you consider them...