Post by dsnyder0cnn on Apr 10, 2011 20:33:17 GMT -5
Hello,
Look what I have to play with this week!
I've owned the UMC-1 for close to a year, and as I have posted elsewhere in these pages, I'm now in the market for a new DAC/pre with similar functionality to the Wyred4Sound DAC2 or Benchmark DAC1 HDR. I was hoping that an XDA-1/USP-1 combo (plus a good USB to S/PDIF adapter to support high rez content) would get me there, and now I have a chance to find out. I actually purchased the USP-1 last week, and a good (and fortunately for me, very busy) friend has left me his XDA-1 for the week.
I don't have a fancy USB to S/PDIF adapter, so I'm using the COAX output on my Creative E-MU 0404 USB audio interface. While this is a 24-bit, 192 kHz audio interface with native ASIO drivers, the S/PDIF outputs are limited to 96 kHz, so I can't play my best evaluation material, but I have plenty of music that is compatible, so no huge worries.
First up so far was Babylon Sisters from the classic Steely Dan Goucho album. I played back a 24-bit, 96 kHz FLAC file from the DVD-Audio disc. Absolutely amazing image focus and separation between players and parts in the soundtage. The USP-1/XDA-1 combo is truly head and shoulders above my standard UMC-1/E-MU rig!
I have some work to do this evening, but I can't wait to get back to listening tonight and for the rest of the week. The end my audio week culminates at AXPONA, which happens to be only a few blocks from my office in downtown Atlanta. There, I'll have an opportunity to sample seventy rooms full of gear to help me lock in my DAC/pre decision (or hopelessly muddy the waters, LOL). I hope that I'll see some of you there. Cheers.
-- David
Look what I have to play with this week!
I've owned the UMC-1 for close to a year, and as I have posted elsewhere in these pages, I'm now in the market for a new DAC/pre with similar functionality to the Wyred4Sound DAC2 or Benchmark DAC1 HDR. I was hoping that an XDA-1/USP-1 combo (plus a good USB to S/PDIF adapter to support high rez content) would get me there, and now I have a chance to find out. I actually purchased the USP-1 last week, and a good (and fortunately for me, very busy) friend has left me his XDA-1 for the week.
I don't have a fancy USB to S/PDIF adapter, so I'm using the COAX output on my Creative E-MU 0404 USB audio interface. While this is a 24-bit, 192 kHz audio interface with native ASIO drivers, the S/PDIF outputs are limited to 96 kHz, so I can't play my best evaluation material, but I have plenty of music that is compatible, so no huge worries.
First up so far was Babylon Sisters from the classic Steely Dan Goucho album. I played back a 24-bit, 96 kHz FLAC file from the DVD-Audio disc. Absolutely amazing image focus and separation between players and parts in the soundtage. The USP-1/XDA-1 combo is truly head and shoulders above my standard UMC-1/E-MU rig!
I have some work to do this evening, but I can't wait to get back to listening tonight and for the rest of the week. The end my audio week culminates at AXPONA, which happens to be only a few blocks from my office in downtown Atlanta. There, I'll have an opportunity to sample seventy rooms full of gear to help me lock in my DAC/pre decision (or hopelessly muddy the waters, LOL). I hope that I'll see some of you there. Cheers.
-- David
