DC-1

[Brainsick]

Feb 28, 2014 23:14:29 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Feb 28, 2014 22:00:30 GMT -5 Brainsick said:

Can tge dc-1 power the Sennheiser hd 600/650?

Yes they do quite well. It's about as good in quality as my xenos 3ha standalone headphone amplifier at reasonable volumes.

OK GREAT TY, i have a question i need something so that i can make the LEFT ear piece of the Sennheiser headphone lower, is there anything i can get?...TY

[garbulky]

Feb 28, 2014 23:42:17 GMT -5 Brainsick said:

Feb 28, 2014 23:14:29 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Yes they do quite well. It's about as good in quality as my xenos 3ha standalone headphone amplifier at reasonable volumes.

OK GREAT TY, i have a question i need something so that i can make the LEFT ear piece of the Sennheiser headphone lower, is there anything i can get?...TY

I'm not sure what you mean by lower. But either way I don't know how to help you.
I do know that each ear piece will slide up and down on the headband when you pull on the ear piece and get lower and higher as you want. Are you saying it's not low enough at its lowest?

[Brainsick]

Im sorry i meant lower in volume.

[garbulky]

Mar 1, 2014 12:20:40 GMT -5 Brainsick said:

Im sorry i meant lower in volume.

You want the left side to be lower in volume? I am sure there is a way to do it. I just don't know it. Hope somebody can help you out.
If you only use the computer as a source to your DC-1, you can reduce the sound using the control panel on your computer.
Start - > control panel -> sounds./
Select your sound card. Right click it and properties - > Levels - > Balance - > adjust the left slider down to reduce,

[lsdeep]

Mar 1, 2014 12:20:40 GMT -5 Brainsick said:

Im sorry i meant lower in volume.

i would say it is not possible on the dc-1 itself (no balance control option to my knowledge) but might be possible to do on your source (like pc, transport etc.)

[Brainsick]

Thanks guys, i tried that but it doesnt work, i use MC 19 and output WASAPI.

[garbulky]

Mar 2, 2014 0:36:12 GMT -5 Brainsick said:

Thanks guys, i tried that but it doesnt work, i use MC 19 and output WASAPI.

What I mentioned definitely works. Because I did it myself before reporting.
As long as:
It's not USB output.
You do not use wasapi.
If you do it won't work.

[eclypse]

Mar 2, 2014 0:42:31 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Mar 2, 2014 0:36:12 GMT -5 Brainsick said:

Thanks guys, i tried that but it doesnt work, i use MC 19 and output WASAPI.

What I mentioned definitely works. Because I am did it myself before reporting.
As long as:
It's not USB output.
You do not use wasapi.
If you do it won't work.

It will wotk with waspi as long as u set something called " stop events" or whatever ita called in the options. Also theres an option in jriver to change the speaker levels and distances in the speaker configuration.

[musicinmymind]

This is my first post in this form, regular guy over Head-fi though, I am seeking few suggestions. I recently got DC-1 and wanted to use it as DC-1 (DAC + Preamp)->UPA 200->Hifiman HE-6, overall with EQ setting I was happy, till I plugged Bifrost. With Bifrost (DAC)->DC-1 (Preamp)->UPA 200->Hifiman HE-6 sound much better then DC-1 used as DAC. The main difference I found is bass impact, highs were more clear and precise on Bifrost, differences are little but still exists.

I really liked the DC-1 as preamp, no noise floor, good soundstage, vol control is also great. Using DC-1 just as Pre-amp does not make any sense, Please suggest and alternate preamp with little higher gain, but still does not result in noise floor.

[GreenKiwi]

The xsp is a great preamp.

[d1sturb3d]

finally after 2 mos of waiting..my DC-1 has arrived at my doorstep before going to work..I want to go home now and plugged it in!

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Received a DC-1 last week, so thought I would post some quick, initial impressions.

In fixed mode:
16/44.1 flac via Squeezebox coax > Music Hall DAC 25.2 vs. DC-1 > Cambridge Audio C500 preamp > Audiosource AMP Three (2 mono-bridged) > Polk LS90 speakers

The DC-1 is more resolving of low level detail and soundstage cues vs. the Music Hall. However, I would not consider the DC-1 to have a hyped or overly aggressive sound. I’ve owned other DACs that I felt were too aggressive and detailed with my system. I don’t feel that way about the DC-1.

In variable mode:
44.1 flac via Squeezebox coax > DC-1 > Audiosource AMP Three (2 mono-bridged) > Polk LS90 speakers

This may sound strange, but I feel there is something “missing” from the high frequencies when using the variable output feeding the amps directly. I want to say “rolled-off”. Acoustic guitar lacks attack and certain subtle cymbal strikes seem to be buried. On tracks I know very well, I would anticipate a certain cymbal sound, and I would immediately notice that it was barely there. I have no explanation for this. I switched between the fixed and variable configurations several times to convince myself. Could this be an impedance mismatch between the DC-1 and the amps?

Also, in the variable configuration, I noticed that the bass didn’t have the same authority and depth on a couple tracks.

[garbulky]

Mar 3, 2014 23:08:22 GMT -5 ads said:

Received a DC-1 last week, so thought I would post some quick, initial impressions.

In fixed mode:
16/44.1 flac via Squeezebox coax > Music Hall DAC 25.2 vs. DC-1 > Cambridge Audio C500 preamp > Audiosource AMP Three (2 mono-bridged) > Polk LS90 speakers

The DC-1 is more resolving of low level detail and soundstage cues vs. the Music Hall. However, I would not consider the DC-1 to have a hyped or overly aggressive sound. I’ve owned other DACs that I felt were too aggressive and detailed with my system. I don’t feel that way about the DC-1.

In variable mode:
44.1 flac via Squeezebox coax > DC-1 > Audiosource AMP Three (2 mono-bridged) > Polk LS90 speakers

This may sound strange, but I feel there is something “missing” from the high frequencies when using the variable output feeding the amps directly. I want to say “rolled-off”. Acoustic guitar lacks attack and certain subtle cymbal strikes seem to be buried. On tracks I know very well, I would anticipate a certain cymbal sound, and I would immediately notice that it was barely there. I have no explanation for this. I switched between the fixed and variable configurations several times to convince myself. Could this be an impedance mismatch between the DC-1 and the amps?

Also, in the variable configuration, I noticed that the bass didn’t have the same authority and depth on a couple tracks.

I noticed that in low volume mode, the Dc-1 left "something" to be desired. Dynamics, something to do with the treble, and a strange bass bump (maybe my room). It simply didn't sound as great as it did turned UP. And I do understand that things naturally sound better turned up but this was different. I always wondered about the ability of the pre-amp and what was causing it. So you say that the using a pre-amp helped this out? Interesting. I assumed it was the resistors on an integrated chip approach they went with. Maybe it's causing a changing impedance at low volumes? Or changing impedance for different frequencies/ampliftudes? Keith has assured me that it's supposed to be 100% transparent as it's a resistor - just like a resistor in a potentiometer. I don't have the engineering chops to talk about that.
But nevertheless, that's the impression I got and I could only attribute it to the volume control in some way.
(I noted it here: emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/33501/garbulkys-review-love-female-voice)
That being said, the DC-1 made my system sounded better than it ever did and it still hasn't sounded better!

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Mar 3, 2014 23:37:27 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Mar 3, 2014 23:08:22 GMT -5 ads said:

When I took my preamp out of the system and used the DC-1 volume control (variable mode) is when I noticed the reduction in high frequency energy and detail. I listened at pretty high volume, as high as -10 IIRC. Variable mode (without my preamp) has reduced high frequency detail and less bass slam vs. using the fixed mode to my preamp.

I'm going to do more back and forth listening later this week.

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Mar 4, 2014 9:09:41 GMT -5 ads said:

When I took my preamp out of the system and used the DC-1 volume control (variable mode) is when I noticed the reduction in high frequency energy and detail. I listened at pretty high volume, as high as -10 IIRC. Variable mode (without my preamp) has reduced high frequency detail and less bass slam vs. using the fixed mode to my preamp.

I'm going to do more back and forth listening later this week.

Edit: quotes got messed up.

[KeithL]

Honestly, I would be inclined to suspect that the preamp was boosting the upper midrange just a tiny bit - which will produce an apparent increase in "brightness" AND "detail" - and removing it eliminated this effect. The reality is that any component will produce some change - which may or may not be audible. (People argue endlessly about "what amount of change is audible", but even a slight boost in treble, which may not be audible as a difference in frequency response, may still be audible as "more detail".) Passive components (like resistors) generally produce the least amount of difference; and even moderately good resistors are more transparent than all but the best active components. (And "additive math logic" applies; if adding a component produces a change, and removing it removes the change, then the component itself usually is changing something.)

When you connect an interconnect cable, or another component, to the output of a FULLY PASSIVE preamp - which is really just a set of resistors - you may also get changes because of how the resistance interacts with the capacitance of the interconnect cable itself - and because the source impedance will actually change significantly depending on the setting. However, this specific interaction will not happen with the DC-1 (the DC-1's resistor ladder volume network is followed by an active buffer stage, so the output of the DC-1 shouldn't be subject to load interactions - the DC-1 doesn't significantly change output impedance at different volume settings).

[KeithL]

The most recent (Unified) drivers support WASAPI PUSH mode (but not WASAPI EVENT) - so you have to select "disable Event Style" under device config (in jRiver).
(It will be on the device properties page - which you will only see once you have selected our DAC and WASAPI mode.)
If you really want to try WASAPI EVENT mode, then you can use the older drivers (which, however, don't support Windows 8).
(I don't hear any difference in sound between them...)

WASAPI is intended to be a bit perfect mode - so, since changing levels or balance requires changing bits, Windows disables those controls in WASAPI mode.
(Although some players may allow you to make changes in the player - before Windows gets control of the audio stream.)

In principle, this should work equally in USB as well as other modes, but that will of course depend on the player program you're using.
Windows itself should disable all controls and "special effects" in WASAPI mode.

Mar 2, 2014 13:59:25 GMT -5 eclypse said:

Mar 2, 2014 0:42:31 GMT -5 garbulky said:

What I mentioned definitely works. Because I am did it myself before reporting.
As long as:
It's not USB output.
You do not use wasapi.
If you do it won't work.

It will wotk with waspi as long as u set something called " stop events" or whatever ita called in the options. Also theres an option in jriver to change the speaker levels and distances in the speaker configuration.

[eclypse]

Mar 4, 2014 11:16:11 GMT -5 KeithL said:

The most recent (Unified) drivers support WASAPI PUSH mode (but not WASAPI EVENT) - so you have to select "disable Event Style" under device config (in jRiver).
(It will be on the device properties page - which you will only see once you have selected our DAC and WASAPI mode.)
If you really want to try WASAPI EVENT mode, then you can use the older drivers (which, however, don't support Windows 8).
(I don't hear any difference in sound between them...)

WASAPI is intended to be a bit perfect mode - so, since changing levels or balance requires changing bits, Windows disables those controls in WASAPI mode.
(Although some players may allow you to make changes in the player - before Windows gets control of the audio stream.)

In principle, this should work equally in USB as well as other modes, but that will of course depend on the player program you're using.
Windows itself should disable all controls and "special effects" in WASAPI mode.

Mar 2, 2014 13:59:25 GMT -5 eclypse said:

It will wotk with waspi as long as u set something called " stop events" or whatever ita called in the options. Also theres an option in jriver to change the speaker levels and distances in the speaker configuration.

Where does one get the older drivers so o can hear the difference?

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Mar 4, 2014 10:47:34 GMT -5 KeithL said:

Honestly, I would be inclined to suspect that the preamp was boosting the upper midrange just a tiny bit - which will produce an apparent increase in "brightness" AND "detail" - and removing it eliminated this effect. The reality is that any component will produce some change - which may or may not be audible. (People argue endlessly about "what amount of change is audible", but even a slight boost in treble, which may not be audible as a difference in frequency response, may still be audible as "more detail".) Passive components (like resistors) generally produce the least amount of difference; and even moderately good resistors are more transparent than all but the best active components. (And "additive math logic" applies; if adding a component produces a change, and removing it removes the change, then the component itself usually is changing something.)

When you connect an interconnect cable, or another component, to the output of a FULLY PASSIVE preamp - which is really just a set of resistors - you may also get changes because of how the resistance interacts with the capacitance of the interconnect cable itself - and because the source impedance will actually change significantly depending on the setting. However, this specific interaction will not happen with the DC-1 (the DC-1's resistor ladder volume network is followed by an active buffer stage, so the output of the DC-1 shouldn't be subject to load interactions - the DC-1 doesn't significantly change output impedance at different volume settings).

It’s possible that the Cambridge pre is adding something or that the DC-1 variable output is subtracting something. I mean this is a hypothetical way, as I have no objective evidence for either case.

I’m open to the possibility that the DC-1 variable output is more neutral or accurate, but my ears and brain were telling me that something was missing.

Is there any additional circuitry in the signal path using the variable output? Is there an additional gain stage vs. using the fixed output?  Does the volume control attenuate the output in variable mode and also fix the volume to 0 in fixed mode?  I’m trying to understand if there are any significant circuit differences that could explain fixed vs. variable sound differences.

[KeithL]

You can get them at the bottom of the XDA-2 product page:

Emotiva XDA-2 Drivers Archive 11/27/2012 (.rar)


(The XDA-2 and DC-1 use the same drivers.)

Mar 4, 2014 11:41:42 GMT -5 eclypse said:

Mar 4, 2014 11:16:11 GMT -5 KeithL said:

The most recent (Unified) drivers support WASAPI PUSH mode (but not WASAPI EVENT) - so you have to select "disable Event Style" under device config (in jRiver).
(It will be on the device properties page - which you will only see once you have selected our DAC and WASAPI mode.)
If you really want to try WASAPI EVENT mode, then you can use the older drivers (which, however, don't support Windows 8).
(I don't hear any difference in sound between them...)

WASAPI is intended to be a bit perfect mode - so, since changing levels or balance requires changing bits, Windows disables those controls in WASAPI mode.
(Although some players may allow you to make changes in the player - before Windows gets control of the audio stream.)

In principle, this should work equally in USB as well as other modes, but that will of course depend on the player program you're using.
Windows itself should disable all controls and "special effects" in WASAPI mode.

Where does one get the older drivers so o can hear the difference?