DC-1

[KeithL]

As most of you know, I listen to a lot of DACs - and I was surprised at how much of a step-up the DC-1 really is.

Of course, it sort of depends on what you're listening to, and on what equipment.

On my $200 AKG 'phones, the difference is there but isn't dramatic; on a pair of Stealth 8's it IS dramatic.

(We're talking about turning on the DC-1 after not listening to the XDA-2 for a week and going: "WOW! That really sounds better!" It really is kinda night and day.... and the XDA-2 is no slouch  )

[monkumonku]

Jul 19, 2013 11:27:33 GMT -5 KeithL said:

As most of you know, I listen to a lot of DACs - and I was surprised at how much of a step-up the DC-1 really is.

Of course, it sort of depends on what you're listening to, and on what equipment.

On my $200 AKG 'phones, the difference is there but isn't dramatic; on a pair of Stealth 8's it IS dramatic.

(We're talking about turning on the DC-1 after not listening to the XDA-2 for a week and going: "WOW! That really sounds better!" It really is kinda night and day.... and the XDA-2 is no slouch  )

Argh... stop saying stuff like that!!!

[klinemj]

Standing on a mountain side in West Virginia knowing mine will be delivered when I return is both satisfying and excrutiating

[geebo]

Jul 19, 2013 11:31:25 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

Jul 19, 2013 11:27:33 GMT -5 KeithL said:

As most of you know, I listen to a lot of DACs - and I was surprised at how much of a step-up the DC-1 really is.

Of course, it sort of depends on what you're listening to, and on what equipment.

On my $200 AKG 'phones, the difference is there but isn't dramatic; on a pair of Stealth 8's it IS dramatic.

(We're talking about turning on the DC-1 after not listening to the XDA-2 for a week and going: "WOW! That really sounds better!" It really is kinda night and day.... and the XDA-2 is no slouch  )

Argh... stop saying stuff like that!!!

Hmmm, don't you have some Stealth 8s?

[monkumonku]

Jul 19, 2013 11:41:34 GMT -5 geebo said:

Jul 19, 2013 11:31:25 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

Argh... stop saying stuff like that!!!

Hmmm, don't you have some Stealth 8s?

Troublemaker!!!

[geebo]

Jul 19, 2013 11:43:15 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

Jul 19, 2013 11:41:34 GMT -5 geebo said:

Hmmm, don't you have some Stealth 8s?

Troublemaker!!!

Hey, that's what I'm here for.

[focal]

I'm only looking at this as a DAC, but the analogue input really is appealing as the only other analogue input / source, is my TT. Would I need to keep my Cary preamp? The Cary was definitely needed to tame the digital material, especially poorly recorded ones. Curious how well the DC-1 handles internet radio or bad source materials?

thorcorps: Would the qualities of the DAC in the DC-1 translate over to using the Vincent pre instead?

[rainier42]

Received my DC-1 this morning and installed it immediately. Is replacing an XDA-2. My setup is Apple TV -> DC-1 -> XPA-2 -> Totem Hawk speakers. All I can say is WOW. Music is more detailed, and all this in a smaller package. Great job, Emotiva!

[REN]

i wonder if it would be worth just to sell my xsp-1 and xda-1 and just buy the dc-1 and just use it for my preamp i only use 1 analog input for my TT

[thorcorps]

Jul 19, 2013 12:41:02 GMT -5 focal said:

I'm only looking at this as a DAC, but the analogue input really is appealing as the only other analogue input / source, is my TT. Would I need to keep my Cary preamp? The Cary was definitely needed to tame the digital material, especially poorly recorded ones. Curious how well the DC-1 handles internet radio or bad source materials?

thorcorps: Would the qualities of the DAC in the DC-1 translate over to using the Vincent pre instead?

Sounds like we're definitely in the same boat in terms of potentially not using a separate preamp (TT is my only analog source as well). You probably would not need the Cary, just as I don't seem to need the Vincent, but you might still like the subtle way your current preamp colors the sound. The DC-1 is pretty much dead quiet and does allow the dynamics to come through. Some sounds, like snare hits, are really sharpened up closer to reality (a couple of songs really stood out - I think the drum intro on Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" was one).

For the last week or so since I got the DC-1 I haven't had my Vincent in the system at all (was using a DacMagic with it), just DC-1 straight to my XPR-1's. The volume control works well on the DC-1, but isn't as fluid as on the Vincent. Sometimes the volume barely changes when you push the button due to the .25db steps, but other times if you hold the button down a fraction of a time longer, it can jump anywhere from 3 to 8db.

It definitely seems to serve well as a preamp, I just haven't gotten enough time with it and haven't put my old preamp back in the path for comparisons yet to be sure where I'll end up. If I listen to Sarah McLachlan or Diana Krall, it all sounds fantastic. Rock and Metal sound a little different and I'm having trouble putting my finger on the differences, but that's where I think perhaps I'm missing a little midrange warmth that the Vincent was adding.

I also think that as clean as the sound is when only using the DC-1 that sometimes I'm turning it up a bit louder than usual and not realizing it. I hope to have several hours this weekend to spend with it.

[thorcorps]

Jul 19, 2013 15:14:30 GMT -5 REN said:

i wonder if it would be worth just to sell my xsp-1 and xda-1 and just buy the dc-1 and just use it for my preamp i only use 1 analog input for my TT

Probably, but you would still need a phono preamp for your TT assuming you're currently using the one in your XSP-1.

[GreenKiwi]

I'm planning on using my $100 emo bucks to buy the XPS-1 phono preamp. ;-)

[GreenKiwi]

Woot! It's now $699...

www.emotivapro.com/products/stealth-dc-1-a

And they are crediting all the current purchasers!

Emotiva is awesome!

I love my DC-1 even more =D

[Flunk]

Jul 19, 2013 15:45:40 GMT -5 GreenKiwi said:

I'm planning on using my $100 emo bucks to buy the XPS-1 phono preamp. ;-)

Good idea, I don't own a TT but this would be an great start. Just to find out what all the fuzz is about, old-school vs new- school. 

[Golden Ear]

Jul 19, 2013 15:54:05 GMT -5 GreenKiwi said:

Woot! It's now $699...

www.emotivapro.com/products/stealth-dc-1-a

And they are crediting all the current purchasers!

Emotiva is awesome!

I love my DC-1 even more =D

What cause the price to go down?

[monkumonku]

Jul 19, 2013 16:00:32 GMT -5 Golden Ear said:

Jul 19, 2013 15:54:05 GMT -5 GreenKiwi said:

Woot! It's now $699...

www.emotivapro.com/products/stealth-dc-1-a

And they are crediting all the current purchasers!

Emotiva is awesome!

I love my DC-1 even more =D

What cause the price to go down?

Big Dan.

[pawsman]

Keith,

I'm curious, some of the other "leading edge" DACs out there are using 32 bit chips, as I'm sure you're aware.
For example, the 32 bit ESS Sabre & the AKM 4399 are very prominent in higher end DACs, and even some mid priced DACs.
Is there any advantage to these or is it all just "marketing" and hype? I'm sure you guys took a look at these,
and other possible DAC chips as well.

pawsman

[GreenKiwi]

$699 was the original target price, maybe they worked out the numbers to have that be the number again.

[thorcorps]

Jul 19, 2013 15:54:05 GMT -5 GreenKiwi said:

Woot! It's now $699...

www.emotivapro.com/products/stealth-dc-1-a

And they are crediting all the current purchasers!

Emotiva is awesome!

I love my DC-1 even more =D

Fantastic! $899 was a bit of a stretch and they can always slowly go back up over time after the $699 "introductory price".

[REN]

Jul 19, 2013 15:21:53 GMT -5 thorcorps said:

Jul 19, 2013 15:14:30 GMT -5 REN said:

i wonder if it would be worth just to sell my xsp-1 and xda-1 and just buy the dc-1 and just use it for my preamp i only use 1 analog input for my TT

Probably, but you would still need a phono preamp for your TT assuming you're currently using the one in your XSP-1.

i have a phono preamp