DC-1

[thorcorps]

Jul 19, 2013 18:13:25 GMT -5 REN said:

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

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

Oh yes, I didn't read your sig before. Then I'd say definitely worth a try, especially at the new "original" price. It would sound better and also free up valuable real estate in your rack.

[GreenKiwi]

I'm loving it as my preamp.

I think that as long as you don't need the high pass filter for your main speakers, you are golden. Assuming your low pass filter on your sub works for you.

Mine works fine for me. I have it set to 40hz.

[REN]

i dont use any filters on mine no need for them i am thinking hard about it

[monkumonku]

Well now all this great talk about the DC-1 has me interested even though I hadn't planned on replacing my XDA-2. I was wondering if anyone could offer their impressions about the quality of the headphone output? There are a couple of posts in this thread that were favorable about it and I was hoping maybe those posters or someone else could elaborate? I have the Senn HD650's, same as Green Kiwi. Any thoughts about that would be much appreciated!

I have a feeling there is going to be a Schiit Bifrost, XDA-2, Bellari HA540 and UMC-1 for sale shortly...

[Poodleluvr]

I'm glad Emo reduced the price of the DC-1 from $899 to $699. To my recollection, the target was formerly priced to debut at $699.00. The 200 dollar price increase was a surprise. (From the last I heard in an e-mail from Emo, the DC-1 was supposed to debut 4-sale January 2013.)

I'm still an XDA-1 owner/user, and didn't purchase the XDA-2 because I'm not going to upgrade everytime Emo comes out with a new stated "reference" DAC.

I'd like a DC-1 but I'm holding off due to it does not meet my needs although I believe it's probably very wonderful sounding.-- I need 2 optical and 2 coax inputs and a trigger-in just like the functions on the XDA-1 & 2.

I'm going to wait for the Emotiva reference series DAC. Maybe Emo won't re-invent the wheel and just put the guts of the DC-1 into the new Reference series DAC chassis with all the selectable inputs and a trigger like the XDA-1 & 2. I would also like see a fixed output with no volume (preamp) control.

When the Emo Reference series DAC comes out, I'll be ready to upgrade from my XDA-1, and hopefully won't buy another DAC for the next 10 years.

[Golden Ear]

Jul 20, 2013 10:40:27 GMT -5 Poodleluvr said:

I'm glad Emo reduced the price of the DC-1 from $899 to $699. To my recollection, the target was formerly priced to debut at $699.00. The 200 dollar price increase was a surprise. (From the last I heard in an e-mail from Emo, the DC-1 was supposed to debut 4-sale January 2013.)

I'm still an XDA-1 owner/user, and didn't purchase the XDA-2 because I'm not going to upgrade everytime Emo comes out with a new stated "reference" DAC.

I'd like a DC-1 but I'm holding off due to it does not meet my needs although I believe it's probably very wonderful sounding.-- I need 2 optical and 2 coax inputs and a trigger-in just like the functions on the XDA-1 & 2.

I'm going to wait for the Emotiva reference series DAC. Maybe Emo won't re-invent the wheel and just put the guts of the DC-1 into the new Reference series DAC chassis with all the selectable inputs and a trigger like the XDA-1 & 2. I would also like see a fixed output with no volume (preamp) control.

When the Emo Reference series DAC comes out, I'll be ready to upgrade from my XDA-1, and hopefully won't buy another DAC for the next 10 years.

Is there "Reference DAC" on the horizon?

[GreenKiwi]

With respect to headphones, I've actually had quite a bit of time to listen and I am very very pleased with it.

I am not able to do a direct comparison with the XDA-2, as I don't have it any more, but I did find the XDA-2 a little wanting driving the HD650s when compared to my O2 amp and huge little dot tube amp.

The DC-1 is better than the O2, and is simply different than the LD, but in no way wanting. I chalk this difference up to tubes v solid state, I like them both. I've put in a few multi hour evening sessions with cans now and could not be happier.

It seems to have complete control over the HD650s presenting dynamics as well as the LD.

It also competently drove my beyer T70s, but I only got to listen to those for an hour or so when I first got the DC-1.

[Poodleluvr]

To my recollection, the Reference series is currently in-work. Right now, the Reference series is just amps, but I believe a preamp, DAC, and surround sound processor will eventually become part of the Reference series just like the X-Series and U-Series, and then their will be a complete Pro series.

[Golden Ear]

Jul 20, 2013 11:35:38 GMT -5 Poodleluvr said:

To my recollection, the Reference series is currently in-work. Right now, the Reference series is just amps, but I believe a preamp, DAC, and surround sound processor will eventually become part of the Reference series just like the X-Series and U-Series, and then their will be a complete Pro series.

Is Emo pro higher unit than reference series?

[GreenKiwi]

Jul 20, 2013 12:03:46 GMT -5 Golden Ear said:

Jul 20, 2013 11:35:38 GMT -5 Poodleluvr said:

To my recollection, the Reference series is currently in-work. Right now, the Reference series is just amps, but I believe a preamp, DAC, and surround sound processor will eventually become part of the Reference series just like the X-Series and U-Series, and then their will be a complete Pro series.

Is Emo pro higher unit than reference series?

I think that it is just more geared to the professional market.

1/2 width units like the DC-1. Powered monitor speakers. Etc.

[Poodleluvr]

I honestly don't know.

[monkumonku]

Jul 20, 2013 11:33:13 GMT -5 GreenKiwi said:

With respect to headphones, I've actually had quite a bit of time to listen and I am very very pleased with it.

I am not able to do a direct comparison with the XDA-2, as I don't have it any more, but I did find the XDA-2 a little wanting driving the HD650s when compared to my O2 amp and huge little dot tube amp.

The DC-1 is better than the O2, and is simply different than the LD, but in no way wanting. I chalk this difference up to tubes v solid state, I like them both. I've put in a few multi hour evening sessions with cans now and could not be happier.

It seems to have complete control over the HD650s presenting dynamics as well as the LD.

It also competently drove my beyer T70s, but I only got to listen to those for an hour or so when I first got the DC-1.

Thanks for your impressions of the DC-1's capabilities with headphones, which just makes it sound all that more tempting!

[thorcorps]

I had a few more hours to listen last night and a couple hours so far today.

I'm not even going to bother plugging my Vincent preamp back in and just stick with the DC-1 direct to my XPR-1's. After a week and a half of ownership and a couple of very small tweaks to my speaker positioning, it's doing great. For folks who only need 1 or 2 digital inputs and a single analog input, this is a great deal and is just what I was looking to find for my main 2-channel setup (super quiet DAC/preamp combo with lossless remote volume control).

I don't listen to headphones at home, so I can't comment on how the headphone section performs, Monku.

Since I'm not going to bother with any direct comparisons on the DAC/preamp side, now I just need to try out my TT with the analog input. I don't use my TT much at all, but at least the input is there for when I want it.

It might be a while before Dan puts out a "consumer" version with more inputs, because I don't think it's even been hinted at by Emo yet, just rampant speculation by forum members to this point.

While I hadn't planned on it, I may have to get another one for my HT setup and use the analog input on 100% as a HT bypass (anyone doing that yet?).

[GreenKiwi]

Regarding the HT side, I keep hoping that the xmc's dacs will be up to snuff.

For inputs, the bnc can easily be converted to coax if people need a second spdif input.

[wiskers]

I'm using mine connected to my xpa100's and it's great! And recieved an email telling me I'm getting some money back and a hat! I'm a very happy person. At their price this is an incredable deal. Now if I can find my glasses so I can see....

[Poodleluvr]

No rampant speculation by me, my ears still serve me well, not just in hearing, but in listening.

I recall Big Dan say that the Emotiva Reference line would be fully developed, and they were working on it. He didn't say what all components would comprise the Reference line up, but I'll speculate that it will include a DAC, a preamp, and a surround sound preamp processor, and I'll wait to find out.

I could get a BNC connector adapter and make two digital coax inputs work on the DC-1 work but I'm still short 1 optical input and I'm not going to jethro it by adding an optical switching box to make it work for my needs.

I'm just going to have to wait.

[GreenKiwi]

Interesting. Just saw this.

www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/391097-REG/Hosa_Technology_ODL_312_ODL_312_Data_Link.html

Certainly increases the price a little bit, but it would get you part of the way there.

[Poodleluvr]

That's an idea and would work. Turn one optical device into AES/EBU and then into the DC-1.

Here it is on e-bay for $83.79 and free ship:

www.ebay.com/itm/HOSA-ODL-312-S-PDIF-Optical-To-AES-EBU-Audio-Interface-PRIORITY-SHIPPING-in-USA-/271211707749?pt=US_Computer_Recording_Interfaces&hash=item3f257a3d65

I'll keep that in mind.

[thorcorps]

Jul 20, 2013 15:02:36 GMT -5 Poodleluvr said:

No rampant speculation by me, my ears still serve me well, not just in hearing, but in listening.

I recall Big Dan say that the Emotiva Reference line would be fully developed, and they were working on it. He didn't say what all components would comprise the Reference line up, but I'll speculate that it will include a DAC, a preamp, and a surround sound preamp processor, and I'll wait to find out.

True. Of course we're still expecting speakers with the ribbon tweeter as well. They need to move up to piano gloss finishes when that happens too.

[Poodleluvr]

The DC-1 has a digital coax input and a BNC input.

If you need two digital coax inputs and don't need the BNC input, you will need a BNC Male to RCA Female Adaptor.

Here is a gold plated one for a $1.02 plus shipping. Radio Shack probably has them, though not sure if you could get one at Radio Shack that is gold plated:

www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?seq=1&format=2&p_id=4121&aid=cse&CA_6C15C=1565852223