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Post by Jim on Nov 12, 2013 10:43:00 GMT -5
Well, here in the land of "clinging to guns and bibles", PA, they to Ground shipments on Mondays, even Veteran's Day!  I didn't know that. Perhaps it's a regional thing? I thought it was just Fed Ex Home that doesn't deliver on Monday? (They deliver Tues-Sat) At least here, Fed Ex Ground is Mon-Fri, same for UPS Ground. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 12, 2013 10:49:35 GMT -5
THAT'S what I had wrong - Thanks.
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Post by dingdong on Nov 12, 2013 20:22:38 GMT -5
I have a pair of XPR-1's and are currently using Mytek 192 Stereo DSD DAC as preamp. It seems similar to DC-1, at least in form factor. It would be interesting to try DC-1 as it has a much lower price than the Mytek.
As I exclusively run digital, I can't imagine there being anything to gain from getting a XSP-1 and connecting the Mytek to that. However, it does look kind of nice, haha.
Seems like DC-1 works great, but how about XDA-2? It has more digital inputs, a bigger form factor which would suit the XPR's better, especially in all black finish.
What do you guys think about DC-1 vs XDA-2 as a preamp?
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Post by Gary Cook on Nov 12, 2013 20:50:51 GMT -5
I'm going to swim against the tide here, I just don't like the sound produced by a DAC connected directly to the power amp/s, the usual caveats being at the volumes I listen and on my equipment. They always sound thin to me, lots of detail but no grunt. Even with the volumes carefully matched the DAC direct method lacks punch, drive, hammer, impact, whatever you call it. All the stuff is there, it's just not fabulously alive with presence.
Near field, as in my home office, with the DAC connected directly to a pair of Airmotive 4's the sound is fantastic. But the same connection method (different DAC, amp and speakers obviously) in my lounge room it's a different story. I can see how some people might like it, but not me that's for sure. My best suggestion, as always, is to try it for oneself, only your ears know what you like.
Cheers
Gary
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kse
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Post by kse on Nov 12, 2013 23:10:08 GMT -5
Charles, do you still have your RSP-2? If so, mate it with that.
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Post by Gary Cook on Nov 12, 2013 23:17:50 GMT -5
Got the DC-1 hooked up direct to my amps. Listened to some very familiar CDs. No conclusion yet. I like a sub with my 2 channel and I can't use my sub with this dac so not sure what I'll end up doing.  As someone who has run 2.1 for decades, I agree, subwoofer management is essential. Cheers Gary |
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Post by GreenKiwi on Nov 12, 2013 23:21:33 GMT -5
Unless your mains can go low enough that you can just use the subs with their built in low pass filter
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Post by novisnick on Nov 13, 2013 0:00:18 GMT -5
Got the DC-1 hooked up direct to my amps. Listened to some very familiar CDs. No conclusion yet. I like a sub with my 2 channel and I can't use my sub with this dac so not sure what I'll end up doing. As someone who has run 2.1 for decades, I agree, subwoofer management is essential. Cheers Gary I gots ta have me subs!!!!,! He,,,,,,He,,,,, Peace, Nick |
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Post by novisnick on Nov 13, 2013 0:02:59 GMT -5
IMO was much better than USP-1. So I feel it should eat the UMC-200 any day. Some have reported it is better than XSP-1. I have found it to be the other way, but have to do some critical listening again to determine if it can eat the XSP-1 too. But where are your subs, just have to have them. $.02 Nick |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 13, 2013 0:19:05 GMT -5
Seems like DC-1 works great, but how about XDA-2? It has more digital inputs, a bigger form factor which would suit the XPR's better, especially in all black finish. What do you guys think about DC-1 vs XDA-2 as a preamp? Most who've heard both the XDA-2 and the DC-1 seem to prefer to DC-1. I've been very happy with the XDA-2 and for the reasons you mention haven't changed. |
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Post by Gary Cook on Nov 13, 2013 0:27:33 GMT -5
Unless your mains can go low enough that you can just use the subs with their built in low pass filter Valid point, in my case I have never owned a sub with a built in low pass filter. Cheers Gary |
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Post by TheMachinist on Nov 13, 2013 1:52:01 GMT -5
IMO was much better than USP-1. So I feel it should eat the UMC-200 any day. Some have reported it is better than XSP-1. I have found it to be the other way, but have to do some critical listening again to determine if it can eat the XSP-1 too. But where are your subs, just have to have them. $.02 Nick I am a 2.0 guy, and not sub curious for music.  You can delegate the bass mgmt to sub if you using only DC-1 and no USP or XSP |
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Nov 13, 2013 9:34:18 GMT -5
You can delegate the bass mgmt to sub if you using only DC-1 and no USP or XSP Please elaborate. I have no idea what you're saying. |
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Post by novisnick on Nov 13, 2013 9:39:06 GMT -5
Please elaborate. I have no idea what you're saying. I'm meant to say, " can you " not " you can " sorry about that. dosnt DC-1 have RCA so you can run to sub? Nick |
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Post by gravi on Nov 13, 2013 9:39:39 GMT -5
Technically, you are not connecting a DAC to an amplifier - the DAC feeds a pre-amp internally that is the connected to the power amp. In the case of the DC-1 and XDA-2 it is a DAC and pre-amp in one package. I'm going to swim against the tide here, I just don't like the sound produced by a DAC connected directly to the power amp/s, the usual caveats being at the volumes I listen and on my equipment. They always sound thin to me, lots of detail but no grunt. Even with the volumes carefully matched the DAC direct method lacks punch, drive, hammer, impact, whatever you call it. All the stuff is there, it's just not fabulously alive with presence. Near field, as in my home office, with the DAC connected directly to a pair of Airmotive 4's the sound is fantastic. But the same connection method (different DAC, amp and speakers obviously) in my lounge room it's a different story. I can see how some people might like it, but not me that's for sure. My best suggestion, as always, is to try it for oneself, only your ears know what you like. Cheers Gary |
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Nov 13, 2013 9:43:57 GMT -5
Got the DC-1 hooked up direct to my amps. Listened to some very familiar CDs. No conclusion yet. I like a sub with my 2 channel and I can't use my sub with this dac so not sure what I'll end up doing. OK, here is my second comment. I listened again this morning and I have really been giving this purchase along with my system some serious thought. Keep it or not??!! That is the question................ Love the DC-1-the way it looks, sounds, etc. My issue is not having a sub for music. So my question to myself is "why keep this when I can continue to use the OPPO 95 Sabre dacs for 2 channel which also gives me the use of a sub and the OPPO can be hooked directly to amps also. I could use the DC-1 w/o a sub as another option but truthfully, it didn't give me a $500 increase in SQ. I have 30 days so I will continue to listen, mull and make a decision before my 30 days are up. |
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Post by garbulky on Nov 13, 2013 9:45:45 GMT -5
lots of detail but no grunt. Even with the volumes carefully matched the DAC direct method lacks punch, drive, hammer, impact, whatever you call it. All the stuff is there, it's just not fabulously alive with presence. That's what I found when comparing the DC-1 (and XDA-1) direct to amplifiers vs using a USP-1 in. The USP-1 didn't have the transparency the DACs possessed direct but it really did deliver the dynamics. The difference was easily audible - at least in my setup. |
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Post by monkumonku on Nov 13, 2013 10:01:30 GMT -5
Please elaborate. I have no idea what you're saying. I think with that one you have to read between the lines. |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Nov 13, 2013 10:14:03 GMT -5
There is a common misunderstanding about what a preamp IS. A "perfect" preamp would simply be "a straight wire with gain"; in other words, it would not change the sound in any way - for better or worse. Of course, in reality - nothing is totally perfect. Also, in reality, most preamps have other features - like volume controls, and input switching, and even tone controls on some of them; the feature most people can't live without is the volume control. My point here is that a preamp is not intended to change the sound. In the case of an XDA-2 or a DC-1, their DAC circuitry and output sections deliver sufficient signal level to drive a power amp directly, and both include a very high quality volume control - together this means that they "take the part of a preamp" as well as being a DAC. All this means is that, since the DAC has sufficient output level to drive a power amp, and includes a very good volume control, you don't need a separate preamp (to boost the gain and add a volume control). Since the output stages of both the XDA-2 and the DC-1 (especially the DC-1) don't include a lot of other "preamp features", and do what they do very well, they are equivalent to a very good preamp. Adding a USP-1 to one of our DACs adds features, including the ability to switch inputs, and bass management, but it really shouldn't change the sound beyond adding some gain. (Of course, with some amps, and some source components, boosting the gain will move you into a slightly different operating range, which might sound slightly different.) However, when you connect the DAC directly to the amp, you are almost certainly hearing the flattest and most accurate rendition of your source possible. Technically, you are not connecting a DAC to an amplifier - the DAC feeds a pre-amp internally that is the connected to the power amp. In the case of the DC-1 and XDA-2 it is a DAC and pre-amp in one package. I'm going to swim against the tide here, I just don't like the sound produced by a DAC connected directly to the power amp/s, the usual caveats being at the volumes I listen and on my equipment. They always sound thin to me, lots of detail but no grunt. Even with the volumes carefully matched the DAC direct method lacks punch, drive, hammer, impact, whatever you call it. All the stuff is there, it's just not fabulously alive with presence. Near field, as in my home office, with the DAC connected directly to a pair of Airmotive 4's the sound is fantastic. But the same connection method (different DAC, amp and speakers obviously) in my lounge room it's a different story. I can see how some people might like it, but not me that's for sure. My best suggestion, as always, is to try it for oneself, only your ears know what you like. Cheers Gary |
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