Use the XDA-1 with ERC-1 or is this redundant?

[ma5100]

Getting into Digital a little bit after being analog all these years so bear with me.

I am waiting for an ERC-1 to arrive, so I have not heard it yet. I currently have an Onix XCD-88 hooked up through the XDA-1, and it sounds excellent. My question is, if I end up hooking the ERC-1 thought the XDA-1 in it's place, am I getting any benefit? Or should I just hook the ERC-1 up direct and keep the Onix in the system? I have a limited number of inputs of course, and I can always bumpt the Onix out if the XDA-1 will be an improvement to the ERC-1

Thanks for helping out a newbie!

[garbulky]

The XDA-1 is supposed to be equal to an ERC-2. If you use the XDA-1, I don't think you'll notice a large difference between using the onix XCD and the ERC-1 as a transport. Though you will be able to take advantage of the AES transport option!
For a real step up in quality, I reccomend the DC-1. I've used it alongside the XDA-1 and the differences are worth it imo. Whether you will notice a difference in your system all depends though....

[kse]

I have an ERC-1 and XDA-1. I have the ERC connected directly to my preamp and well as connected to the XDA which is then connected to the preamp. I have A/B'd this many times and I can not tell a difference.

I just run the ERC utilizing it's on-board DAC and it sounds excellent.

*BTW, I have done the same with an ERC-2 and concluded no difference as well.

[Porscheguy]

I think all DAC's are redundant

[monkumonku]

Mar 20, 2014 15:23:50 GMT -5 kse said:

I have an ERC-1 and XDA-1. I have the ERC connected directly to my preamp and well as connected to the XDA which is then connected to the preamp. I have A/B'd this many times and I can not tell a difference.

I just run the ERC utilizing it's on-board DAC and it sounds excellent.

*BTW, I have done the same with an ERC-2 and concluded no difference as well.

Then your equipment must not be RESOLVING enough.

That said, I have had the same experience you have. No differences... and, with that said, I have a question for you: if you don't hear any difference then why are you eyeballing the ERC-3 and that Cambridge DAC magic thing? Do you really think there will be an audible difference? If you're like me, then you hope you will, but practically speaking, what do you think?

[kse]

Mar 20, 2014 15:31:42 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

Mar 20, 2014 15:23:50 GMT -5 kse said:

I have an ERC-1 and XDA-1. I have the ERC connected directly to my preamp and well as connected to the XDA which is then connected to the preamp. I have A/B'd this many times and I can not tell a difference.

I just run the ERC utilizing it's on-board DAC and it sounds excellent.

*BTW, I have done the same with an ERC-2 and concluded no difference as well.

Then your equipment must not be RESOLVING enough.

That said, I have had the same experience you have. No differences... and, with that said, I have a question for you: if you don't hear any difference then why are you eyeballing the ERC-3 and that Cambridge DAC magic thing? Do you really think there will be an audible difference? If you're like me, then you hope you will, but practically speaking, what do you think?

Haha....excellent question(s)!!

I had intentions of putting together a mini system consisting of a mini-X and the then all-new DC-1, because their chassis dimensions (width) were the same and I thought it would be cool. However I found the CA DAC Magic and liked what I saw considering it cost less than the DC-1 and had the ability as an option to stream via-blue tooth. I thought this would make for a very flexible little powerhouse of a system. Well, that never materialized and the mini-X has since been sold. I guess I can remove the DAC Magic from my sig.

I have interest in the ERC-3 because I suffer from the same disease as 95% of us in the Lounge. I certainly don't need it, but it's new and I do like the looks of it and wouldn't mind trying one out. I don't expect to notice any discernible improvement in audio quality however. If I ever buy one it would be a 'secret sale', B-Stock kinda thing.

[ma5100]

Thank you for all the input! I have noticed a HUGE improvement for the obvious connections, Fios box, PS3, etc, and a subtle but noticeable difference for the Oppo and Onix. I have used the same Amplifier/preamp that I first heard when I was 4 years old, and haven't found anything that sounds more involving and "real" (so subjective) to me, so this is like Christmas morning for me, trying this digital stuff!