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Post by motobman on Jun 25, 2015 15:20:49 GMT -5
Guess I will order a XSP-1 then. Thank you.
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Post by novisnick on Jun 25, 2015 15:47:09 GMT -5
Guess I will order a XSP-1 then. Thank you. You will be very happy with the XSP-1! I think it's one of the best purchases I've made! And I am not selling it any time soon!! |
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 25, 2015 19:41:16 GMT -5
To my ears the XSP-1 is not a straight wire with gain. There is an audible difference in the sound (for the better). The DC-1 comes close to a straight wire with gain type sound with its analog preamp. I'm curious, is it possible that the DC-1 is a straight wire with gain, at some frequencies? While the XSP-1 is a straight wire with gain, at all frequencies? My problem is I don't have a reference point to compare to, I can't listen perfectly to what goes into my USP-1 therefore I can't say that what comes out isn't "a straight wire" representation. I could put it on the test bench feed it with multiple frequency signals and then compare that with its output. There should be gain, in signal strength, but otherwise no difference. But that's already been done, I seem to recall that the USP-1 measured distortion (the bend in the wire) was 0.002%. From memory (always risky) the DC-1 was 0.0003% and the XSP-1 was also 0.0003% (depending on input and output connections). They are all pretty miniscule "bends" and I don't have a lot of confidence that my ears would be good enough to pick the difference. As a result of the tweeny weeny "bends" in frequency I'm left with the thought that maybe it's the gain that isn't "straight". From listening I know that an XDA-2 has very small amount less of the midrange impact that my USP-1 does, that's with the total volumes very carefully matched. All the information is there, nothing is missing that I can hear anyway, the USP-1 just has an ever so small amount of extra weight in the midrange. Cheers Gary |
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Post by garbulky on Jun 25, 2015 20:58:39 GMT -5
To my ears the XSP-1 is not a straight wire with gain. There is an audible difference in the sound (for the better). The DC-1 comes close to a straight wire with gain type sound with its analog preamp. I'm curious, is it possible that the DC-1 is a straight wire with gain, at some frequencies? While the XSP-1 is a straight wire with gain, at all frequencies? My problem is I don't have a reference point to compare to, I can't listen perfectly to what goes into my USP-1 therefore I can't say that what comes out isn't "a straight wire" representation. I could put it on the test bench feed it with multiple frequency signals and then compare that with its output. There should be gain, in signal strength, but otherwise no difference. But that's already been done, I seem to recall that the USP-1 measured distortion (the bend in the wire) was 0.002%. From memory (always risky) the DC-1 was 0.0003% and the XSP-1 was also 0.0003% (depending on input and output connections). They are all pretty miniscule "bends" and I don't have a lot of confidence that my ears would be good enough to pick the difference. As a result of the tweeny weeny "bends" in frequency I'm left with the thought that maybe it's the gain that isn't "straight". From listening I know that an XDA-2 has very small amount less of the midrange impact that my USP-1 does, that's with the total volumes very carefully matched. All the information is there, nothing is missing that I can hear anyway, the USP-1 just has an ever so small amount of extra weight in the midrange. Cheers Gary Good observations. I have to tell you that if I could tell you what is causing the differences I hear I would be talking out of my rear. I am not an engineer of any kind and my technical knowledge is low. So....having said that and acknowledging I am talking out my butt when coming up with reasons to explain my experience....let's proceed. First I really doubt I can hear a difference between 0.0003% and 0.0002% Let alone 0.1% and say 0.3 % THD. So I don't think that's the problem. The XSP-1 if I had to criticize - and I really would be nitpicking unfairly at this point - makes the treble feel very slightly laid back. For instance things like the noise of air moving like when an AC system is running or soft microphone hiss is reduced unless the volume is raised. In fact at low volumes (when I can hear this using say the source unit) I have been unable to hear it on the XSP-1 - AT LOW VOLUMES. So hence I wouldn't call it a straight wire with gain because of the laid back in treble. However, lest it be thought there is some massive change with it cutting off the treble, it really isn't. There is plenty of treble. Just laid back. I actually find it the most pleasing unit I have encountered so far. Now of interest....this hsouldn't be happening. For if you look at the frequency response graph that XSP-1 is easily flat towards the highest of human hearing and beyond. The microphone hiss noise isn't anywhere near those very high treble (18khz, 19 khz) ranges...though it is in the treble for sure. So why it doesn't actually reproduce some of those extreme tiny tiny subtleties can be puzzling. Now the DC-1 on the other hand....does reproduce it via its analog pre-amp much much to my surprise. Neverthless what I'm trying to say is that...this should be most obvious on measurements but it's not. Neverthless, I've found the XSP-1 to sound superior to the DC-1. The USP-1 is also somewhat superior to the DC-1 in terms of dynamics and "gain". However I wouldn't call it the superior preamp. It does some things better while dropping the ball in natural reproduction (slightly) in the treble region. (note: major making it up as I go along starting right now!) I think one of the things that make the USP-1 and XSP-1 superior is its ability to drive a power amp. It can do it. And when it does do it...it doesn't get shouty when you raise the volume. It also has some serious dynamics (and weight) in the mid range. To the point that didn't believe until I heard it that such dynamics was possible. I think your observation of the weight in the mid range is spot on. It has presence. So more on "driving a power amp." Maybe it has something with that the impedance or load changes depending on either the frequency response on the input of the power amp....or maybe the output...the type of speakers connected which may exhibit all kinds of swings or changing the way damping works causes different "driving" requirements to make it sound "right." That's my best guess. Soemthing to do with DRIVING the power amps whose load changes or is tough versus simply putting out a signal. Let me reiterate I got not one iota to back it up. Keith would probably be laughing at me at this point. But I can't deny there is a difference  |
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