XDA-2 VS DC-1

[aussiejosh]

I'm new to the audio game so this may sound like a stupid question but, other than extra features when it comes down to pure performance is there much difference sound quality wise between the two and if there is could you put it in % for me. Cheers guys.

[hemster]

Josh, it's hard to put a number on it as sound quality is perceived differently by different people. I continue to own both the XDA-2 and the DC-1 and to me the DC-1 has increased clarity and depth over the XDA-2. Depending on your other gear, speakers, listening preferences, type of music etc. it may well be very different for you. 

[stads77]

I say you stick with the XDA-2 and get that USP-1 in your previous thread. This would be a great digital and analog setup for you. If you do go this route, keep us informed on your thoughts please.

[aussiejosh]

Thanks, Hemster. Yeah I realise it's a difficult question to answer as it's so subjective. I have a UPA-200, Bower and Wilkins 685's and possibly a USP-1. My taste in music is varied but here are a few. Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Tom Petty, Alice In Chains, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen. I do listen to metal on occasion and some 90's hip hop but it's mostly 70's 80's classic rock and 90's alt rock. I've already purchased the XDA-2, so I'm just wondering whether it's worth the hassle to send it back and wait the 9 days to receive the DC-1. Do Emotiva allow you to test the gear and send it back for a different product?. Thanks for the reply

[sancho89]

i found the dc-1 to have more bass.

[garbulky]

I would echo what hemster said. In my system, the DC-1 had all what he said. I also noticed a nice somehwat "3d" like body to the instruments. Also the soundstage was more coherent. For instance when the instruments played they were part of the same stage rather than just points on the soundstage.
It's main negative is that at soft volumes it's not quite as balanced as say using a XSP-1 in the chain with it. (It was a bit bass heavy).
It also has a significantly better pre-amp section than the XDA-2.
All that was in my room in my experience. I have known at least two friends who have good setups who did not notice any positive difference. A lot of things can cause any differences not to be heard. So it's very possible you may experience what my friends did. But I still think the DC-1 is a very nice value and worth a try. It's headphone amp alone makes up the price difference imo.
Also if you are worried about lack of inputs. In real world useage, the DC-1 only lacks one input that the XDA-2 has. That's because the DC-1 has an exra coax connection that isn't overtly mentioned. It is the BNC input which can be used with a cheap $5 BNC to RCA adapter.

[Deleted]

Aug 7, 2014 9:46:59 GMT -5 aussiejosh said:

Thanks, Hemster. Yeah I realise it's a difficult question to answer as it's so subjective. I have a UPA-200, Bower and Wilkins 685's and possibly a USP-1. My taste in music is varied but here are a few. Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Tom Petty, Alice In Chains, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen. I do listen to metal on occasion and some 90's hip hop but it's mostly 70's 80's classic rock and 90's alt rock. I've already purchased the XDA-2, so I'm just wondering whether it's worth the hassle to send it back and wait the 9 days to receive the DC-1. Do Emotiva allow you to test the gear and send it back for a different product?. Thanks for the reply

Like 100% subjective.  I own the XDA-2 but not the DC-1.  I'm a born skeptic and the A/B comparisons I've done usually confirm my skepticism. There is only one way to know and that is to order the DC-1 (while you still have the XDA-2, then keep the one you like best and return the other) and do your own A/B the best you can (with a helper if possible).  Don't get too caught up in the minute details and never ending arguments about A/B versus A/B double blind, A/BX, etc.  Simply see if you can really hear any consistent difference not knowing which DAC is being used.  If you find the A/B is too difficult to do then simply have a helper switch to either DAC and then you walk into the room, sit down and now can you tell which one is playing?  Can you tell the difference more than 6 out of 10 times or many more times?  My bet and experience with DAC's is you will hear zero difference unless perhaps you use a very high quality set of headphones to do the comparison.  Keep the XDA-2 or DC-1 based on size, features, looks or whatever appeals to you and not what you might imagine you hear or not hear.      

I love my XDA-2 for many reasons  and it looks like there is about a $280 difference in price right now and that makes up my mind in a big hurry!    
  

[hemster]

Josh, I didn't realise you've already purchased the XDA-2. While Emotiva do allow you to return equipment within the 30-day trial period, in this case, I would just keep the XDA-2 since the difference in $ amount (not only the price but also shipping) may not be worth the hassle.

[roadrunner]

Aug 7, 2014 9:46:59 GMT -5 aussiejosh said:

Thanks, Hemster. Yeah I realise it's a difficult question to answer as it's so subjective. I have a UPA-200, Bower and Wilkins 685's and possibly a USP-1. My taste in music is varied but here are a few. Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Tom Petty, Alice In Chains, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen. I do listen to metal on occasion and some 90's hip hop but it's mostly 70's 80's classic rock and 90's alt rock. I've already purchased the XDA-2, so I'm just wondering whether it's worth the hassle to send it back and wait the 9 days to receive the DC-1. Do Emotiva allow you to test the gear and send it back for a different product?. Thanks for the reply

Josh, if you have decided to go with the USP-1 I would definitely opt for the XDA-2. I might even go with the XDA-2 even if you don't purchase the USP-1. I own both the USP-1 and the XDA-2 and find them to be an excellent combo. Any advantage the DC-1 may have would be very minimal, at best. I also have the XSP-1 and when I use it with the XDA-2 the listening experience is pure heaven.

The DC-1 is also an excellent choice, but you have to weigh whether its cost and non standard size present a problem to you. Some Lounge members report that the DC-1 sounds better than the XDA-2, but most report little to no advantage. The USP-1/XDA-2 combo offer far more flexibility. Not knowing what your future expansion plans are makes it difficult to know what to advise you to do. Which ever choice you make will give you outstanding sound quality. Have fun and enjoy you music.

[GreenKiwi]

Aug 7, 2014 9:46:59 GMT -5 aussiejosh said:

Thanks, Hemster. Yeah I realise it's a difficult question to answer as it's so subjective. I have a UPA-200, Bower and Wilkins 685's and possibly a USP-1. My taste in music is varied but here are a few. Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Tom Petty, Alice In Chains, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen. I do listen to metal on occasion and some 90's hip hop but it's mostly 70's 80's classic rock and 90's alt rock. I've already purchased the XDA-2, so I'm just wondering whether it's worth the hassle to send it back and wait the 9 days to receive the DC-1. Do Emotiva allow you to test the gear and send it back for a different product?. Thanks for the reply

If you are within your 30 day window, I'd think very seriously about sending it back and getting the DC-1. But I'd do it because of it's great headphone amp and analog input...

[audiobill]

I think the decision is related to how highly resolving the rest of your system is, and the kind of music you listen to.

In my case, the DC-1 was clearly better for the reasons already stated.

[Deleted]

Yeah, don't forget how resolving your ears are.