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Post by vinylnut on Dec 20, 2014 15:55:53 GMT -5
Hi everyone! First off I would like to say I have been very happy with my Emotiva gear. Presently own the gen1 XPA-2, ERC-3 CD, and the USP-1 pre. They produce at least to my ears the best sound in stereo for money you can buy today. I am considering trying the gen2 XPA-2 and was wondering if there are any sonic improvements. The gen1 sounds fine and like I said happy with the performance now. What are the major differences between the two and is it worth it to upgrade? Thanks Attachments:
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Post by garbulky on Dec 20, 2014 16:09:07 GMT -5
I wouldn't. What I would do is upgrade your USP-1 instead to an xsp-1.  The XSP-1 is more balanced top to bottom and an audible improvement. |
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Post by sahmen on Dec 20, 2014 16:18:20 GMT -5
I wouldn't. What I would do is upgrade your USP-1 instead to an xsp-1. The XSP-1 is more balanced top to bottom and an audible improvement. +1 ^^^What he said |
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Post by Poodleluvr on Dec 20, 2014 17:11:35 GMT -5
+1 on what they said. A better upgrade for you is to upgrade your preamp to the XSP-1. For your strictly 2-channel set-up w/o bass management like the XSP-1 does feature, another option for a more purist approach and less costly than the XSP-1 would be to purchase the Emotiva Pro DC-1 DAC/Preamp. BTW, I liked my first DC-1 so much--- I purchased another! |
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Post by vinylnut on Dec 20, 2014 17:51:16 GMT -5
Thanks for the replys. Can I connect a open reel tape deck to XSP-1? Also how would I go about incorporating a DC-1 DAC into the system? My computer is close by and I have recently ripped my CD collection to FLAC files. I guess I should mention I am still a stereo dinosaur(analog), but might have the oncoming symptoms of upgradeitis(no known cure).  Attachments:
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Post by ocezam on Dec 20, 2014 19:00:05 GMT -5
I wouldn't. What I would do is upgrade your USP-1 instead to an xsp-1. The XSP-1 is more balanced top to bottom and an audible improvement. Good advice.... |
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Post by ocezam on Dec 20, 2014 19:03:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the replys. Can I connect a open reel tape deck to XSP-1? Also how would I go about incorporating a DC-1 DAC into the system? My computer is close by and I have recently ripped my CD collection to FLAC files. I guess I should mention I am still a stereo dinosaur(analog), but might have the oncoming symptoms of upgradeitis(no known cure). Yep, hooking your reel to reel is no prob. You can go USB or optical from your computer to a DC-1 or most other DACS. I'll part company with Garbulky here. I think you can save a buck and lose nothing in SQ by going with an XDA-2 instead of the DC-1 for your DAC. From the DAC simply go XLR or RCA to any input other than phono input on the XSP. Simple. |
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Post by Poodleluvr on Dec 20, 2014 19:16:38 GMT -5
When using the DC-1 as a preamplfier, you are limited to one pair of analog RCA inputs. All the other inputs to the DC-1 are digital. You could use your turntable as an analog input, but the DC-1 does not feature a built-in phono preamp. That is not really an issue since you could purchase the XPS-1 phono preamp, E-club price is currently $126.90.
For your ERC-3, you could use the AES/EBU, or the coax, or the optical as a digital output to the digital inputs of a DC-1. The DC-1 E-Club price is currently $426.60.
The Emotiva Pro DC-1 Preamp/DAC and the XPS phono preamp together will run you $553.50 delivered at the current E-Club holiday prices.
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Post by garbulky on Dec 20, 2014 20:59:57 GMT -5
The strength of a DAC (I happen to have a DC-1) is that you can connect a lot of digital sources to it. For instance, your cable box, your blu ray player, your PC etc etc. You will simply hook the DC-1's analog output to the USP-1 (or XSP-1) and you are done. (remember to set the DC-1 volume to 0.00).
I reccomend a schiit gugnir, an oppo 105 or a DC-1 DAC. The DC-1 is really good in my system, but I have heard better (namely an XSP-1 connected to an oppo 105). The DC-1 has some features that stick out - especially considering its price. It has a dual headphone outputs, Dual DAC decoding chips, as well as non upsampling jitter reduction processing.
All good choices. The DC-1 may not be exactly what you want if you have a large room .... just throwing it out there - and I may well be wrong here.
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The XSP-1 is more balanced top to bottom and an audible improvement. 
