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Post by Cogito on Jan 16, 2015 20:56:45 GMT -5
Arrived today and set up and running within a hour. My first external DAC. CD and BluRay both connected via coax. Toslink and XLR interconnects also on the way. So far, and not unexpected, I haven't heard a bit of difference when compared to the built in DACs (which is awesome sound BTW). Then again, I'm only listening to 44.1kHz sampling stuff. My BluRay is SACD compatible, but I have yet to own a single disc LOL. Any suggestions for a well recorded/engineered SACD to purchase? Blues, Jazz, Classical, Classic rock are my preferred genres. Maybe some high bit rate stuff will allow this puppy to strut it's stuff? Also, no manual came with the unit. Standard for this unit?   |
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Post by djoel on Jan 16, 2015 21:52:59 GMT -5
Congrats!
Check out Willie Nelson "Stardust, Patricia Barber :Modern Blue, Santana :Caravanserai, Alison Krauss: Live...
D...
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Post by garbulky on Jan 16, 2015 23:07:43 GMT -5
Arrived today and set up and running within a hour. My first external DAC. CD and BluRay both connected via coax. Toslink and XLR interconnects also on the way. So far, and not unexpected, I haven't heard a bit of difference when compared to the built in DACs (which is awesome sound BTW). This is just me - if there isn't a worthwhile difference, I would return it. I previously reccomended the DC-1, which I think may perform better for you. Now what would be fantastic would be the oppo 105 but it is $$. |
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Post by Cogito on Jan 17, 2015 11:00:38 GMT -5
Arrived today and set up and running within a hour. My first external DAC. CD and BluRay both connected via coax. Toslink and XLR interconnects also on the way. So far, and not unexpected, I haven't heard a bit of difference when compared to the built in DACs (which is awesome sound BTW). This is just me - if there isn't a worthwhile difference, I would return it. I previously reccomended the DC-1, which I think may perform better for you. Now what would be fantastic would be the oppo 105 but it is $$. Well, in all honesty, the purchase of the XDA-2 was more of an inexpensive experiment than anything else, so the added expense of the DC-1 wasn't warranted. I didn't feel I needed an external DAC, but since the market for such devices has exploded over the past few years, I wanted to check out what all the fuss is about. Don't get me wrong, the DAC sounds great, but so does the Wolfson DAC built into my inexpensive CD player. I simply can't hear any difference. Again, my sources have all been 44.1 kHz so far and some high resolution material MAY allow the XDA-2 to strut it's stuff. Regardless, I'll be keeping the unit as it will give me the added versatility of allowing me to stream from high bit rate sources like Tidal in the future. |
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Post by garbulky on Jan 17, 2015 11:14:35 GMT -5
This is just me - if there isn't a worthwhile difference, I would return it. I previously reccomended the DC-1, which I think may perform better for you. Now what would be fantastic would be the oppo 105 but it is $$. Well, in all honesty, the purchase of the XDA-2 was more of an inexpensive experiment than anything else, so the added expense of the DC-1 wasn't warranted. I didn't feel I needed an external DAC, but since the market for such devices has exploded over the past few years, I wanted to check out what all the fuss is about. Don't get me wrong, the DAC sounds great, but so does the Wolfson DAC built into my inexpensive CD player. I simply can't hear any difference. Again, my sources have all been 44.1 kHz so far and some high resolution material MAY allow the XDA-2 to strut it's stuff. Regardless, I'll be keeping the unit as it will give me the added versatility of allowing me to stream from high bit rate sources like Tidal in the future. I agree that being able to hook up digital sources is an incredible benefit. Pretty much makes most of your devices have good quality dacs is always a nice thing. |
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Post by mercury on Jan 17, 2015 14:06:14 GMT -5
Nice setup! I've wanted to try the c7030..inexpensive CD player with a simple clean design and good Dac from what I've read.
Happy listening!
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 17, 2015 16:25:51 GMT -5
SACD's.............
DSOM Pink Floyd
Brothers in Arms Dire Straights
Girl in the Other Room Dianna Krall
Come Away With Me Norah Jones
Rumours Fleetwood Mac
A Night at the Opera Queen
Abraxas Santana
Hotel California Eagles
That will get you started.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by audiobill on Jan 17, 2015 16:25:54 GMT -5
Patricia Barber's award winning Modern Cool.
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Post by Cogito on Jan 17, 2015 19:42:18 GMT -5
Nice setup! I've wanted to try the c7030..inexpensive CD player with a simple clean design and good Dac from what I've read. Happy listening! Currently selling for $169.00 on Amazon, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better sounding or better built CD player. Looks damn good too! |
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Post by Cogito on Jan 17, 2015 22:00:08 GMT -5
Currently selling for $169.00 on Amazon, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better sounding or better built CD player. Looks damn good too! I just saw you have the C7030, Luv mine I got it cause of the DAC chip in it. Some people who have this unit don't know you have to run RCA,s out to use the Wolfson chip in it.
The Wolfson WM8718 DAC found in the C-7030 seems to be highly regarded just as the Analog Devices AD1955 DAC used in the XDA-2 is. It's no surprise to me that I can't discern any differences between the two. |
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Post by creimes on Jan 17, 2015 22:49:23 GMT -5
My XDA-2 Gen1 DAC sounds really really good and that's even passing through the analog stage of my 7030 pre/pro, I think I actually prefer it that way compared to straight to the Stealth 6's, I'm sitting here just mellowing out to some John Mayer as I type this  |
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Post by mercury on Jan 18, 2015 0:50:37 GMT -5
Thanks cogito for the heads up. Now I'm itching again to buy another gear just to try something new. It went down as low as $149 couple of months ago.. Should have bought it.
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Post by Loop 7 on Jan 18, 2015 0:59:21 GMT -5
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Post by skiman85 on Jan 18, 2015 17:01:58 GMT -5
I have been debating buying this DAC. I have the OPPO BDP-83 SE and the DAC is great for a dedicated cd player but would like to stream FLAC files from my MacBook Pro and think this would be a great cost effective way to do it. Wondering if this sounds like a good solution? Any advice would be much appreciated. I don't know very much about dedicated DAC's but does this sound like a reasonable reason to purchase this unit. I love everything else that I own from Emotiva.
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Post by creimes on Jan 18, 2015 17:05:04 GMT -5
I have been debating buying this DAC. I have the OPPO BDP-83 SE and the DAC is great for a dedicated cd player but would like to stream FLAC files from my MacBook Pro and think this would be a great cost effective way to do it. Wondering if this sounds like a good solution? Any advice would be much appreciated. I don't know very much about dedicated DAC's but does this sound like a reasonable reason to purchase this unit. I love everything else that I own from Emotiva. The XDA-2 is great for that(Multiple Inputs) and there are some XDA-2 Gen1's available here on the lounge for cheaper than new, used I would pay no more than $200 shipped as the new ones are only $269 shipped, in the USA of course. Chad |
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Post by Cogito on Jan 19, 2015 17:35:10 GMT -5
I have been debating buying this DAC. I have the OPPO BDP-83 SE and the DAC is great for a dedicated cd player but would like to stream FLAC files from my MacBook Pro and think this would be a great cost effective way to do it. Wondering if this sounds like a good solution? Any advice would be much appreciated. I don't know very much about dedicated DAC's but does this sound like a reasonable reason to purchase this unit. I love everything else that I own from Emotiva. The XDA-2 is great for that(Multiple Inputs) and there are some XDA-2 Gen1's available here on the lounge for cheaper than new, used I would pay no more than $200 shipped as the new ones are only $269 shipped, in the USA of course. Chad Or $242.10 if you are an E-Club member. Might as well buy a new one! |
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Post by mrchisox on Jan 22, 2015 14:50:56 GMT -5
I wanted a DC-1 but I'm not hating my XDA-2 Gen 2. I received mine as a late Christmas gift from my wife. She doesn't love my little hobby quite so much as me and would rather park her fanny in front of a great big TV so she hated the idea of spending the coin for the DC-1. As a 53 year old geezer I do miss having some tone control ability. I also kind of miss the Volume control knob and am finding the step ladder volume control a bit odd. Still, a friend of mine owns the XDA-2 Gen 1 and tells me he hated it at first but now loves it.
As for the manual, I didn't receive one with mine, either. I sent off an email to Emotiva and just yesterday received a reply from Cathy stating that I should have and that she would send one to me. I really think I love this company for giving me an avenue to hear quality pieces in action at a price that I can at least save for. My ears aren't so golden anymore that I am likely to pick up on any real difference in Emotiva or the big expensive name stuff. I'm positive it's superior to the crap sold in the big box stores for more money, and certainly much better built. And I don't mind that it is built in China. So are all those damn iPhones that the world loves so much.
I'm thinking of buying the ERC-3 this spring. I'm not unhappy with my Marantz and would keep it. I suspect most of you know how that goes. LOL My pockets aren't deep by any means but my music collection is pretty extensive and I do like to hear it the old fashion way.
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 22, 2015 17:26:48 GMT -5
Hi Cogito - Turn that DAC on and let it cook for two or three days. THEN see what it sounds like. I've never thought that any solid-state equipment was at its best until it was warm & stable. (Many disagree with me, but I hear what I hear). If it doesn't sound better after a "burn in and warm up," then I agree with garbulky - I'd send it back. I predict, though, that once it's broken in, you won't want to let it go! Happy listening - Boom |
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Post by creimes on Jan 22, 2015 18:12:56 GMT -5
Hi Cogito - Turn that DAC on and let it cook for two or three days. THEN see what it sounds like. I've never thought that any solid-state equipment was at its best until it was warm & stable. (Many disagree with me, but I hear what I hear). If it doesn't sound better after a "burn in and warm up," then I agree with garbulky - I'd send it back. I predict, though, that once it's broken in, you won't want to let it go! Happy listening - Boom My XDA-2 is always on, I don't trigger it with the rest of my gear as USB syncing can be affected then, just easier to leave it on |
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Post by novisnick on Jan 22, 2015 18:44:37 GMT -5
Hi Cogito - Turn that DAC on and let it cook for two or three days. THEN see what it sounds like. I've never thought that any solid-state equipment was at its best until it was warm & stable. (Many disagree with me, but I hear what I hear). If it doesn't sound better after a "burn in and warm up," then I agree with garbulky - I'd send it back. I predict, though, that once it's broken in, you won't want to let it go! Happy listening - Boom My XDA-2 is always on, I don't trigger it with the rest of my gear as USB syncing can be affected then, just easier to leave it on I like my DC-1 Toasty!!  |
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