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Post by garbulky on Feb 25, 2015 17:24:05 GMT -5
I would do fixed. Or set the DC-1 to 0.0 db volume. That is the line out volume of it.
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Post by milsap195 on Feb 25, 2015 21:50:41 GMT -5
It worked best for me on fixed, when I tried the same set up. Thanks - what did you think of that combo? Did you compare it to the DC-1 by itself? I thought they were both very good but felt the xsp-1 gave a little more detail and a deeper image. The small display on the dc was a pain. At the time I was using a sub and needed the bass management as well. In addition I knew I was getting a turntable and would be needing the phono stage. Also at the time I was doing this the system was fully balanced with the 1l, xsp, oppo 105 and dc-1. What I would do was to run the oppo analog outs to the xsp and the optical and coax to the dc-1 so I could compare and switch on the fly between the two Dac's. On both units i tried using the fixed and variable setting out to the xsp. On both units in my opinion you lost a little bit of the detail verses running fixed out. It was not night and day but you could tell. If you were just doing digital and didn't need the bass mgt the dc1 would work fine and wouldn't miss a beat. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 26, 2015 8:32:52 GMT -5
The main virtue of the preamp, IMHO, is the bass management and input flexibility. I can say that my XSP-1 (generation 2) does slightly change the sound quality compared to my Oppo BDP-105 driving my XPA-1Ls directly. garbulky summed it up well when he said that the sound, with the preamp in the system, is more "solid" than without. Could I reliably differentiate the two in a double-blind test? Probably not. This is, by the way, a STRONG endorsement of the XSP-1's neutrality - it doesn't seem to add or subtract much from the signal! So what did I actually get for my $1K spent on a preamp? I got the bass management (well worth the price of the preamp by itself, since I use a sub). I got the ability to use a turntable if I want to (I haven't wanted to yet, but who knows...). I got the ability to run more than one input at a time (again, I haven't used this feature yet, but I may start using my Apple Airport Express with an external, TOSLINK DAC for online streaming). And finally, I got the option of using tone controls (I don't - but on some poorly-recorded material, they might be OK). So was it worth the money? For me, probably yes. But if I were on a tight budget, the Oppo plays well directly into the power amps too... If this isn't sounding like a ringing endorsement of the XSP-1, then I apologize - The XSP-1 does deserve a ringing endorsement. It does everything a preamp should do without introducing audible artifacts (other than the slightly greater solidity of soundstage mentioned in the first paragraph - which isn't a negative, IMHO). The bottom line question is: Do you really need any of the preamp's features? If so, then the XSP-1 is one of the very best options on the market (particularly for its price). If you really don't need a preamp, then save your $1K and use it on something else. My system did need a preamp, and I've been VERY happy with the Emotiva one. |
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Post by vcautokid on Feb 26, 2015 9:27:39 GMT -5
There are some combo DACs and Preamplifiers out there too, but cost more, but don't sound better than the XSP-1, and DC-1 combo. Even it was the same money the optimization of the DC-1, and XSP-1, and their isolation of the vs. A combination which is a compromise. I.e. sharing the same main power supply, less optimized DAC inside etc.
Separates together rule.
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Post by cincymat on Feb 26, 2015 11:29:49 GMT -5
I have this exact set up. DC-1, XSP-1 (gen2) and XPA-1L amps. I find the sound quality to be best running the DC-1 at -7db through the XSP-1 to the XPA-1L's. The DC-1, IMHO, tries to over drive the inputs on the XPA-1L's when I listened to mine. Anything over about -15db sounded very harsh. I've not tried to check the exact output of the DC-1 but I suspect when set at 0 db it's higher than the input rating of the amps.
Mark
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Post by jumper on Feb 27, 2015 12:12:57 GMT -5
My XSP-1 is arriving today, I'll do some listening this weekend and will post comparisons next week.
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Post by jumper on Feb 27, 2015 13:24:39 GMT -5
No listening yet but I want to point out how annoying it is on the XSP-1 that the left output connection is on the right and the right output is on the left. My XLR cables therefor are crossing each other, I'm a little OCD when it comes to cable management so I did groan a bit as I just started plugging everything in.
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Post by rob80b on Feb 27, 2015 14:17:06 GMT -5
No listening yet but I want to point out how annoying it is on the XSP-1 that the left output connection is on the right and the right output is on the left. My XLR cables therefor are crossing each other, ...... Yep, swapped out some XLR cables last week and couldn't figure out what bothering me...my sound stage got flipped...sure enough forgot left is right and right is left when looking down from the top.  |
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Post by r35 on Sept 19, 2017 17:27:09 GMT -5
Any update on this comparison jumper? Cheers
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Post by sheetmetalworker on Sept 19, 2017 19:30:39 GMT -5
go with the dc1 if you have just one source.
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hemster
Global Moderator 
Particle Manufacturer
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Posts: 51,950
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Post by hemster on Sept 19, 2017 19:55:24 GMT -5
go with the dc1 if you have just one source. Or if the OP can swing it.. the DC-2. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Sept 19, 2017 20:19:54 GMT -5
But since the DC-2 is still "vaporware," and may yet be for some significant time, the DC-1 (used, if you can find one), is the best "for now" option from Emotiva.
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hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
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Post by hemster on Sept 19, 2017 20:30:20 GMT -5
But since the DC-2 is still "vaporware," and may yet be for some significant time, the DC-1 (used, if you can find one), is the best "for now" option from Emotiva. "Vaporware" suggests it doesn't exist, bar the hyperbole! Also it confirms that you did not attend Emofest where we got to audition the DC-2. Granted it is not shipping yet but it is real. Oh yeah, very much so! In this particular case, the OP can keep with his DC-1 and plan to upgrade to the DC-2 when it ships. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Sept 20, 2017 7:41:51 GMT -5
OOPS - I thought that vaporware was merely a product that was promoted before its actual availability. I never intended to imply that there was NO DC-2, or that it wasn't going to get to market - only that it wasn't currently available.
However, reading the Dictionary.com definition:
"Vaporware - noun
1. Computer Slang. a product, especially software, that is promoted or marketed while it is still in development and that may never be produced."
I see that I've misused the term. Sorry.
I agree wholeheartedly that the DC-2 is going to become available (and I hope, soon).
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Post by sahmen on Sept 20, 2017 9:42:31 GMT -5
But since the DC-2 is still "vaporware," and may yet be for some significant time, the DC-1 (used, if you can find one), is the best "for now" option from Emotiva. "Vaporware" suggests it doesn't exist, bar the hyperbole! Also it confirms that you did not attend Emofest where we got to audition the DC-2. Granted it is not shipping yet but it is real. Oh yeah, very much so! In this particular case, the OP can keep with his DC-1 and plan to upgrade to the DC-2 when it ships. Hemster, are there any listening impressions of the DC-2 from Emofest provided anywhere in the lounge? |
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hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,950
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Post by hemster on Sept 20, 2017 19:20:02 GMT -5
"Vaporware" suggests it doesn't exist, bar the hyperbole! Also it confirms that you did not attend Emofest where we got to audition the DC-2. Granted it is not shipping yet but it is real. Oh yeah, very much so! In this particular case, the OP can keep with his DC-1 and plan to upgrade to the DC-2 when it ships. Hemster, are there any listening impressions of the DC-2 from Emofest provided anywhere in the lounge? I'm not sure, but they might be on the reviews page that klinemj posted. |
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