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Post by pmd918 on Feb 27, 2015 14:20:56 GMT -5
I took the plunge and ordered my XMC-1 yesterday I am so excited!
Question I have is how to integrate my headphone rig.
Right now I use the following setup: MacBook Pro iTunes/Audirvana -> Schiit Bifrost -> Schiit Lyr -> Sennheiser HD 800. Connection between computer and Schiit is optical.
But I have a Mac Mini running as a media server that will be connected to my XMC-1 via HDMI. I still would like to be able to use my Schiit Lyr for the amplification stage. But I don't know about the DAC. Will the XMC-1 DAC be better than the Schiit Bifrost? If so, how do I connect everything for best SQ? If not, how do I connect everything integrating both Schiit units for best SQ?
The whole point, of course, is to avoid using the MacBook Pro.
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Post by vcautokid on Feb 27, 2015 14:30:13 GMT -5
The XMC-1 has terrific audio quality. I would run directly from computer optical out to the XMC-1, and run the Lyr from the zone 2 output. You can adjust the level of the zone 2 out to the line input Lyr. Adjust the volume of the Lyr for a comfortable listening level, and enjoy. Oh yeah be sure to select the listening source for zone 2.
If you want to employ the Bifrost continue as you are, sending the Bifrost line out to a line input of the XMC-1. The Lyr continues with the recommended connection method above.
P.S. I am under the assumption that your main zone PRE outs are already for you theater/music output signal to,the power amplifier(s).
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 9,961
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Post by KeithL on Feb 27, 2015 14:35:30 GMT -5
The Bifrost is a nice DAC, but I think the DACs in the XMC-1 will match or better it (I certainly wouldn't expect the Bifrost to be better). I assume you're saying that you want to use the Lyr as your headphone amp, right? If so, then just connect the Record Out of the XMC-1 to the input on the Lyr - that way you'll still be able to use the Volume control on the Lyr to control the level of your headphones. I took the plunge and ordered my XMC-1 yesterday I am so excited! Question I have is how to integrate my headphone rig. Right now I use the following setup: MacBook Pro iTunes/Audirvana -> Schiit Bifrost -> Schiit Lyr -> Sennheiser HD 800. Connection between computer and Schiit is optical. But I have a Mac Mini running as a media server that will be connected to my XMC-1 via HDMI. I still would like to be able to use my Schiit Lyr for the amplification stage. But I don't know about the DAC. Will the XMC-1 DAC be better than the Schiit Bifrost? If so, how do I connect everything for best SQ? If not, how do I connect everything integrating both Schiit units for best SQ? The whole point, of course, is to avoid using the MacBook Pro. |
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Post by pmd918 on Feb 27, 2015 14:41:02 GMT -5
The Bifrost is a nice DAC, but I think the DACs in the XMC-1 will match or better it (I certainly wouldn't expect the Bifrost to be better). I assume you're saying that you want to use the Lyr as your headphone amp, right? If so, then just connect the Record Out of the XMC-1 to the input on the Lyr - that way you'll still be able to use the Volume control on the Lyr to control the level of your headphones. I took the plunge and ordered my XMC-1 yesterday I am so excited! Question I have is how to integrate my headphone rig. Right now I use the following setup: MacBook Pro iTunes/Audirvana -> Schiit Bifrost -> Schiit Lyr -> Sennheiser HD 800. Connection between computer and Schiit is optical. But I have a Mac Mini running as a media server that will be connected to my XMC-1 via HDMI. I still would like to be able to use my Schiit Lyr for the amplification stage. But I don't know about the DAC. Will the XMC-1 DAC be better than the Schiit Bifrost? If so, how do I connect everything for best SQ? If not, how do I connect everything integrating both Schiit units for best SQ? The whole point, of course, is to avoid using the MacBook Pro. Yes, use the Lyr for the headphone amp. The HD800's really need the tubes to sound good (although I will obviously try the headphones straight out of the XMC-1). Thanks |
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Post by vcautokid on Feb 27, 2015 18:50:31 GMT -5
It is part of the fun to compare, and contrast of which is more engaging a sound for you. The Lyr, or the XMC-1 for headphones listening.
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Post by creimes on Feb 27, 2015 20:21:11 GMT -5
The Bifrost is a nice DAC, but I think the DACs in the XMC-1 will match or better it (I certainly wouldn't expect the Bifrost to be better). I assume you're saying that you want to use the Lyr as your headphone amp, right? If so, then just connect the Record Out of the XMC-1 to the input on the Lyr - that way you'll still be able to use the Volume control on the Lyr to control the level of your headphones. I took the plunge and ordered my XMC-1 yesterday I am so excited! Question I have is how to integrate my headphone rig. Right now I use the following setup: MacBook Pro iTunes/Audirvana -> Schiit Bifrost -> Schiit Lyr -> Sennheiser HD 800. Connection between computer and Schiit is optical. But I have a Mac Mini running as a media server that will be connected to my XMC-1 via HDMI. I still would like to be able to use my Schiit Lyr for the amplification stage. But I don't know about the DAC. Will the XMC-1 DAC be better than the Schiit Bifrost? If so, how do I connect everything for best SQ? If not, how do I connect everything integrating both Schiit units for best SQ? The whole point, of course, is to avoid using the MacBook Pro. Sorry to go off topic here for a minute but I do have a question for you Keith, I have my Mac Mini connected via USB to my XDA-2 so I can have a analog source for my PT-7030 so I am able to use my digital library for zone 2 and zone 3 on my 7030 as the 7030 cannot route digital inputs to the extra zones. What I wanted to ask you was could I connect RCA cables from the REC Out of my 7030 to one of the RCA analog inputs of my 7030 to use that analog input for the extra zones or would that cause some issues due to using the output and input on the same piece of gear(PT-7030). The only reason I own the XDA-2 is jsut to get around this issue, but if I could connect my Mac Mini via HDMI to my 7030 and set the REC Out in the settings to that HDMI and use the REC Out to the analog input and choose that analog input for the extra zones that would be great. Chad |
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 9,961
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Post by KeithL on Feb 27, 2015 20:41:19 GMT -5
The only issue that would cause would be the possibility of creating a feedback loop if you made the wrong combination of input selections (if you were to select that analog input for the main zone). I'm not honestly sure if the logic in the PT-7030 would allow you to do that or not... but I suspect not. I don't suggest you try it though... because, if the PT-7030 lets you do it, and you accidentally select that input for the main output someday, you could create a feedback loop that could potentially damage your speakers very quickly. The Bifrost is a nice DAC, but I think the DACs in the XMC-1 will match or better it (I certainly wouldn't expect the Bifrost to be better). I assume you're saying that you want to use the Lyr as your headphone amp, right? If so, then just connect the Record Out of the XMC-1 to the input on the Lyr - that way you'll still be able to use the Volume control on the Lyr to control the level of your headphones. Sorry to go off topic here for a minute but I do have a question for you Keith, I have my Mac Mini connected via USB to my XDA-2 so I can have a analog source for my PT-7030 so I am able to use my digital library for zone 2 and zone 3 on my 7030 as the 7030 cannot route digital inputs to the extra zones. What I wanted to ask you was could I connect RCA cables from the REC Out of my 7030 to one of the RCA analog inputs of my 7030 to use that analog input for the extra zones or would that cause some issues due to using the output and input on the same piece of gear(PT-7030). The only reason I own the XDA-2 is jsut to get around this issue, but if I could connect my Mac Mini via HDMI to my 7030 and set the REC Out in the settings to that HDMI and use the REC Out to the analog input and choose that analog input for the extra zones that would be great. Chad |
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bootman
Emo VIPs 
Typing useless posts on internet forums....
Posts: 9,358
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Post by bootman on Feb 27, 2015 20:49:27 GMT -5
The Bifrost is a nice DAC, but I think the DACs in the XMC-1 will match or better it (I certainly wouldn't expect the Bifrost to be better). I assume you're saying that you want to use the Lyr as your headphone amp, right? If so, then just connect the Record Out of the XMC-1 to the input on the Lyr - that way you'll still be able to use the Volume control on the Lyr to control the level of your headphones. Yes, use the Lyr for the headphone amp. The HD800's really need the tubes to sound good (although I will obviously try the headphones straight out of the XMC-1). Thanks There is definitely some voicing going on with tube gear and the Senn engineers because every Senn can I have tried sounded better with tubes. (I have yet to try the 800s though) But the fun part is trying different combos out to see which ones you like best. |
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Post by creimes on Feb 27, 2015 21:02:48 GMT -5
The only issue that would cause would be the possibility of creating a feedback loop if you made the wrong combination of input selections (if you were to select that analog input for the main zone). I'm not honestly sure if the logic in the PT-7030 would allow you to do that or not... but I suspect not. I don't suggest you try it though... because, if the PT-7030 lets you do it, and you accidentally select that input for the main output someday, you could create a feedback loop that could potentially damage your speakers very quickly. Sorry to go off topic here for a minute but I do have a question for you Keith, I have my Mac Mini connected via USB to my XDA-2 so I can have a analog source for my PT-7030 so I am able to use my digital library for zone 2 and zone 3 on my 7030 as the 7030 cannot route digital inputs to the extra zones. What I wanted to ask you was could I connect RCA cables from the REC Out of my 7030 to one of the RCA analog inputs of my 7030 to use that analog input for the extra zones or would that cause some issues due to using the output and input on the same piece of gear(PT-7030). The only reason I own the XDA-2 is jsut to get around this issue, but if I could connect my Mac Mini via HDMI to my 7030 and set the REC Out in the settings to that HDMI and use the REC Out to the analog input and choose that analog input for the extra zones that would be great. Chad I figured that could be the case just couldn't think of the terminology haha, do you guys take trade of a PT-7030 towards an XMC-1 haha, if I would have known of the digital input to extra zone nono I would have kept my UMC-1 and waited for the XMC-1 lol, I absolutely love the 7030's SQ and in my room with my ears beats out my XDA-2 but the zone thing is a pain as I had to purchase the XDA-2 so I would have analog source to the 7030 for using in my zone 2 and zone 3. Thanks Keith |
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Post by muadibe on Jun 5, 2016 13:48:42 GMT -5
The Bifrost is a nice DAC, but I think the DACs in the XMC-1 will match or better it (I certainly wouldn't expect the Bifrost to be better). I assume you're saying that you want to use the Lyr as your headphone amp, right? If so, then just connect the Record Out of the XMC-1 to the input on the Lyr - that way you'll still be able to use the Volume control on the Lyr to control the level of your headphones. I took the plunge and ordered my XMC-1 yesterday I am so excited! Question I have is how to integrate my headphone rig. Right now I use the following setup: MacBook Pro iTunes/Audirvana -> Schiit Bifrost -> Schiit Lyr -> Sennheiser HD 800. Connection between computer and Schiit is optical. But I have a Mac Mini running as a media server that will be connected to my XMC-1 via HDMI. I still would like to be able to use my Schiit Lyr for the amplification stage. But I don't know about the DAC. Will the XMC-1 DAC be better than the Schiit Bifrost? If so, how do I connect everything for best SQ? If not, how do I connect everything integrating both Schiit units for best SQ? The whole point, of course, is to avoid using the MacBook Pro. Let me ask you this: I am planning to have the output of Zone 2 play directly to the Headphone Amp ( considering Little Dot MKV8 or Schiit MJolnir 2) and have the main XMC-1 play regular HOme theater function? I think that is the whole point of the Zone 2 feature, but I just want to know if there are any limitations or quirks from people that have already tried the setup. And I called Lonnie when I bought the XMC-1 and he told me the DAC in the XMC-1 was top of the line on its own. But can I have the DAC working for both Zone 2 and the main outout? In other words is it powerful enough to handle two simultaneous data streams in conversion? Has anyone done this? BTW, my XMC-1 is very reliable in the time I have had it. Considering sending in for the HDMI upgrade. |
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Post by garbulky on Jun 5, 2016 14:43:59 GMT -5
The Bifrost is a nice DAC, but I think the DACs in the XMC-1 will match or better it (I certainly wouldn't expect the Bifrost to be better). I assume you're saying that you want to use the Lyr as your headphone amp, right? If so, then just connect the Record Out of the XMC-1 to the input on the Lyr - that way you'll still be able to use the Volume control on the Lyr to control the level of your headphones. Let me ask you this: I am planning to have the output of Zone 2 play directly to the Headphone Amp ( considering Little Dot MKV8 or Schiit MJolnir 2) and have the main XMC-1 play regular HOme theater function? I think that is the whole point of the Zone 2 feature, but I just want to know if there are any limitations or quirks from people that have already tried the setup. And I called Lonnie when I bought the XMC-1 and he told me the DAC in the XMC-1 was top of the line on its own. But can I have the DAC working for both Zone 2 and the main outout? In other words is it powerful enough to handle two simultaneous data streams in conversion? Has anyone done this? BTW, my XMC-1 is very reliable in the time I have had it. Considering sending in for the HDMI upgrade. You can definitely use that. But with those two amps I would use the fully ballanced outputs of the XMC-1. They have lower distortion. |
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Post by muadibe on Jun 12, 2016 11:35:27 GMT -5
Let me ask you this: I am planning to have the output of Zone 2 play directly to the Headphone Amp ( considering Little Dot MKV8 or Schiit MJolnir 2) and have the main XMC-1 play regular HOme theater function? I think that is the whole point of the Zone 2 feature, but I just want to know if there are any limitations or quirks from people that have already tried the setup. And I called Lonnie when I bought the XMC-1 and he told me the DAC in the XMC-1 was top of the line on its own. But can I have the DAC working for both Zone 2 and the main outout? In other words is it powerful enough to handle two simultaneous data streams in conversion? Has anyone done this? BTW, my XMC-1 is very reliable in the time I have had it. Considering sending in for the HDMI upgrade. You can definitely use that. But with those two amps I would use the fully ballanced outputs of the XMC-1. They have lower distortion. I have the same setup. I am using the Rec out because spent too much time trying to get the Zone 2 to work. Also, I want the ability to play music from zone 2 to Mjolnir, whilst at the same time my wife watches Roku. How can I make that happen. Please help. |
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