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Post by garbulky on Jul 31, 2015 1:18:44 GMT -5
Good luck on your audio journey Gar. The trip is at least half the fun so strap in and enjoy the ride. Spend your money wisely and you'll have something that will give you pleasure for many years. FWIW I'm with the guys suggesting the XSP-1 if two channel is important to you. Its something that won't be replaced for many years - unless you opt into buying an XMC-1 or the upcoming XMR-1. I won't be buying one. While the gen 2 looks better IMO (its what I have) I think they are the same machine although I'm not positive about that. Spray paint the trim and volume knob! I've owned two USP-1's prior to getting the XSP-1 both are very transparent. Volume control is way better than the USP-1 - and since I use the HT bypass (rarely!) and like my 2 channel sans subs the USP-1 would no longer work for me when I bought the song towers. The frequency response with the USP-1 is hamstrung with that not-so-friendly bass control which forces anyone that doesn't use subs for stereo use with no options other than to switch interconnects come movie time - or suffer and use the 50hz bypass - killing low end response. I've been down a similar road over the years as what you're treading down (I'm 67) and I think I've found what really works well. The combination of the XSP-1 - Onkyo/Integra amp and the song towers have created a very nice setup. One thing I have to give you credit for - when I was looking for a DAC for my computer to XSP-1 I kept remembering something in your sig line and thought I'd give it a try. For $30 how can you lose? The Behringer UC202 is quite the gem. I wish more audio nuts would give it a try (just ignore the price-tag)- I think they'd be surprised. I was! I nearly bought an XDA-1 or -2 but dislike all the wires and space those things take up. Not to mention having another remote. I have 8 remotes next to me - yeah - thats a lot. The Behringer DAC didn't need one so I gave it a try. And I'm happy I did. Thanks for the kind words. I remember thinking the USP-1's had something special too. I feel the XSP-1's took what was special in the USP-1 and simply improved on it. A good job imo. I stumbled on the behringer because I wanted to use it for recording. At $30, I thought what do I have to loose? Well...apparently NOTHING. It comes in tremendously useful because of its flexibility. It has a decent headphone out (especially for $30) and I kid you not, I run my demanding sennheiser HD600 through them. Now the DC-1 does better with the HD600's but...I couldn't believe I could even get sound out of the HD600's at $30. Since it is USB 1, no drivers are needed so office use comes in very handy as you just plug it in and not worry about drivers. Also surprising, it's analog line input was very quiet. I noticed no audible hiss etc. Just a good clear input. Worked like a charm for what I needed. If you are handy with an iron then nwavguy has a mod for the UCA 202 which improves its headphone amplifier for its headphone out. Also very important for my work was a volume slider for the headphones. All of it just works. I haven't even tried the monitor option or the TOSLINK output. A reliable solid unit. If you are interested in those kind of mini space saving units, the audio quest dragonfly 1.2 (different from the 1.0) is also nice sounding. However it is a saber dac so if you don't like the saber sound, you may not like this one. I personally thought it was quite nice....
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Post by garbulky on Jul 31, 2015 3:32:21 GMT -5
Gar, i can tell that you are attracted to the regenerative power supply but i read that it shows some issues after a period of time, don't know the exact details why. Also looks like mr kingwa is discontinuing the line. I will just jump on a master 1 or 9 and don't look back Yes I am interested in the power supply. Do you have any info on the issues that it has had. That'ss worrying. I read that even though the line gets discontinued they will make it for you if you request.
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Post by brutiarti on Jul 31, 2015 9:48:20 GMT -5
Gar, i can tell that you are attracted to the regenerative power supply but i read that it shows some issues after a period of time, don't know the exact details why. Also looks like mr kingwa is discontinuing the line. I will just jump on a master 1 or 9 and don't look back Yes I am interested in the power supply. Do you have any info on the issues that it has had. That'ss worrying. I read that even though the line gets discontinued they will make it for you if you request. Gar, check here: www.head-fi.org/t/750318/audio-gd-he-series-he-9-he-7-he-1-he-350/30
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Post by garbulky on Jul 31, 2015 11:39:16 GMT -5
Okay thank you! Unfortunately scant info on the Audio Gd regen supply. Only thing mentioned was that PS audio had regen transformers that had DC offset over time. Still something I didn't know.
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Post by brutiarti on Jul 31, 2015 11:52:16 GMT -5
Yeah, they didn't really mention the audio-gd per se but is another thing to worry about and if it goes bad it has to go all the way to china.
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Post by boomzilla on Jul 31, 2015 14:10:07 GMT -5
Gar -
May I suggest an alternate upgrade path or two...
1: Upgrade your amps - How? INEXPENSIVELY! You already know that your existing Emotiva stereo amp is good in the midrange and treble - its only shortcoming is in the bass. Your speakers can be bi-amplified. Class-D amplifiers are superb in the bass, but not so good in the treble (unless you buy some fancy ones). Therefore - biamplify your speakers to maximize the strengths of the equipment you already own. Use the existing Emotiva amp to drive the midranges & trebles of your Axiom towers - and use an inexpensive but powerful "pro" class D amplifier to drive the woofers of your Axiom towers. A Crown XLS-1500 would be both inexpensive and perfect for your needs. Want to try it before you buy it? I have a spare XLS-1500 that I'll loan you. Nothing to lose, and you'll be (probably) amazed at the improvement.
2. Add a preamp - Yeah, I know you're foaming at the mouth for a DAC right now, but your existing Stealth DC1 works WELL in your system. So curb your Schiit fantasies, and buy an Emotiva XSP-1, generation two OR a Parasound HALO. Both have bass management that will put you on the road to what you really need...
3. Buy a subwoofer. Yeah, I know you're thinking that only two will do, but for the size of your existing listening room (and the spare space that you DON'T have, thanks to somebody buying tons of musical instruments on your behalf), a single sealed sub would add an octave of bass that you don't now have. If you get a larger room in the future, then consider adding a second sub. And there are PLENTY of excellent brands on the market - off the top of my head, I can think of Parasound, Hsu Research, PowerSound Audio, M&K, DefTech, Dayton, Velodyne, and SVS,
4. Once all the previous items are in place, THEN consider updating your front end. A turntable with a good cartridge and/or a DAC. The turntable is a better investment - DACs become obsolete overnight. Besides, you DID like the sound of Nick's analog...
Just my two cents...
Boom
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Post by garbulky on Jul 31, 2015 16:39:25 GMT -5
Gar - May I suggest an alternate upgrade path or two... 1: Upgrade your amps - How? INEXPENSIVELY! You already know that your existing Emotiva stereo amp is good in the midrange and treble - its only shortcoming is in the bass. Your speakers can be bi-amplified. Class-D amplifiers are superb in the bass, but not so good in the treble (unless you buy some fancy ones). Therefore - biamplify your speakers to maximize the strengths of the equipment you already own. Use the existing Emotiva amp to drive the midranges & trebles of your Axiom towers - and use an inexpensive but powerful "pro" class D amplifier to drive the woofers of your Axiom towers. A Crown XLS-1500 would be both inexpensive and perfect for your needs. Want to try it before you buy it? I have a spare XLS-1500 that I'll loan you. Nothing to lose, and you'll be (probably) amazed at the improvement. 2. Add a preamp - Yeah, I know you're foaming at the mouth for a DAC right now, but your existing Stealth DC1 works WELL in your system. So curb your Schiit fantasies, and buy an Emotiva XSP-1, generation two OR a Parasound HALO. Both have bass management that will put you on the road to what you really need... 3. Buy a subwoofer. Yeah, I know you're thinking that only two will do, but for the size of your existing listening room (and the spare space that you DON'T have, thanks to somebody buying tons of musical instruments on your behalf), a single sealed sub would add an octave of bass that you don't now have. If you get a larger room in the future, then consider adding a second sub. And there are PLENTY of excellent brands on the market - off the top of my head, I can think of Parasound, Hsu Research, PowerSound Audio, M&K, DefTech, Dayton, Velodyne, and SVS, 4. Once all the previous items are in place, THEN consider updating your front end. A turntable with a good cartridge and/or a DAC. The turntable is a better investment - DACs become obsolete overnight. Besides, you DID like the sound of Nick's analog... Just my two cents... Boom Interesting ideas B'zilla. I can see the validity in all of them. However I'd rather not bi amp with dissimilar amps. The subwoofer thing is actually a really good suggestion. There's such a variety of ways I could go with all this. It's kind of mind boggling. I think the smart choic ewould be to jump on XSP-1 but last time we tried the DC-1 with the XSP-1 at your place the results weren't very satifactory. Maybe it's because of an impedance mismatch or something I don't know. That's my main hesitation. But an XSP-1 would enable dual subwoofers etc... Hmm.... I guess the whole new amp has been my longest held desire. It actually happened the moment I heard the UPA-2. I went, this is so darn good I want to go better. That's probably my facination with the amps. Got to scratch an itch!
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Post by teaman on Jul 31, 2015 17:49:39 GMT -5
If you are interested, brubacca just listed a UPA-2 at a fair price. No mismatch worries when biamping with identical amps gar
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Post by garbulky on Jul 31, 2015 18:21:12 GMT -5
Thanks teaman. I plan to move up the line though. The XPA-2 may actually do very nicely in a bi amp setup (horizontal bi amping). However if I get to that point, why don't I just go with XPA-1 gen 2's right?
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jul 31, 2015 18:27:32 GMT -5
If you get to that point, go for some ncores!
Mark
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Post by garbulky on Jul 31, 2015 23:03:56 GMT -5
If you get to that point, go for some ncores! Mark Aarrgh you had to say that Mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am very interested in insane SNR specs on that unit, the excellent engineering, and also the low power consumption, tiny size. Pretty much everything that goes in to it! However I am worried because (I know, I know, you're not going to like this) but it's a switching power supply and class D.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Aug 1, 2015 5:36:40 GMT -5
Never fear...the sound is wonderful! And if you buy the parts and build a pair, if you don't like them you can sell them for about the cost of the parts to someone who doesn't want to build their own!
Mark
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Post by boomzilla on Aug 1, 2015 8:46:40 GMT -5
Hi Mark
Where do you suggest buying an N-core kit?
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Aug 1, 2015 10:08:31 GMT -5
Go straight to Hypex's website. They sell direct. You buy an amp module and a power supply (x2 for monos), then buy extras wherever you want. Extras include case, power switch, power cord/power input, speaker binding posts, and wire to go from amp out to speaker binding posts. I bought most of my extras at parts express and built my own cases.
Mark
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Aug 1, 2015 10:10:27 GMT -5
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Post by garbulky on Aug 1, 2015 10:10:39 GMT -5
I'm also intrigued by the ATI amps. But I haven't heard any reviews directly comparing the sound. Hometheaterhifi appeared to be somewhat dissapointed with the XPA-1 gen2's SNR when compared to the ATI which they raved over. But they didn't mention if the sound was any different.... P.S. Looks like those amps are pretty darn pricey. So they are probably out.
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Post by garbulky on Aug 1, 2015 10:17:19 GMT -5
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Post by boomzilla on Aug 1, 2015 12:03:57 GMT -5
Well, I bought my most recent amp (Hegel H80 integrated) based on MULTIPLE rave reviews in the audiophile press and guess what - My Emotiva rig runs circles around it (with a blindfold on, at a sandy beach). I'm not saying this because I'm on the Emotiva Lounge (Lonnie knows better than to expect obsequiousness from me). I've heard Yamaha receivers that sounded as good as the Hegel (and no, this is not hyperbole). So I'll have to be excused if I'm disinclined to believe either specifications or audiophile reviews. I'm going to have to hear one (and be mightily impressed) before I plunk down another red cent. To date, I've heard nothing at any price that exceeds the sound of my XPA-1L pair. And in this I include Quicksilver tube mono blocks, VTL Compact 100 tube mono blocks, Nelson Pass' Aleph 1s, the mighty McIntosh MC352 (although this probably was the equal of the XPA-1Ls, but maybe not their better), and a whole host of other amps that I can't even remember. On an absolute basis, regardless of cost, I'd put the XPA-1Ls up against anything I've heard (with my system, in my room). Although they might be bested by something, I've yet to hear it. Until I hear better (and I'm not holding my breath), then I'll continue to amaze friends & neighbors who only thought that they knew what good sound was. I'm enjoying music & having great fun. Thanks kindly to Lounge members who coached me toward where I am now: First and foremost - Mrs. Boomzilla - who allows me this silliness with good humor and infinite tolerance novisnick - who nagged me into mono blocks DYohn - who nagged me into room treatments & a preamp garbulky - whose honesty lets me know when I've taken any backward step & who taught me the importance of speaker positioning Mrs. Garbulky - whose ears are the sharpest I know of and many other Lounge members ( @chuckienut - Chuck Elliot - jmilton - monkumonku - cgolf - and to three times as many more whom I've forgotten to credit) for keeping me honest and calling me out when I'm stupid.
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Post by garbulky on Aug 1, 2015 12:09:07 GMT -5
And thanks to B'zilla. I still haven't a heard a better sound than at his place or been more exposed to unusual types of music. Like Balkan Beat box and that jungua song! And also educating me on the word obsequiousness
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Post by knucklehead on Aug 1, 2015 12:32:20 GMT -5
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