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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Sept 3, 2015 19:03:23 GMT -5
My DC-1 arrived today and I just hooked it up through coax from cd and analog out to XSP-1. WOW! I'm very impressed to say the least.
Dumb question, does it automatically upsample 44.1k red book cd signal to 192 or do you need a high resolution source? Just curious either way I'm very happy and satisfied with the way it sounds.
Jeff
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Post by garbulky on Sept 3, 2015 20:11:42 GMT -5
My DC-1 arrived today and I just hooked it up through coax from cd and analog out to XSP-1. WOW! I'm very impressed to say the least. Dumb question, does it automatically upsample 44.1k red book cd signal to 192 or do you need a high resolution source? Just curious either way I'm very happy and satisfied with the way it sounds. Jeff High Jeff. Okay so that's a two fold question. The DC-1 has an asynchronous jitter correction circuit. And unlike the XDA-2 (and a few other models out there) this one does not upsample the resolution. It passes it at the native audio rate which in CD's would be 44.1K. Now as for how the DAC itself does it, it is unknown. It may or may not then resample the signal to a higher resolution to process it. IMO unncessary upconversions should hopefully be avoided as you may run the risk of changing the original data. I'm glad you are liking the DC-1.  I found that after some time, the DC-1 can sound a bit better. However it is hard to say exactly when that is. What I do know is that when it does sound good, it sort of snaps in place, and you are like wow, that's all kinds of nice isn't it? So you KNOW when it sounds at its best But you won't know when it hasn't snapped in to place if that makes any sense. It sort of has a mind of its own - at least in my experience. However it does take about a day or two to even start doing that. The DC-1 has twin DAC chips in its device and I think this is the secret to its enjoyable sound Well that and the nice power supply. If you open up the chassis, you will be impressed at how nice it looks inside. You may also be interested to know that it has two independent headphone amps and an independent volume control between the headphone amp and the analog outputs. It's pretty built! Also its analog input is no slouch and you can use it if you ever run out of inputs on the XSP-1. (But you should use the XSP-1 first). |
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Sept 3, 2015 20:53:13 GMT -5
Yes that's what I suspected. I also own two Monarchy Audio DIP jitter filters and a Monarchy Audio upsampler (96/24). I'm thinking of adding them into the system before the DC-1 as an experiment.
According to theory and practical use each time you filter jitter (re clock the timing) the sound can improve. Obviously I have too much time on my hands but hey if it makes it sound worse I can just take it out of my system and run cd direct to DC-1. By the way I am very impressed with the sound of the DC-1 to XSP-1 out of the box.
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Post by garbulky on Sept 3, 2015 21:05:23 GMT -5
96/24 will not preserve the original information - that's for 48Khz audio. There will be some guesswork involved. To double the CD sample rate, you would have to use an upsampler that processes to 88.2 Khz instead (twice of 44.1 Khz) or 176.4 Khz. But ....if like most DACs the audio is eventually upsampled when it is processed by the DAC, then you would be upsampling twice.
Alternatively you could have an upsampler that basically has two modes the 44.1 Khz upsampling andd the 48 khz upsampling mode.
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Sept 3, 2015 21:52:33 GMT -5
Gives me something to look forward to playing with tomorrow night. I will try just the straight jitter filter and then play with the upsampler. If it doesn't sound any better I can put it up for sale and use the cash for more CDs.  ? |
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Post by garbulky on Sept 4, 2015 10:25:59 GMT -5
Whee!!  Or.....if you want to get funky....sell the power conditioner, voltage regulator, and the jitter sampler and get yourself going with dual subs. You will still be in two channel stereo and the dual sub bass is sublime! Not necessarily because it can go louder, it does, but the quality it lends to a 3d soundstage is really something to hear. My friend had a single sub (and dislikes things loud) and went with dual subs and even though it was the same volume the stability and clarity in the system was off the charts. Your XSP-1 is designed for just this stereo sub purpose! You can decide between running your speakers full range or using the XSP-1's bass management take some load of the speakers by using the cross over on it. www.powersoundaudio.com/products/xs15se^^^ That will rock your world in ways you never realized. Just pure quality! (And I do realize your speakers are full range. Doesn't matter  ) |
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Sept 4, 2015 21:08:14 GMT -5
I have two NHT SUB Two (dual 10's each with 500w Sunfire amps built in). I just haven't installed them into my configuration due to space limitations. I agree with you whole heartedly that dual subs is a must in a proper two channel system. My NHT 2.9's don't seem to be lacking in the bass department doing full range duty but I look forward to taking the 80hz and below frequencies out of my mains.
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Post by garbulky on Sept 4, 2015 21:11:53 GMT -5
Very nice looking subs!  |
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Sept 4, 2015 21:13:50 GMT -5
Ok so here is my latest configuration with the DC-1:
Installed it using coax from cd to Monarchy Audio DIP Classic jitter filter. Sent the signal via coax to DC-1 then analog out to XSP-1.
Noticed a substantial refinement in the midrange (more liquid) and the highs are more open and airy. Reversed it by deleting the DIP and compared it both ways. Confirmed my preference with the DIP in the loop.
I have no idea if everybody will share my enthusiasm but I really love the way this combo sounds!
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Sept 4, 2015 21:14:45 GMT -5
Very nice looking subs! Thanks! I've got two and they compliment the 2.9s perfectly |
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Post by garbulky on Sept 4, 2015 22:06:46 GMT -5
I bet they do!!!! I heard Boomzilla's setup. I don't know if you are familiar with him. He has the XSP-1 and an oppo 105 + XPA-1 L's to an Axiom m80 V4 which is a fantastic pairing. He couples this with twin powersound audio XV15 subs (in stereo sub output + crossover for sub) , with and the result is the best sound I have heard. I never thought that audio reproduction could be so "right". I am very picky with my sound and have rejected components that in any other rational minded person would have been fantastic for their applicaiton. So high praise indeed and the XSP-1 and the stereo subs had a large part to do with it. It's sort of like a jigsaw puzzle. Take away a piece of it, and though the sound is good, every part contributes to a really nice final product. I have no doubt that your dual subs will do the same thing. It looks like your setup is pretty nice too! I have had the opportunity to hear only a few different setups, almost solely because of my good friend (b'zilla's) experimenting with gear which is something that he and indirectly, I, enjoy! Enjoy the music! |
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Sept 4, 2015 23:19:44 GMT -5
I'm not familiar with boomzilla 's setup but from what you describe sounds awesome. Believe it or not I'm only using my just modded and rebuilt Carver TFM-55x which just came home from a chassis rebuild with higher grade caps and other audiophile goodies. The sound is more than satisfying to my critical ears.
My XPR-1s will be arriving from Fed Ex on Tuesday. Can't wait to hear them but I'm concerned that the Carver finally sounds so sweet I may not prefer the XPRs. I have not ever heard XPR-1s in person much less in my system. Hoping to hear a $3k improvement. Was hesitant about buying sight unseen or hearing unheard. Lol.
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Post by rtg97229 on Sept 5, 2015 0:05:10 GMT -5
The volume control on the DC-1 is underrated and it is rare for anything Emotiva to be underrated. If you only have 1 analog source, don't need bass management, and don't listen to vinyl it sounds the same as an XSP-1. Oh yeah and it sounds good as a DAC. I would say the DC-1 is the best price per dollar item Emotiva still sells.
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Post by Boomzilla on Sept 5, 2015 0:42:11 GMT -5
...My XPR-1s will be arriving...Hoping to hear a $3k improvement... Warm them up for at least an hour before you start listening for the first time. Happy listening! |
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Post by garbulky on Sept 5, 2015 1:42:06 GMT -5
The volume control on the DC-1 is underrated and it is rare for anything Emotiva to be underrated. If you only have 1 analog source, don't need bass management, and don't listen to vinyl it sounds the same as an XSP-1. Oh yeah and it sounds good as a DAC. I would say the DC-1 is the best price per dollar item Emotiva still sells. I wouldn't describe the DC-1 preamp as being the same as the XSP-1. I personally don;t think the XSP-1 is neutral. I think it's an "imptovement" versus DAC direct. But I respect everybody's opinion and am appreciative of every single one! Now I doagree that the DC-1 is very close to wire with gain. The XSP-1 adds body and music to this "wire" while subtracting a teensy bit of treble but not much at all. In the end, I would put the XSP-1 as being superior. That's just my opinion. There's no guarantee it's right. |
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Post by novisnick on Sept 5, 2015 1:54:32 GMT -5
...My XPR-1s will be arriving...Hoping to hear a $3k improvement... Warm them up for at least an hour before you start listening for the first time. Happy listening! I cycled mine, meaning that i ran them at very low volume for 24 hours on and then 8 hours off. I did this for the first week and have nevr had a problem with them, or even a heat sink noise. Ive now had them for well over a year now? Maybe 16 months and the are quiet. Not a sound. Im extremely happy with their performance. I honestly don't know if my breal-in of the amps was effective but I've done this with 3 sets of MOMOBLOCKS and numeryother amps and ive never had any sounds come from the amps. No thermal squeaks or audible sounds from them. Enjoy, Im sure youll fall in love with them!  |
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Post by rtg97229 on Sept 5, 2015 13:36:16 GMT -5
The volume control on the DC-1 is underrated and it is rare for anything Emotiva to be underrated. If you only have 1 analog source, don't need bass management, and don't listen to vinyl it sounds the same as an XSP-1. Oh yeah and it sounds good as a DAC. I would say the DC-1 is the best price per dollar item Emotiva still sells. I wouldn't describe the DC-1 preamp as being the same as the XSP-1. I personally don;t think the XSP-1 is neutral. I think it's an "imptovement" versus DAC direct. But I respect everybody's opinion and am appreciative of every single one! Now I doagree that the DC-1 is very close to wire with gain. The XSP-1 adds body and music to this "wire" while subtracting a teensy bit of treble but not much at all. In the end, I would put the XSP-1 as being superior. That's just my opinion. There's no guarantee it's right. Fair enough. The XSP-1 G2 has a more impressive parts list and layout as would be expected at 2x the price. I am actually surprised that I can not hear a difference in my case because I don't typically like some of the parts in the DC-1 and the layout does not look ideal due to size constraints. |
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Post by audiobill on Sept 5, 2015 16:07:27 GMT -5
Do tell, exactly what parts and layout do you have concerns with?
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Post by rtg97229 on Sept 5, 2015 17:22:14 GMT -5
Do tell, exactly what parts and layout do you have concerns with? The relays are mid cost Chinese brand, the board is mixed smt and through hole, the transformer location is less than ideal, the electrolytic are mid price Chinese brand as well and likely won't last as long as Panasonic ones, and the trace routing looks compromised due to not enough board real-estate and having a transformer sitting in the way. Yes I know I am being picky for the price point but that is what I saw. Oh yeah and mid to low cost opamps but again they really add up in cost quick and they seem to get good performance out of them. |
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Post by rtg97229 on Sept 5, 2015 17:45:53 GMT -5
At second glance the layout looks rather nice for a board with a big chunk taken out of it. My other comments still stand though.
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I found that after some time, the DC-1 can sound a bit better. However it is hard to say exactly when that is. What I do know is that when it does sound good, it sort of snaps in place, and you are like wow, that's all kinds of nice isn't it? So you KNOW when it sounds at its best But you won't know when it hasn't snapped in to place if that makes any sense. It sort of has a mind of its own - at least in my experience. However it does take about a day or two to even start doing that. 
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