|
|
Post by dga on Sept 28, 2015 18:03:06 GMT -5
I recently picked up a new DAC that I am enjoying immensely. Because it has no volume control, I'm using the analog in of the DC-1 as a pre. So how good is that pre amp? It seems transparent enough, is dead quiet and has a remote! Would I hear anything different with a XSP-1? This is and will remain a digital only rig, so I only need one input. Also, I have no need for the bass control as my speakers are full range+.
|
|
|
|
Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 28, 2015 19:23:10 GMT -5
You could even go the other direction and get a Control Freak, keep it real simple. I doubt the XSP-1 would be an improvement over the DC-1, unless you really need the gain.
|
|
|
|
Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 29, 2015 0:54:25 GMT -5
You enjoy the new DAC more than the DC-1? I can't wait to hear THAT particular DAC. I'm waiting for an LHLabs DAC to come, so I can't justify another DAC.
I'd think about the Control Freak might be a very interesting option.
|
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Sept 29, 2015 7:28:34 GMT -5
I recently picked up a new DAC that I am enjoying immensely. Because it has no volume control, I'm using the analog in of the DC-1 as a pre. So how good is that pre amp? It seems transparent enough, is dead quiet and has a remote! Would I hear anything different with a XSP-1? This is and will remain a digital only rig, so I only need one input. Also, I have no need for the bass control as my speakers are full range+. Yeeeesss!!!!! I have the DC-1 preamp. It is like a straight wire with gain in how it comes off in pre amp capabilities. It sounds good no doubt about it. It can also sound better than the DC-1's own DAC The XSP-1 simply sounds better than that. It adds "music". There is more ease with loud volumes. Less thinness when it gets to loud volumes. Better microdynamics and better weight and cohesiveness of the sound stage. It is a TRUE standalone preamp. It sounds more like analog. It was designed to be damn good at what it was. It's got its own video with Lonnie tearing up** about it for crying out loud. (**From an engineers point of view that is!  ) It's like watching a lifetime movie! The DC-1 has a one or two sentence blurb about it somewhere in its features section. (Not that it's bad). You have a $2300 DAC. Don't wimp out! |
|
|
|
Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 29, 2015 9:40:21 GMT -5
I think if the XSP-1 sounds 'more dynamic' it's because it's has more gain and gets louder.
|
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Sept 29, 2015 9:44:29 GMT -5
I don't listen very loudly. But it also sounds different (to me). These are my subjective opinions of course. Should be taken with a grain of salt. I know I've been guilty of not stressing that. But it's true though....hehehe' Now a caveat if your system is not setup really well then all this talk is useless as you won't hear a difference. Now my "really well" is a rather low bar. It includes just spending a bit of time on speaker positioning more than the bare minimum. I have heard a difference in both mine and Boomzilla 's place. I've heard multiple comments from people that took that route. klinemj is one. That XSP-1 is a fantastic unit. |
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs 
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,090
|
Post by klinemj on Sept 29, 2015 15:10:34 GMT -5
I actually used the xsp-1 because I wanted bass mgmt and HT bypass. I never compared the dc-1 as preamp vs. The xsp-1 as preamp. And, now that I have the xmc-1, the dc-1 is out of the chain. But, the dc-1 is making a comeback as the DAC and preamp for a 2 channel system in another part of my house.
Mark
|
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Sept 29, 2015 15:51:58 GMT -5
You're no help Mark! How about some novisnick action?! |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Sept 29, 2015 16:15:30 GMT -5
I'll chime in here. My humble opinion of any DAC requires the XSP-1, there!!,,,,I said it.
Ive owned the DC-1, XSP-1 gen 1 and gen 2, the best sound to that point was the ,,,, Source > DC-1 > XSP-1 gen 2 > MONOBLOCKS to speakers
I still think were sideways going with a XMC-1, to me, same great sound but in one box and so much more. But thats another topic.
The DAC without a true pre-amp ( XSP-1 ) just misses the mark a bit. I do think it adds another level of depth, and presence to an environment.
Of course its all perceived by each of our tastes, ears room and so much more.
As a side note, hope you agree with me garbulky,,,,,, id put the DC-1 + XSP-1 either gen up against the Schiit yggy if the room is right. I haven't listened to the Yggy, and I sure would love to do a head to head to head if anyone would like to help finance the endeavor,,,,,,,front row seat for the member that donates the most!!! 8)
|
|
cgolf
Emo VIPs
Posts: 4,615
|
Post by cgolf on Sept 29, 2015 16:38:25 GMT -5
I'll chime in here. My humble opinion of any DAC requires the XSP-1, there!!,,,,I said it. Ive owned the DC-1, XSP-1 gen 1 and gen 2, the best sound to that point was the ,,,, Source > DC-1 > XSP-1 gen 2 > MONOBLOCKS to speakersI still think were sideways going with a XMC-1, to me, same great sound but in one box and so much more. But thats another topic. The DAC without a true pre-amp ( XSP-1 ) just misses the mark a bit. I do think it adds another level of depth, and presence to an environment. Of course its all perceived by each of our tastes, ears room and so much more. As a side note, hope you agree with me garbulky,,,,,, id put the DC-1 + XSP-1 either gen up against the Schiit yggy if the room is right. I haven't listened to the Yggy, and I sure would love to do a head to head to head if anyone would like to help finance the endeavor,,,,,,,front row seat for the member that donates the most!!! 8) I'm a very simple man with a very simple brain logic so bear/bare with me.  To me it just seems repetitive to put both the DC-1 & XSP-1 in the same chain. If the XSP has such a great sound, why the need for the DC-1?? Just a question for my simple mind. Not arguing against it, just wonder what it really adds and if it does add something, what does that mean about either the DC-1 or the XSP-1?? I have the DC-1 in line with a 7030 but I think it adds something-crispness and clarity, especially to 2 channel. |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Sept 29, 2015 16:51:25 GMT -5
No problem my friend. I do understand. You know that the pre-amp doesn't process the input, the DAC does. When I use a source, any of many, such as, TV Oppo CD player Mac Mini PC Whatever source, it upgrades the sound, better DACs sound better. Im not an engineer and have no technical knowledge about this joy of music, but i do know that adding the XSP-1 has heightened the quality of the sound reaching my ears. Whatever the magic is ( thanks Lonnie etal ) , its sheer joy to my ears. Alone, i think the music plays a little less happier if you know what I mean. Id go on but dont wish to beat this to death. But id be glad to entertain any more questions you may have or that i did not touch on, please just let me know. Your novis friend, Nick |
|
cgolf
Emo VIPs
Posts: 4,615
|
Post by cgolf on Sept 29, 2015 16:59:15 GMT -5
No problem my friend. I do understand. You know that the pre-amp doesn't process the input, the DAC does. Your novis friend, Nick Guess what it boils down to is this--We can run the XSP-1 alone, the DC-1 alone or both together. Each will produce a somewhat different sound, maybe noticeable, maybe not. It's all in the ears and head, YES??!! |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Sept 29, 2015 17:07:32 GMT -5
No problem my friend. I do understand. You know that the pre-amp doesn't process the input, the DAC does. Your novis friend, Nick Guess what it boils down to is this--We can run the XSP-1 alone, the DC-1 alone or both together. Each will produce a somewhat different sound, maybe noticeable, maybe not. It's all in the ears and head, YES??!! Yes, but in my case, the very noticeable difference is an exponential improvement as a pair. |
|
|
|
Post by milsap195 on Sept 29, 2015 19:35:08 GMT -5
I liked the dc-1 run into my xpa-2 but did not like it directly to my carvers.
|
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,090
|
Post by klinemj on Sept 29, 2015 20:10:00 GMT -5
You're no help Mark! How about some novisnick action?! FWIW, I do really enjoy the DC-1 to my Rotel directly. It sounds great and is minimal gear to run. I just can't compare it to the xsp-1 as I no longer have it. If I were wondering what to do, I would get the DC-1, and if I liked it...be happy. If not, add a preamp and see if that helps. Personally, I doubt it would, and I would spend my extra $ on a copy of DIRAC for my PC and use that to take my room more. Mark |
|
|
|
Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 29, 2015 21:10:24 GMT -5
No problem my friend. I do understand. You know that the pre-amp doesn't process the input, the DAC does. Your novis friend, Nick Guess what it boils down to is this--We can run the XSP-1 alone, the DC-1 alone or both together. Each will produce a somewhat different sound, maybe noticeable, maybe not. It's all in the ears and head, YES??!! While true, you can run either alone, the XSP-1 can't process digital signals - it has no DAC - whereas the DC-1 does have an analog input. So if you'd like to have a single device that can process both analog and digital signals, the XSP-1 can't do that. But, as Mark points out, the XSP-1 does have bass management, and it's a pure analog preamp, a distinct advantage if your signal starts out analog (like a turntable). However the OP asked about adding the XSP-1 to the DC-1, meaning to me, the DC-1 already did everything he needed, he just wondered if it could sound better. I personally think if the DC-1 has enoght gain for your system, it's all you need. |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Sept 29, 2015 21:14:59 GMT -5
Guess what it boils down to is this--We can run the XSP-1 alone, the DC-1 alone or both together. Each will produce a somewhat different sound, maybe noticeable, maybe not. It's all in the ears and head, YES??!! While true, you can run either alone, the XSP-1 can't process digital signals - it has no DAC - whereas the DC-1 does have an analog input. So if you'd like to have a single device that can process both analog and digital signals, the XSP-1 can't do that. But, as Mark points out, the XSP-1 does have bass management, and it's a pure analog preamp, a distinct advantage if your signal starts out analog (like a turntable). However the OP asked about adding the XSP-1 to the DC-1, meaning to me, the DC-1 already did everything he needed, he just wondered if it could sound better. I personally think if the DC-1 has enoght gain for your system, it's all you need. And that is what I spoke to, adding the XSP-1. I personally think it elevates the sound (music) to the next step.  |
|
|
|
Post by dga on Sept 29, 2015 21:34:21 GMT -5
Thanks for all the comments guys. Lounge Royalty helping me on this one!
Allow me to comment on the Yggy but let me preface it by saying the DC-1 is probably one of the best values in audio. Its a quality DAC, Preamp, headphone amp and remote all in one cool little form factor. It has served me well. That said, the Yggy is a very different experience. I hate being be too dramatic but the soundstage, dynamics and detail are off the planet. The weight and precision of each instrument makes it sound very real. I'm calling up old stuff like Buck Ownes just to listen to each instrument. Steel guitar, are you kidding me? Dylan's harmonica? No way! Roberta's background singers on Killing Me Softly? Heavenly... and by the way, there's 3 of them.
|
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Sept 29, 2015 22:44:34 GMT -5
Sounds amazing! Wish I had one! I have the yggy on my upgrade list. Thanks for the impressions! I'm trying to get Boomzilla to get it for purely unselfish reasons I assure you |
|
|
|
Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 29, 2015 23:44:35 GMT -5
garbulky - you and boom should have a chance to listen to one of these very soon:  They said they have started shipping (or will start shipping on Monday.) I'm not sure where mine is in the queue. I am definitely interested to hear what you guys think. It's supposed to be very close to the Yggy from most reports. (Just not quite as nice.)
|
|
) 
To me it just seems repetitive to put both the DC-1 & XSP-1 in the same chain. If the XSP has such a great sound, why the need for the DC-1?? Just a question for my simple mind.
