sub0
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 6 
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Post by sub0 on Jan 12, 2016 17:45:59 GMT -5
I placed an order for the XPA-2 power amplifier over the weekend. I then tried to purchase the Stealth DC-1 and it had a "RESERVE" button next to it. I first emailed Emotiva Sales and then called them Monday. The salesman I spoke with was very nice and he told me that DC-1s are out of stock till April. He patiently listened to me and before we both hung up and he even said "Good luck Man". Nice!
Today I got a response from Emotiva Sales about the unavailability of DC-1. I wrote back asking if I can reserve a DC-1 for the Holiday price of $399 and I got a reply immediately that it can be accommodated. So, my first experience with Emotiva has been positive.
I am now waiting for the XPA-2 to be shipped. I currently run a pair of Bose 901s with equalizer through a HK 3490 pre-out/main-in. The HK 3490 is surprisingly good for its price, especially at low to mid volume levels. It just seems the HK can't push the 901s at higher volumes and hence the decision to get the XPA-2. The Stealth DC-1 would have been a good choice to pair with the XPA-2. Till then I'll try the pre-out of HK into the XPA-2 through Bose EQ. I am guessing the DAC/pre-processor in DC-1 is better than the one in HK.
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Post by paintedklown on Jan 12, 2016 17:48:48 GMT -5
Excellent news on the DC-1. Emo's customer service is top notch, to be sure.
Congrats on the new gear. Please give us a review once you've had time to give everything a good listen...and welcome to the lounge!
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Post by geebo on Jan 12, 2016 17:56:13 GMT -5
I placed an order for the XPA-2 power amplifier over the weekend. I then tried to purchase the Stealth DC-1 and it had a "RESERVE" button next to it. I first emailed Emotiva Sales and then called them Monday. The salesman I spoke with was very nice and he told me that DC-1s are out of stock till April. He patiently listened to me and before we both hung up he even said "Good luck Man". Nice! Today I got a response from Emotiva Sales about the unavailability of DC-1. I wrote back asking if I can reserve a DC-1 for the Holiday price of $399 and I got a reply immediately that it can be accommodated. So, my first experience with Emotiva has been positive. I am now waiting for the XPA-2 to be shipped. I currently run a pair of Bose 901s with equalizer through a HK 3490 pre-out/main-in. The HK 3490 is surprisingly good for its price, especially at low to mid volume levels. It just seems the HK can't push the 901s at higher volumes and hence the decision to get the XPA-2. The Stealth DC-1 would have been a good choice to pair with the XPA-2. Till then I'll try the pre-out of HK into the XPA-2 through Bose EQ. I am guessing the DAC/pre-processor in DC-1 is better than the one in HK. Did you ask if they have any B stock? |
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cgolf
Emo VIPs 
Posts: 4,615
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Post by cgolf on Jan 12, 2016 17:59:16 GMT -5
The DC-1 is a very good DAC!! You'll like it. I also run a 3490 for one of my 2 channel setups and it does a great job. I don't have an extra amp to hook up to it right now but an external amp will always enhance the SQ.
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sub0
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 6
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Post by sub0 on Jan 12, 2016 21:18:05 GMT -5
paintedkolwn - Thanks for the welcome.
geebo - I didn't ask about B stock. Good idea. I'll give them a call tomorrow.
cgolf - I am happy to see another 3490 owner. It has served me well the last four years. It is missing some low end oomph when played at high volumes. I am hoping that it's dac/pre circuitry is good enough to drive the XPA-2.
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sub0
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 6
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Post by sub0 on Jan 13, 2016 11:04:21 GMT -5
Has anyone checked this DAC/Preamp from Essence? It looks to be a direct competitor to DC-1 at $499 with Analog and Digital inputs. It has balanced outputs and also a HDMI 1.3 in/out. HDMI adds more flexibility to the mix even though v1.3 is old. www.essenceelectrostatic.com/product/hdacc/ |
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ilok
Minor Hero
Posts: 64
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Post by ilok on Jan 16, 2016 22:16:53 GMT -5
Has anyone checked this DAC/Preamp from Essence? It looks to be a direct competitor to DC-1 at $499 with Analog and Digital inputs. It has balanced outputs and also a HDMI 1.3 in/out. HDMI adds more flexibility to the mix even though v1.3 is old. www.essenceelectrostatic.com/product/hdacc/Eww, that thing upsample, that is a easy way to destroy the music... The DC-1 is world class, the volume control inside the DC-1 is worth $20,000 if you buy it from Pass Labs.... The DC-1 also got a reclocker inside it that's worth another $700 if you buy it from pro audio makers. |
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Lsc
Emo VIPs
Posts: 3,434
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Post by Lsc on Jan 16, 2016 22:29:41 GMT -5
How about the big Ego. Is that pretty close to the DC-1 in performance?
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Post by oldandslow on Feb 7, 2016 14:54:59 GMT -5
paintedkolwn - Thanks for the welcome. geebo - I didn't ask about B stock. Good idea. I'll give them a call tomorrow. cgolf - I am happy to see another 3490 owner. It has served me well the last four years. It is missing some low end oomph when played at high volumes. I am hoping that it's dac/pre circuitry is good enough to drive the XPA-2. About "B stock"  I just received my DC-1. It was a "B stock unit", I guess, in that it was a returned item. I can't imagine why anyone would return it. I replaced a Micromega MyDAC with the DC-1. I thought the MyDAC did a good job, but the DC-1 is in a league of it's own! It's the kind of sound that makes you want to sing along with the songs. The first thing I noticed was the mids and highs being crystal clear and then the bass is so tight and full. Just beautiful. I tried the Schiit Bifrost Multibit and it was nowhere as good as the DC-1. What a bargain at $380.00 for the returned item. |
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Post by rtg97229 on Feb 8, 2016 19:49:24 GMT -5
Has anyone checked this DAC/Preamp from Essence? It looks to be a direct competitor to DC-1 at $499 with Analog and Digital inputs. It has balanced outputs and also a HDMI 1.3 in/out. HDMI adds more flexibility to the mix even though v1.3 is old. www.essenceelectrostatic.com/product/hdacc/Eww, that thing upsample, that is a easy way to destroy the music... The DC-1 is world class, the volume control inside the DC-1 is worth $20,000 if you buy it from Pass Labs.... The DC-1 also got a reclocker inside it that's worth another $700 if you buy it from pro audio makers. You mean the resistor ladder? You do know that surface mount resistors cost a fraction of a cent each right? Calling anything Emotiva has ever made world class must be a bad joke. When I buy anything Emotiva it is for one reason, its cheap. |
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Post by rtg97229 on Feb 8, 2016 20:03:02 GMT -5
Attachment DeletedLook, world class ground connection on my XSP-1 Gen 2. Really I hope mine was an engineering unit and that the production units have proper masking. The shield around my power supply is not grounded either. I was not going to complain about any of this until I found out I bought something comparable to a Pass Labs product.
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Post by novisnick on Feb 8, 2016 20:10:14 GMT -5
Eww, that thing upsample, that is a easy way to destroy the music... The DC-1 is world class, the volume control inside the DC-1 is worth $20,000 if you buy it from Pass Labs.... The DC-1 also got a reclocker inside it that's worth another $700 if you buy it from pro audio makers. You mean the resistor ladder? You do know that surface mount resistors cost a fraction of a cent each right? Calling anything Emotiva has ever made world class must be a bad joke. When I buy anything Emotiva it is for one reason, its cheap. I sure wish my pair of XPR-1 's weren't so cheap,  and yet sound world class to me!  |
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Post by rtg97229 on Feb 8, 2016 20:12:42 GMT -5
You mean the resistor ladder? You do know that surface mount resistors cost a fraction of a cent each right? Calling anything Emotiva has ever made world class must be a bad joke. When I buy anything Emotiva it is for one reason, its cheap. I sure wish my pair of XPR-1 's weren't so cheap, and yet sound world class to me! Yes your XPR-1's are cheap and I'm sure they sound great. That is the point. |
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Post by novisnick on Feb 8, 2016 20:41:43 GMT -5
I sure wish my pair of XPR-1 's weren't so cheap, and yet sound world class to me! Yes your XPR-1's are cheap and I'm sure they sound great. That is the point. What comes to my mind when i hear the word cheap, is, inferior, worthless, shoddy, etc,,,,,,,not reasonably price or affordable and a great value. Thats all Im talking about. My perception of the word " cheap " |
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Post by rtg97229 on Feb 8, 2016 20:52:42 GMT -5
Yes your XPR-1's are cheap and I'm sure they sound great. That is the point. What comes to my mind when i hear the word cheap, is, inferior, worthless, shoddy, etc,,,,,,,not reasonably price or affordable and a great value. Thats all Im talking about. My perception of the word " cheap " To quote myself "When I buy anything Emotiva it is for one reason, its cheap." Consider the context. |
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Post by novisnick on Feb 8, 2016 21:11:57 GMT -5
What comes to my mind when i hear the word cheap, is, inferior, worthless, shoddy, etc,,,,,,,not reasonably price or affordable and a great value. Thats all Im talking about. My perception of the word " cheap " To quote myself "When I buy anything Emotiva it is for one reason, its cheap." Consider the context. Ive read it, I've considered it. We are both entitled to our view. Thanks for the chat. |
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Post by dwaleke on Feb 8, 2016 21:21:59 GMT -5
Lol. Both your view and his view are the same.
I share a similar view.
Thinking about picking up a DC-1. Not sure yet.
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Post by novisnick on Feb 8, 2016 21:28:41 GMT -5
Lol. Both your view and his view are the same. I share a similar view. Thinking about picking up a DC-1. Not sure yet. Yep!  The synergy between the XSP-1 & DC-1 was just so amazing, it matches that of the XMC-1. I wish I had had the funding to keep both, for two separate set-ups!! Edit: i forgot to say,,,,,,,,,,get it, you wont regret the purchase. |
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Post by garbulky on Feb 8, 2016 23:46:46 GMT -5
Eww, that thing upsample, that is a easy way to destroy the music... The DC-1 is world class, the volume control inside the DC-1 is worth $20,000 if you buy it from Pass Labs.... The DC-1 also got a reclocker inside it that's worth another $700 if you buy it from pro audio makers. You mean the resistor ladder? You do know that surface mount resistors cost a fraction of a cent each right? Calling anything Emotiva has ever made world class must be a bad joke. When I buy anything Emotiva it is for one reason, its cheap. Well I find it interesting that you say that... I'm listening to my DC-1 and hearing the word "cheap" and that's the "only" reason to consider purchase makes me wonder whether I'm listening to the same component you are referring to. I am not blind to say that Emotiva's the be all and end all of performance. It would be foolhardy to do so. I know several people that have moved on from Emotiva gear to different types of brands. However most of Emotiva's products are proven performers. I have heard several way more expensive products and their performance couldn't get near Emotiva's. The Manley tube praemp and some Ayer class A amps come to mind. Are there better products? I am sure they are. Pass Labs for instance makes great gear! But currently these are the only ones I'm interested in from a price AND performance standpoint. Just saying the only reason to consider it is it's cheap is premature. It performs competitively well in my opinion sometimes outperforming more expensive products. Though I'll grant you that it does get outperformed at times. |
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Post by rtg97229 on Feb 9, 2016 2:42:00 GMT -5
You mean the resistor ladder? You do know that surface mount resistors cost a fraction of a cent each right? Calling anything Emotiva has ever made world class must be a bad joke. When I buy anything Emotiva it is for one reason, its cheap. Well I find it interesting that you say that... I'm listening to my DC-1 and hearing the word "cheap" and that's the "only" reason to consider purchase makes me wonder whether I'm listening to the same component you are referring to. I am not blind to say that Emotiva's the be all and end all of performance. It would be foolhardy to do so. I know several people that have moved on from Emotiva gear to different types of brands. However most of Emotiva's products are proven performers. I have heard several way more expensive products and their performance couldn't get near Emotiva's. The Manley tube praemp and some Ayer class A amps come to mind. Are there better products? I am sure they are. Pass Labs for instance makes great gear! But currently these are the only ones I'm interested in from a price AND performance standpoint. Just saying the only reason to consider it is it's cheap is premature. It performs competitively well in my opinion sometimes outperforming more expensive products. Though I'll grant you that it does get outperformed at times. Threads like this are a reminder of why people on other forums laugh at Emotiva fans. I like and use the products but the way some of you talk about the products is embarrassing. It's like the guy who buys a Subaru and won't admit that it does not have th fit and finish of an S Class. The Subaru is a fine car that performs well at a good price but it's not a mercadies and pecocking like it is is embarrassing. As for the DC-1, they are a great deal on the used market. Watch the emporium and you should find one for $300 or less. I know of nothing better under $300 new or used as a dac. |
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and yet sound world class to me! 
The synergy between the XSP-1 & DC-1 was just so amazing, it matches that of the XMC-1. I wish I had had the funding to keep both, for two separate set-ups!! 
