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Post by Loop 7 on Mar 21, 2016 23:35:20 GMT -5
I'm extremely happy with my XDA-2 Gen 2 but am very curious about the Ego DACs. Yes, I know I can order one of the Egos and try it for 30 days but I'm curious if this has been covered in another thread or if anyone has opinions.   |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Mar 22, 2016 8:46:55 GMT -5
The short answer is "yes". The Egos use very different circuitry, and offer a choice of three different oversampling filters, which do in fact sound subtly different from each other, but the watchword there is "subtle". Both The XDA-2 and the Egos are neutral sounding DACs, so neither introduces any major sort of coloration. (We're talking about the sort of difference that you have to listen carefully - with good program material - to hear.) I'm extremely happy with my XDA-2 Gen 2 but am very curious about the Ego DACs. Yes, I know I can order one of the Egos and try it for 30 days but I'm curious if this has been covered in another thread or if anyone has opinions. |
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Post by Gary Cook on Mar 22, 2016 21:06:42 GMT -5
As Keith says the difference is subtle, very subtle. I have a slight preference for the BigEgo over the 2 x XDA-2's that I tried while setting systems up for friends. It sounds just a fraction more "real", not that the XDA-2's sounded "unreal". That's using Airmotive 4's and Airmotive 6's in my home office with a MacMini as the source playing some hidef music files, but mostly lossless CD rips. The sound difference isn't that great that I would throw away an XDA-2 and replace it with an Ego, but when added to the the form factor and convenience, an Ego is a top choice.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by Loop 7 on Mar 23, 2016 17:14:00 GMT -5
As Keith says the difference is subtle, very subtle. I have a slight preference for the BigEgo over the 2 x XDA-2's that I tried while setting systems up for friends. It sounds just a fraction more "real", not that the XDA-2's sounded "unreal". That's using Airmotive 4's and Airmotive 6's in my home office with a MacMini as the source playing some hidef music files, but mostly lossless CD rips. The sound difference isn't that great that I would throw away an XDA-2 and replace it with an Ego, but when added to the the form factor and convenience, an Ego is a top choice. Cheers Gary Okay, your and Keith's comments are really helpful. I'm one of those people in a chronic search for warmth from a DAC due to the poorly mastered material I like. Since the difference is subtle, I'll stick with the XDA-2 Gen 2 for a while and put that money into a tube amp I want. |
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Post by garbulky on Mar 24, 2016 9:35:15 GMT -5
As Keith says the difference is subtle, very subtle. I have a slight preference for the BigEgo over the 2 x XDA-2's that I tried while setting systems up for friends. It sounds just a fraction more "real", not that the XDA-2's sounded "unreal". That's using Airmotive 4's and Airmotive 6's in my home office with a MacMini as the source playing some hidef music files, but mostly lossless CD rips. The sound difference isn't that great that I would throw away an XDA-2 and replace it with an Ego, but when added to the the form factor and convenience, an Ego is a top choice. Cheers Gary Okay, your and Keith's comments are really helpful. I'm one of those people in a chronic search for warmth from a DAC due to the poorly mastered material I like. Since the difference is subtle, I'll stick with the XDA-2 Gen 2 for a while and put that money into a tube amp I want. You want an improvement? DC-1! I've heard the XDA-2 and the DC-1. It's great! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 9:44:16 GMT -5
I'll let you know today. The little ego should be here by noon
Running tidal lossless to airmotiv 6's
I have had a dc-1, xda-1 and xda-2 so I can try to see if there is a difference.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 12:48:55 GMT -5
Little Ego is OUTSTANDING....honestly can see justifying paying more for any other outboard DAC emo has to offer unless you need multiple inputs and preamp abilities
if you are playing songs from your computer to speakers....this is the easiest solution (and cheapest) and the sound quality is amazing
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Post by tchaik on Mar 31, 2016 11:31:19 GMT -5
Little Ego is OUTSTANDING....honestly can see justifying paying more for any other outboard DAC emo has to offer unless you need multiple inputs and preamp abilities if you are playing songs from your computer to speakers….this is the easiest solution (and cheapest) and the sound quality is amazing glad to hear you like it. since i have the big ego and i assume the sound is the same, i totally agree. i personally at one point wanted to do a side by side comp but never got around to it. in fact i haven't compared it to my other emo-dacs yet, just very pleased with the performance. tchaik……… |
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Post by vcautokid on Apr 1, 2016 6:25:20 GMT -5
Yep I concur, the DC-1 would be the goto DAC from the XDA because it shares more what is in the music. DC-1 is my favorite at least.
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Post by Cogito on Apr 1, 2016 7:55:02 GMT -5
Yep I concur, the DC-1 would be the goto DAC from the XDA because it shares more what is in the music. DC-1 is my favorite at least. Are you saying that the XDA line is being selfish? |
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Post by Cogito on Apr 1, 2016 7:59:25 GMT -5
Let's not forget the fact that the XDA-2s make for a great digital preamp too, making them a very versatile piece of equipment.
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Post by vcautokid on Apr 1, 2016 18:40:34 GMT -5
Yep I concur, the DC-1 would be the goto DAC from the XDA because it shares more what is in the music. DC-1 is my favorite at least. Are you saying that the XDA line is being selfish? Nah, not at all, but there is more there in the DC-1 in my humble opinion. Your mileage may vary. |
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wje2
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Post by wje2 on Apr 29, 2016 15:29:21 GMT -5
Okay, your and Keith's comments are really helpful. I'm one of those people in a chronic search for warmth from a DAC due to the poorly mastered material I like. Since the difference is subtle, I'll stick with the XDA-2 Gen 2 for a while and put that money into a tube amp I want.
Also, don't forget that the EGO DACs have filters that you can select from. I've found the filters on my big EGO to be more functional / useful than the filters that were present on Audio-GD products I've owned in the past. I can hear more of a difference with the EGO filters, while the Audio-GD filters tend to be a bit more subtle in the changes that get applied. Like always, your mileage may very. Just sharing my experiences.
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