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Post by fbczar on Apr 7, 2016 19:03:24 GMT -5
If anyone uses an Oppo HA-1 with the XMC-1 what is your impression of the Ha-1's sound through the the XMC-1's balanced stereo inputs? How does they HAVE-1 compare to the XMC-1 in overall sound quality?
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Post by pop on Apr 7, 2016 21:40:04 GMT -5
I don't use my HA-1 through the XMC, but the sound quality is superb. I use it as a preamp going directly to a pair of stealth6. I couldn't be happier.
Do you have one yet? I highly recommend it, it's my favorite electronic I own.
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Post by fbczar on Apr 8, 2016 5:42:53 GMT -5
I don't use my HA-1 through the XMC, but the sound quality is superb. I use it as a preamp going directly to a pair of stealth6. I couldn't be happier. Do you have one yet? I highly recommend it, it's my favorite electronic I own. I enjoy DSD downloads so I need a DAC that can play DSD. I was considering the Oppo HA-2, only $299.00 and the Oppo HA-1. Since the HA-1 and the XMC-1 are both balanced I thought they might be an exceptional combo. |
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KeithL
Administrator 
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Post by KeithL on Apr 8, 2016 9:39:57 GMT -5
If you're looking for a portable device/player, then the Oppo HA-2 looks like a nice choice. (I've never heard one, but I've never known Oppo to do a bad job on anything electronic.) You should also expect the HA-2 to sound a little different than the XMC-1 because it uses Sabre DACs. Two things to note. First, if you're playing your DSD files through something like an Oppo disc player (which also plays files), then you can just use the XMC-1 to play them - in DSD. (The XMC-1 does accept DSD input - but only if you send it via HDMI. This means that, with an XMC-1, you CAN play both SACD discs and DSD files - in DSD - on a player like an Oppo BDP-103 or BDP-105, which has an HDMI output. The XMC-1 cannot, however, play DSD files via USB.) Second (and I gotta ask).... Have you actually tried playing those DSD downloads through a player (like jRiver or FooBar2000) which plays DSD files and converts them to PCM on the fly? And, if you have, have you noticed a significant difference? (If not, then the main difference may be that the DSD files are mastered differently, in which case you don't lose anything by converting them to PCM after you've got them.) I don't use my HA-1 through the XMC, but the sound quality is superb. I use it as a preamp going directly to a pair of stealth6. I couldn't be happier. Do you have one yet? I highly recommend it, it's my favorite electronic I own. I enjoy DSD downloads so I need a DAC that can play DSD. I was considering the Oppo HA-2, only $299.00 and the Oppo HA-1. Since the HA-1 and the XMC-1 are both balanced I thought they might be an exceptional combo. |
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Post by fbczar on Apr 8, 2016 12:05:09 GMT -5
If you're looking for a portable device/player, then the Oppo HA-2 looks like a nice choice. (I've never heard one, but I've never known Oppo to do a bad job on anything electronic.) You should also expect the HA-2 to sound a little different than the XMC-1 because it uses Sabre DACs. Two things to note. First, if you're playing your DSD files through something like an Oppo disc player (which also plays files), then you can just use the XMC-1 to play them - in DSD. (The XMC-1 does accept DSD input - but only if you send it via HDMI. This means that, with an XMC-1, you CAN play both SACD discs and DSD files - in DSD - on a player like an Oppo BDP-103 or BDP-105, which has an HDMI output. The XMC-1 cannot, however, play DSD files via USB.) Second (and I gotta ask).... Have you actually tried playing those DSD downloads through a player (like jRiver or FooBar2000) which plays DSD files and converts them to PCM on the fly? And, if you have, have you noticed a significant difference? (If not, then the main difference may be that the DSD files are mastered differently, in which case you don't lose anything by converting them to PCM after you've got them.) I enjoy DSD downloads so I need a DAC that can play DSD. I was considering the Oppo HA-2, only $299.00 and the Oppo HA-1. Since the HA-1 and the XMC-1 are both balanced I thought they might be an exceptional combo. Keith, Thanks for taking the time to reply. I use Audirvana and I have played DSD downloads that were converted to PCM. I do notice a significant difference. I borrowed an HA-2 so I was able to compare. DSD sounds more like live music. The highs are very smooth and instruments like a bass viol, and especially horns are far more realistic to me. I also notice the same difference on SACD's. I have an Oppo 93, but I do not think it can send DSD to the XMC-1 via HDMI. However, I will give it a shot. The HA-1 costs a bunch, but it has balanced connections. Since the XMC-1 has balanced stereo inputs and I use XPA-1L amps I thought the HA-1 might be worth the price difference. The HA-1 is certainly a beautifully built piece of equipment. I cannot hear the HA-1 in my system so I was seeking advice. By the way, the HA-2 was much better with DSD than PCM. The XMC-1 was vastly superior with PCM. |
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Post by fbczar on Apr 8, 2016 12:07:15 GMT -5
I don't use my HA-1 through the XMC, but the sound quality is superb. I use it as a preamp going directly to a pair of stealth6. I couldn't be happier. Do you have one yet? I highly recommend it, it's my favorite electronic I own. How would you compare the sound of the HA-1 to the XMC-1 using PCM music files? |
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Post by etc6849 on Jul 25, 2016 8:51:48 GMT -5
I just bought a used HA-1 from eBay. Anyone have any comments versus the XMC-1? I have it in my bedroom now, debating on moving it to my theater. I really like the sound of the HA-1. Before I try that should I hear a difference between the dacs? If so, what should I listen for? I don't use my HA-1 through the XMC, but the sound quality is superb. I use it as a preamp going directly to a pair of stealth6. I couldn't be happier. Do you have one yet? I highly recommend it, it's my favorite electronic I own. How would you compare the sound of the HA-1 to the XMC-1 using PCM music files? |
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Post by wizardofoz on Jul 25, 2016 10:44:19 GMT -5
I have 2 HA-1's and an HA-2 and I have the HA-1's connected to a few things but they shine as a pre with both analogue RCA and XLR inputs plus BT and USB in for iOS devices as well as the usual USB DAC and optical/coax plus AES. A very versatile piece of kit.
I have one into the balanced inputs on my XMC-1 and another front ending a Mini-X A100 in the bedroom.
beats the DC-1 IMHO for functionality - only thing I wish it had was a networked interface and that it worked natively with Roon.
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Post by etc6849 on Jul 25, 2016 13:17:30 GMT -5
I agree with owning two HA-1's. Sounds so good hooked to my nvidia shield in my bedroom that I have an eBay alert set up for a second one. Night and day over the onkyo avr it replaced. I looked at the refurbished DC-1 on eBay, but the home theater bypass feature on the ha-1 and the other inputs do indeed look very versatile, so it was worth the extra $300-400 for me (since I bought used). I have 2 HA-1's and an HA-2 and I have the HA-1's connected to a few things but they shine as a pre with both analogue RCA and XLR inputs plus BT and USB in for iOS devices as well as the usual USB DAC and optical/coax plus AES. A very versatile piece of kit. I have one into the balanced inputs on my XMC-1 and another front ending a Mini-X A100 in the bedroom. beats the DC-1 IMHO for functionality - only thing I wish it had was a networked interface and that it worked natively with Roon. |
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Post by wizardofoz on Jul 26, 2016 1:45:50 GMT -5
Oh yes the volume bypass individually selectable on all inputs is fantastic. and the Balanced class A headphone output too...that can be cabled to XLR on your amps or Pre is IMHO better than the standard XLR outputs. And the VU meters just bring a smile to yr face, plus the spectrum display too...just wish it had a sleep function.  |
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