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Post by brubacca on Sept 22, 2016 16:04:52 GMT -5
So a lot of good suggestions here and thanks everyone for contributing. I have to ask a question though. As I read through the various post and things people are asking for I am puzzled about some things. Right now the unit has RCA inputs, XLR and RCA outputs, and various other digital inputs. The back panel is pretty much full. Where would you suggest I add 1/4" headphone jacks, additional analog inputs and outputs for HT bypass, an antenna for wireless and trigger in and out jacks? I'm not beating on anyone here, I am simply curious what you guys had in mind when you suggested them, thats all. Thanks, Lonnie Lonnie, I was thinking a a slight bit taller unit not wider for the trigger/s. I was also thinking that the HT Bypass would be a software setting that would utilize the existing analog input. |
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Post by Axis on Sept 22, 2016 17:32:59 GMT -5
Ok upon further thought and this is just about the next generation DC-1.
Currently I have to switch past the BNC input to get from Analog to USB. It would be nice if you could select only the inputs you use to be active in the menu. Every turn of the input control only the inputs you are using.
Also, if you could select only the outputs you are using. Currently I use the balanced XLR outputs for my powered monitors and the RCA outputs are not used. If you could select XLR only or RCA only or both together it would allow you to use them for separate systems.
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Post by jdc on Sept 23, 2016 0:25:57 GMT -5
How about a set of balanced inputs on the Stealth DC-1 and just a few different, or even customizable, options for SP-1 modules? FWIW I really like the look, size & price point of the Stealth DC-1. And the mute button on the remote is in the wrong place (as been said before by others) |
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Post by jevans64 on Sept 23, 2016 9:43:28 GMT -5
My wish list. 1) 32bit/384kHz processing with DSD support. 2) Dedicated Sub output or software/toggle switch that lets us turn the RCA out into ones for a sub with gain and/or cross-over adjustments. Not a huge deal as I'm currently using the RCA out for an SVS sub and doing the crossover/gain control with the sub. 3) Maybe put 1/4" headphone jacks up front where the 1/8" are now. Let the folks that have headphones with 1/8" plugs use an adapter, which is less stress on the jack than going from 1/8" to 1/4". Real estate on the back ( and motherboard ) is pretty tight, so I'm wondering if some sort of communication/data port can be added that allows digital data to be passed to an SP-1 type unit with all the input/outputs everyone is asking for. The form factor is perfect for the Silverstone Sugo series PC cases.  The Sugo SG05 is a 10.25 liter box. In it is a water-cooled Intel i7-4770k, 16 GB Mushkin Red RAM, 2x 1TB WD Scorpio Black HDs, 256 GB m.2 SSD, brand-spanking new Gigabyte GTX 1070 ITX,LG BDXL burner. Cooler is an Enermax Liqtech 120x. |
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Post by garbulky on Sept 23, 2016 9:56:15 GMT -5
My wish list. The form factor is perfect for the Silverstone Sugo series PC cases. View AttachmentLook great Jevans! |
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Post by yves on Sept 25, 2016 8:01:04 GMT -5
Lose the small form factor and make sure it has enough interior space for an ATX motherboard, a Noctua NH-D15S, and 20 internal 3.5″ harddrives similar to a Lian Li PC-D8000.  |
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Post by linvincible on Sept 26, 2016 5:54:58 GMT -5
DSD (at least double rate) and I2S input (through hdmi like PS Audio, W4S, Sonore...)
or Raspberry Pi "hosting": space and connectors to put the RPi inside using I2S output, add IR control
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Post by garbulky on Sept 26, 2016 7:41:07 GMT -5
I agree that a HDMI input would be really great feature...
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Post by charlieeco on Sept 26, 2016 12:46:14 GMT -5
These features would be top notch for your new DAC:
1- balanced outputs
2- DSD (5.6) over HDMI for PC and over USB too
3- Volume control
4- 32Bit/384KHz
5- accustomed quality sound
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Post by yves on Sept 26, 2016 15:32:20 GMT -5
How about making it a multichannel USB DAC?  |
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Post by garbulky on Sept 26, 2016 15:50:01 GMT -5
How about making it a multichannel USB DAC? They've got one! It's called the UMC-200  |
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Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 26, 2016 16:02:22 GMT -5
So a lot of good suggestions here and thanks everyone for contributing. I have to ask a question though. As I read through the various post and things people are asking for I am puzzled about some things. Right now the unit has RCA inputs, XLR and RCA outputs, and various other digital inputs. The back panel is pretty much full. Where would you suggest I add 1/4" headphone jacks, additional analog inputs and outputs for HT bypass, an antenna for wireless and trigger in and out jacks? I'm not beating on anyone here, I am simply curious what you guys had in mind when you suggested them, thats all. Thanks, Lonnie - HT-Bypass - I'd be tempted to just let this swap with the current analog input. It could even just be an operation mode to set the volume attenuation to 0db when the trigger is engaged. You would need to have space for an 1/8" or better yet, some sort of communication link/trigger on the back
- 1/4" replace one or both of the jacks on the front with the 1/4" connector. While having both might look weird, it would be really convenient.
- Trigger/control port - 1/8"? provide either straight trigger or remote control link - this one is tough. Might have to be at the top ...
It is really crowded back there. |
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Post by yves on Sept 26, 2016 18:34:38 GMT -5
How about making it a multichannel USB DAC? They've got one! It's called the UMC-200 The UMC-200 doesn't have the same DAC quality, and it doesn't have asynchonous USB input, let alone multichannel asynchronous USB input. So IMO the new Stealth DAC should be the same width and height as the UMC-200, rackmountable as others have stated, and modular just like the XPA Gen 3 such that the customer will be able to choose the number of DAC channels. (Allowing up to 16 channels to be installed, i.e., up to 16 balanced Mini XLR outputs would be my preference). Femto clock should be optional, as should a headphone amp module, but the USB input interface module should be fully shielded by placing it in its own separate metal enclosure, which, in turn, should be placed on the inside of the enclosure that houses (as well as shields) the entire DAC unit itself. This is to protect the sensitive parts of the DAC unit against EMI. Some of these parts are in fact as sensitive as a phono cartridge so shielding them not only against the exterior environment of the DAC unit, but also against the USB input interface that's inside this same DAC unit, is compulsory. On top of that, the galvanic isolation and power supply implementation should be robust in that it should provide a completely floating ground plane (as opposed to letting the electric noise leak into those same sensitive parts of the DAC unit). The volume control should combine the best of both worlds: digitally controlled analog volume control as well as 32-bit, digital volume control, merged into a single volume control. Digital volume control does not attenuate the background noise nor does it attenuate the non-linearities of the DAC, but it has zero channel tracking error and adds no distortion of its own. Whereas analog volume control is the exact opposite, so that's exactly why the volume control in the new Stealth DAC should be intelligently designed to automagically figure out by itself how to combine the best of both worlds. And, because I like to have my cake and eat it too, this intelligently designed volume control should be not only remote controlled, but also USB controlled. Because it's called Emotiva Pro and because, often times, a pro would like to be able to use a USB mixing desk I guess. This about sums up my suggestions. I agree with others that HDMI would also be nice, but don't derive the audio clock from the TDMS (video) clock by using ACR (Audio Clock Regeneration) in HDMI-HEC, please... just make it true asynchronous clocking instead, as that currently is possible thanks to HDMI ver. 2.0 newly added feature, at (very) long last. |
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Post by charlieeco on Sept 27, 2016 13:18:45 GMT -5
any news on EMERSA products coming out?
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Post by TheMachinist on Oct 24, 2016 20:52:20 GMT -5
Is it been more than 5 years since the DC-1 is released?!! Not to say that is it old and outdated, but glad to say it has stood the test of time. I have rotate many DACs in my system and always come back to DC-1. Right now running 2 DC-1s in separate systems. In my view the next DC-1 should change very little and stay on track as a Pro grade DAC and PREAMP. Oh did I mention the preamp is a top class one. It performs just as well very good when direct to an amp. For a purist can do away with the XSP-1. So here goes: - Keep price low. All those extra inputs, wireless will add to the price which can be passed on to the extra SP-1 module for those who need.
- Keep the high quality of sound and preamp section!!
- Improve the USB receiver section to next level with data reclocker and own 5v (So I don't have to use something like Schiit Wyrd or Uptone Audio regen on the USB)
- Minor tweaks: smoother volume controls, voltage switch on the back inside hidden below, a handy 12v trigger out
maybe - Please keep 5 year warranty and direct sales
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Post by vincedea on Oct 26, 2016 19:56:03 GMT -5
I am interested in buying the DC-1 right now but since a newer model is could be coming soon. I am not sure what to improve. One thing I like is that it has the same width as the mini x amp. So please keep the width the same size so I can stack it on top of the amp.
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Post by Bozeta on Oct 29, 2016 19:54:47 GMT -5
Please give us the option to change the decibel change increments from .25 to say .5 or 1.
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Post by hosko on Oct 29, 2016 22:48:29 GMT -5
Emotiva's lineup seems to be missing a 1ru DAC to connect to the XSP1, it doesn't need volume controls or headphone outs. Just great sound quality with balanced outs and a bunch of different digital inputs. Heck if it was better sounding than the XMC1s DAC I would buy one too.
If you want to get fancy include a header that makes it the world's largest raspberry pi HAT with a user removeable door so you could put a raspberry pi in it.
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Post by Gary Cook on Oct 30, 2016 18:29:04 GMT -5
What I see so far in this thread is a real shotgun approach, stick more pellets in and they just might hit something. In the KISS principle;
1. There are 3 DAC's in the Emotiva range, being the Egos, XDA-2 and DC-1 and they should each be spec'd to align with their intended market. Hence some overlap but not too much, which is the majority of what I have read in this thread so far. There has to a be a clear delineation between a DAC (as a component in a stereo music system) and a processor (as multi channel DAC and pre amplifier in one package). If a customer wants a multi channel DAC then they should be steered towards a UMC-200 or an XMC-1 (which has "hot rodded" pre amplifier inbuilt). I do se only one Ego continuing and judging by the current sale on the Little Ego I suspect that the Big Ego will be it.
2. Right now I think (that's my ears, my speakers in my room etc) that the Ego's have the best sound, then the DC-1 then the XDA-2. This may well be because I personally like the Ti/Burr Brown DAC sound, together with the Emotiva implementation of course.
3. I see the XDA-3 as being a component in a stereo (2.0, 2.1, 2.2 etc) system that includes a quality pre amp (eg; XSP-1) and power amplifier's. It should have a DAC implementation that reflects that and considering the sound quality and the engineering already in the Egos and XMC-1 to me that means a Ti/Burr Brown implementation. It necessitates a form factor that fits that (ie; sits on a shelf in a rack or is rack mounted). It takes input from CD's, PC's and streaming while the XSP-1 handles the phono input /9when required). Since it's a stereo system I really don't see any need for DSD processing. If the customer wants DSD processing then they would mostly have multi channel systems, of course there are exceptions but this is Emotiva's volume selling DAC hence shouldn't include features that the majority don't want, don't use and shouldn't have to pay for. With the above in mind I see no reason for the XDA-3 to include a volume control or headphone amplifier. For inputs USB, coax and toslink digital, plus balanced analogue inputs and outputs of course. Both input and output triggers.
4. The DC-2, as the "flagship" / "professional" level DAC needs to build on the XDA-3 sound quality but have more features, specifically those that facilitate its use without a pre amplifier. It's own volume control, resister ladder of course, quality headphone amplifier, DSD processing, similar inputs to the XDA-3 but with HDMI added (which means HDCP), balanced (fully discrete) analogue outputs, input and output triggers. It has to have a weapons grade remote of course.
5. Because of ever changing technology and standards I see the DC-1 having a life span more like a processor (hence shorter) than the stand alone DAC like the XDA-3.
Pricing wise I see the DC-1 selling for around the same price as the UMC-200 replacement and a bit less than the XMC-1L, call it ~$699. With the XDA-3 at ~$499 and the BigEgo at ~$199.
My systems would look like this, Ego (USB connection) in the home office powering Airmotive 4's, an XDA-3 in the main stereo 2.1 listening system with the XSP-1 and a pair of monoblocks and the DC-1 in the TV room (HDMI from the panel/cable box/ATV) powering a pair of airmotive 6's or Stealth 8's.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by jinjuku on Feb 25, 2017 22:25:16 GMT -5
If not mentioned: An Ethernet DAC with POE support.
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