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Post by wilburthegoose on Sept 26, 2016 16:52:56 GMT -5
How does the DAC in the XMC-1 compare to the Stealth DC-1 in terms of audio quality?
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Post by Dan Laufman on Sept 26, 2016 17:18:42 GMT -5
As good or possibly better... it's a personal thing.
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Post by Chuck Elliot on Sept 26, 2016 17:27:57 GMT -5
As good or possibly better... it's a personal thing. I have no complaints regarding the XMC-1 DAC, but isn't all digital re-sampled to 48kHZ for DSP processing in the XMC-1, while the others DACs are native bit-rate? |
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Post by routlaw on Sept 26, 2016 18:51:23 GMT -5
While I haven't completed all my testing yet, I'm sort of inclined to agree with Dan's statement above.
For the most part however I do prefer the sound of the DAC in the ERC-3 (DC-1) to the XMC-1. To me it feels and sounds more organic with a monstrous soundstage that is more immersive than the XMC-1. However I am also inclined to think at this point the bass is a bit better defined and more dynamic on the XMC-1 compared to the ERC-3/DC-1, not by a huge amount but noticeable. Its a bit leaner and perhaps more clinical or analytical sounding then the ERC-3/DC-1. Its also possible the differences I am hearing have as much to do with the COAX cable, either for good or ill, feeding from the ERC-3 to the XMC-1 vs the balanced outs of the ERC-3. Perhaps the AES/EBU would perform better still. In a situation like this its difficult to have a level playing field or rather everything being equal. I have also compared my computer based music server via USB into the XMC-1 to the ERC-3 and still prefer the ERC-3 via its balanced outs.
Regardless if I had to choose today which I prefer to listen to, its the ERC-3 with balanced outs, no brainer for me. Suffice it to say I'm astonished at how good this CD player sounds, and I'm having to eat a lot of years worth of crow to state this too.
Hope this helps.
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Post by garbulky on Sept 26, 2016 18:59:27 GMT -5
I've heard both. Though it is in different setups. At its BEST, the DC-1 does better for a more natural sound. I think where it edges out the XMC-1 is in tone in the treble sections. The XMc-1 has more noticeable bass though. If you like a lot of punch the XMc-1 does quite nicely with it. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion. I've heard lots of people say the XMC-1 is plain better. The DC-1 specs better though.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 26, 2016 21:44:45 GMT -5
I have mine in separate systems and haven't compared them directly, I think they both sound great.
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Post by total2727 on Oct 2, 2016 9:40:46 GMT -5
I have listened to several dacs along side my xmc, I think the the xmc sounds just as good as anything I have heard so far. Do I think it is the best? Don't know but it is as good as anything out there I have heard.
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