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Post by vincedea on Oct 23, 2016 4:21:53 GMT -5
Hi guys,
I am considering purchasing the DC-1 DAC to pair with my mini a-100 amp. The setup will be paired with nht superzero speakers. I will also be coming a creative ZXR soundcard that I currently use with my computer. Has anyone paired teh DC-1 with the mini amp? how do you like it and how does it sound? Also how much hassle is there from switching from speakers to headphones? Thank you for your help.
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Post by gld3gld3 on Oct 23, 2016 9:07:27 GMT -5
I use the DC-1 and the mini-x together in my main stereo setup. I think they pair great! I see no reason why this wouldn't be a great combo for you. My speakers (Tekton M-lores) are a lot more sensitive then you NHTs, but I don't think that will be a problem. The mini-x has a true 50 watts of power. Previously I was driving a pair of Monitor Audio speakers that were 89db/w/m and this amp drove them just fine.
The sound I get out of this combo is excellent and very satisfying considering the price you have to pay. The sound is detailed yet smooth and realistic. I have less experience with the headphone amp, but from reading other lounge members' opinions and from those on head-fi, I think the dc-1 can suitably power most headphones quite well. I will let others comment more on this functionality. Hope this helps!
Just so we know, how and in what environment will you be using these?
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator 
Res firma mitescere nescit.
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Post by LCSeminole on Oct 23, 2016 10:04:34 GMT -5
While the DC-1 can most certainly power most(if not all) headphones, it doesn't(to my taste) have enough headroom to push my Sennheiser HD600's to levels I sometimes require without sounding strained. I say this as my Phiaton Fusion MS430's sound quite rich and full at the same levels on the DC-1 without sounding strained and I've demoed the same sources with an Oppo HA-1 headphone amp that made my HD600's sound much fuller and richer than the DC-1.
As for the OP's question on the "hassle of switching from speakers to headphone?", I would "guess" that there is a muting circuit of sorts that switches from the speakers to headphone jack by simply plugging in your headphones.
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Post by vincedea on Oct 23, 2016 14:09:14 GMT -5
While the DC-1 can most certainly power most(if not all) headphones, it doesn't(to my taste) have enough headroom to push my Sennheiser HD600's to levels I sometimes require without sounding strained. I say this as my Phiaton Fusion MS430's sound quite rich and full at the same levels on the DC-1 without sounding strained and I've demoed the same sources with an Oppo HA-1 headphone amp that made my HD600's sound much fuller and richer than the DC-1. As for the OP's question on the "hassle of switching from speakers to headphone?", I would "guess" that there is a muting circuit of sorts that switches from the speakers to headphone jack by simply plugging in your headphones. Thanks for the replies. The environment that I will be using the setup will just be my bedroom. As for the headphone it will just be me plugging and unplugging then from speaker to headphones? Hmm I wonder if this product will go on sale during the holidays or maybe someone has one for sale. |
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Post by autiger on Oct 24, 2016 19:47:58 GMT -5
if the dc doesn't meet your requirements for the headphones, then after the ba-100 amp/hp amp comes out, sell the mini-x and buy the new amp with the built in hp jack. I did the mod, added the hp jack, to my mini and can guarantee it will drive any hp's; so, the new mini-x replacement amp should also and you would have very little if any investment in the new amp after selling yours.
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Post by garbulky on Oct 24, 2016 20:06:49 GMT -5
It will pair great. Also this is a DAC you can grow with all the way to the XPA-1's and whatever speakers you upgrade to. It will sound better and better as you do. You can easily consider it a keeper DAC.  |
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Post by vincedea on Oct 24, 2016 20:54:25 GMT -5
if the dc doesn't meet your requirements for the headphones, then after the ba-100 amp/hp amp comes out, sell the mini-x and buy the new amp with the built in hp jack. I did the mod, added the hp jack, to my mini and can guarantee it will drive any hp's; so, the new mini-x replacement amp should also and you would have very little if any investment in the new amp after selling yours. Hmm any idea how much the new one will be once it is released? I wonder what would be a good price to sell my mini. |
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LCSeminole
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Res firma mitescere nescit.
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Post by LCSeminole on Oct 25, 2016 4:41:27 GMT -5
Pretty sure the new BasX A-100 will be going for $199.
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Post by autiger on Oct 25, 2016 14:29:49 GMT -5
if the dc doesn't meet your requirements for the headphones, then after the ba-100 amp/hp amp comes out, sell the mini-x and buy the new amp with the built in hp jack. I did the mod, added the hp jack, to my mini and can guarantee it will drive any hp's; so, the new mini-x replacement amp should also and you would have very little if any investment in the new amp after selling yours. Hmm any idea how much the new one will be once it is released? I wonder what would be a good price to sell my mini. I believe Laurence is correct at $199. I've bought a mini x $150 and swapped airitmotives for a fusion (basically a minix w/ 2 inputs) valued at $150, so $150 seems about what the mini x brings. |
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Post by vincedea on Oct 25, 2016 18:13:51 GMT -5
Hmm any idea how much the new one will be once it is released? I wonder what would be a good price to sell my mini. I believe Laurence is correct at $199. I've bought a mini x $150 and swapped airitmotives for a fusion (basically a minix w/ 2 inputs) valued at $150, so $150 seems about what the mini x brings. $150 even after the new one comes out? The new BasX model is going to be like the mini except with a headphone out? Where else can I find information regarding the new one? |
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Post by autiger on Oct 25, 2016 18:58:01 GMT -5
Call emotiva sales, I did
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,854
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Post by LCSeminole on Oct 25, 2016 19:53:23 GMT -5
I believe Laurence is correct at $199. I've bought a mini x $150 and swapped airitmotives for a fusion (basically a minix w/ 2 inputs) valued at $150, so $150 seems about what the mini x brings. $150 even after the new one comes out? The new BasX model is going to be like the mini except with a headphone out? Where else can I find information regarding the new one? The below link is Emotiva's announcement(a few months back)of their BasX line, some already released the rest soon to come. I believe KeithL said the A-100 is right around the corner. www.audioholics.com/amplifier-reviews/emotiva-basxThe BasX A-100 part of the release is below.  A small, powerful, integrated amplifier, the A-100 would be ideal for pairing with a small stereo system or as an auxiliary amplifier for a larger system. It includes automatic turn-on and a high-powered headphone output. It's essentially an integrated stereo amplifier (based on the Mini X), with a front panel volume control, Class A/B output stage, fault protection, heavy duty speaker terminals, trigger input and output. It has the ability to switch on automatically when an input signal is detected, and also features a headphone output. The BasX A-100 is rated for two channels; 50 watts RMS/channel into 8 ohms. Due to its smallish size and ample feature set, we feel this would make for a compelling solution to power a desktop computer audio system. |
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Post by vincedea on Oct 26, 2016 1:07:36 GMT -5
$150 even after the new one comes out? The new BasX model is going to be like the mini except with a headphone out? Where else can I find information regarding the new one? The bkelow lin is Emotiva's announcement(a few months back)of their BasX line, some already released the rest soon to come. I believe KeithL said the A-100 is right around the corner. www.audioholics.com/amplifier-reviews/emotiva-basxThe BasX A-100 part of the release is below. A small, powerful, integrated amplifier, the A-100 would be ideal for pairing with a small stereo system or as an auxiliary amplifier for a larger system. It includes automatic turn-on and a high-powered headphone output. It's essentially an integrated stereo amplifier (based on the Mini X), with a front panel volume control, Class A/B output stage, fault protection, heavy duty speaker terminals, trigger input and output. It has the ability to switch on automatically when an input signal is detected, and also features a headphone output. The BasX A-100 is rated for two channels; 50 watts RMS/channel into 8 ohms. Due to its smallish size and ample feature set, we feel this would make for a compelling solution to power a desktop computer audio system. Dam looks exactly like teh mini a-100. I think i have to upgrade or just buy the new one. |
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