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Post by jtwrace on Oct 18, 2017 18:41:02 GMT -5
I already use the Sotm sMS-200 which is a separate box. The ability to have it all in one is ideal. Think about a slot like you would have in a PC that you would just slide the board in and on the end it has an Ethernet port on it. As for going out of date, either Emotiva can make the chassis large enough so they can always be upgradeable as each version comes out or not. The reality to me is that it's a digital product so the lifespan is between what one wants to have and the technology of how things improve. What the XMC-1 upgrade process has show us is that it's not as simple as sticking a card in slot. Emotiva want XMC-1's back in their hands to perform the update/upgrade, they don't trust us to DIY. I see no reason why a DC-2 upgrade/update would be any different to a HDMI board in an XMC-1. Plus there is the time lag, not picking on Emotiva but other manufacturers have complete AVR's and processors out with updated/upgraded HDMI features and Atmos/DTSX compatibility, months ago. For sure Emotiva has limited resources and other priorities have to be considered, for example the XMC-1 updates/upgrades fall into line behind the RMC-1. How low on the priorities would a DC-2 be at ~1/5th of the price of an XMC-1, considering the updates/upgrades cost more than a DC-2 would? Adding it up, the cost of freight, time spent without the DC-2 while it was updated, as well as the even longer delay in engineering and supplying the update/upgrade. Compared to buying an inexpensive additional box that's next to invisible, seems like a no brainer to me. Cheers Gary Well, time will tell us what they're thinking...
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Post by novisnick on Nov 9, 2017 0:41:13 GMT -5
News?
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 11, 2017 12:24:02 GMT -5
I didn't hear any timing at Emofest, but one person heard it was "about 6 months out". If true, that still leaves us about 4 months out. That reminds me... Dan Laufman was thinking I should give it an early run for them to compare to my Geek for him. I'd be more than happy to do that, sir! Let me know if/when you are ready! Mark
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Post by novisnick on Nov 11, 2017 12:39:08 GMT -5
I didn't hear any timing at Emofest, but one person heard it was "about 6 months out". If true, that still leaves us about 4 months out. That reminds me... Dan Laufman was thinking I should give it an early run for them to compare to my Geek for him. I'd be more than happy to do that, sir! Let me know if/when you are ready! Mark Maybe a little longer if they decide to incorporate MQA. That statement should get a party started! 😝 LOL
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Post by Loop 7 on Nov 11, 2017 13:31:18 GMT -5
Good or bad, it seems like more and more manufacturers are including MQA in their DACs so I wonder if it's smart for Emotiva to implement merely to avoid a few missed sales? Furthermore, I really wonder if DSD or MQA weighs higher, on average, for DAC buyers?
Even though the MQA offering, via TIDAL, is under 3,000 albums, are there 3,000 albums available in DSD format (I'm not referring to SACDs but DSD downloads - the DC-2 won't play the DSD layer of an SACD).
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 11, 2017 16:58:49 GMT -5
I didn't hear any timing at Emofest, but one person heard it was "about 6 months out". If true, that still leaves us about 4 months out. That reminds me... Dan Laufman was thinking I should give it an early run for them to compare to my Geek for him. I'd be more than happy to do that, sir! Let me know if/when you are ready! Mark Maybe a little longer if they decide to incorporate MQA. That statement should get a party started! 😝 LOLAs of Emofest, Dan said "no" on MQA, but noted that - like he did on Atmos - he could change his mind! Mark
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Post by novisnick on Nov 11, 2017 17:43:13 GMT -5
Maybe a little longer if they decide to incorporate MQA. That statement should get a party started! 😝 LOLAs of Emofest, Dan said "no" on MQA, but noted that - like he did on Atmos - he could change his mind! Mark I remember! Things change ya know! 😋
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 11, 2017 18:38:31 GMT -5
As of Emofest, Dan said "no" on MQA, but noted that - like he did on Atmos - he could change his mind! Mark I remember! Things change ya know! 😋 Wasn't it Walt Disney who said "wishing makes it so"? Mark
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Post by Loop 7 on Nov 11, 2017 20:12:19 GMT -5
Implementing MQA wouldn't negatively impact the sonic quality of the DC-2 but, I assume, increase the price. Maybe there are some who would not even buy an MQA capable DAC out of principle?
Does MQA charge a licensing fee per DAC for manufacturers?
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Post by novisnick on Nov 11, 2017 20:20:06 GMT -5
Implementing MQA wouldn't negatively impact the sonic quality of the DC-2 but, I assume, increase the price. Maybe there are some who would not even buy an MQA capable DAC out of principle? Does MQA charge a licensing fee per DAC for manufacturers? As to your last question, my guess is “Hell Yeh” they will charge a licensing fee. On another note, it may not be significant. My reasoning? Oppo is adding it to units already sold. This is what I’ve heard so far about Oppo and MQA. I say, bring it. If the title of a song is not encoded MQA or the stream , from any source, is changed then there is no MQA unfolding and the DAC would work as designed to start with. I don’t see the downside! 😎
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Post by Loop 7 on Nov 11, 2017 20:30:50 GMT -5
Implementing MQA wouldn't negatively impact the sonic quality of the DC-2 but, I assume, increase the price. Maybe there are some who would not even buy an MQA capable DAC out of principle? Does MQA charge a licensing fee per DAC for manufacturers? As to your last question, my guess is “Hell Yeh” they will charge a licensing fee. On another note, it may not be significant. My reasoning? Oppo is adding it to units already sold. This is what I’ve heard so far about Oppo and MQA. I say, bring it. If the title of a song is not encoded MQA or the stream , from any source, is changed then there is no MQA unfolding and the DAC would work as designed to start with. I don’t see the downside! 😎 I think you are likely right on about it being a small fee since MQA wants to be on every device possible.
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Post by beardedalbatross on Nov 12, 2017 14:01:52 GMT -5
Implementing MQA wouldn't negatively impact the sonic quality of the DC-2 but, I assume, increase the price. Maybe there are some who would not even buy an MQA capable DAC out of principle?Does MQA charge a licensing fee per DAC for manufacturers? I'm in that camp.
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Post by KeithL on Nov 13, 2017 12:38:37 GMT -5
Actually decoding MQA (doing the first unfold) is a form of processing; so adding that capability to a DAC would require some sort of digital audio processing or DSP capabilities (which the DC-2 doesn't have). (This is the part Tidal's client and now Amarra do in software.) As far as I know, becoming an "MQA renderer" is more a matter of specific filter choices and options, which may be able to be implemented in firmware alone - or as firmware plus changes in design details. (That part should be possible without major hardware changes.) However, the actual benefits to using an MQA renderer, after the first unfold has already been done in software, seem to be somewhat vague I've never seen a review comparing how an MQA file, already decoded in software, sounds with and without being played through an MQA renderer. The main barriers there would be the cost of licensing and the requirement of having MQA approve the product design itself. We haven't looked into it extensively - since, at least so far, the level of interest has been too low. (Doing that first unfold is a lot of work, and you can already get it in software; so the actual need or benefit of an MQA renderer seems to be somewhat questionable.) Implementing MQA wouldn't negatively impact the sonic quality of the DC-2 but, I assume, increase the price. Maybe there are some who would not even buy an MQA capable DAC out of principle?Does MQA charge a licensing fee per DAC for manufacturers? I'm in that camp.
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Post by 6lack9round on Jan 11, 2018 16:29:13 GMT -5
Sooo about this DC-2.. CES2018??
I see that it was listed in the press release with pricing. Any other news, updates or impressions?
Also curious about current DC-1 owners. Any plans for upgrading?
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jan 11, 2018 20:16:17 GMT -5
Sooo about this DC-2.. CES2018?? I see that it was listed in the press release with pricing. Any other news, updates or impressions? Also curious about current DC-1 owners. Any plans for upgrading? See this thread for pix and misc. from CES. -->CLICK HERE!!!<----
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Post by garbulky on Jan 12, 2018 10:46:40 GMT -5
There's a lot riding on this DAC. The DC-1 was one of the best DACs I've heard. It's one of the few DACS I say has steadfastly taken on all competition and not made me want to upgrade. Not an easy feat. When I first heard it, it was love at first listen. Then when I got it hooked on balanced outputs it was love at first listen all over again. I hope Emotiva can pull off another miracle.
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Post by mgbpuff on Jan 12, 2018 11:13:09 GMT -5
On the matter of MQA. It may be forced on everyone. Sony Music and Warner have already adopted it. They like guarded systems. However, MQA really does sound astounding, so from now on, any DAC or streamer I buy will have it.
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Post by novisnick on Feb 28, 2018 18:17:09 GMT -5
DC-1 no longer on Emotiva web store!
DC-2 coming soon!!!
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Post by garbulky on Feb 28, 2018 18:18:30 GMT -5
DC-1 no longer on Emotiva web store!
DC-2 coming soon!!! Oh gosh!!!!!!! The HYPE!!!! I know the switching PS is going to give me some serious head shaking but man....it's the sequel to the DC-1 !!!! The best overall dac I've heard!!! I mean come on now!
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Feb 28, 2018 19:10:09 GMT -5
DC-1 no longer on Emotiva web store!
DC-2 coming soon!!! You getting one? Mark
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