How Do I Use DC-1 With MC-700

[conmoto]

Is there a best way to utilize DC-1 with MC-700 in a 5.1 system? 

I purchased Stealth 8s and DC-1 last year. Blown away by the quality. Sincerely...so impressed. Followed up with purchase of three 4s monitor and MC-700 for a 3.1 system to replace the sound bar. I'd like to combine all my Emo monitors for a 5.1 system and 2.1 for music; however, I've been listening to music in NEO 6 with my current 3.1 system and it sounds pretty great.

Current Equipment:
MC-700
DC-1
Two Stealth 8s
Three 4s'
Old 12" Velodyn Sub (still kicking)
Two XLR cables
Two component to XLR cables
Three component cables

Side Question: Can a standard double outlet safely handle all five monitors? 

[klinemj]

So, if you send analog out from your DC-1 to the MC-700, you could listen in 2-channel to the DC-1. But, as soon as you apply processing to it, the MC-700 will convert the analog back to digital and run the signal through the MC-700's processor then decode it back to analog. Net, at that point - you are not really listening to the DC-1. So, for example, if you apply NEO 6...you are really just listening to the MC-700's circuitry impacts.

Mark

[conmoto]

Understood and thanks! My question likely showed my beginner status in the world of audio.
Your response helped.


Any digital signal or processing coming from the MC-700 will negate whatever the DC-1 is sending to it. Given the equipment I have, there is no way to use the DAC in the DC-1 for all speakers in a 5.1 system on the MC-700, correct? 

That begs the question, how different is the DAC between the DC-1 and MC-700?

[geebo]

Aug 9, 2017 13:53:01 GMT -5 conmoto said:

Understood and thanks! My question likely showed my beginner status in the world of audio.
Your response helped.


Any digital signal or processing coming from the MC-700 will negate whatever the DC-1 is sending to it. Given the equipment I have, there is no way to use the DAC in the DC-1 for all speakers in a 5.1 system on the MC-700, correct? 

That begs the question, how different is the DAC between the DC-1 and MC-700?

The DC-1 is a two channel DAC so you are correct. There is no way you can process a multi-channel channel signal with it.

[novisnick]

Aug 9, 2017 13:27:27 GMT -5 conmoto said:

Is there a best way to utilize DC-1 with MC-700 in a 5.1 system? 

I purchased Stealth 8s and DC-1 last year. Blown away by the quality. Sincerely...so impressed. Followed up with purchase of three 4s monitor and MC-700 for a 3.1 system to replace the sound bar. I'd like to combine all my Emo monitors for a 5.1 system and 2.1 for music; however, I've been listening to music in NEO 6 with my current 3.1 system and it sounds pretty great.

Current Equipment:
MC-700
DC-1
Two Stealth 8s
Three 4s'
Old 12" Velodyn Sub (still kicking)
Two XLR cables
Two component to XLR cables
Three component cables

Side Question: Can a standard double outlet safely handle all five monitors? 

I use all of my speakers for a 7.2 system, and only two mains for my two channel (DC-1) system.I have a switch to utilize my main L/R front speakers for both systems. Your speakers being powered would require a specific switch. XLR OUT for the speakers and two inputs, one for the MC-700 and the other for DC-1

As far as all of your monitors on one outlet, Im not an engineer but I am running two 1000 watt @ 8 ohm monoblocks and a single Ice amp the  can drive 1700 watts all on a single outlet. Its what you actually draw in watts and amps not what a particular item can draw. 

[klinemj]

The switch option Nick mentions is valid. I use a switch to toggle between 2 amps to use 1 for multichannel and another for 2-channel.

As far as sound differences between the DC-1 and the MC-700, I've not seen anyone compare that.

Mark

[Gary Cook]

One of the reasons that I haven't recommended Stealth 8's to people is because they only have the one input whereas Airmotive 6's, for example, have 2 inputs. Hence can be driven by 2 devices (eg; DC-1 and MC-700).  Added to the fact that neither the DC-1  nor the MC-700 have HT bypass facilities, that presents a problem.

With the above in mind, the simplest solution is;
1. connect the DC-1 to the analogue inputs on the MC-700, that will enable you to use the DC-1's DAC for stereo music.
2. connect the RCA output  of the MC-700 to the Stealth 8's via a pair of RCA to XLR cables. 

A slightly more complex solution;
1. Using a pair of RCA to XLR cables connect the MC-700 to the input of a balanced switch
2. Using a pair XLR cables connect the DC-1 to the other input of balanced switch
3. Using a pair of XLR cables connect the balanced switch to the Stealth 8's 
 
The advantage of this option is that it maintains a direct balanced connection between the DC-1 and the Stealth 8's, thus utilising the pre amp in the DC-1.  Which in theory may result in better sound quality than adding the MC-700 into the circuit.  Whether it does in real life is up to your ears to judge.

Balanced switches come at variety of prices, in a pro environment I have used these, they aren't cheap but they are extremely well made and silent in operation (ie; no introduced noise) 




Cheers
Gary

[novisnick]

Holy Cow Gary Cook Sticker shock. I have a much more economical solution. PM audiobill and he will build a switch box to suit almost any need.

Im using two preamps and a single set of main towers.

Switch position one for XMC-1 , switch position two, no contacts at all. (Safe mode) position three is for the DC-1 and two channel.

Run speaker out from both sources and then one set of XLRs to the Stealth 8's

[Gary Cook]

Aug 9, 2017 19:22:21 GMT -5 novisnick said:

Holy Cow Gary Cook Sticker shock. I have a much more economical solution. PM audiobill and he will build a switch box to suit almost any need.
Im using two preamps and a single set of main towers.
Switch position one for XMC-1 , switch position two, no contacts at all. (Safe mode) position three is for the DC-1 and two channel.
Run speaker out from both sources and then one set of XLRs to the Stealth 8's

I didn't say that they were cheap Nick, they are top shelf pro quality and priced accordingly

I wasn't about to dob anyone in, if they want to volunteer then that's OK. If it was me I'd make my own .................. actually I wouldn't, I'd get rid of the DC-1 and get an XSP-1, but that's just me


Cheers
Gary

[novisnick]

Aug 9, 2017 21:01:02 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

Aug 9, 2017 19:22:21 GMT -5 novisnick said:

Holy Cow Gary Cook Sticker shock. I have a much more economical solution. PM audiobill and he will build a switch box to suit almost any need.
Im using two preamps and a single set of main towers.
Switch position one for XMC-1 , switch position two, no contacts at all. (Safe mode) position three is for the DC-1 and two channel.
Run speaker out from both sources and then one set of XLRs to the Stealth 8's

I didn't say that they were cheap Nick, they are top shelf pro quality and priced accordingly

I wasn't about to dob anyone in, if they want to volunteer then that's OK. If it was me I'd make my own .................. actually I wouldn't, I'd get rid of the DC-1 and get an XSP-1, but that's just me


Cheers
Gary

But the XSP-1 has no DAC, Why not just eliminate it all together? The MC-700 will play two channel, and ( im guessing here) has A similar sounding DAC. No switch, less gear and more money in the pocket. 

Im sure ive missed something. 😁

[Gary Cook]

Aug 9, 2017 21:07:44 GMT -5 novisnick said:

Aug 9, 2017 21:01:02 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

I didn't say that they were cheap Nick, they are top shelf pro quality and priced accordingly
I wasn't about to dob anyone in, if they want to volunteer then that's OK. If it was me I'd make my own .................. actually I wouldn't, I'd get rid of the DC-1 and get an XSP-1, but that's just me

But the XSP-1 has no DAC, Why not just eliminate it all together? The MC-700 will play two channel, and ( im guessing here) has A similar sounding DAC. No switch, less gear and more money in the pocket. 
Im sure ive missed something. 😁

My experience has been that for stereo 2.1 music (the thread openers reason for the question) there is no substitute for a quality pre amp with analogue bass management and HT bypass.

Cheers
Gary

[creimes]

Keeping the systems separate IMO would be the best way to achieve superior 2ch quality, heck just get two more 4s speakers to make the system with the MC700 a 5.1 setup

Chad