robs
Minor Hero
Posts: 52
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Post by robs on Sept 19, 2019 15:43:01 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I have a question about a setup I'd like to use with the Airmotiv T2s.
First of all, it's pretty awesome how different the T2s can sound with a different DAC. This leads me to believe that the speakers are pretty resolving of source components. It's also pretty easy to tell poor recordings, "loudness war" masterings, good recordings and so on. So great job Emotiva! (By the way, these speakers are phenomenal for vocals)
So I ended up blowing a fuse in my Emotiva DC-1 via USB because of a failing PSU in my tower PC. There were some things I really liked about that DAC and I'm looking at other AD1955 implementations, like the Dangerous Music Convert-2. Not really a fan of some of the AKM or AD implementations I've heard, and I'm not really a fan of that Sabre house sound either. But the Convert-2 only has balanced out, which could cause some problems I'll get to in a moment.
I wanted to know about running a monoblock configuration with the T2s and how the "hot" outputs of the Convert-2 might lead to problems (reference output is +22dBu with no trim engaged rated at 9.76 Vrms. Output trim engaged set for 0 dBFS = 2.8 dBu at 1.07Vrms)
I'm running a single Schiit Vidar that outputs 200W RMS per channel in 4 ohms. In monoblock at 8 ohms, this would go to 400W RMS...so double that for 4 ohms and you are looking at a whopping 800W.
When looking at the specs for the T2:
"Power handling: 200W continuous / 400W peak.
Recommended amplifier power: 100W – 500W / channel"
It seems I am doubling the overhead in a monoblock configuration, which I know on paper looks like ridiculous overkill. I am not looking for more volume, but better grip of the drivers. But also that monoblock is only possible thru a balanced connection. And the Convert-2 DAC only has balanced outputs. I guess I could get some kind of transformer to convert that into single ended but I've been wanting to go monoblock for awhile now.
So I was thinking PC/USB-> Convert2->JBL Nano Patch passive pre-armp->monoblock Vidars-> Emotiva T2
Anyway, am I going to blow the drivers out of their cabinets if I go the monoblock route here? Anything I should be wary of?
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Post by garbulky on Sept 19, 2019 16:10:55 GMT -5
If you can, I would recommend sending your DC – one in for repair. Even if it is out of warranty the fix should be quite cheap and it is the best dac I have heard. And then buy the mono block configuration. 😋
This way you won’t accidentally play things wide open as the dc1 has a volume control- and a very good one at that. Then you can go as powerful as you like without worrying about mono blocks
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Post by Gary Cook on Sept 19, 2019 16:14:56 GMT -5
Seriously, you are questioning running monoblock power amps because a DAC that you don’t own doesn’t have a volume control? Mono blocks are ALWAYS a good idea, whereas a DAC without a volume control (and no pre amp in between) is making the decision for you. Seems totally the wrong way around to me.
Put a new fuse in the DC-1, choose the monoblocks and get on with it. FWIW I have found speaker control advantages in locating the monoblocks close by their respective speaker with long interconnects and short, very short, speaker cables.
Cheers
Gary
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robs
Minor Hero
Posts: 52
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Post by robs on Sept 19, 2019 16:23:37 GMT -5
If you can, I would recommend sending your DC – one in for repair. Even if it is out of warranty the fix should be quite cheap and it is the best dac I have heard. And then buy the mono block configuration. 😋 This way you won’t accidentally play things wide open as the dc1 has a volume control- and a very good one at that. Then you can go as powerful as you like without worrying about mono blocks I did a bit of troubleshooting with Emotiva thru e-mail, they concluded it was best to look for another DAC, as mine was out of warranty. I am grateful they troubleshooted extensively via email as I bought the unit second-hand. Yes I was impressed with the DC-1 when I had it, great internal pre-amp. But I've had my eye on a Convert-2 DAC for a few months, it has an incredibly intense, visceral sound that I am after. |
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robs
Minor Hero
Posts: 52
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Post by robs on Sept 19, 2019 16:25:55 GMT -5
Seriously, you are questioning running monoblock power amps because a DAC that you don’t own doesn’t have a volume control? Mono blocks are ALWAYS a good idea, whereas a DAC without a volume control (and no pre amp in between) is making the decision for you. Seems totally the wrong way around to me. Put a new fuse in the DC-1, choose the monoblocks and get on with it. FWIW I have found speaker control advantages in locating the monoblocks close by their respective speaker with long interconnects and short, very short, speaker cables. Cheers Gary Sorry Gary, perhaps I wasn't clear. The volume control will be done thru a passive balanced pre-amp: the cheap JBL Nano Patch. I just wasn't sure if it made any sense to do monoblocks with the T2s. So your recommendation is to get very short speaker cables? How short are we talking (in feet)? |
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Post by Gary Cook on Sept 19, 2019 16:57:51 GMT -5
Seriously, you are questioning running monoblock power amps because a DAC that you don’t own doesn’t have a volume control? Mono blocks are ALWAYS a good idea, whereas a DAC without a volume control (and no pre amp in between) is making the decision for you. Seems totally the wrong way around to me. Put a new fuse in the DC-1, choose the monoblocks and get on with it. FWIW I have found speaker control advantages in locating the monoblocks close by their respective speaker with long interconnects and short, very short, speaker cables. Sorry Gary, perhaps I wasn't clear. The volume control will be done thru a passive balanced pre-amp: the cheap JBL Nano Patch. I just wasn't sure if it made any sense to do monoblocks with the T2s. So your recommendation is to get very short speaker cables? How short are we talking (in feet)? Mine are 750 mm, so around 30". It's a physical limitation, mostly determined by where the connections are on the amp and on the speaker itself. Cheers Gary |
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Post by garbulky on Sept 19, 2019 17:24:35 GMT -5
Seriously, you are questioning running monoblock power amps because a DAC that you don’t own doesn’t have a volume control? Mono blocks are ALWAYS a good idea, whereas a DAC without a volume control (and no pre amp in between) is making the decision for you. Seems totally the wrong way around to me. Put a new fuse in the DC-1, choose the monoblocks and get on with it. FWIW I have found speaker control advantages in locating the monoblocks close by their respective speaker with long interconnects and short, very short, speaker cables. Cheers Gary I would echo what Gary said. The correct thing is to correct the volume control problems which you can with a passive volume control but keep in mind that passive volume controls can influence the sound if the impedances are mismatched. Yes monoblocks are a good thing. Whether you hear a difference isn't mine to say. But I love mine.  |
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Post by mountain on Sept 19, 2019 18:16:21 GMT -5
DACs, preamps be damned! I agree, monoblocks are a good idea.
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Post by vcautokid on Sept 20, 2019 4:57:03 GMT -5
No crosstalk, full isolation. Monoblocks are the holy grail of all amplification that powers any speaker.
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Post by tropicallutefisk on Sept 20, 2019 5:07:44 GMT -5
No crosstalk, full isolation. Monoblocks are the holy grail of all amplification that powers any speaker. Plus, I heard there is a secret monoblock club. Oh, wait first rule of monoblock club is to not talk about monoblock club. Oops |
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Post by vcautokid on Sept 20, 2019 5:08:56 GMT -5
So true, so true. The Monoblock club has quite a reach.
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Post by rbk123 on Sept 20, 2019 7:34:08 GMT -5
I did a bit of troubleshooting with Emotiva thru e-mail, they concluded it was best to look for another DAC, as mine was out of warranty. Couldn't they fix it? Or did they estimate it would cost more than a new DAC? |
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Post by bigmule on Oct 18, 2019 22:50:54 GMT -5
Seriously, you are questioning running monoblock power amps because a DAC that you don’t own doesn’t have a volume control? Mono blocks are ALWAYS a good idea, whereas a DAC without a volume control (and no pre amp in between) is making the decision for you. Seems totally the wrong way around to me. Put a new fuse in the DC-1, choose the monoblocks and get on with it. FWIW I have found speaker control advantages in locating the monoblocks close by their respective speaker with long interconnects and short, very short, speaker cables. Cheers Gary Sorry Gary, perhaps I wasn't clear. The volume control will be done thru a passive balanced pre-amp: the cheap JBL Nano Patch. I just wasn't sure if it made any sense to do monoblocks with the T2s. So your recommendation is to get very short speaker cables? How short are we talking (in feet)? FWIW...I have the T2’s hooked up to 2 XPA-1L’s and am very happy with it. So +1 for monoblocks |
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klinemj
Emo VIPs 
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,101
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Post by klinemj on Oct 19, 2019 13:38:00 GMT -5
If you can, I would recommend sending your DC – one in for repair. Even if it is out of warranty the fix should be quite cheap and it is the best dac I have heard. And then buy the mono block configuration. 😋 This way you won’t accidentally play things wide open as the dc1 has a volume control- and a very good one at that. Then you can go as powerful as you like without worrying about mono blocks I did a bit of troubleshooting with Emotiva thru e-mail, they concluded it was best to look for another DAC, as mine was out of warranty. I am grateful they troubleshooted extensively via email as I bought the unit second-hand. Yes I was impressed with the DC-1 when I had it, great internal pre-amp. But I've had my eye on a Convert-2 DAC for a few months, it has an incredibly intense, visceral sound that I am after. Two things... 1) I'm confused...you said the DC-1 blew a fuse, yet Emotiva said to look for another DAC? Surely there was more than a blown fuse. What was wrong? 2) Heck yeah on monoblocks! Mark |
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robs
Minor Hero
Posts: 52
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Post by robs on Oct 19, 2019 16:48:38 GMT -5
The only thing I am certain of is a fuse was blown in the DC-1, however other damage would have happened in the circuitry as well. The over-voltage protection in my PSU failed, so when I plugged in the USB cable the DC-1 received overvoltage, creating a huge boom sound and smoke coming from the vents. Repair of this kind of damage isn't an option.
Instead of buying another DC-1, I decided to upgrade with a Dangerous Convert-2, which has the same AD1955 chip.
I would have loved to keep the DC-1 to do preamp/DAC duties for my powered monitors, but oh well. I have a Schiit Modi 3/SYS to do that for now.
Oh and yeah I decided to pick up a second amp to do monoblocks. Will report later on the benefits. One amp was already plenty for the T2s, but I wanted to see what monoblocks would do and I would also have both those amps powering my headphones.
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