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Post by dreadpiratemarc on Jul 10, 2009 19:39:04 GMT -5
True, the Edirol DAC (and similar units) doesn't work without drivers installed. Installing a driver is no great pain for the user, but writing and maintaining it may be a level of complexity for Emo that they would prefer to avoid. But then, since it's 2-channel only, not 10, that may not be a limitation. The whole point is that a USB 24/192 DAC certainly must be achievable because it's been done, and I trust Lonnie and the rest of the team to know the best way to do it. And why settle for lowly 96kHz when you have have 192kHz?
I am definitely interested in a USB DAC that is as good as all the reviews I've heard about the ERC-1. As an HTPC guy, I support any move to bring us some of the high quality that's already available to those physical-media dinosaurs. :-) If I had my druthers, though, what would be even cooler is a multi-channel capable USB input built into the XMC-1. Now that could be exciting.
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ratmice
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Post by ratmice on Jul 10, 2009 19:53:32 GMT -5
"So I'm assuming that I would put the DAC in between the Airport Express and the preamp, but I've got a number of DTS-Audio CDs that are ripped. Since they are decoded at the processor, I would think that these won't be usable if a DAC is thrown in the loop.
Is that right? If so, how would I go about keeping the DTS functionality while using the DAC? Two Airport Express units - one for the CD audio (to the DAC) and one for the DTS audio (direct to preamp)?" That's one of the reasons, why I suggested having a digital passthrough outputs on the DAC. The passthrough would connect to the pre-pro for formats not supported by the DAC but supported by the prepro (such as DD, DTS, etc). The passthrough would not help though with the full resolution of the latest High Rez surround sound modes associated with Blueray. I've also asked for this feature (pass-through) a number of times over the past few days. I'm hoping someone in the know will take the time to comment. I think I would prefer the small form-factor, as well.
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Post by Dean on Jul 10, 2009 21:20:33 GMT -5
My 2 cents. If they have to be the same height I'd like the smaller one, but I would prefer a lower profile full width one.
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Lonnie
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Post by Lonnie on Jul 10, 2009 21:22:23 GMT -5
My 2 cents. If they have to be the same height I'd like the smaller one, but I would prefer a lower profile full width one. It would be one RU high...
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Post by Dean on Jul 10, 2009 21:33:42 GMT -5
My 2 cents. If they have to be the same height I'd like the smaller one, but I would prefer a lower profile full width one. It would be one RU high... Then Rack mountable please.
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Post by hpc on Jul 11, 2009 1:22:48 GMT -5
And an AES/EBU input. Yeah, only die hards will use it, but once you try it, you'll never go back.
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ratmice
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Post by ratmice on Jul 11, 2009 7:23:34 GMT -5
And an AES/EBU input. Yeah, only die hards will use it, but once you try it, you'll never go back. I claim ignorance! what is AES/EBU for?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2009 7:46:43 GMT -5
And an AES/EBU input. Yeah, only die hards will use it, but once you try it, you'll never go back. I claim ignorance! what is AES/EBU for? from wiki The digital audio standard frequently called AES/EBU, officially known as AES3, is used for carrying digital audio signals between various devices. It was developed by the Audio Engineering Society (AES) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and first published in 1985, later revised in 1992 and 2003. Both AES and EBU versions of the standard exist. Several different physical connectors are also defined as part of the overall group of standards. A related system, S/PDIF, was developed essentially as a consumer version of AES/EBU, using connectors more commonly found in the consumer market.
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Post by oscartheclimber on Jul 11, 2009 11:58:51 GMT -5
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Post by roadrunner on Jul 11, 2009 15:29:27 GMT -5
Maybe Dann or Lonnie can clarify this point. I have always thought that the AES/EBU was a pro connector to link computers to pro A/V equipment using a 75 Ohm BNC connector. I had never heard of XLR connectors being used.
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Post by littlesaint on Jul 11, 2009 15:58:41 GMT -5
Maybe Dann or Lonnie can clarify this point. I have always thought that the AES/EBU was a pro connector to link computers to pro A/V equipment using a 75 Ohm BNC connector. I had never heard of XLR connectors being used. It's both. There's a balanced, twisted-pair type with XLR connectors and a 75-ohm unbalanced coax type with BNC or RCA. Ironically, it's the "unbalanced" coax type that is better for long distances. There's also an optical type. Most pro equipment uses the BNC coax type.
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Post by oscartheclimber on Jul 11, 2009 20:11:33 GMT -5
I'd never heard of of before. If it is basically a pro connector what would it be doing in a consumer product - in other word how many "regular" people out there will be using this connector?
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Post by littlesaint on Jul 11, 2009 20:22:11 GMT -5
I'd guess...none.
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Post by pguyette on Jul 12, 2009 16:12:41 GMT -5
the larger would fit the bill. Been considering a Benchmark DAC1 but might be willing to wait for your unit if it compares
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Post by hpc on Jul 12, 2009 17:02:35 GMT -5
AES/EBU is a balanced IC, but NOTE it is 110 ohms, not 75. The Benchmark has an XLR digital input which I assume is an AES/EBU (without reading the specs).
I have two DACs which have AES/EBU: the original MSB Technology Platinum which weights almost 70 lbs the original, but updated dCS Elgar.
The transports with AES/EBU I have are: the original MSB Tech. Platinum a Sony unit (forget the model number).
Out of the EMO customers, I'd guess that there's at most a handful and probably less.
Since it's likely to be the ERC-1 DAC 'board' in an 1RU chassis, I'd guess the price is likely to be $199.
How could one possibly go wrong with it?
Cheers!
Lonnie
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Post by tkyr1967 on Jul 13, 2009 7:59:32 GMT -5
Question. any idea how far out this item is? I am about to pull the trigger on some gear and a DAC is a must. If it is in the not so distant future I can hold off and enjoy the ERC but if it is 9 months to a year, I might purchase something in the interim. After seeing "doingok's" rack of Emo gear. I want a complete matching system.
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ICBM99
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Post by ICBM99 on Jul 13, 2009 9:42:29 GMT -5
While I don't think I need one, I like the full rack version better. $.02
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ratmice
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Post by ratmice on Jul 13, 2009 13:20:55 GMT -5
I'm also partial to a full rack.
<did I say that out loud?>
but I'd still get a small profile DAC.
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Post by hpc on Jul 13, 2009 18:24:16 GMT -5
I'm also partial to a full rack. <did I say that out loud?> but I'd still get a small profile DAC. chuckle..chuckle...yep, 'tis better to have a full rack than an empty one...equipment rack, wine rack, ....
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Post by bigred7078 on Jul 13, 2009 20:57:02 GMT -5
hmm looks like the thread prefers a large rack over a small unit...
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