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Post by Martin John Butler on Jan 5, 2014 18:54:57 GMT -6
The Symphony is very sweet, but the Burl is holy cow magic.
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Post by Guitar on Jan 5, 2014 19:49:50 GMT -6
I have switched over to the Emotiva as my volume attenuator, and yep, once I got used to the flatness of it, the clarity is substantial compared to the SM Pro. I edited my first post to reflect this new opinion. The headphone amp is really clear also. I am really happy with my purchase, to say the least. I'd like to try one of their power amps, next.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jan 5, 2014 19:50:42 GMT -6
XPA-1L's...killer
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Post by Johnkenn on Jan 5, 2014 19:53:50 GMT -6
BTW - I've been going back and forth between the DC-1 DA and the Symphony...I do think the Symphony DA is better...a little more depth and tighter on bottom...but I was also guessing on volume levels...It would be really interesting to have some sort of A/B switcher - volume matched to see which people liked better.
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Post by Guitar on Jan 5, 2014 21:38:58 GMT -6
Yes, volume matching is critical with A/B comparisons.
I think I am going to do better work with this thing. I am hearing some disgusting engineering issues I 'kinda' let slide before, but now they are glaring. It's like I was metaphorically squinting (then), and then got prescribed some metaphorical contact lenses (now).
Gotta load up on the metaphors when posting on Real Gear Online. I also just washed some plates by hand, a favorite topic of mine on Real Gear! Seriously, I got a kick out of that.
My old, good work still sounds good, of course. I have got some serious microphone selection issues going on or something that I need to get to the bottom of.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Jan 5, 2015 10:15:10 GMT -6
Bumpo. Anyone else using this? I don't know anything about anything, but it looks to be using dual AD1955 chips for the conversion, which is supposed to be comparable to the PCM1794 and the LM4562 Op Amps which supposedly sound tip top. It at least looks like they're using the right stuff. Guitar, you're still digging yours right? Anyone else with thoughts? |
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Post by jcoutu1 on Jan 5, 2015 12:44:12 GMT -6
Also, to the guys that used it... are/were you aware of this feature...
"The Stealth DC-1 is shipped with a 2dB bass boost at 20Hz. Emotiva states that many headphone amps have this bass boost to compensate for many headphones’ frequency response. As most headphones won't get anywhere near 20Hz with meaningful output, this is debatable. The bass boost is defeatable but you'll need to take the top off the Stealth DC-1 by removing six screws. There are two tiny jumpers that will have to removed with tweezers (they are really, really small) and replaced in a different configuration to turn off the bass boost. While it may be common in pro gear to have to disassemble it to change configurations, it's fairly unheard of in consumer level gear."
This would probably equate to what felt like hyped bass.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jan 5, 2015 13:09:52 GMT -6
Is that just in the headphone jack, though? Like I said earlier, I think this thing is a great price for straight out of the factory, pretty big company product...but imho it doesn't beat the RM DAC or what Svart is making.
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Post by Johnkenn on Jan 5, 2015 13:13:15 GMT -6
Also, I've kind of cooled on my love for the company. While this was a good product, I also had a pair of XPA-1L mono blocks for my ProAcs and tried the Volume controller thingy they have. I replaced the mono blocks with a cheaper Lexicon NT212 (Rebranded Bryston 3B ST) and I think - while not as loud - the Lexicon is the superior sounding amp. For cheaper. I bought the volume controller three times and each one had the same problem. I returned all three.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Jan 5, 2015 13:20:06 GMT -6
Is that just in the headphone jack, though? Like I said earlier, I think this thing is a great price for straight out of the factory, pretty big company product...but imho it doesn't beat the RM DAC or what Svart is making. Ahh, yep. Just checked. Only the headphone outputs. I'm looking at an additional DAC in conjunction with Svarts. Use the Svart box as a DA/AD round trip through hardware with an additional DAC to monitor through. Because this is USB, it should be able to be used in conjuction with the Focusrite box as an additional standalone interface (I expect). |
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t3
Junior Member
I'm in the hi-fidelity first class travelling set.
Posts: 54
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Post by t3 on Jan 5, 2015 15:02:24 GMT -6
I want to be a little critical about what I'm hearing too. I do think the DC-1 could be a little more natural in the high end than it is, like you said. And the strength of the bass has got to be considered and learned, probably when mixing, I would guess. Overall the DC-1 has not got the smoothest sound... Based on my experience with other audiophile gear, the naturalness and smoothness should both improve as the unit burns in. Leaving it on for several days with music running through it all the time will speed up the process. |
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outuvphaze
Full Member
Riders on the storm... Riders on the storm...
Posts: 33 
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Post by outuvphaze on Jan 18, 2015 2:08:28 GMT -6
Emotiva can be quite surprising. I had a Bryston 4B and KEF before switching to Emotiva and Totem acoustic for my home stereo and I was really happy with Emotiva. My DAC for that system (Sonos is part of the chain for stuff that is streamed from the hard drive) is an Arcam, as the Sonos DAC sounds like ass. I like Emotiva. Nothing but good experiences so far.
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Post by kcatthedog on Jan 18, 2015 3:33:31 GMT -6
One comment re: dbox it does summing also and is currently on sale at jrr.
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Post by Guitar on Jan 21, 2015 11:49:47 GMT -6
Yes, I am still using and loving my DC-1. I have also introduced an XPA-200 stereo power amp, and some slightly nicer Polk speakers (still want to get top of the line eventually $$$).
I listen to music all day, it just sounds good. I'm even starting to enjoy mixing a little bit more.
I am really fascinated by conversion, I think I might throw a Tascam UH-7000 into the mix, just for extra inputs, but also to listen to the conversion quality. I'm sure it will make a nice mobile recording interface. My plan is to travel and record soon. The price is definitely right at $399 or less. PS the Tascam uses some very high end chips.
As much as I'm interested in Svart's RGO special and Ross Martin, I just have an ease about ordering known units from large companies, probably because they can cram in tons of features and jack the price down, and replace it if it's wonked out. And you can buy it at so many places, whenever you want it, it's there. There is a great feel with custom and rare gear, though, that cannot be denied.
So yeah, love the Emotiva DC-1 very much still. And heads up everyone, check out the Tascam UH-7000 if you're searching for a 2x2 DAC / USB interface with mic pres. I'll try to post a review if I get one in fact, ordered next week. Might be a contender?
My mobile rig is going to start small, but for future expansion the Audient ASP880 is seriously looking appealing, but I might just be daydreaming at this point.
I'm getting goofy on digital audio, it's just so good.
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