Consider topology. The Auralic is ss, and the ZDS is OPT tubes. So inherently a big difference though the EC house sound is definitely not warm. Staying with tubes, the range of 32 – 300 ohms is really better handled with transformer coupling over a switchable OPT. In today’s production, that...

Guess the part I don't get is why not take advantage of $100 + $200 = $300 to Emotiva and get a replacement unit! That's less than most of us paid originally. I do get you paid someone else $365 - though that amount is kind of a non-issue since it was several persons removed from the original...

I bought one of the 'seconds' directly from Emotiva, it had evidently been returned to them as it did have an asynch mode problem. Contacted customer service and they immediately sent out a new unit. Held a charge against my credit card which was credited after they received the defective unit...

Also my initial impressions, combined with wonderment how anyone could tolerate the DC-1. Emotiva does give you some time for returns so let it burn in for a few days instead of a few hours and check it again. I've never heard anything other than tube components undergo such a transformation...

Not to correct you, as I would like to hear what Keith has to say on this issue - but balanced outputs were used in the pro audio world long before balanced headphone amplifiers existed. Craig at Eddie Current used to have a white paper entitled, “To Balance or not to Balance” but looks like the...

I like the way Keith is able to explain things in an easy to understand manner from his very knowledgeable foundation.   The preamp outputs on the DC-1 back do have variable output and that may have caused the confusion. Although they are separate from the amplifier section designed to drive...

They've been saying that since January so I also went with the DC-1 and it has been a pleasant surprise. I believe the Bottlehead DAC designer is also associated with an open source Squeezebox replacement which looks to come in at a lower price point.    

I’m biased to the EC house sound, very nice to have new phone/speaker amps to consider. The Jeff Korneff 45’s are highly acclaimed, but can't bet against EC. Also can’t pigeon hole Craig into stereotypical tube sound using the 2A3 or 45 or 6c33c, so still really have to listen to them to hear...

They're all SET, though the ZD is OTL where the ZDT, 4-45, and 2A3 Mk4 are all OPT. I also owned the OTL DM-2 prototype before the production ZD, then the ZDT. Sound improved each time, but there is a very different sound signature between the OTL and OPT amps.    Also, the 6c33c's are...

Similar in theory if not topology to the new EC phone/speaker amps, my ZDT with the PSS transformers uses 6c33c (indirectly heated?) tubes for 6 watts per channel. I checked with Craig some time back to see if significant changes warranted upgrading my amp. Since then, the 4-45 and 2A3 Mk4 have...

The ZDT is one of the EC headphone/speaker combos like the new 2A3 and 45 offerings, and as a versatile amp is not equaled until spending considerably more. Your PSS option really elevated the amp and it is very capable on speakers at 6 watts per channel. You're right about the glorious sound...

Choosing those components qualifies you as an audiophile. They are designed to be arranged: Mac>Ayre QB-9 DSD>Preamp>X250.8>Salon2’s.   Both the Ayre and X250.8 are designed to be utilized with a preamp, so you have one more component to choose – and it could be the most interesting yet.  ...

Your first sketch seems to be the common approach. The second is what I was thinking and though it will take more effort to refine as you say it should reward with better results.   Disadvantages:   Less ease / flexibility with tailoring bass EQ to room.  Yup, though at least OB bass/room...

Great components, thanks for the reference to the CA2. This is a really nice configuration, one that should offer most of the sound in a very attainable 90% system.   PLLXO’s splitting the amps? Keeps the crossover circuits simple, maximizes those 3 watts by focusing on the mids and highs...

Quote: Yep, had BTG Audio do a balanced dual input copper cable. That re-cable along with 840 pads made my pair absolutely sing on my EC ZDT balanced amp. Further mods always seem to require yet another tweek to counteract some negative impact.   For example, installed Alpha pads which...