So I have listened to the Stealth DC-1 and have compared it to my Musical Fidelity V90 DAC and the Monoprice DAC/AMP. I used my speakers and sub to compare all 3 DAC's. I used the analog input on the DC-1 so I could switch between DAC's within a second. I will give you guys the real truth. Going from the $100 to $500 DAC, the difference was extremely small. The Monoprice sounded slightly less smooth, and less full, but not something you would notice even when you are A/B'ing. The V90 and DC-1 were practically identical. MAYBE, a little more bass to the DC-1, lets just say 1% more. The difference was pretty much null. Any blind testing would result in guessing. I have a very good sounding setup, if there was a difference, it would have been picked up.
As for the amp, I tested the DT990 Premium 600ohm and the Hifiman 400S. The DT990 was pretty much identical on both the Monoprice and DC-1. The 400S again was so close that I would probably fail a test comparing both. But I think the DC-1 had a slight edge in clarity, with a tiny bit more separation. Also, I ran the DT990 and HE400S at the same time on the DC-1, the headphone amp has the exact same power and quality no matter if you are driving one or two headphones. Pretty neat but when am I going to need 2 headphone outputs? Also at max volume it is quite it is completely silent. Again, you could get the Monoprice and have 99% of the sound.
But I do not regret getting the DC-1. The build quality is very nice, with the remote control being a pleasant surprise as it is a nice chunk of metal. It has a remote control, pre-amp, balanced and unbalanced outputs (useful as I run as subwoofer, would not need any splitters), analog input, and two headphone outputs. Most features I do not need, but still nice to have when my setup changes. This truly is an end game setup as **** really will not make a difference if you go higher up. Next upgrade will be tangible, maybe some Audeze LCD 2's or an SVS SB2000.
All the reviews I see on headphone amps and DACs as radically changing the sound is complete BS. It might change the color of the sound slightly, but there will not be any eureka moments. I tried so hard to tell a difference, even trying to get some placebo effect going, and still not much of anything. Any difference could have been easily been eq'd.
The headphones sounded different. Not the supporting equipment. But still, the Stealth DC-1 is a great package even for $400. But do not stay up at night wondering if you can extract more life out of your equipment by upgrading the DAC/Amp, unless if it is complete ****. This is not indicative of the Stealth sounding like crap, just everything else sounded so good.
Both USA companies too. If that matters to you. I mean. Both could be excellent products that might give immense satisfaction for years but in terms of value for money? Emotion aside, Intercontinental distribution and economy of scale make the difference. Owning what you think of as a cult product is undoubtably a nice feeling but don't kid yourself it's a good value. because it isn't. It's not their fault either. they simply don't sell enough of them globally to compete on price.
What do you mean by this?
Are you calling Emotiva a cult company? I have seen many people say this. They make good stuff that is affordable, that is why they have a loyal fan base. I love my Airmotiv 5S's, and would not touch upgrading my speakers. They make good stuff, that is why I got the Stealth DC-1. Originally I was just going to add a Schiit Asgard 2 to my V90 and use the pre amp for speakers, but it would have taken too much space and still not have all the flexibility and features the Stealth has.
You are right that none of this is a good value, as you go above $100 it pretty much is a waste, but the hobby is about more than that. People buy expensive pens, when any will do.
Lastly, my Xonar and the Yulong headphone amp sounded identical as well to other said amps/dacs and even the Teac UD-H01 does as well.
