[GoldfishX]

The fact that a $500 well-reviewed, neutral sounding DAC offers balanced outputs is quite tempting. Going balanced with either an Auditor or V200 is a rather interesting proposition. I'm quite happy with my Peachtree Dac-It, but balanced outputs are something it sadly lacks.
 
I'm thinking of taking it for a trial run.

 

[daerron]

  D1sturb3d, let us know what you think of the combo. I current have the Dragonfly DAC/preamp and the mini 100x. I'm thinking of upgrading to the Stealth. Not sure if it is worth it. Oh well ...

 
I had the same combination and upgraded to the Resonessence Labs Concero which was an excellent jump up in performance from the DF so I can definitely recommend upgrading to a mid level DAC. The Stealth DC-1 seems like a real bargain at its current special pricing, but that ends after today. If you end up missing out on the special then the RL Concero @ $600 is a very nice portable alternative.

 

[monkeyxx]

The Emotiva is a high end, no compromises DAC, the Sound Blaster is a consumer product, I don't think there would be any comparison, the Emotiva should easily sound a lot better.
 
I don't like the volume control on the DC-1, it sounds bad, I would keep using the Nano Patch.  I need that big, continuous knob, too.
 
I am using my DC-1 with an M Patch 2 and I am in love with my sound now.  M-Patch 2 offers speaker switching and headphone amp, uses the same volume control you are familiar with from the Nano Patch.  SM Pro makes some newer editions I think with subwoofer connections if I recall.  The M Patch 2.1 would be perfect for your scenario.

 

[boatheelmusic]

In what way does the analog domain ladder stepped volume comtrol "sound bad" ?

 

[monkeyxx]

It's a bit hard to describe, but it sounds "thin" or maybe scooped in the mids.  It seemed to emphasize a grating sound quality, and reduce fullness.  The SM Pro passive potentiometer in comparison sounds somewhat fuller and smoother.  It's kind of subtle, but my ears can tell the difference.
 
The DC-1 preamp could work in a pinch, but, I am being a perfectionist about my sound.
 
Part of it is just that I'm so used to the sound of the SM Pro attenuator I've just come to like that sound.  I like that little extra fullness.  Maybe "bad" is too much of an exaggeration for the DC-1 volume attenuator.  It might even be flatter, actually.
 
You know what I bet it is a flat frequency response.  Sounds kind of like "how a CD player is supposed to sound."  I won't call it bad.  I am just always on a quest for fullness.  It's funny that I'm finding that in a $100 passive attenuator.  The M Patch has this cool smooth, soft kind of sound.
 
I think I just got flipped out going from years listening to the same attenuator, to something completely different.  I think I need to spend some time with the DC-1 and get comfortable with it as a preamp.
 
Thanks for the question, it got me to go back and A/B again.

 

[boatheelmusic]

I must say, driving my Magneplanar 1.7's with 1,000 watt per channel Emotiva XPA-1's, the sound is anything but thin, grating or scooped.
 
I would use the terms musical, transparent, non-fatiguing and spacious.
 
You may need some new, upgraded gear to realize what you've got.....
 
Thanks,

 

[monkeyxx]

   
You may need some new, upgraded gear to realize what you've got.....
 
 

 
No, don't think so.
 
As I said in my post, it was a shocking change from what I was used to, so I had to kind of...get used to it.  I'm still not sure if I prefer it.  Nothing wrong with my gear.

 

[monkeyxx]

Just an update.  Now that I've spent some time with it, I actually am starting to prefer the extra clarity of the DC-1 volume attenuator.  Especially through my less bright pair of speakers, it's really quite nice.
 
I am going to give some time to the headphone amp, now.  All I have to compare to is the SM Pro amps I have and the iPhone 4S, I don't own a high end headphone amp yet.

 

[boatheelmusic]

Thanks, the HP amp you want is already in the DC-1 !

 

[monkeyxx]

Thanks, the HP amp you want is already in the DC-1 !

 
Questiuun: do you prefer the 20 Hz boost mode, or change jumpers to flat mode?
 
This thing does sound great but the bass is yes quite large.  Really impressive headphone sound.  My K702 sound more detailed than ever.

 

[boatheelmusic]

Try either way.

Read the 266 page Audio Precision Test Report on their site.

Very impresdive!

 

[schneller]

I wonder how the DC-1 pairs as a DAC/Pre with the Emo XPA2-II for a $1300 setup. I wonder how musical this combo would be.
 
I am about to spend $4900 on a NAIM SuperNait2. Talk about musical!
 
I am not so much a headphone guy. Right now I have a pair of Dynaudio Focus speakers. I am a 2-channel speaker guy...with maybe a REL sub down the road.

 

[monkeyxx]

Try either way.

Read the 266 page Audio Precision Test Report on their site.

Very impresdive!

 
Can't find it, do you have a link?

 

[boatheelmusic]

On the DC-1 product page.

 

[boatheelmusic]

  I wonder how the DC-1 pairs as a DAC/Pre with the Emo XPA2-II for a $1300 setup. I wonder how musical this combo would be.
 
I am about to spend $4900 on a NAIM SuperNait2. Talk about musical!
 
I am not so much a headphone guy. Right now I have a pair of Dynaudio Focus speakers. I am a 2-channel speaker guy...with maybe a REL sub down the road.

That is a wonderful combination, and available at that price only through today.
 
In fact, I had the XPA2 Gen 2 until I went for the mono blocks on sale....sounded just as nice, and very powerful through my Maggies or Dynaudio Geminis.
 
What's to lose?
 
Free two-day shipping, 30 day trial and sale prices!
 
You couldn't find a better $1,300 complete system.....and there's an analog out for your sub in addition to the balanced out for your amp.