Emotiva Stealth DC-1 DAC

[greenkiwi]

This is presumably their "resampling" of the input via ASRC to ensure that it was clocked correctly?  Maybe something is just out of sync and it goes into some cycle.  
 
Probably worth contacting Emo about it and getting their tech support to look and see.

 

[boatheelmusic]

Look elsewhere for the root of your problems.

The DC1 is fine in asynch mode.......

 

[Zoom25]

DC-1 is the only gear in my house so far that has given me issues with noise. As previously mentioned by another member, it was indeed specific to one channel which was made pretty clear when connected to speakers. It was less noticeable with headphones as to if it was both channels or only one.
 
Synchronous is sounding great so far. Although in asynch, it turns into utter crap. I've connected it to different mac's running on battery vs. plugged. Same thing with my PS3. Haven't tried it with my Marantz CD5004 yet.
 
Also, figured out the Mute situation. I changed the mute option from -20dB to Silent.
 
I'm not sure if there are any benefits associated with asynch mode…I won't know until the DC-1 stops acting up. My info shows that it's on Version 3.
 
FWIW, my house is very new and all the electric work is done quite well.
 
EDIT: Just wanted to mention that after placing my order they took nearly a week before shipping it out. They said that they thoroughly check their DC-1s for international order. Not sure what they check for.

 

[Gary in MD]

"Just wanted to mention that after placing my order they took nearly a week before shipping it out. They said that they thoroughly check their DC-1s for international order. Not sure what they check for."
 
Ahhh.. that's just the NSA adding a listening device to your listening device... no big deal really, just keep listening to whatever you want, there's nobody paying any attention... really... go right ahead...
 

 

[Zoom25]

  "Just wanted to mention that after placing my order they took nearly a week before shipping it out. They said that they thoroughly check their DC-1s for international order. Not sure what they check for."
 
Ahhh.. that's just the NSA adding a listening device to your listening device... no big deal really, just keep listening to whatever you want, there's nobody paying any attention... really... go right ahead...
 

I wouldn't mind the NSA as long as they can keep the noise down in asynch mode 

 

[Gary in MD]

Ummm... they might BE the noise in asynch mode...

 

[Zoom25]

  Ummm... they might BE the noise in asynch mode...

In that case, I'll be sure not to say anything incriminating around it or connect it to my computers ever again…or am I already too late

 
I was initially thinking of doing a serious comparison between the DM Source and DC-1 in terms of sound but will most probably not end up doing one unless people specifically ask for it.
 
I had the DM Source for the last 3 months hooked to my monitors and after replacing it today with the DC-1, there doesn't seem anything missing to the sound. They're both close enough to a decent neutral sound that I want. Also, I'm mostly watching shows and movies, and gaming. Some music from to time. If this was for music only, then I'd probably be more critical. So far, the volume control through remote has been a different experience and the asynch NSA being annoying. Besides that all decent. It fits nicely on the shelf and gets the job done.
 
Also, is it possible to completely blackout the screen. I have it on the lowest dimming setting right now.

 

[svideo]

I figured I'd post here because this info might be useful to others - the rackmount kit that's offered for the DC-1 is a non-standard 1.5 rack units high.  If you work with racks you'll understand that this is a problem.  If your intention is to buy this unit to rack into 1 RU on account of the device being exactly 1RU tall (1.75" without the feet), you're going to be disappointed when the $80 rack kit you buy turns out to be a non-standard size in an environment whose sole purpose is to accommodate standard-size things.
 
Here's the email I sent while processing the RMA:

 If anybody there at Emotiva is listening, allow me to offer some customer input. When you’re selling “pro” equipment for professional use, rack mount capability is a pretty big deal, particularly for mobile use cases. The entire purpose of a “rack unit” is that it is a standard measure for mounting gear. When you create something that comes in .5 RU increments, it completely destroys the entire purpose of the “rack unit”. An RU is an indivisible, atomic unit for mounting and installing gear, and deciding that you’re just going to ignore all that sends a strong signal to the world that you simply don’t understand or worse, don’t care about the reality of professional use. Further, it would have been EXTREMELY simple and cheap to do this right! Instead of an $80 hunk of admittedly beautifully crafted metal, tap some holes in the side of the DC-1 and just ship with some bent steel rack ears like literally everything else on the market for pro use. It will cost you pennies, it will fit in standard racks, and it’ll send the signal that you actually have worked in professional audio settings and understand the use case.

You have a strong history of creating innovative and competitively priced home gear. You’re well positioned to do this right in the studio too, but this simple mistake is an absolute deal breaker for anyone trying to integrate your products into existing systems.

 
I received a response from the "Department Head of Sales" which at least tells me that they're listening to customer input, and hopefully will consider offering a not-so-nice-but-conforming set of $10 rack ears (hey they still need to make money).  I've since purchased the Dangerous Music Source and am glad I did, but I probably would have been just as happy with the DC-1 had I been able to mount it.

 

[Bri-Fi]

 I'm still new to this audio stuff. Just to be on the safe side I need some answers. I will be using this setup to watch movies and listen to music, hopfully it will work. I will be using the Emotiva Stealth DC-1 with Jriver wasapi via USB.  Can I connect the Airmotiv 6s monitors directly into the DC-1 balanced outputs and use the volume knob to control the volume? And any source I connect via the DC-1's inputs gets processed by the DACs right? Like if I directly connect it to the Airmotiv 6s? Would you connect the Airmotiv 6s a different way? Or is the way that I will be doing it sufficient? All suggestions and comments are welcome. Thanks.

 

[boatheelmusic]

That will work perfectly, no need for a preamp (other than a phono preamp if you want to use a turntable).

 

[Zoom25]

  I'm still new to this audio stuff. Just to be on the safe side I need some answers. I will be using this setup to watch movies and listen to music, hopfully it will work.
 
YES - I use mines as a home theatre unit for powering active monitors for both movies and music
 
I will be using the Emotiva Stealth DC-1 with Jriver wasapi via USB.  Can I connect the Airmotiv 6s monitors directly into the DC-1 balanced outputs and use the volume knob to control the volume?
 
YES - I use balanced XLR to connect to my monitors and change the volume through the remote, but the knob works just as fine
 
 
And any source I connect via the DC-1's inputs gets processed by the DACs right?
 
Almost - Every thing except the analog (RCA) input. So USB, AES, Optical, Coaxial, and BNC all get converted via the internal DAC, but for something like my Wii or PS2 that has RCA analog outs, I connect their analog out to the analog in of the DC-1 and it works perfectly as the other inputs. The only difference being that the analog input doesn't benefit from the DAC capabilities of the DC-1.
 
Like if I directly connect it to the Airmotiv 6s? Would you connect the Airmotiv 6s a different way? Or is the way that I will be doing it sufficient? All suggestions and comments are welcome. Thanks.
 
Use balanced XLR cables and some decent ones as they DO matter - the manufacturers will tell you the same themselves. I use Mogami Gold 2549 XLR to XLR to go from DC-1 to my HR824 monitor. Don't cheap out on some Digiflex type cable. The one I use has been recommended many times from all the various studio gear companies I have been involved with. Unlike commercial hi-fi companies, these guys are straight up and no BS. The cable is very dead sounding and neutral. Very transparent.
 
If you have lot of noise or RF problem, then go for Mogami 2534 (Quad). The Quad has superbly ridiculous noise rejection, but it costs more and apparently loses out very slightly on transparency. If you are in a home, then go for 2549 Mogami. As simple as that. No need to over think this.

 

[Bri-Fi]

Awesome! You are a big help. Thanks for the quick reply it is much appreciated

 

 

[Zoom25]

  Awesome! You are a big help. Thanks for the quick reply it is much appreciated

 

No problem, feel free to ask here or PM me if you have any other questions. 

 

[davidvanderbilt]

Are there any new owners of the DC-1 out there? I ordered one from amazon a few weeks ago but there was a noise in one channel as others had mentioned. I was wondering if this issue has been resolved because I would like to re-order one!

 

[greenkiwi]

What was the noise like?  Coming from headphones? (IEMS only or IEMS and bigger cans) Or line outs?  There when not connected to anything else?