2. digital
  3. 1089943959

Anybody tried EMM DCC2 into preamp?

I use an Esoteric DV-50 as CDP. I love the Atma-Sphere MP-1/MA 2.2 (mod) combination/synergy and would hate to give up the MP-1, but want the best possible digital source, which is clearly the EMM DCC2 (+ transport).
I know that this unit functions as a preamp too and could make my MP-1 redundant. Has anyone used the DCC2 with a high quality preamp, eg Atma-Sphere, Aesthetix, etc instead of just straight into the amp, which is obviously more logical? Is there any chance that the synergy of the Atma-Sphere preamp/amp will even improve the sound of the DCC2 (+ EMM transport)? Anybody done that yet?
springbok10

Showing 8 responses by jjwa

jjwa
69 posts
 
Gladstone, interesting suggestion. What is the sound effect of a TUBED AMP with solid state preamp compared to a TUBED PREAMP with solid state amp? or both tubed?
jjwa
69 posts
 

JTINN will tell you that I told him the same thing with my DCC2 and NAGRA PL-L tube preamp.

That is until I let the DCC2 break in and got the CDSD.

I agree that tubes gave slightly more of that "air" but at the expense of pure transparency,detail and precision.

After A-B'ing many times it was clear to me that I preferred the accuracy of the DCC2 and was happy to recently cash in on my NAGRA & xtra VALHALLA IC.
jjwa
69 posts
 

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am using a tube amp in the mix ARC VT100 MKIII. The mix to me is just right.
jjwa
69 posts
 
Springbok10,
I cannot dispute your claim as I have experienced the same myself, with my tube preamp.

Are you using the CDSD transport? If not you may find that it's a whole different equation.
jjwa
69 posts
 
Springbok10,
I'm with you %100 on your assesement of the two listening situtations and am glad to have you authenticate my own experience.
Which is the more accurate is what I had to decide for myself.
jjwa
69 posts
 
Where is JTINN when we need him? (he was everywhere when he didn't get his equipment.........after about half a year heh,heh).

Springbok10, no dispute over the differences simply which one is the truer representation? Logically speaking, with the IC removed and shorter signal path you may argue the DCC2 but tubes do certainly add something to the mix.
jjwa
69 posts
 
Thom_y. A tubed DCC2, as you suggest, could be magical.

The merits of an AUXILIARY tubed preamp connected to the DCC2 over an INTEGRATED SS preamp-dac (and all the benifits it should logically bestow) is the essence of this thread.

A review of many of the AUDIOGON "virtual systems" indicate an absence of an independant preamp and it would be interesting to hear the opinion from some of these owners
jjwa
69 posts
 
Right on. Even Mr.EMM himself from the land of OZ connects directly. You would think that he of all people would have a few xtra preamps lying around to fiddle with....maybe he's trying to save electricity to pay for those behmoth speakers of his.
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