EMM DCC2 vs Hi End Preamps

the DCC2 is an excellent preamp and 'the best' digital source (partnered with the CDSD) i have heard (equal to my DAC6/CDSD) when used as a stand alone DAC.

that said, in my system i prefer my Placette passive RVC. earlier this spring i had the DCC2 in my system for a month to compare with the Placette and the DAC6. i loved it's versitality and the way it integrated with my vinyl setup.....very slick and well thought out. i thought in my system that it gave up an element of naturalness and immediacy to the Placette and was (only in comparison to the Placette) slightly 'mechanical' sounding. i think part of the problem was that my cables (Valhalla and Opus) are so neutral that they will expose any 'character' of gear.....particularly a ss 'sound'. if i was using a slightly more forgiving cable my perceptions may have been different.

i would rate the DCC2 pre slightly better than my Levinson #32 of a few years back.....which was no slouch.

i agree wholeheartedly with Hooper's perspective on the pending DarTZeel preamp and that is the direction i expect to go too. it was 'killer' at CES.

David; as i understand it, the DarT pre WILL have a remote.....at least for volume attenuation.....it will also include a killer phono stage.

as the DAC6 has no preamp.....where you referring to a DCC2 or the Switchman as the emmlabs preamp you used? (i recall you had a Switchman).

btw, how's the new room doing?

Gladstone; i like tubes as much as the next guy.....but i don't want a 'tubey' sound.....i want the 'breath of life' that tubes typically bring.....but without colorations that impose their signature.

you did not hear the DarTZeel pre/bi-amp combo at CES.....this was in direct comparison to a known quantity.....the emmlabs Switchman III. the Dart combo did the 'breath of life' thing and then some.

until i hear it in my room i can't make any 'ultimate' statement......but my strong expectations are that it will out-tube tubes.

YMMV.