Rogue Audio RP-1 DAC use

The difference between the Emotiva XMC-1 in Reference mode and the RP-1 WAS IMMEDIATELY apparent. A friend of mine compared the Vault DAC output to Oppo 205, he also didn't notice much of a difference we have the same speakers and sub. Maybe I need to try a better DAC.

I am using BlueJean cables throughout (speaker, sub, coax/optical and RCA)

I am using BlueJean Cables throughout (speakers digital and RCA). I even switched from optical to coax out on the vault. Still can't really hear a difference.

Let me correct the part about can't hear a difference. I can hear a slight difference neither one sounds better just slightly different. When I have my daughter switch back and forth I can tell there is a difference, not better or worse just different, but I can't tell which is which. Not a true blind test but close enough. 

No, jbuhl. Before the RP-1 the DAC from the Oppo 105 was an improvement from a Pioneer Elite rcvr on board DAC a Cambridge DAC magic then a Sherbourn PT-7030 preamp on board DAC and a Schiit Bifrost original DAC, in that order. After replacing the Sherbourn with the Emotiva XMC-1 I noticed I couldn’t really tell the difference between the XMC-1 and the Oppo. BUT they were BOTH better than the DAC in the Bluesound Vault. Since I was mostly just using the Oppo as a DAC, I sold it to help finance a new turntable. SINCE installing the RP-1, the DAC from the Vault sounds as good as the DAC from the XMC-1(actually I hear no difference between the XMC-1, Bifrost or the Vault DAC) I have a friend with the same speakers AV123 Strata Mini’s (i don’t wish for the pro’s or con’s of those speakers to be a part of this discussion) an XMC-1, an Oppo 205 and a Bluesound Vault. He just got a used RP-1 (by the way mine is used also, we both got them through Audiogon sellers) he also says at first listen he can’t tell the difference between the Oppo 205 DAC and the Vault DAC(he’s just complaining a cross country move will give a more critical listen later) he says BEFORE installing the RP-1 the Oppo DAC was better.

Just wondering if my speakers could be the limiting factor here?  They are not very efficient AV123 Strata Mini's.

Added the Topping D90SE, hard to put what I hear or don’t hear into words. I guess you can say it seems pretty neutral with all kinds of music (at least the music listen to). I especially notice when I listen at louder levels. Got a GREAT price on the Topping

I’m sorry I made a mistake. I heard no difference between the Schiit Bifrost original model and the Bluesound Vault 2  DAC. NOT the Emotiva. I did hear a difference with the Topping D90SE. I’m guessing there’s not much difference between the Bifrost and the Vault.

@audphile1 thanks for the input about the Brimar tubes from upscale audio, got my Rega P6 from them

Sorry I ment to post this earlier. I was actually using an older RCA cable I had laying around for the DACs I was trying to the RP-1(I had a new BlueJean cable on the way). So I swapped out the cables from my phono amp to the RP-1. OK now I can hear a difference. Then got a GREAT deal on a Topping D90SE which I am now using. Later I took a pair of cable cutters to the older RCA cables, one of the cables was pretty corroded. That is 2nd time I’ve had an issue with cheap cables. I guess if for no other reason you should use good cables for build quality peace of mind.  Once again sorry for the late post and thanks to everyone for their responses. I’ve been into this hobby for awhile but now with the kids gone and close to retirement I’m getting a dedicated room. Not as big as the shared family room where everyone leaves their crap and my wife does her quilting (not to say her quilting is crap, but just in case she sees this post, doubtful but..). 15 and a half feet by 12 and a half feet vs. the old family room which was 25 by 20 feet.