Anybody tried EMM DCC2 into preamp?

Any updates on this thread? Has anyone else tried the DCC2 in a high quality preamp?

How would the preamp section of the DCC2 compare say against the VTL 7.5 or ARC Ref 3? Or the new CAT preamp? I want a fully balanced preamp if there are any other contenders I missed (I know I have).

I've been nothing but smiles since adding my VAC Phi 220 monos and their sound quality is tempting me to try the VAC Phi 2.0 Master Controller as my preamp and use the DCC2 strictly as a dac. Or try one of the aforementioned preamps. I feel the only *possible* source of component improvement would be trying a separate state of the art preamp. I would be adding another set of interconnects and passing the signal through an additional component. A step backwards perhaps? I'm going to try to get a loaner on one the preamps mentioned and give a listen.

I spoke with a gentleman this weekend who prefered it to his BAT VK-51-se. Sorry I cannot give you more detail..we did not talk about it that long. The only thing I remember he said was that he felt the DCC2 provided more body. It is probably an example of "to each his (or her) own.

I have been comparing the AA MkII to the EMM DAC 6e, w. APL SACD 1000 transport into a Placette Active preamp. I am using Elrod EPS-2S on most components.

What I find is that the body on the EMM gear in SACD is fabulous. You are truly there. Everyone who hears it says "you are done". I am truly amazed at the sound of some SACDs throught the EMM gear. I am waiting on more SACDs to finalize my opinion.

With the Audio Aero compared to the EMM gear on CD playback I find the sound much better w. the Audio Aero. The soundstage has more palpability, & body. You are closer to the music. Everything sounds more natural. I don't find there is a loss in detail as has been said by some other people. Everyone who has heard it & compared the two with a very diverse set of music felt the same. Each time the AA sounded more "real" or enjoyable. I think the tube output stage is a big part of the sound. I am thinking of trying the tube preamp at this point to "tune" the sound. My other idea is to try the CDSD instead of the APL SACD 1000. One last idea is changing power cords.

On a last note, I am running the AA MkII into the Placette & I find the sound much better through the Placette (active) than direct into the amplifiers. I just feel closer to the music in this configuration

Springbok10,
I wonder if the MP-1 mkII sounds so much better than the DCC2 into your Atma-Sphere amps simply because there is much better synergy between the two Atma-Sphere products, and/or because there is poor synergy between the DCC2 and your amps?

I'm speculating, but maybe your Atma-Sphere amps present too difficult a load to your DCC2? I know that your MP-1 mkII has been designed to drive amps with low impedances.

Have you listened to both the DCC2 and MP-1 into amps other than your Atma-Spheres?

I use a tube pre amp,DCC2, and the CDSD. Anaconda
alpha powercords and tubed amps(Tenor). I haven't changed
a thing for 6 months(a record for me).