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
fsarc
148 posts
 
Which tube preamp Saxman2?
macallan25
52 posts
 
I got one of the first DCC2 when they came out, loved it. Then came the CDSD great match. I then got the MA1 Silver Ed
and got more excited. A few weeks later tried the MP3 AtmaS was ok but didn't see the value for the money, to thin. Then tried the MP1 Atma-Sphere with the DCC2 as the Dac, That was the ticket, everything that one would want. It was such an improvment that no AB was needed. It clearly was worth every $$,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My question is the Callisto better than the MP1AS.
Enjoy
hooper
396 posts
 
I've tried the DCC2 pre section against a number of separate preamps--most of them tubed--including some from Audio Research, BAT, CAT, Atma-Sphere, and a couple of others, and in each case, the tubed units had a little more of that "body" that tubes are famous for, but I always went back to the DCC2 for its superior transparency and clarity. The DCC2 is one of the most neutral and revealing components I've ever heard, and I can see why some people might want to add some tube warmth and color to that sound, but personally I like it the way it is. To each, his/her own, I guess. FWIW, the only preamp that I consider clearly superior to the DCC2 is the upcoming DarTZeel pre (release hopefully in late September), which I heard at CES. That thing is downright staggering and will likely set a benchmark to which most preamps will aspire.
henryhk
648 posts
 
This thread...I think has less to do with DCC2 as a preamp per se but rather tube vs solid state. Would it not be more relevant to compare the DCC2 to SS preamps? How would it do agst Pass Labs, Levinson, Boulder etc? At least if these ss amps do not improve the sound materially vs using the DCC2 as both dac and preamp, we've at least eliminated one angel...and then its about tube vs SS again
exlibris
438 posts
 
So far I'd have to agree with Hooper. I tried CAT and Hovland but heard no benefit. I haven't tried Aesthetix or Atma-Sphere, however.
Other than the DarTZeel and the CTC; I'd be surprised if there was a better SS preamp on the market (now if I could only find a big SS amp that I like...)
More to discover