EMM Labs DAC6 vs. latest version dCS

Rgd- You are correct, the DCC2 is a slightly different creature then the DAC6. The DAC6 is nothing more then a 6 channel DAC, as where the DCC2 is a 2 channel DAC, with a built in 2 channel switchman(analog volume control) and 2 sets of analog inputs(RCA and XLR on both) which can be controled via the onboard switchman. The price on the DAC6 and DCC2 are the same $9995 retail.

Drubin- There is really very little information available online aside from the word around the campfire. I am looking forward to seeing what the DCC2 will look like, maybe I'll see a picture soon or I will see the real thing soon enough at which point I will post pictures on my virtual system and add any new information I find.

Tireguy --

Did you order a transport with the DCC2?

Can you plug the DAC 6 or DCC2 straight into your
amps, or do you still need a pre-amp?

If the price of the DAC6 and DCC2 are the same,
but the DAC 6 has a lot of extras -- why purchase
the DCC2? Why not the DAC6?

I'm very curious about the DAC6 and DCC2 -- appreciate any and all info you can give.

Thanks.

Rsbeck- You can not plug a DAC6 directly into an amp for it is nothing more then a 6 channel DAC, it would need to be used in conjunction with the switchman mkII(preamp). As where the DCC2 can be run direct because it has a built in 2 channel switchman. The Switchman mkII is another $4995, the meitner transport is $4995, so it is a bit more money to use the DAC6. Using the DCC2 all you would need is a transport(and of course an amp and speakers), the DCC2 adds 2 sets of analog inputs as well as the digital inputs, to allow use as a preamp(in the analog domain) for an additional source- tuner, cassette deck or another cd player for example. Hope that answers your querry for I don't know how else to say it.

I did order a transport with my DCC2 but I managed to wrangle up the last modified Phillips :)

Tireguy -- Excellent information -- thanks!

I just ordered the DCC2 and modded Phillips from Bill at GTT. The pair is a bit under $12k. I heard the full dCS setup as well as the Meitner setup in Bill's very fine listening room (Lamm, Tenor, Kharma), and to my ears, the Meitner sounded far more musical on both CDs and SACDs. Compared to the Meitner, the dCS sounded almost brassy. Interestingly, the Meitner upsamples (is that the word?) redbook to DSD. Whatever. Even CDs sounded much, much better on EMM Labs than on dCS. My understanding is that you must use the modded Phillips or the new EMM Labs transport; since there is no industry standard SACD digital out, Meitner (and everybody else?) uses a proprietary digital connection.

Give Bill at GTT a call; he is very cool and will take the time to talk with you even if you aren't buying (I should know; I took up many hours of Bill's valuable time over several months before I ever gave him a dime of business).