[Rclark]

 Honestly I have no idea what I would need. I'm building a system, I have Emotiva ERC-1 cd player, and XDA-1 dac.

 My amps will be Class D with XLR connection.

 If I get Emotiva XSP-1 preamp (when they finally launch it) I'll apparently have a pretty great preamp and a completely balanced signal from my cd player all the way through to my amps.

 Plus the XSP-1 will have a ton of functionality, really great bass management, dual subwoofer outs (I have two subs), and is supposed to be a really great audiophile level preamp according to the prelaunch hype.

 Bout $800.

 My other option that I am considering is the Dodd buffer kit. But have no idea if I need a buffer or a preamp. And apparently the buffer isn't balanced like the Emotiva gear, and it won't have nearly as much functionality.

 But I would consider it if somehow it would provide a huge sq advantage. Not sure it's possible though as the XSP is touted to be a giant beater preamp and, again, I could have with the XSP a completely balanced signal from source to amps.

 help please.

[Poultrygeist]

Class D amps sound much better with a tube pre. I have a TK2050 and a tube preamp takes it to another level.

[Rclark]

tube pre is not on the menu, I only have a budget of around $900, it's really between those two choices.

[rollo]

tube pre is not on the menu, I only have a budget of around $900, it's really between those two choices.

  Contact Blair at Nightshade, he can make something for ya. A plus being he can design the buffer or pre to match the amp. Great pricing as well.



charles

[Rclark]

I really appreciate that, and will look into it for sure, but in the meanwhile would anyone be able to describe what the difference would be between running an apparently nice buffer like the Dodd versus an full meal deal and an apparently nice sounding preamp like the coming xsp-1?

[JLM]

Balanced cabling is of no real advantage unless you're running long runs of cable bundles.

Emotiva generally is well built, and always high value.  But the sound quality is entry level compared to the high end stuff found at Audio Circle (which generally is high value too).  It's really hard to sort out the hype from the facts or compare one piece with another (try e-mailing the professional reviewers to get a direct answer of your questions).  Until the Emotiva piece comes out, I doubt anyone can truly answer you.If that is where you are at on your audio journey, then it may be the best fit for you, and of course it would match the CDP and DAC.  And if you never go beyond (into audio nervosa) it's perfectly OK (and more sane).   

Nearly any "traditional" pre-amp, like the Emotiva, includes buffering.  But the Dodd is a purist model, with no extra parts/circuits to possibly muck up the sound.  The trained ear would no doubt be able to hear the superiority of the Dodd over the Emotiva.  But I don't know if the Dodd would accommodate your subs and that frankly is a bigger deal than the pre-amp sound differences.

BTW you could always add a tube buffer between before or after the pre-amp in your system (but finding one with XLR connectors could be tough).

[Watson]

If I get Emotiva XSP-1 preamp (when they finally launch it) I'll apparently have a pretty great preamp and a completely balanced signal from my cd player all the way through to my amps.

Plus the XSP-1 will have a ton of functionality, really great bass management, dual subwoofer outs (I have two subs), and is supposed to be a really great audiophile level preamp according to the prelaunch hype.

Is the XSP-1 nearing release? Any good links to any info?

I find the XSP-1 intriguing too, because of the bass management, but as far as I can guess from the pics from EmoFest, the XSP-1 may operate using Digital Signal Processing, i.e. it does an ADC step and applies bass management and volume control in the digital domain, then sends the audio through another DAC stage. For example, the pics from EmoFest include no volume potentiometer, and not a huge amount of discrete circuitry. But I could be wrong. I suspect their current preamp may end up sounding better in the end. It's hard to tell without listening to Emo gear itself and drawing one's own conclusions, because the hype machine is always so strong.

In any case, I'd probably go with a tube buffer if you want to warm up your sound. Two channel preamps with good bass management in the analog domain are few and far between if you want to high pass your mains or need stereo subs. I haven't found one yet that I like.

[Rclark]

 From what I understand Emotiva doesn't use digital volume control they use a stepped resistor system or something like that. That's what my XDA-1 DAC is like, it's got a "digital" control meaning you use buttons rather than a knob, but inside the control is actually carried out in a better way.

 I'm really intrigued by the XSP-1 too, I've actually read quite a bit on it, and I don't think they mean it to be an entry level sounding preamp either, they already have that in the highly regarded USP-1 preamp. The XSP-1 is meant to be their reference level preamp.

 I don't think I would catagorize them as "entry level" at all, rather due to their business model they are able to charge far less for their stuff. I don't think anyone thinks of Emotiva as having an "entry level" sound, that's for the big box stores of the world. I have the ERC-1 and XDA-1 and they sound fabulous.

 The ERC-1 is $399 and is well known for competing in the $1500-$2000 range.

 I think they expect it to compete with multithousand dollar preamps and the forum buzz is that it will do so. Just like their XPA-1 monoblock amplifiers and ERC-1 cd player and other products. From what I understand, the components inside are of very high quality and extremely modern. The buzz is that it will likely shock the industry with its performance/dollar.

 And it has just a ton of functionality too.

 http://emonatics.com/XSP-1.shtml

 Word from the guys at Emotiva is that they are fine tuning the design and are very close to clearing it for production so I expect a preorder soon and launch within a few months.

 This is a very hard decision for me because I'd really love to have a piece of Dodd gear, but I don't think it's going to have all the whiz-bang control over my system the XSP-1 will provide.

 

[jtsnead]

I use a Dodd tube buffer w/ remote.

I have a Bob's SUT into my Jasmine then to the Dodd,
I use two SDS-254 amps bridged

I like it better than both of the tube preamps I owned
before it(one was $3500). I like the 6h30 tube for its tranparency, dynamics and imaging

I highly recommend the Dodd, I feel I will not
try any more preamps for a long time.

You would have to change to unbalanced cables though.

JT

[Rclark]

I don't mind that if there's a sonic improvement.

 Can you describe running a buffer versus running a preamp?