XDA-1 vs. P-Tech P-1A/P-3A combo?

[alhull]

My current audio setup is my UMC-1 with an older Denon universal DVD player acting as CD and multi-channel transport.

I have the CD output from the player running into a Perpetual Tech P1A/P3A combo, running a SOCS load custom-measured for my Rocket 850 mains.

I am listening right now to a nice female vocal CD (Cara Dillon) in Direct mode on the UMC-1, so I am getting whatever audible benefits from the external DAC and resampling/SOCS are possible.

Can someone explain if using the XDA-1 (presumably in place of the P-tech boxes) might be an improvement over my current gear? I am not a super-audiophile - I don't think my ears can detect some of the subtleties in the sound that some younger folks can hear (I'm in my late 50's).

If you believe it would be an improvement could you also explain why it would be?

Would I really hear any benefit by switching to an XDA-1?

I run all the outputs from the UMC-1 to my MPS-1 amp...

[GreenKiwi]

I think that we'll all have to wait until some people get them in their greedy little hands

[alhull]

I'm looking for a bit more on the theoretical side right now. Given the 2 different sets of electronics and their capabilities, "on paper" - should I theoretically hear any improvement using the XDA-1 vs my P1A/P3A combo ?

I only listen to actual physical CDs -- I don't have any ripped digital versions of CDs, etc.

[roadrunner]

The advantage for the XDA-1 comes from its implementation of a dual output stage. The circuitry for the balanced output stage is a full differential balanced design. If you use it with a true balanced amp, like the XPA-1, using the XLR connectors you obtain the maximum benefit. see the link below.

emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=preampdac&thread=13936&page=1#214416