geneo
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 6
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Post by geneo on Nov 4, 2023 14:51:36 GMT -5
I am thinking of purchasing the XDA-3 to replace my PT-1. Currently I am running the PT-1 and A2 amp with an SVS micro3000 sub and ERC-4 cd player. My question is really about how I can use my subwoofer with this as my main preamp? I see there is one xlr out and one RCA out. Can I use the RCA for the sub and XLR with an balanced to unbalanced adapter for the A2?
Thanks
Gene
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Post by emotimmo on Nov 4, 2023 20:23:10 GMT -5
You could do this, but you wouldn't have the crossover your PT-1 provides. You would have to set the crossover at the sub and just let the speakers naturally roll off. Be sure you feed both L/R into your sub. It shouldn't matter if you use the XLR>RC on the A2 or the SVS.
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vega
Minor Hero
Posts: 30
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Post by vega on Nov 12, 2023 7:16:52 GMT -5
Yes I’m very disappointed Emotiva didn’t add a subwoofer out on the new XDA3. I would have already purchased one to replace my PT100 if it had a sub out. Ultimately I would have a DR2 and XPA3 hooked up via balanced connections then a sub Could be used. however being in Canada the price of the DR2 is hard to justify
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Post by PaulBe on Nov 12, 2023 7:46:06 GMT -5
Yes I’m very disappointed Emotiva didn’t add a subwoofer out on the new XDA3. I would have already purchased one to replace my PT100 if it had a sub out. Ultimately I would have a DR2 and XPA3 hooked up via balanced connections then a sub Could be used. however being in Canada the price of the DR2 is hard to justify The XDA-3 has 2 sets of outputs. You could make stereo subs, or, use a summing box to make a mono Sub output. An active Sub with a level control, adjustable rolloff, and phase control could be used. There are a number of DSP devices that could be added, without need for the second set of XDA-3 outputs, for crossover control to Mains and Subs; mini-DSP, dBx, etc. Putting real DSP crossover control for Mains and Subs in the XDA-3 would jack the price up. IIRC the Trinnov folks have a preamp device like this. Perhaps Emotiva will make an XDA-4 with all these toys in it. |
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vega
Minor Hero
Posts: 30
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Post by vega on Nov 19, 2023 19:20:07 GMT -5
Ok this is good news. So on the XDA I could use one set of the outputs to run my Emotiva sub. Question do I have to use both outputs and run 2 sub cables to my sub, or can I just run the single sub cable. Any help is appreciated thanks!
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butchgo
Emo VIPs 
The Dark Side rules
Posts: 567
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Post by butchgo on Nov 22, 2023 10:58:45 GMT -5
Bump to see if anyone knows the answer.
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Post by emotimmo on Nov 22, 2023 11:08:01 GMT -5
Ok this is good news. So on the XDA I could use one set of the outputs to run my Emotiva sub. Question do I have to use both outputs and run 2 sub cables to my sub, or can I just run the single sub cable. Any help is appreciated thanks! Your music is in stereo then you should run the stereo signal to the sub(left and right). There is no summed signal from the XDA. |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,011
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Post by KeithL on Nov 22, 2023 11:53:36 GMT -5
Exactly... In order to have the bass from both channels go to your sub you should connect the outputs from both channels on the XDA-3 to it. You will then use the crossover and level controls on your sub to adjust it so that it blends properly with your main speakers. (You will only have to adjust that once when you set everything up; after that everything will be controlled by the Volume control on the XDA-3.) In the old days, with vinyl, most low bass, and especially low bass at relatively high levels, was actually recorded onto the disc in mono (the reason has to do with optimizing track spacing when the groove is cut and stylus tracking and motion during playback). So, because of that, in the old days, some people who listened to mostly older music just connected one channel to a sub. However, for good results with modern recordings, you really want to connect both channels. Also a note for people looking to purchase a new sub for a setup like this... If you're using a processor, or a preamp like the PT1 or PT2, it's going to have a summed sub output... So that will work fine even with subs that only have a single LFE input... But, if you're using something like the XDA-3, which does not have a summed output, make sure you get a subwoofer that has separate summed left and right inputs. (Most subs have either left and right inputs, or both left and right and LFE inputs, but some few subs ONLY have a single LFE input.) If you already have a sub with only a single input then you can combine the two channels using a "passive mixer" or "passive crossover"... However you should avoid mixing the channels together using a "Y-cable". Ok this is good news. So on the XDA I could use one set of the outputs to run my Emotiva sub. Question do I have to use both outputs and run 2 sub cables to my sub, or can I just run the single sub cable. Any help is appreciated thanks! Your music is in stereo then you should run the stereo signal to the sub(left and right). There is no summed signal from the XDA. |
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,011
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Post by KeithL on Nov 22, 2023 12:06:06 GMT -5
I should also mention this... (It's a bit more complicated... but it is a lower cost option to something like a full DSP-based active crossover.) If you want "full bass management", but don't want to add a complicated active device like a DSP, you CAN use a passive line level crossover. (The unbalanced output of the XDA-3 goes into the input... and the outputs connect to your main amp and your sub or subs.) Something like this : www.hlabs.com/products/crossovers/index_files/Page384.htmIt provides high-pass filtering for your main channels and a summed low-pass filtered output for your sub or subs... Both with a variety of user-programmable crossover points... Note that it will raise the output impedance... so you will have to be especially careful about cable lengths and where your cables are run... But, being passive, it should otherwise deliver reasonably good fidelity... (And the full 2-way version is only around $50. ) The same company also makes simple passive high-pass filters that you can use to limit the low frequencies going to your main channels (if your main speakers are really small). You would then use the controls on the sub to control the low frequencies being routed to the sub. (Together this would give you all of the benefits of actual "full bass management".) Yes I’m very disappointed Emotiva didn’t add a subwoofer out on the new XDA3. I would have already purchased one to replace my PT100 if it had a sub out. Ultimately I would have a DR2 and XPA3 hooked up via balanced connections then a sub Could be used. however being in Canada the price of the DR2 is hard to justify The XDA-3 has 2 sets of outputs. You could make stereo subs, or, use a summing box to make a mono Sub output. An active Sub with a level control, adjustable rolloff, and phase control could be used. There are a number of DSP devices that could be added, without need for the second set of XDA-3 outputs, for crossover control to Mains and Subs; mini-DSP, dBx, etc. Putting real DSP crossover control for Mains and Subs in the XDA-3 would jack the price up. IIRC the Trinnov folks have a preamp device like this. Perhaps Emotiva will make an XDA-4 with all these toys in it. |
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Post by PaulBe on Nov 22, 2023 12:34:36 GMT -5
I should also mention this... (It's a bit more complicated... but it is a lower cost option to something like a full DSP-based active crossover.) If you want "full bass management", but don't want to add a complicated active device like a DSP, you CAN use a passive line level crossover. (The unbalanced output of the XDA-3 goes into the input... and the outputs connect to your main amp and your sub or subs.) Something like this : www.hlabs.com/products/crossovers/index_files/Page384.htmIt provides high-pass filtering for your main channels and a summed low-pass filtered output for your sub or subs... Both with a variety of user-programmable crossover points... Note that it will raise the output impedance... so you will have to be especially careful about cable lengths and where your cables are run... But, being passive, it should otherwise deliver reasonably good fidelity... (And the full 2-way version is only around $50. ) The same company also makes simple passive high-pass filters that you can use to limit the low frequencies going to your main channels (if your main speakers are really small). You would then use the controls on the sub to control the low frequencies being routed to the sub. (Together this would give you all of the benefits of actual "full bass management".) The XDA-3 has 2 sets of outputs. You could make stereo subs, or, use a summing box to make a mono Sub output. An active Sub with a level control, adjustable rolloff, and phase control could be used. There are a number of DSP devices that could be added, without need for the second set of XDA-3 outputs, for crossover control to Mains and Subs; mini-DSP, dBx, etc. Putting real DSP crossover control for Mains and Subs in the XDA-3 would jack the price up. IIRC the Trinnov folks have a preamp device like this. Perhaps Emotiva will make an XDA-4 with all these toys in it. Yep. Lots of ways to do this. I should have expounded on my words 'summing box'. So. Is Emotiva going to make an XDA-4 with all these toys in it?  How about a DAC with the 'really' high end ESS PRO DACs too? Boutique OpAmps? THAT 888 Headphone amp? An XDA-3+? I know. The cost would be high for the performance gain. Take my money. My XDA-3 is a Very nice tool. I spend more time listening to music through it than with my RMC-1L. |
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,011
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Post by KeithL on Nov 22, 2023 14:34:05 GMT -5
A few short answers... all subject to change... and not at all certain. At this moment I don't think anyone has thought about the XDA-4 yet.  (The XDA-3 does pretty well what most of our customers want and I don't see a second high-end DAC in the line-up.) However, we do have a new high end preamp in the works, in line to replace the XSP-1, but with some digital inputs as well. (I don't know offhand what DACs it will have.) And we have looked at possibly making a high-end headphone amp... but nothing definite there yet. (Although I kind of doubt we'd license the proprietary THX stuff for it... ) And I can tell you that we don't really go in for "boutique op-amps". ........................................... Yep. Lots of ways to do this. I should have expounded on my words 'summing box'. So. Is Emotiva going to make an XDA-4 with all these toys in it? How about a DAC with the 'really' high end ESS PRO DACs too? Boutique OpAmps? THAT 888 Headphone amp? An XDA-3+? I know. The cost would be high for the performance gain. Take my money. My XDA-3 is a Very nice tool. I spend more time listening to music through it than with my RMC-1L. |
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Post by PaulBe on Nov 23, 2023 10:23:57 GMT -5
A few short answers... all subject to change... and not at all certain. At this moment I don't think anyone has thought about the XDA-4 yet. (The XDA-3 does pretty well what most of our customers want and I don't see a second high-end DAC in the line-up.) However, we do have a new high end preamp in the works, in line to replace the XSP-1, but with some digital inputs as well. (I don't know offhand what DACs it will have.) And we have looked at possibly making a high-end headphone amp... but nothing definite there yet. (Although I kind of doubt we'd license the proprietary THX stuff for it... ) And I can tell you that we don't really go in for "boutique op-amps". Yep. Lots of ways to do this. I should have expounded on my words 'summing box'. So. Is Emotiva going to make an XDA-4 with all these toys in it? How about a DAC with the 'really' high end ESS PRO DACs too? Boutique OpAmps? THAT 888 Headphone amp? An XDA-3+? I know. The cost would be high for the performance gain. Take my money. My XDA-3 is a Very nice tool. I spend more time listening to music through it than with my RMC-1L. FWIW, my comment about 'boutique' OpAmps is just a friendly and lighthearted jab pulled from our previous discussion, months ago, about OpAmps in the G4P. I don't go in for 'boutique' OpAmps either. But, if Emotiva didn't think OpAmps matter, Emotiva wouldn't have used different OpAmps in the XDA-3 than are used in the RMC. There wouldn't be legitimately different OpAmps in different circuitry. OpAmps Matter. Sometimes it's a cost factor. Sometimes it's a design factor. Don't ever skimp on OpAmp cost or design for a flagship product. The production cost difference is probably less than a dollar. It's not just about audiophoolery.  Thanks for the peak into Emotiva's thoughts for the future. Happy Thanksgiving! |
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Post by Two subs? on Jan 23, 2024 16:34:53 GMT -5
On these same lines, what if you wanted to use 2 Emotiva XS12s with the XDA-3? How would you hook up both of them?
Thanks
Brett
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