XSP-1 Versus XDA-1

[monkumonku]

So it kind of sounds like if one were to buy the XMC-1 that there would not be a need for an XDA-1 or XSP-1? That the audio quality would be comparable? And that I could replace my UMC-1 and USP-1 with the XMC-1 and have everything I need? (for the time being, at least) Or would there be some advantage to having an XDA-1 or XSP-1 over just using the XMC-1?

[roadrunner]

Sept 10, 2010 12:29:32 GMT -5 shawmcbigdis said:

Sept 9, 2010 18:56:18 GMT -5 roadrunner said:

Just in case it isn't clear, the XDA-1, XSP-1, and XMC-1 all use the same output circuit; and, in direct mode, they would all have the same sound quality... with a short, straight-wire signal path. They all share the same volume control scheme having a 130 dB Signal to Noise Ratio. State-of-the-art sound quality no matter which of the three components you choose to use. This should help make picking the appropriate solution easier since all three of these solutions give you the same output.

So would this mean then that in a combo HT/stereo rig, that there would be no need for the XDA if you got the XMC? Does the XMC us the same DAC's as the XDA?

I was planning on getting the XDA and hooking the ERC up to it, then going XLR to my UPA-1's, and just using the switch on the back of the amps to go from 2 channel mode to XLR to the XDA to HT mode using the RCA's to my Onkyo receiver. Kind of a hassle for sure. But if the XMC would give me the same quality, albeit for 3x the price, but a lot more options as well as a lot more ease of use, it may be the way to go for me.

I don't know which DAC will be used in the XMC, but even if it uses the same one as the XDA it may not have the same sound. The XMC will have an 8-channel DAC implementation whereas the XDA will have a 2-channel implementation. We will have to wait to compare the sound quality between the XDA and the XMC. At this point it is impossible to know how they will compare. Thank goodness for the Emotiva 30-day Trial Period.

It would not surprise me if the XMC negates any advantage derived from using the XDA for your application. Remember, using the XDA to handle the output from your ERC-1 will mean you have no post processing or bass management/sub woofer. If post processing or sub woofer usage is important to you it needs to be factored into your decision making process. It should be interesting to see the results of your comparison tests.