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Post by snodog on Oct 11, 2010 19:29:32 GMT -5
Sorry but I have no experience with it, what is it used for exactly and would you use it with the UMC? Someone please explain..
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Post by malibujeff on Oct 11, 2010 20:26:44 GMT -5
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Post by dsnyder0cnn on Oct 11, 2010 21:15:53 GMT -5
It's a fair question since the UMC-1 obviously has an integrated DAC and since the XDA-1 was unfortunately not designed as thoughtfully as the USP-1 regarding integration with an HT processor like the UMC-1.
For two channel playback of digital sources, the XDA-1 has two huge advantages over the UMC-1. First, it has fully differential high quality DAC chips that (I suspect) were selected and optimized for high resolution two-channel audio compared to the UMC-1 which was designed to decode a wide range of digital audio formats for DVD/blu-ray but presumably with some compromises made for two-channel audio playback (to my ears anyway). Second, the XDA-1 has a vastly superior, perhaps even massively overbuilt, differential analog output stage that can be connected directly to differential amplifiers like the XPA-1/2.
If the XDA-1 had been given an analog HT passthrough input, similar to the USP-1, UMC-1 owners could have placed it between the UMC-1 and their XPA-Series (or other amps with differential XLR inputs) to create a wonderful hybrid two/multi-channel system. Alas, they did not, so you have to just connect the XDA-1's analog outputs to one of the 2-channel analog inputs on your UMC-1 and then move/connect S/PDIF (and possibly USB for a PC/MAC source or AES/EBU for fancy sources) digital sources to the XDA-1. Next, be sure to configure the mode on the analog input that you assign to the XDA-1 to "Direct" for 2-channel analog signals or you will hear NONE of the benefits from using the XDA-1 (the UMC-1 converts analog input signals to digital first, does some processing on them, and then converts them back to analog if left in the default "Stereo" setting. Yuck!).
Although you will not be able to realize the full potential of the upgraded analog output stage on the XDA-1 when using it this way with the UMC-1, it should still provde a substantial upgarde in sound quality for two channel digital sources vs. using the UMC-1's built-in DAC. When used in "Direct" mode, the analog preamp in the UMC-1 is actually pretty darn good, so for $299, the XDA-1 is almost certainly money well spent if you are a 2-channel audio fan and you have lots of two channel digital sources and/or high-resolution digital music.
If your pockets are a little deeper (and you have space left in your audio rack), go ahead and spring for the USP-1 at the same time. Since it _does_ have the HT passthrough feature, it will integrate well with your UMC-1. Move all two-channel analog sources (including the XDA-1 outputs) to the USP-1, which also includes bass management for folks with small front loudspeakers and a sub. As good as the UMC-1's analog preamp is in "Direct" mode, folks tell me that the USP-1 is that much better, so including it with the XDA-1 will get you closer to the sound that you would experience if the XDA-1 was driving your amps directly.
The Emotiva folks are apparently working on a new X-Series preamp with fully balanced inputs (the XSP-1?) that will provide an even cleaner signal path for high performance sources like the XDA-1 for folks like us with hybrid two/multi-channel systems.
I hope this helps some...
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Post by Dan Laufman on Oct 11, 2010 21:51:37 GMT -5
Don't forget the upcoming XMC-1... it has balanced "pure audio" inputs...  |
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Post by roadrunner on Oct 11, 2010 22:06:47 GMT -5
Don't forget the upcoming XMC-1... it has balanced "pure audio" inputs... Believe me, I have not forgotten the XMC-1. I drool when I think of combining the XMC-1 with the XSP-1 Pre-amp and the XDA-1. Now that will be one sweet sounding combination of world class components.  Audio nirvana taken to its highest level. Yippeee!!! Hurry up with the XSP-1 so that I can start fully appreciating the sound potential of the XDA-1. ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by snodog on Oct 11, 2010 22:51:30 GMT -5
Thank you for the replies and the explanation, Ive just gotten into the separates the last couple of units Ive had. Dan I definitely will consider it so long as the bugs are worked out better than the UMC....I love it but hate it...hmmm like some past girlfriends
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Post by cokewithvanilla on Oct 12, 2010 1:13:40 GMT -5
I just got the email about preordering and am kinda excited as I have been passively searching for a dac for a little while. I am confused by "Dac/Preamp" .. is this both a preamp and DAC?
I currently have an Aragon 24k... can the XDA be used purely as a DAC? ... is it better than the aragon as a pre?
Thanks
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Post by wizardofoz on Oct 12, 2010 5:34:56 GMT -5
Just got the email too having gone and got a maverick d1 tube magic dac last night....guess I'll be having 2 dacs now
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Post by DC on Oct 12, 2010 7:21:36 GMT -5
Hi, can somebody please explain the importance of the DAC , there seems to be a big buzz over this release. So with the DAC converting the signal to analog then thru a dedicated pre Amp like USP-1, how much a difference will there be if I am only using ERC-1 thru UMC-1?
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Erwin.BE
Emo VIPs 
It's the room, stupid!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by Erwin.BE on Oct 12, 2010 11:15:02 GMT -5
Don't forget the upcoming XMC-1... it has balanced "pure audio" inputs... The XMC-1 will be brilliant for those who want video also. But, IMO, a XDA-1 and a XSP-1 melted together would be the ideal 21-century 2-channel digital pre-amp. Maybe just add room correction. Or active filters. Or...or... ;D I obviously pre-ordered the XDA-1 anyway. Very curious how it holds itself against the Weiss DAC2! |
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Erwin.BE
Emo VIPs
It's the room, stupid!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by Erwin.BE on Oct 12, 2010 11:20:16 GMT -5
Hi, can somebody please explain the importance of the DAC , there seems to be a big buzz over this release. So with the DAC converting the signal to analog then thru a dedicated pre Amp like USP-1, how much a difference will there be if I am only using ERC-1 thru UMC-1? The XDA-1 has superior output stages (analogue) vs those in the ERC-1. The best sound would be acheeved by directly connecting the XDA-1 to your amp. This has some downsides: no bass management etc. Just pure direct sound. I use my Weiss DAC2 that way. I use another system for video. |
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Post by broncsrule21 on Oct 12, 2010 13:20:17 GMT -5
Don't forget the upcoming XMC-1... it has balanced "pure audio" inputs... Dan, or someone else...Can you explain what that exactly is? |
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Post by ryan08 on Oct 12, 2010 13:55:31 GMT -5
XMC-1 is a new high-end stereo preamp.
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Post by ryan08 on Oct 12, 2010 13:58:23 GMT -5
Oh you might mean the "pure audio" part since I see you are pre-ordered for the XMC-1.
No idea what that would mean over balanced inputs.
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burki
Minor Hero
Posts: 27
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Post by burki on Oct 12, 2010 14:30:18 GMT -5
Hi, about the question "to use the XDA-1 with the UMC-1": I've preordered the XDA-A1, because I'm using the UMC-1 together with a stereo system in my homeoffice. There are an active 2.1 system and a headphone preamp and many multichannel sources. The UMC-1 is able to decode and downmix this sources and on the digital tapeouts we have 2 channel PCM. This stream will used then as an input for the XDA-1, which has again two analog preouts. The balanced will go to the active speakers and the unbalanced to the headphone preamp. Additional there is (see the other postings) the possibility to connect some digital stereo sources directly (btw. additional) to the XDA-1 for the "more direct path" (I believe there will be not any difference , because we are in the digital area). Greetings, Burkhardt |
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Post by esquire on Oct 12, 2010 14:36:24 GMT -5
From what I am reading, the XDA is primarily for 2 channel to be used with ERC-1, pc, ipod, etc. How do you connect the DAC to the UMC-1? (analogue?) Does it make reasonable sense to have this setup for improving SQ?
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Post by sanjaygolf on Oct 12, 2010 15:32:35 GMT -5
Don't forget the upcoming XMC-1... it has balanced "pure audio" inputs... Is this the XMC-1 or XSP-1? |
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Post by roadrunner on Oct 12, 2010 15:50:34 GMT -5
Don't forget the upcoming XMC-1... it has balanced "pure audio" inputs... Is this the XMC-1 or XSP-1? They both will. |
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Post by roadrunner on Oct 12, 2010 15:53:24 GMT -5
XMC-1 is a new high-end stereo preamp. ryan08 You are confusing the XMC-1 with the XSP-1. The XMC-1 is the new pre/pro and the XSP-1 is the new high-end stereo pre-amp. |
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vital
Minor Hero
Work hard and play harder!
Posts: 54
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Post by vital on Oct 12, 2010 16:19:26 GMT -5
So basicly in my 2 channel setup I will want to run the ERC-1 to the XSP-1 preamp to the XDA-1 dac to my XPA-2? Without the XSP in the chain then you will have no bass management or anything correct? I think I want a preamp in there.
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