?XDA first impression

[redcarpet]

whoever had a chance to audition the XDA at RMAF please post your impression/comment.
Thanks

[vincedog3]

Stay tuned Redcarpet, allot of folks were present these last 2 days and the XDA-1 was the top of their short list of our components to hear. You should be hearing soon their impressions.

[rockguitar]

I wish one could hear what the XDA sounds like, but at present, it would be impossible to tell for sure. What people at Emofest and the RMAF are hearing is the sound of the SYSTEM. There is no basis for determining what contribution each component is making unless you've got a baseline of each and every component in the same room. Now if the whole system sound great, than that's promising. If it doesn't there are too many variables to consider as to what's the weakest link.

[sharkman]

That is true, but for the select enthusiasts we have in this community, critical listening is possible as many own Emotiva components and are quite familiar with them. Still, the only way to know for sure is to hear the XDA in your room in your system.

[dingofarmer]

I was there and the setup was amazing. I enjoyed the demo, however you are right in saying that its hard to hear the difference as it was the ERC-->XDA-1-->XPA mono amps x4. Overall I though it sounded good enough to pre-order-reservation. Im looking at the ERC down the road, but wouls like to experiment with my PS3-->XDA1-->XPA-3 amp in balanced mode for two channel. I run two vandersteen 2ce sig's which go quite low for stereo, so the sub bass management thing is not such a big deal to me. At 299.00 at the build quality I dont think you can go wrong. Thanks to Vincent and the other nice guy who unfortunatly I forgot his name, they were great to talk to and some of the nicest guys at RMAC, as most of the vendors were DB's, but hey they were offering the cheap sky vodka. Nothing like listening to 100k in equipment sipping on the cheapest liqure.

The Emo both was a no nonsense setup, wish they had a bigger room if anything,.

[jmargaglione]

I was at RMAF, and got to listen to the XDA-1. My system is a bit different from the system that was there, though. The setup at RMAF was the EMC-1 -> XDA-1 -> 4 XPA-1 -> 2 ERT-8.3. My system is an Oppo BD-83 -> UMC-1 -> XPA-5 -> Klipschorns.

I will start off by saying that the sound was very, very good, even without the sub turned on. The dynamics of the system were amazing, which I think can be credited to the combination of the XDA-1 and the 4 XPA-1's. I also noticed some subtle differences in the music we played. On one symphonic piece, the clarinet took on an enhanced role underneath the strings, which I had not previously noticed. I also thought that the sound of the strings was more lush than with just the UMC-1.

I have an XDA-1 on pre-order, so I will do some real A/B testing when it arrives.

[regulator]

I also was at the RMAF and I agree the system as a whole sounded great. My friend and I were wondering how it would sound without the XDA-1 (just the ERC-1), connected to the amps (not sure if that is even possible). Sound was very good though

[soulrider4ever]

Any of those who went to RMAF get a chance to listen to the Wharfedale OpusII-3's?? Just curious.

I am also on the preorder list and will be comparing the XDA-1 to my Matrix Mini-I (fully balanced DAC with dual AD1955 chips)

[taoggniklat]

I agree with what the others have stated. The show is really hard to hear the difference one particular piece makes. There are so many factors involved (the room, treatments, electronics, etc). So I would find it hard to say "that XDA1 was fantastic because I have no way to isolate what it contributed to the sound.

The Emotiva room as a whole sounded pretty good. Definitely a bang for your buck room.

[iceman66]

Oct 18, 2010 12:56:14 GMT -5 soulrider4ever said:

Any of those who went to RMAF get a chance to listen to the Wharfedale OpusII-3's?? Just curious.

I am also on the preorder list and will be comparing the XDA-1 to my Matrix Mini-I (fully balanced DAC with dual AD1955 chips)

soulrider4ever,
I have the matrix mini-I also, as you are probably aware the USB port is limited to 16/48, have you been able to overcome this limitation? I don't have any digital outs on my PC so I am stuck with USB for now, I do have the XDA-1 pre-ordered also.

[regulator]

Whiskey must have been the drink of choice. I had some very tasty whiskey in the Music Hall room with Roy Hall! He was cool to talk to, very nice guys

[soulrider4ever]

Oct 18, 2010 14:26:28 GMT -5 iceman66 said:

Oct 18, 2010 12:56:14 GMT -5 soulrider4ever said:

Any of those who went to RMAF get a chance to listen to the Wharfedale OpusII-3's?? Just curious.

I am also on the preorder list and will be comparing the XDA-1 to my Matrix Mini-I (fully balanced DAC with dual AD1955 chips)

soulrider4ever,
I have the matrix mini-I also, as you are probably aware the USB port is limited to 16/48, have you been able to overcome this limitation? I don't have any digital outs on my PC so I am stuck with USB for now, I do have the XDA-1 pre-ordered also.

I use the M2Tech Hiface USB > BNC adapter, I don't use a BNC cable either, I just have an adapter to go from BNC > BNC - sounds spectacular.

[iceman66]

Oct 18, 2010 14:49:58 GMT -5 soulrider4ever said:

Oct 18, 2010 14:26:28 GMT -5 iceman66 said:

soulrider4ever,
I have the matrix mini-I also, as you are probably aware the USB port is limited to 16/48, have you been able to overcome this limitation? I don't have any digital outs on my PC so I am stuck with USB for now, I do have the XDA-1 pre-ordered also.

I use the M2Tech Hiface USB > BNC adapter, I don't use a BNC cable either, I just have an adapter to go from BNC > BNC - sounds spectacular.

Thanks for the info, I don't have any hi-def music as of yet but will be looking soon