XDA connected to PC (Drivers)

[DYohn]

Now I'm with you. So what you really want is a digital preamp with HT bypass in the analog section.

[dsnyder0cnn]

Apr 6, 2011 10:59:22 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Now I'm with you. So what you really want is a digital preamp with HT bypass in the analog section.

That's it!

[vishal]

Apr 6, 2011 8:22:03 GMT -5 dsnyder0cnn said:

Howdy,
Rather than the XDA-1, I wish that Emotiva had produced two (or three) DAC's. The XDA-1 could be a pure DAC--no volume control, although a remote with input selection and power on/off would be ok. This would be their $300 base product. The XDA-2 would add basic preamp features from the USP-1 like motorized analog volume control, an analog input for SACD or an outboard phono pre, and a second analog input for HT Bypass (fixed level that runs directly from the ins to the outs). This could be their $500 DAC/pre. An XDA-3 that had a fully functioning 24-bit, 192kHz Asynchronous mode USB2 input with ASIO or similar drivers and possibly firewire or I2S inputs would make a nice $700 DAC/digital front-end.

These could all be built on the same platform. Ok, I'm dreaming. Back to work. Cheers.

-- David

Actually David, that makes a ton of sense. One of the primary reasons for me to let go of my XDA was just this. It just wasnt that much better than my preamp DAC to justify my going through the hassle of acquiring an additional unit (a USP-1 or alike) just to be able to use the XDA with my HT setup.

And you are not so far off the mark with your dreaming either. Benchmark, an established player in the arena, does exactly that. They make a DAC, a USB-DAC, a DAC-PRE, a DAC-PRE with remote. The latter two add an analog input that can be used for HT bypass. The price climbs from $800 to $1800 as you go up the ladder. All built on the same chassis.

[wc]

Does anyone use the USB connection to their XDA-1? From reading threads it appears limited to 16 bit, 48Hz and not 24 bit, 96 Hz. Is it a noticeable difference? Has anyone compared it to S/pdif from their computer.

[madmonkey]

The USB input is limited to 16/48khz and uses inbox drivers on Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac OS X. That's a limitation of the USB chipset used in the XDA-1. If you want to play 24/96k content, then you will need a sound card with a provided driver. All Intel Macs have SPDIF output built-in that can handle 24/96k, and many PC motherboards have this as well. If you don't have it, then you could use a sound card with bit perfect SPDIF output from M-Audio, Creative Labs (X-FI Extreme Audio in "UAA" mode), or other manufacturers.

If something is offered on Windows Update when using the XDA-1's USB input - don't install it. It's not necessary.

My recommended settings for Windows Vista/7 are as follows:
Right click on speaker icon in taskbar, choose playback devices
Right click on "Speakers - USB Audio Device", choose Properties
Go to Advanced tab, and set the default format to 16 bit, 44100hz, click Apply
Max the volume in Windows & Windows Media Player / Zune / iTunes
This will be basically bit-perfect, but still uses the Windows mixer. Vista/7 have a much more accurate mixer than XP, so there's no noticable difference in sound quality for ripped CD's.

Another option:
Install ASIO4ALL, and set your player to output match the source rate (16/44.1k most likely)

[edrummereasye]

Apr 7, 2011 22:08:07 GMT -5 wc said:

Does anyone use the USB connection to their XDA-1? From reading threads it appears limited to 16 bit, 48Hz and not 24 bit, 96 Hz. Is it a noticeable difference? Has anyone compared it to S/pdif from their computer.

I'm almost positive that a previous thread linked to Windows drivers that allow 24/96, and that I downloaded, installed, and subsequently used them successfully...however, I'm not at home, and I switched to digital coax out when I moved and re-wired everything, so I can't check at the moment.