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Post by ajani on Dec 3, 2010 14:45:07 GMT -5
So here are my initial impressions of the XDA-1 with no burn in and just a few tracks played:
Let's start with the bad -
There are 2 really frustrating design choices that might be a deal breaker for some persons;
1) The gain is way too high... Considering that Emotiva amplifiers already have way too high a gain, the combination with my 90db speakers is that a volume level of 2.5 out of 80 (not 8, but 80) is a comfortable listening level... So clearly I could never use this combo with a a high efficiency pair of speakers... Also it means that you have very little control over the volume range.... While the extra high gain is about the same as my Benchmark DAC1, there are 2 things to consider; 1. The DAC1 has internal attenuators so you can drop the gain down 30db if you so desire 2. Emotiva has a line of products and by default they should be designed to work well together - So the XDA-1 to XPA-2 should be designed to have an appropriate gain when combined with average sensitivity speakers...
2) WHY does Emotiva insist on over-tightening the screws??? I almost had a fit a few weeks ago when I had to replace the fuse on my XPA-2... At least in that case, they could argue that a user may never have to replace a fuse... The problem with the XDA-1 is that in order to use the remote (change batteries or just remove the paper inside the battery compartment that stops the remote from working initially) you have to unscrew the backplate of the remote... I may need to seek professional help to remove these screws, as I have been unable to use the remote so far...
So chances are you might find yourself severely frustrated before you even play your first track... Which is is a shame since the DAC has very good sound quality... I can't give a serious impression of the sound yet as I have not given it enough time and also I'm still really pissed about not being able to unscrew the remote, but my quick swap with my Benchmark DAC1 suggests that the XDA-1 is a more than respectable option, though it seems to fall just short of the DAC1... NOTE: That opinion may completely change when I give the XDA-1 more time and if I'm ever able to use the remote...
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ratmice
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I'm not an actor, but I play one on TV.
Posts: 1,853
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Post by ratmice on Dec 3, 2010 14:59:24 GMT -5
A nice new, appropriately-sized (#2) Philips head screwdriver should do the trick for #2.
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Post by Poodleluvr on Dec 3, 2010 15:12:45 GMT -5
I have an opposite problem with 91 DB sensitivity speakers.
I have a large room at 24' X 27' and I have no problem running the volume at setting 70, not 7, but 70.
As a matter of fact, it appears that my XDA-1 does not have enough oomph connected directly (no USP-1) into my pair of XPA-1s to attain that of initial clipping (only one red LED momentarily lit) of which my USP-1 can do no problem at 1 to 2 o'clock setting position along with the ERC-1.
As far as the digital volume control, it is smooth; whereas, you don't hear 'stepping' at each increment but I much prefer a rotary dial or that of adjustable potentiometer volume control.
I'm not necessarily worried about it.-- Bring on the XSP-1
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Post by ajani on Dec 3, 2010 15:45:38 GMT -5
A nice new, appropriately-sized (#2) Philips head screwdriver should do the trick for #2. Which I have... The screws on mine are seriously overtightened.. The screws on the trim of the XDA-1 and XPA-2 were easy to take off... Some of the screws on the Bottom plate of the XPA-2 (for access to the fuse) were easy to take off, but about 2 of the XPA-2 screws and all of the XDA-1 remote screws are so tight that the screw heads are stripping rather than turning... |
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Post by ajani on Dec 3, 2010 15:48:44 GMT -5
I have an opposite problem with 91 DB sensitivity speakers. I have a large room at 24' X 27' and I have no problem running the volume at setting 70, not 7, but 70. As a matter of fact, it appears that my XDA-1 does not have enough oomph connected directly (no USP-1) into my pair of XPA-1s to attain that of initial clipping (only one red LED momentarily lit) of which my USP-1 can do no problem at 1 to 2 o'clock setting position along with the ERC-1. As far as the digital volume control, it is smooth; whereas, you don't hear 'stepping' at each increment but I much prefer a rotary dial or that of adjustable potentiometer volume control. I'm not necessarily worried about it.-- Bring on the XSP-1 huh? So why is the gain on mine so high and the gain on yours so low? |
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Post by sharkman on Dec 3, 2010 16:11:02 GMT -5
For the concern of a gain issue on the XDA-1 when connected directly to Emotiva amplifiers:
Is there any difference in DB depending on whether the XDA is connected by XLR(balanced) or RCA cables? I ask because I've read that an XLR connection can give an increase of up to 6 DB.
Also, is there any difference depending on whether the source (CD player, eg) is connected into the XDA by Coax or optical or? I have an XDA coming and I am getting concerned about this issue since I was going to connect without a pre amp.
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Post by monkumonku on Dec 3, 2010 16:23:06 GMT -5
A nice new, appropriately-sized (#2) Philips head screwdriver should do the trick for #2. If you are that constipated that sounds dangerous to use a screwdriver. Shouldn't you call your doctor? Oh never mind.. I misunderstood what you were posting about. ;D |
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jw87c
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by jw87c on Dec 3, 2010 16:39:45 GMT -5
For me, the screws at the back of the remote were really easy to remove.  I did not directly connect my XDA-1 to an amp. My connection is: XDA-1 -> Onkyo 707 (pure mode) -> Rotel RMB 1075 amp -> Salk HT2-TL speakers. For this configuration, I left the volume on XDA-1 at 80, and the volume on Onkyo 707 at about -8 dB for a comfortable SPL. I know that putting Onkyo in the middle might compromise the sound quality, but that's the only way that I can arrange for both 2-ch and 5.1. I didn't spend too much time for serious listening yet. During my brief listening sessions, there is a noticeable improvement in sound quality after adding XDA-1 in the signal path. The sound now sounds much "cleaner". The biggest improvements are in the highs and the middle range, especially for string instruments and female voice. Now I start to understand the "transparency" of the RAAL ribbon tweeter, thanks to XDA-1. The dimension of the sound stage does not change much before/after XDA-1 though. |
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Post by ajani on Dec 3, 2010 16:39:58 GMT -5
A nice new, appropriately-sized (#2) Philips head screwdriver should do the trick for #2. If you are that constipated that sounds dangerous to use a screwdriver. Shouldn't you call your doctor? Oh never mind.. I misunderstood what you were posting about. ;D It might help him to de-clench... Probably really dangerous though... worse if the 'screwhead' strips... |
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Post by khonfused on Dec 3, 2010 16:41:31 GMT -5
For the concern of a gain issue on the XDA-1 when connected directly to Emotiva amplifiers: Is there any difference in DB depending on whether the XDA is connected by XLR(balanced) or RCA cables? I ask because I've read that an XLR connection can give an increase of up to 6 DB. Also, is there any difference depending on whether the source (CD player, eg) is connected into the XDA by Coax or optical or? I have an XDA coming and I am getting concerned about this issue since I was going to connect without a pre amp. Mine is connected by RCA cables to a XPA-5 and I can crank the volume to 1.0 max for normal listening volume, sometimes 0.5 only. Everything above is LOUD! As this is the best connection according to Lonnie, the Emo gear should work together a lot better. |
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Post by ajani on Dec 3, 2010 16:50:17 GMT -5
For me, the screws at the back of the remote were really easy to remove. OK, that's it... I'm convinced Emotiva is trying to destroy me!!! I now have a new arch-nemesis... Seriously though, I think they need just a bit more consistency in things like Gain and tightening screws... yours shouldn't be easy and mine be a nightmare... |
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Post by ajani on Dec 3, 2010 17:02:18 GMT -5
For the concern of a gain issue on the XDA-1 when connected directly to Emotiva amplifiers: Is there any difference in DB depending on whether the XDA is connected by XLR(balanced) or RCA cables? I ask because I've read that an XLR connection can give an increase of up to 6 DB. Also, is there any difference depending on whether the source (CD player, eg) is connected into the XDA by Coax or optical or? I have an XDA coming and I am getting concerned about this issue since I was going to connect without a pre amp. Mine is connected by RCA cables to a XPA-5 and I can crank the volume to 1.0 max for normal listening volume, sometimes 0.5 only. Everything above is LOUD! As this is the best connection according to Lonnie, the Emo gear should work together a lot better. Agreed... I hope team Emo don't take these 'complaints' as a bash but as constructive feedback... Sadly minor annoyances like that can detract from a really good product... However, having had some more time to listen to the XDA-1 I am very impressed with its sound quality... It's really not that far off from my DAC1 at this stage... So who knows how good it might sound with a decent amount of playing time... Even with the gain and overtightened screws, the XDA-1 is a keeper... |
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Post by rockguitar on Dec 3, 2010 17:45:13 GMT -5
For me, the screws at the back of the remote were really easy to remove. OK, that's it... I'm convinced Emotiva is trying to destroy me!!! I now have a new arch-nemesis... Seriously though, I think they need just a bit more consistency in things like Gain and tightening screws... yours shouldn't be easy and mine be a nightmare... These are little niggles. For me, one out of the 4 screws on the remote was difficult to remove. And to screw everything back in place required careful adjustment of the backplate prior to tightening everything down. My biggest operational quirk so far is the volume control, changing the volume goes really slowly if you want to go from e.g 80 to 0. It's great that you can have the precision to have 0.5 intervals, but on my prepro, you can set it up for 1 db or 0.5 db intervals, which makes it much more comfortable to use for those rapid volume changes. But I have to say, its better to have a remote than to not have one |
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Post by bd52 on Dec 3, 2010 17:47:42 GMT -5
Ajani, I've had quite a bit of experience in loosing overtightened screws and bolts. Here's something you might try. Heat always helps. Take a hair blow dryer and heat the remote up, especially around the screws. Use common sense and don't get it too hot. Then take a good #2 phillips and try to loosen. Don't apply gradually increasing pressure. Apply as much pressure as suddenly as you can. This has an impact effect and hopefully the screws will pop loose. I'm sure if you can't get it you can send it to Emotiva and they will do it. That would be a big pain though.
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Post by debk on Dec 3, 2010 18:34:02 GMT -5
I am very impressed with the XDA.
I have an ERC-1 hooked to it via digital coax and my apple TV via optical.
The RCA output of the XDA is being fed into my Foreplay III tube preamp and that feeding a UPA-2 (currently building a 300B SET amp). I left the XDA volume at 80
The SQ is a big improvement. Sound is more dynamic and very full sound stage. I am very happy with the unit. My 2ch system never sounded better
Debra
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Post by DoingOK on Dec 3, 2010 18:44:53 GMT -5
Now all I need is some matching wood trim. Fits nicely and will be replacing the Musical Fidelity V-DAC that is connected to the Wadia.  |
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Post by basicsystem on Dec 3, 2010 19:35:02 GMT -5
DoingOK:
I like your work. Your rack, your "wood ware," your wire management, your homemade acoustic panels (under DIY). Very meticulous.
However, "USP-1, UPA-2 and ERC-1" in your garage? Man, that's sick. ;D
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RadTech
Emo VIPs
X Rayed It!
Posts: 4,462
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Post by RadTech on Dec 3, 2010 19:38:34 GMT -5
I tried both PC optical > XDA 1> RPA 2 PC optical > XDA 1 > Onkyo 886 > RPA 2 The SQ in both setups was very good! The output voltage is high. With the XDA 1 hooked directly to the RPA 2 at 32 on the volume level , measured 95 db. I'm lucky the gain on the RPA 2 is 29 db. Hooked directly to the pre it's set at 80 and, I had to recalibrate the L & R to 75 db, by lowering each by about 2 db. The XDA 1 hooked directly to the RPA 2 sounded the better of the two and, I was pleased with the overall SQ. I need to get a pair of XLRs so, I can incorporate the subs and, it should sound awesome. I really don't have much more to add at this point, I need more time with it. So far so good! ;D  |
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Post by pdaddy on Dec 3, 2010 21:24:27 GMT -5
Somewhat of a tangental question here, but when I get my XLR cables and hook my balanced connections from the XDA directly to my XPA 2 can I also keep my RCA cables from my Parasound 2100 also connected to my XPA 2 when I want to play my Oppo BDP 83 which is connected through the Parasound?....and no, I won't play both at the same time . P.S. For those of you following many threads, I my post this elsewhere too. |
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Post by eusebio on Dec 3, 2010 21:29:00 GMT -5
Somewhat of a tangental question here, but when I get my XLR cables and hook my balanced connections from the XDA directly to my XPA 2 can I also keep my RCA cables from my Parasound 2100 also connected to my XPA 2 when I want to play my Oppo BDP 83 which is connected through the Parasound?....and no, I won't play both at the same time . P.S. For those of you following many threads, I my post this elsewhere too. you would have to flick the switch on the back of the XPA-2 between Balanced and Un-Balanced. from what i've read this isn't a good idea as that switch isn't meant to be used frequently. |
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