emaja
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Post by emaja on Feb 16, 2011 18:36:05 GMT -5
Yea for me - LOL!
I am streaming from my Mac to an Airport Express wirelessly. I have a TOSLINK cable from the AE to the XDA and then analog RCAs to my receiver. Then straight to the speakers. I hope that is the correct setup.
What I wanted to know is what volume settings do I use? I think I read that I should have iTunes set to maximum volume, and set the XDA to 80. Is that right?
So far, so good. The XDA seems to have opened up the soundstage dramatically, both in terms of width and depth. It almost seems unnatural, but it does sound good. No problems with too much brightness like some have heard. It does seem a little boomier, but we'll see if that changes with a little more use.
I suppose I'll have to break-in my ears a little longer. ;D
Eric
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Post by rygher3 on Feb 16, 2011 19:36:20 GMT -5
I also got mine today. I didn't think I'd have a chance to hook it up today but I did and wow it definitely sounds different. I noticed exactly the same as yours, with a much more open soundstage but almost sounding unnatural due to how different it is. I'm glad I have a month to try it out and see if I actually prefer it because it just seems weird right now.
I'm running it straight to my XPA-2 so I can't tell you where the settings should be for the volume.
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emaja
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Post by emaja on Feb 16, 2011 23:44:13 GMT -5
Anyone with thoughts on those settings? I want to make sure I am getting what I paid for!
Eric
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2011 23:48:00 GMT -5
I will be ordering the XDA-1 and a USP-1 tomorrow. I have been told by Emotiva to set it to maximum when used as a stand alone DAC  And yes have iTunes set to max. Sorry overlooked that  |
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emaja
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Post by emaja on Feb 16, 2011 23:56:10 GMT -5
That's what I thought. Thanks for the confirmation.
Eric
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Post by roadrunner on Feb 17, 2011 0:15:25 GMT -5
Eric
Is these any reason that you cannot run a Toslink cable directly from your PC to the XDA-1? The AE only has a maximum signal output of 24/48. The XDA-1 is capable of handling a 24/192 feed. With the AE in the path you can never fully utilize all that the XDA-1 has to offer.
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emaja
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Post by emaja on Feb 17, 2011 0:27:44 GMT -5
I suppose I could run the cable direct, but my CDs are all ripped to ALAC at 16 but and 44.1 kHz so I didn't think it mattered.
Am I misunderstanding how to use the XDA? Forgive my ignorance as this is just the start of my adventure into higher end audio.
Eric
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2011 0:31:50 GMT -5
Eric, I would use a toslink. That's what I will be using the AE is adding another link to the chain that doesn't need to be there |
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lewers
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Post by lewers on Feb 17, 2011 0:37:20 GMT -5
Anyone with thoughts on those settings? I want to make sure I am getting what I paid for! Eric Hi Eric, I've always ended up at this rule: The last device before the power amp is usually the best place to make volume adjustments. You could mess around with cranking up the receiver and using the XDA-1 to bring the volume down but I don't recommend that. I've been in the room when the full volume device wasn't noticed and the lowered one brought up to full before starting up a source. A full volume start like that seemed (to me) to temporarily scramble the brain and could , I'd bet would if not attended to quickly enough, cause permanent damage to speakers and ears. Beside the scary speaker/hearing damaging consequences, I've never found that I wasn't getting more noise or reducing quality by using two volume controls in that manner. I must confess that yes, I did this to myself. From an incoming signal perspective a receiver consists of a pre-amp then a power amp. (other stuff too like a tuner, but for the purpose of this conversation it's simpler to ignore that) In your setup the XDA-1 is the first of two devices in the path that can adjust volume. Set it at maximum and use the volume control on the receiver to adjust the volume and you'll probably be the happiest. If you find yourself with a stand-alone power amp you'll thank yourself afterward if you send the signal directly to the amp from the XDA-1. This is the suggested setup from Lonnie and I can confirm that it sounds much better than through even the UMC-1. Just be sure to start the XDA-1 at zero and move up from there  btw - Your receiver doesn't happen to have pre-out or, more importantly, main-in connectors? -Chris |
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emaja
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Post by emaja on Feb 17, 2011 0:40:08 GMT -5
My Mac is not used as a HTPC so it is not set up near the receiver and XDA. I would have to get a 25-30 foot mini-TOSLINK cable to do that. I'll have measure to be sure, but that length of optical cable in glass - which I was planning to do - will be about $150-200. Monoprice has the plastic fiber cables for $10. I am not an expensive cable guy, but I thought for a shorter run I could justify glass since it wasn't that expensive. When you get to the longer runs, that changes quickly.
Decisions decisions!
Eric
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emaja
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Post by emaja on Feb 17, 2011 0:47:34 GMT -5
If you find yourself with a stand-alone power amp you'll thank yourself afterward if you send the signal directly to the amp from the XDA-1. This is the suggested setup from Lonnie and I can confirm that it sounds much better than through even the UMC-1. Just be sure to start the XDA-1 at zero and move up from there btw - Your receiver doesn't happen to have pre-out or, more importantly, main-in connectors? -Chris The 608 in my sig does not have pre-outs or XLRs. I will be getting a new receiver - most likely the Onkyo NR-708 - soon for the purpose of adding a pair of UPA-1s for power. I am not sure how I could send power directly to a power amp since this is part of a HT setup. I am building it for my 2 channel listening, but in the apartment I do not have a separate audio room. Eric |
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lewers
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Post by lewers on Feb 17, 2011 2:50:11 GMT -5
If you find yourself with a stand-alone power amp you'll thank yourself afterward if you send the signal directly to the amp from the XDA-1. This is the suggested setup from Lonnie and I can confirm that it sounds much better than through even the UMC-1. Just be sure to start the XDA-1 at zero and move up from there btw - Your receiver doesn't happen to have pre-out or, more importantly, main-in connectors? -Chris The 608 in my sig does not have pre-outs or XLRs. I will be getting a new receiver - most likely the Onkyo NR-708 - soon for the purpose of adding a pair of UPA-1s for power. I am not sure how I could send power directly to a power amp since this is part of a HT setup. I am building it for my 2 channel listening, but in the apartment I do not have a separate audio room. Eric Ah - receiver in the sig - duh. I'm cleaning my glasses now... The XDA-1 has RCA and XLR outs. If you end up getting the UPA-1s for amplification you can run two sets of cables like I do now. Once you have UPA-1s and the new Onkyo in the setup run RCAs to the NR-708 and XLRs to the UPA-1s. Volume all the way down on the XDA-1, turn off the amps, switch them to the XLR (balanced) input, turn the amps back on and enjoy. Oh- and as far as the listening room, I think we're in a similar situation. I'm in an apartment where I jokingly refer to the living room as the theater. It's the only real listening room so it does double duty as the 2 channel and movie room. It's about 15x14 so not big either, but it's where I'm at for now so I'll make it sound as good as I can. -Chris |
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emaja
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Post by emaja on Feb 17, 2011 2:57:46 GMT -5
Sounds like our "theaters" are the same size. We make due with what we have.  Thanks Chris. I never thought about switching the inputs like that. I'll have to give it a try. Thanks everyone for being patient with my noobishness. You guys are so much nicer than other forums I have tried out where the audiosnobs live. Eric |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2011 3:01:14 GMT -5
You might run into problems in the future from switching back and fourth from unbalanced and balanced. It will probably wear out |
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Post by davidoro on Feb 17, 2011 9:43:45 GMT -5
Just got mine yesterday and the soundstage is definitely opened up. I am running mine into USP-1 - to stereo power amp. I have a few tests I like to carry out (by ear) and the XDA-1 has aced them for me. BTW I am using Martin Logan Sequel IIs with a Vandersteen Sub. I have always felt that the Vandersteen was turned up too high just to get results - well, you guessed it, I had to roll it back as the bass was so much more responsive. CDS I played are Shirley Horn - Here's To Life, Charles Munch Saint Saens Organ Symphony (Mvmt II), Lady Barbara from Robert Farnon's Horatio Hornblower Suite, John Field Nocturnes (solo piano from flac files). I am using CDs Oppo Universal player and Logitech Squeezebox for server setup. I have the Saint Saens in Living Stereo Hybrid SACD and have the CD 16 bit files on the server. With the XDA-1 I prefer the server than the SACD. It was definitely much broader. In the interest of absolute openess I am using digital because of the power needed for the ML stats BUT intend putting some glass in the mix - most likely this will be a tube pre. Two thumbs up for the XDA-1! David |
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Post by sparky22nj on Feb 17, 2011 12:44:59 GMT -5
I got my XDA-1 yesterday. I turned it on and left it on overnight. I just started listening today. So far it sounds great, airy, wide sound stage, deep controlled bass. I have it temporarily hooked up on my computer desk, using the S/PDIF. Next I want to do some listening with my Stax setup.
My unit's front panel seems to have the lighter black that others have mentioned. Mine also has a nick on the top front edge that was touched-up at the factory. Also, my two front end pieces are not aligned properly. Both are low on their right sides. I had planned on removing them, so I guess for the money, I am happy. Oh yeah, the remote is so cool! I am not sure how much I will be using it, but it is very nice. I had not read that I needed to open it up to remove the plastic piece between the battery and the spring clip. I was convinced that the thing was DOA until I read through the manual that I downloaded.
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lewers
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Post by lewers on Feb 17, 2011 13:22:56 GMT -5
You might run into problems in the future from switching back and fourth from unbalanced and balanced. It will probably wear out Interesting point there. I'd assumed (I know, I know) that Lonnie and company would throw in one capable of at least a few thousand use cycles. Do we know what switch is being used in the Emo-amps? Or it's use rating? If someone has popped open one of the amps, found the manufacturer and part#, researched and found the duty rating for the switch I'd be very grateful to know their findings. If not the weather looks to have gone sour here so I may have the time this evening to open one up and do some looking myself. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2011 13:27:20 GMT -5
You might run into problems in the future from switching back and fourth from unbalanced and balanced. It will probably wear out Interesting point there. I'd assumed (I know, I know) that Lonnie and company would throw in one capable of at least a few thousand use cycles. Do we know what switch is being used in the Emo-amps? Or it's use rating? If someone has popped open one of the amps, found the manufacturer and part#, researched and found the duty rating for the switch I'd be very grateful to know their findings. If not the weather looks to have gone sour here so I may have the time this evening to open one up and do some looking myself. I know if they would have put a steel toggle switch it wouldn't have problems. Like the XPA-1 has. But the plastic switch could wear out. It would be nice to know how many switches the switch can make lol |
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lewers
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Post by lewers on Feb 17, 2011 13:35:31 GMT -5
OK, then I'm all set to start the ball rolling and pop the top off one of the XPA-1s and go part-spec hunting.
Yea, I could call and ask one of the folks at E but what fun would that be?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2011 14:05:41 GMT -5
Just got my tracking numbers for my XDA-1 and USP-1 but won't be here till next week.... |
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