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Post by audiocr381ve on Jun 5, 2011 1:30:36 GMT -5
I wanted to give a brief review of the XDA-1.
This product is a tremendous value in that it offers an awesome remote, many inputs, and balanced/unbalanced outputs.
Let's talk about the sound. I am amazed by the detail, refinement, and clarity this DAC has brought to my system. It was instantly noticeable. With that said, it most definitely doesn't lean towards the warm side. When I bought the XDA-1 I thought "what a smokin' deal, I get a preamp too!" Boy was I wrong. I strongly disagree with many who have been connecting this DAC directly to their amplifiers. It is as cold as ice directly connected. Even when paired with my Carver TFM-45 known to be a "warm" amplifier.
It absolutely needs a warm preamp to balance out it's detail. Again, with that being said, when I connected it to my vintage Marantz 2245 via auxiliary inputs, I have never been more pleased with ANY system I've ever had or heard. And that pretty much sums up my experience with the XDA-1.
Highly recommended for use as a DAC. Highly NOT recommended for use as a DAC AND preamp.
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Post by Topend on Jun 5, 2011 2:51:22 GMT -5
Could it be that you are so used to that warm sound you speak of that when you listened to the XDA-1 connected to your amp it just seemed cold because of what you are used to.
Connected to my XPA-2 my XDA-1 sounds neutral to my ears.
Dave.
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Post by audiocr381ve on Jun 5, 2011 3:52:49 GMT -5
Could be, but I doubt it.
I think the term "warm" (as well as neutral) get's tossed around to much so let me clarify. XDA-1 connected directly to both of my amps (separate times of course) sounded thin. Using the preamp section of the Marantz 2245 (also tried a Carver CT-6) helped tremendously in brining out the mids. Blues electric guitars sounded thick and full as opposed to thin and light. It's so hard not to use buzz words...
I have the XPA-2 coming in a few weeks. I'll give it a go with that amp and see if anything changes. But as of now, my opinion stands in that the XDA-1 is amazingly refined as a DAC but really doesn't shine without a decent preamp.
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Post by Topend on Jun 5, 2011 5:26:57 GMT -5
I don't usually use the term warm, neutral or cold. My description of the XDA-1/XPA-2 combo is it reveals the detail of each instrument better than anything I've had in my setup before, particularly with hi-res music.
For your XDA-1 to sound different when you add a pre-amp in the system, whether for better of worse, means your pre-amp is coloring the sound.
Cheers,
Dave.
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Post by sharkman on Jun 5, 2011 9:54:11 GMT -5
Audio, you haven't mentioned what speakers you are using. Speakers have the greatest effect on whether a system sounds 'cold' or 'warm'. I think your speaks must be on the bright side. I have the XDA with an XPA-3 directly connected to my Paradigm Signature S6 speakers. I find the sound to be dead neutral. Some CDs sound a little bright or warm depending on the mix the producer was going for. And the sounstage I've got now is simply amazing.
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Post by SoundHog on Jun 5, 2011 14:25:09 GMT -5
I had a similar experience with a Harman Kardon 3490 connected to low-end Maggies. Bright, thin, and annoying when bypassing the pre-amp in the HK3490 and splendid when going through the HK's pre-amp. Also, the XDA-1 brings the sound about one foot closer to the listener compared with my old DAC, a vintage California Audio Gamma.
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Post by audiocr381ve on Jun 5, 2011 14:28:45 GMT -5
I don't usually use the term warm, neutral or cold. My description of the XDA-1/XPA-2 combo is it reveals the detail of each instrument better than anything I've had in my setup before, particularly with hi-res music. For your XDA-1 to sound different when you add a pre-amp in the system, whether for better of worse, means your pre-amp is coloring the sound. Cheers, Dave. Different, yes. Call it color or whatever you want, it just flat out sounds better with my entire collection of music from digital hi-res 96/24 to vinyl. Coming from a professional music recording background, I'm sure of this (by the way, we used the terms you don't use when mixing down an album  ) I'm using Polk SDA-2B (TL) speakers. No where near being bright speakers. It would be great if I didn't need a preamp between the XDA-1 and XPA-2. I'll just have to waiting and see. |
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Post by audiocr381ve on Jun 5, 2011 14:30:38 GMT -5
I had a similar experience with a Harman Kardon 3490 connected to low-end Maggies. Bright, thin, and annoying when bypassing the pre-amp in the HK3490 and splendid when going through the HK's pre-amp. Also, the XDA-1 brings the sound about one foot closer to the listener compared with my old DAC, a vintage California Audio Gamma. Glad to hear I'm not alone. I've tried several configurations and I had the same result each time. The music was thin. I still absolutely love what the XDA-1 does to my digital music, I just think it's better paired with a good preamp. YMMV of course |
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Post by matt on Jun 5, 2011 21:30:56 GMT -5
This makes me even more curious about what the XSP-1 will do for my XDA-1.
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Post by Topend on Jun 5, 2011 23:16:07 GMT -5
This makes me even more curious about what the XSP-1 will do for my XDA-1. Add a nicer volume control. Dave. |
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Post by dragonV on Jun 6, 2011 1:27:59 GMT -5
I don't usually use the term warm, neutral or cold. My description of the XDA-1/XPA-2 combo is it reveals the detail of each instrument better than anything I've had in my setup before, particularly with hi-res music. For your XDA-1 to sound different when you add a pre-amp in the system, whether for better of worse, means your pre-amp is coloring the sound. Cheers, Dave. Agreed. Mine is going straight into two UPA-1's, and sounds awesome. Definately no brightness etc. just wonderful sound-  |
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Post by normanu on Jun 6, 2011 6:57:05 GMT -5
Looking forward to your opinion after connecting it to the XPA-2
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Post by thielguy on Jun 6, 2011 10:30:36 GMT -5
I think people acclimate to a sound signature that they are used to.
For example, someone living in fairbanks will feel comforable where a southern will most definately not!
I wonder if the users who find the xda sound lacking are simply used to an "effect" that their usual pre-amp imparted to the sound. So, when trying the XDA alone, they are literally missing something they were used to - something they've grown accustomed to being a part of their favorite tracks.
I actually think that's part of what is referred to a the burn in , of break in period - they user's head is being re-wired to accept differences in sound over prior experiences...
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Post by socialxray on Jun 6, 2011 11:55:30 GMT -5
True. Or it could be an impedance mismatch between his XDA and his amplifier that is causing the sound to be thin. Adding a pre-amp may be rectifying this for the OP. A good pre-amp is more than just a volume control and source selector.
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Post by audiocr381ve on Jun 6, 2011 15:29:59 GMT -5
I'll report back when I get the XPA-2. Thanks for the input guys.
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Post by thielguy on Jun 6, 2011 20:44:23 GMT -5
good luck 381 - I hope you're satisfied.. I haven't listen to my 2.0 yet as planned - XDA-1 to a pair of UPA-1, but that arrangement came recommended by a good guy at Emotiva. Alternatively he could have recommeded I also get a emotive pre-amp - making his company more $ ! but he felt that was not neccessary after considering my system, and plans... |
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Post by audiocr381ve on Jun 7, 2011 19:34:52 GMT -5
good luck 381 - I hope you're satisfied.. I haven't listen to my 2.0 yet as planned - XDA-1 to a pair of UPA-1, but that arrangement came recommended by a good guy at Emotiva. Alternatively he could have recommeded I also get a emotive pre-amp - making his company more $ ! but he felt that was not neccessary after considering my system, and plans... To you as well. I hope you're setup works out. Please chime in once you get it set up! |
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