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Post by giovanni1 on Mar 7, 2017 10:06:13 GMT -5
Hello all, I am new to Emotiva and have just acquired an XDA 1 as a throw in on a recent trade. I am hoping that I can get some feedback on what I can do with this unit.
I would like to use it on a 2 channel system that I am putting together. But I do have some questions regarding connections and what the unit can actually do for me.
I have a Carver 2 channel amp that has the XLR inputs, so that is no problem. I would like to connect a turntable (with RCA), a CD player (with optical so no problem) and even a Tuner (with RCA).
What would be the best options for me to connect both the TT and the Tuner that have RCA connections?
Also wondering if this unit is proper to be used in this setup?
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Post by garbulky on Mar 7, 2017 10:20:18 GMT -5
The XDA-1 works pretty nicely as a DAC. Now a DAC means it can only take digital inputs. The best (but costly) solution for you would be something like the Emotiva DC-1 + SP-1. This allows you to have multiple analog inputs plus a superior DAC. All controlled by one volume control. Another lower cost way to do it is to use an Emotiva PT-100 - its DAC is better than the XDA-1. And it has two analog inputs and a phono input. HOWEVER....both these optioins costs $$$$. And I can understand somebody not wanting to go that way. So I'll give you the cheap way. Keep in mind the word cheap. You get what you pay for but most likely you're going to get more than you expect here. Your turn table is going to need a phono preamp to boost the signal if it doesn't come with one already. Every turn table needs one. A few have them built in, most don't. You can get one cheap $15 - and imo quite nice quality for the low low price - here. www.amazon.com/PYLE-PRO-PP444-Compact-Turntable-Preamp/dp/B004HJ1TTQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1488899500&sr=8-2&keywords=phono+preampI think that's the one I use. However I'm not a big headphone afficianado or have a high end turn table. Now the tougher part is you need a analog to digital converter for the XDA-1. You'll need two of these $15 each. www.amazon.com/LinkS-Analog-Digital-Converter-Adapter/dp/B00N8UYGMW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1488899661&sr=8-3&keywords=analog+to+digital+converterI haven't tried these out. But it'll get you there. You are going to use the coax out connection (RCA) Needless to say the best audio quality you are going to be getting is from the direct digital connection from your CD player. Also you are going to want to use the XLR outputs on the XDA-1 using XLR cables. Though you don't have to. I prefer the XLR connection on the XDA-1 - even though your Carver is probably not a fully balanced amp. You can get the XLR cheap from monoprice as well. BTW, you can also hook up your Blu ray player to the XDA-1 as well with no problem or your game systems like the playstation or Xbox. |
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Post by vcautokid on Mar 7, 2017 10:20:49 GMT -5
Since this is a very capable DAC, digital sources only. You will need an analog preamplifier that allows integration of your analog sources such as your turntable, and tuner. The PT-100 is currently Emotiva Audio's great performing value preamplifier. I don't recall the XDA-1 having an analog input so that a Phono preamplifier like the XPS-1 might be used. But your tuner also requires an analog input on the preamplifier side too.
If the PT-100 does not make sense, any quality analog preamplifier with a built in Phono Stage could tie in your XDA-1, and your tuner, and turntable. The XSP-1 is a great way to go too. I am uncertain of your budget constraints if any, but these are a couple options.
This under the assumption you do not wish to change out any of your current components.
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Post by giovanni1 on Mar 7, 2017 15:21:23 GMT -5
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Post by garbulky on Mar 7, 2017 18:57:57 GMT -5
I assume you are talking about connecting your tuner to the XDA right? Oh no. Those are digital inputs. Your tuner is not digital. It's output is analog. Neither is your turn table. The only thing digital is your CD player. To connect your tuner and turn table to the XDA-1 you need an analog to digital converter like I listed. Try reading my post again, it may start to make more sense. Let me know if you have any questions. |
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Post by teaman on Mar 7, 2017 19:32:45 GMT -5
If you want to listen to music via FM radio or whatever I suggest you buy a Pure i20 ipod/iphone dock and run toslink to the XDA-1. I use the TuneIn radio app that allows you to get any radio station broadcast digitally. No more out of area static either. You can find them on Ebay time to time for well under $100 and they work great
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Post by giovanni1 on Mar 7, 2017 21:40:37 GMT -5
So even an iPod won't connect directly without some type of converter?
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klinemj
Emo VIPs 
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,093
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Post by klinemj on Mar 7, 2017 21:58:47 GMT -5
So even an iPod won't connect directly without some type of converter? So...please take no offense, but it doesn't appear you understand what the xda-1 is and is not. What it is? It is a digital to analog converter...as we call that...a "DAC". So, it can take digital inputs (in the form of optical, coax, usb, or aes/ebu) and convert them to analog. That analog output can go to an amp via RCA or XLR connections...which are outputs...not inputs on the xda. You cannot connect an analog input to it...so, your tuner or TT or any other analog source cannot be inputted to it - unless you have something that converts the analog signal to digital so the xda-1 can convert that back to analog. And that is a convoluted path. Your phone also outputs an analog signal through its headphone outs...so... Same story. If you want to have a bunch of 2 channel analog inputs and switch between them, what you need is a preamp...not a DAC. There are many options for that. Your xda-1 can convert digital to analog, and that can also feed a preamp. But, the xda-1 is not a preamp. Hope that helps. Mark |
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Post by 4thchoice on Mar 8, 2017 0:44:28 GMT -5
You have some good explanations above. Still not clear? Ask us to clarify, many on here like to and are very willing
/want to help.
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Post by giovanni1 on Mar 8, 2017 7:47:16 GMT -5
No offense taken.....
I thank you all for the inputs. It sounds like the XDA-1 is not the right choice for an old school 2 channel system. I was hoping to use it as a pre-amp but with all of the converting that is required prior to connecting to it, I am not sure it is worth it.
Just so I understand, is there some gain in sound quality when using this unit? Or, is it's only purpose to convert digital to analogue?
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Post by drtrey3 on Mar 8, 2017 8:45:48 GMT -5
The purpose is to convert digital to analogue with a gain in sound quality!
I use my XDA-1 like a sound card for my computer in the den.
Trey
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,273
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Post by KeithL on Mar 8, 2017 10:05:15 GMT -5
The purpose of a DAC is to convert digital into analog. It improves the sound quality because it does a better job of performing the conversion than something else - like the sound card in your computer. The purpose of a DAC is ONLY to perform the conversion as well as it can, without reducing the sound quality. It will not "improve the sound quality because you feed the sound through it". (Performing conversions ALWAYS reduces sound quality - the purpose of a good DAC is to make that reduction as small as possible. If you were to feed your turntable through a DAC, you would lose some quality when you converted the analog signal to digital, then lose more when you converted it back. Therefore, that would NOT be a good idea. The preamp section of the XDA-1 is quite good - although not as good as those in our newer DACs - but adding two extra conversions to the signal chain would not be a good idea. ) If you have both digital and analog sources, then you're MUCH better off with something like our PT-100, which is both a DAC and an analog preamp, and will convert your digital sources to analog, and serve as an analog preamp for your analog sources WITHOUT converting them to digital and back again. Note that the basic purpose of a preamp is to increase the level of your analog audio signal. It is NOT intended to "increase the quality of the signal"; it is intended to make the signal louder WITHOUT otherwise altering it. (The traditional was of phrasing that is "a straight wire with gain".) No offense taken..... I thank you all for the inputs. It sounds like the XDA-1 is not the right choice for an old school 2 channel system. I was hoping to use it as a pre-amp but with all of the converting that is required prior to connecting to it, I am not sure it is worth it. Just so I understand, is there some gain in sound quality when using this unit? Or, is it's only purpose to convert digital to analogue? |
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