KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Apr 24, 2023 12:06:55 GMT -5
The lines between "a DAC" and "a preamp" have gotten pretty blurry lately... The purpose of a DAC, as a source component, is to convert digital sources into analog. But the only controls you really need there are an input selector and a volume control. And, since many folks only have digital sources these days, that is all many folks need. But a lot of folks still listen to vinyl - so they have a phono preamp... Or they have one little streamer that doesn't have a digital output... And some folks even have older CD players... or even cassette or tape players... And, obviously, those folks really need one or two analog inputs. (And, even if all of your sources are digital today, who's to say you might not add an analog source later.) But it seems like a shame to have to buy "a whole preamp" just because you need one or two more inputs... Or to come up short when you do decide to get a phono preamp... Or you want to try some vintage CD player with vintage DACs in it... (And, yes, there are even some folks who want to connect another DAC to their DAC, for... reasons... ) So we've included both balanced and unbalanced analog inputs on the XDA-3 for those folks. That way you can use the XDA-3 as "a DAC"... or "a preamp"... or "a control center". Just curious as to why a DAC needs an analog input. Isn’t that the purpose of the DAC to take a digital signal as input and output an analog signal? Does the XDA-3 double as a preamp? Is there an HT bypass then? |
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KGM
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by KGM on Apr 24, 2023 13:31:27 GMT -5
I'm currently using a Yamaha A/V receiver as a preamp with my HC1 Monoblocks, Node N130 and an old Sony CD player. A balanced preamp with volume control and great DAC checks all the boxes for me!
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Lsc
Emo VIPs 
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Post by Lsc on Apr 24, 2023 14:46:22 GMT -5
Errrrr..... They just went into production. And I just posted most of the details, and a link to the manual, in the official thread. What other details would you be wanting? Looks like the XDA-3 will be released too far in the future with details to be released later which puts a damper in my decision making process. Still it looks like a nice product so I wish Emotiva well on it. My response was to this comment. “They're just going into production so it will be a couple of months yet. We'll keep everyone updated in more detail as they get closer.” I didn’t really closer was going to be 3 days. I’ll take a look thanks! |
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Post by geebo on Apr 24, 2023 14:55:08 GMT -5
Errrrr..... They just went into production. And I just posted most of the details, and a link to the manual, in the official thread. What other details would you be wanting? My response was to this comment. “They're just going into production so it will be a couple of months yet. We'll keep everyone updated in more detail as they get closer.” I didn’t really closer was going to be 3 days. I’ll take a look thanks! I believe "details" was in response to the question of when they might show up in the cart and what the price would be. |
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Post by vcautokid on Apr 24, 2023 15:55:03 GMT -5
Okay okay. Just let out the Emotiva magic beans already. We want to know!
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Lsc
Emo VIPs
Posts: 3,434
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Post by Lsc on Apr 24, 2023 16:54:58 GMT -5
My response was to this comment. “They're just going into production so it will be a couple of months yet. We'll keep everyone updated in more detail as they get closer.” I didn’t really closer was going to be 3 days. I’ll take a look thanks! I believe "details" was in response to the question of when they might show up in the cart and what the price would be. Ah! That makes sense. Thanks Geebo. |
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KGM
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 3
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Post by KGM on Apr 24, 2023 17:03:38 GMT -5
I'm still new to to all this...so I have a question for @keithl. I noticed in the owners manual that the rated output is 2.0 VRMS. Seems like the output voltage is the same for balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. The max line level output voltage of the BasX PT1 is 4.0 VRMS. If this is true, will I be able to get all the performance out my HC1s with the XDA-3 at 2.0 volts?
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Lsc
Emo VIPs
Posts: 3,434
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Post by Lsc on Apr 25, 2023 14:44:47 GMT -5
I'm still new to to all this...so I have a question for @keithl. I noticed in the owners manual that the rated output is 2.0 VRMS. Seems like the output voltage is the same for balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. The max line level output voltage of the BasX PT1 is 4.0 VRMS. If this is true, will I be able to get all the performance out my HC1s with the XDA-3 at 2.0 volts? I wonder if it’s different because it’s both a DAC and preamp. My SMSL DAC can output up to 5.2V which is what I use. |
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Post by audiosyndrome on Apr 25, 2023 15:54:59 GMT -5
I'm still new to to all this...so I have a question for @keithl. I noticed in the owners manual that the rated output is 2.0 VRMS. Seems like the output voltage is the same for balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. The max line level output voltage of the BasX PT1 is 4.0 VRMS. If this is true, will I be able to get all the performance out my HC1s with the XDA-3 at 2.0 volts? 1.7 volts are required for full output power according to the HC1 manual. So you should be okay ✅. Perhaps the XDA-3 manual needs clarification. Typical specs read: Balanced output 4.0 volts Unbalanced output 2.0 volts It should be stated more clearly IMO. Russ |
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Post by scubadiver on Apr 27, 2023 22:10:26 GMT -5
If you don’t mind, I have a few newbie questions…. I still consider myself very new to streaming and hi-res music - and DACs in general.
I’m a current XMC-2 owner who (for music) has a PC connected to the USB inputs (JRiver) and a BlueSound Node I picked up at Axponia connected via optical (Tidal).
What would the XDA-3 do for me that my XMC-2 doesn’t do in regards to my two music sources?
Why would anybody who owns a current gen (or future G4P) Emo processor want/need an external DAC? Simply for a different sound?
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KeithL
Administrator
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Post by KeithL on Apr 28, 2023 15:52:57 GMT -5
The "specified output" of 2.0 VRMS output is at 0 dB . The Volume actually goes up to +12 dB (so the maximum output is 12 dB above 2V) . I'm still new to to all this...so I have a question for @keithl. I noticed in the owners manual that the rated output is 2.0 VRMS. Seems like the output voltage is the same for balanced and unbalanced analog outputs. The max line level output voltage of the BasX PT1 is 4.0 VRMS. If this is true, will I be able to get all the performance out my HC1s with the XDA-3 at 2.0 volts? 1.7 volts are required for full output power according to the HC1 manual. So you should be okay ✅. Perhaps the XDA-3 manual needs clarification. Typical specs read: Balanced output 4.0 volts Unbalanced output 2.0 volts It should be stated more clearly IMO. Russ |
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on May 1, 2023 12:49:52 GMT -5
To be honest your XMC-2 already does virtually all of what you need at this point. The XDA-3 will give you slightly better sound quality (but make no mistake that, since the XMC-2 is already very good, that improvement will be subtle). The XDA-3 will also add the option of choosing between multiple oversampling filters (but that difference is really subtle). The XDA-3 does support PCM at very high sample rates, and high-rate DSD-over-USB, but those may not be things that you need at this point. And your XMC-2 already has analog inputs, and an HDMI-ARC input, and a nice volume control. As the central component of a stereo system for someone who doesn't already own a processor the XDA-3 offers: - a really nice DAC that supports PCM at very high sample rates as well as DSD via USB - an HDMI-ARC input that lets you connect the audio from your TV to your main audio system - analog inputs for any analog sources you may have - a high quality analog volume control - a very nice headphone amp But, for someone who already owns an XMC-2, all you would really gain is a really nice external DAC, and a little better headphone amp. If you're thinking about trying high-sample-rate downloads, or DSD downloads, then the XDA-3 will add those capabilities to the XMC-2. But otherwise all you'll really gain would be a subtle improvement in audio quality (which you'll only notice on some high quality recordings.) You are NOT going to get a "very different sound" with the XDA-3. All of our products are designed, from the ground up, to play whatever you send them as accurately as possible. So what we're talking about here are subtle improvements in accuracy and rendition (and not wildly different types of sound). If you don’t mind, I have a few newbie questions…. I still consider myself very new to streaming and hi-res music - and DACs in general. I’m a current XMC-2 owner who (for music) has a PC connected to the USB inputs (JRiver) and a BlueSound Node I picked up at Axponia connected via optical (Tidal). What would the XDA-3 do for me that my XMC-2 doesn’t do in regards to my two music sources? Why would anybody who owns a current gen (or future G4P) Emo processor want/need an external DAC? Simply for a different sound? |
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Post by jdubs on May 2, 2023 8:09:36 GMT -5
I'm very intrigued by this and tempted to get one just to try it!
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Post by quattroll2 on May 25, 2023 20:36:53 GMT -5
Anyone know what the remote looks like? I hope it’s metal and similar to my Erc-3 remote, a really good and comfortable design.
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on May 26, 2023 8:42:15 GMT -5
I don't have a photo handy... but it's all metal... black front and black buttons... and it looks like this. It's about 7-1/4" x 1-1/2" x 3/4", with more squared-off rather than rounded edges, bevels on the ends, and a magnetically attached back. And, with the batteries in, it weighs right around 8 ounces.  Anyone know what the remote looks like? I hope it’s metal and similar to my Erc-3 remote, a really good and comfortable design. |
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Post by garbulky on Jun 7, 2023 14:07:11 GMT -5
KeithL is the XDA-3 dual mono like the DC-1 or a single chip like the older gen XDA series?
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Post by PaulBe on Jun 24, 2023 7:36:05 GMT -5
The XDA-3 looks very nice. Choice of parts - DAC, opamps-OPA1656, headphone amp - is excellent. Features and specs are excellent. I/O is very good. Manual is well written. The right 'just about everything' for a minimalist stereo pre-amp of today. Add an optional outboard phono stage and it's complete. Add your favorite amp(s) and speakers; live with this for a long time. Perhaps Emotiva will find more uses for the ESS ES9038Q2M DACs and the OPA1656 opamps.  A thread started by an engineer at TI, johnc124, concerning the OPA1656. johnc124 started the OPA1656 project - www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/opa1656-high-performance-cmos-audio-op-amp.335416/ |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jun 30, 2023 11:43:32 GMT -5
I’m currently running the Stealth DAC. Since my music library is 16/44 wav files is it reasonable to expect any audible improvement from this new DAC?
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Post by geebo on Jun 30, 2023 12:19:09 GMT -5
I’m currently running the Stealth DAC. Since my music library is 16/44 wav files is it reasonable to expect any audible improvement from this new DAC? While it may indeed sound a bit different it will be up to the listener to determine if it's an improvement or not. The big thing about the new DAC is the file types it can play. My DC-1 sounds great but it can't play DSD. |
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KeithL
Administrator
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Post by KeithL on Jun 30, 2023 15:42:23 GMT -5
I have to admit that I have not done a direct A/B comparison between them. The DC-1 used an AD1955 DAC chip - which is super smooth sounding. The new XDA-3 uses one of the latest Sabre DAC chips... Because of that it sounds super clear and detailed... (But it doesn't have any of that harshness or graininess some units that use Sabre chips have...) They're are going to sound a tiny bit different, even with just 16/44k files, but they're both quite neutral, so I really can't say I would necessarily prefer the sound of one over the other. But, yes, the XDA-3 has an ARC input, and supports both higher sample rates, and DSD via USB (in both "native DSD" and DoP). Some folks may also prefer the form factor of the XDA-3 (the XDA-3 is full rack width, as compared to the DC-1, which is more of a "desktop DAC".) I’m currently running the Stealth DAC. Since my music library is 16/44 wav files is it reasonable to expect any audible improvement from this new DAC? |
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Just curious as to why a DAC needs an analog input. Isn’t that the purpose of the DAC to take a digital signal as input and output an analog signal? 
