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Post by jedielni on Jul 31, 2023 5:58:05 GMT -5
I see two folks are adding a sub, both via the XLR outputs. Is there any rationale for this over the RCA?
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Post by geebo on Jul 31, 2023 8:38:24 GMT -5
I am wondering how does it handle the first second or two of a stream, does it get the beginning of the song every time, or does it mute it sometimes for a second or two. I really am seriously looking at an XDA-3, and curious how it handles all that. I am not concerned about AES/EBU or Dante, as this product is for the consumer, and not studio environment. I have the Fiio K9 pro, and the Topping D70 Pro, and some others under consideration. Would really like the XDA-3 to be the top pick. I have not noticed any loss of audio at the beginning of tracks when switching between differing formats and sample rates. |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Jul 31, 2023 9:35:29 GMT -5
Correct... Both the balanced and unbalanced outputs are active at the same time. The analog ladder network in the XDA-3 does NOT do any sort of processing to the signal... So the DAC itself is always converting the audio signal at its full bit depth... And the Volume control, being analog, is not going to alter the dynamics of the signal in any way either... I only have one concern...most DAC's that have volume controls and we use as preamp. Do not sound good, they sound compressed. Can Keith comment on this matter! I am ordering one which I will use with my POWERED STUDIO MONITORS and SUBWOOFER! Also can we use the XLR output connectors together with the unbalance outputs at the same time??? Thanks looking forward to playing with this DAC! The XDA-3 uses " a true analog ladder network volume control for superb performance as both a DAC and a preamp". No bits are lost when lowering the volume and you also get up to 12dB of gain if needed. The outputs are not selectable so I would assume all are active simultaneously. |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Jul 31, 2023 9:38:14 GMT -5
The audio signal is the same at both outputs. The same logic applies here as for balanced outputs in general... Which is that, while the sound quality won't be noticeably different, balanced cables are more resistant to picking up hum, especially with long cables. This can be a bit more significant for subwoofers... because subwoofers do such a great job of playing hum if any finds its way in through the cable. I see two folks are adding a sub, both via the XLR outputs. Is there any rationale for this over the RCA? |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Jul 31, 2023 9:52:29 GMT -5
The XDA-3 is showing the sample rate that it is receiving from the computer. By default virtually all computers will resample everything they play to whatever default sample rate you have them configured to use. (And, by default, the default sample rate on most computers "out of the box" is set to 48k.) In order to have files play at their native sample rate (the sample rate they are recorded at) you need to use a player program that supports that option - and configure it to do so. With Windows computers that option is called WASAPI mode (it's an acronym); on Apple computers it is usually referred to as "bit-perfect playback". Most player programs, and many streaming clients, support this option. FooBar2000, jRiver Media Center, and Tidal DO support WASAPI mode on Windows... The Amazon Music computer client, VLC, and most web browsers DO NOT... the last time I looked... One simple option is to change the default setting on your computer to 96k ... If you do that then anything that is already at 96k will play at 96k without resampling... And anything at 44.1k or 48k will be resampled up to 96k... (And, although it won't actually make them sound better, resampling things to a higher sample rate should not have a significant impact on sound quality.) .................................... Kinks - All computer audio shows as 48K sample rate on the front panel regardless of actual file sample rate, and remains the same whether I use the SPDIF computer output or USB - USB is recognized with the same device info as for you. I have only WAV files at 44.1K, 48K, and 96K sample rates. 48K and 96K files are recordings of LPs using my phono pre digital out with VinylStudio recording software. All YouTube music displays as 48K. CD's display as 44.1k. All 2 channel 24bit 48K, 96K, and 192K discs display as 48K on the XDA-3 front panel. Digital outs on the Blu-ray players are set for highest sample rates - 96K on one, and 192K on the others. The 24bit 96K output of my phono preamp shows as 96K on the XDA-3 front panel. The front panel on my RMC-1L displays the correct information for sample rates of discs and the optical SPDIF from the phono pre - I use HDMI to the RMC-1L from the players. When I work out the displayed format kinks, I will talk more about the sound and other things. |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Jul 31, 2023 9:54:41 GMT -5
There are ASIO drivers... which you will need for DoP and native DSD. I will be posting a link to them shortly. Are there ASIO drivers for windows. |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Jul 31, 2023 9:58:31 GMT -5
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Post by PaulBe on Jul 31, 2023 10:16:33 GMT -5
The XDA-3 is showing the sample rate that it is receiving from the computer. By default virtually all computers will resample everything they play to whatever default sample rate you have them configured to use. (And, by default, the default sample rate on most computers "out of the box" is set to 48k.) In order to have files play at their native sample rate (the sample rate they are recorded at) you need to use a player program that supports that option - and configure it to do so. With Windows computers that option is called WASAPI mode (it's an acronym); on Apple computers it is usually referred to as "bit-perfect playback". Most player programs, and many streaming clients, support this option. FooBar2000, jRiver Media Center, and Tidal DO support WASAPI mode on Windows... The Amazon Music computer client, VLC, and most web browsers DO NOT... the last time I looked... One simple option is to change the default setting on your computer to 96k ... If you do that then anything that is already at 96k will play at 96k without resampling... And anything at 44.1k or 48k will be resampled up to 96k... (And, although it won't actually make them sound better, resampling things to a higher sample rate should not have a significant impact on sound quality.) .................................... Kinks - All computer audio shows as 48K sample rate on the front panel regardless of actual file sample rate, and remains the same whether I use the SPDIF computer output or USB - USB is recognized with the same device info as for you. I have only WAV files at 44.1K, 48K, and 96K sample rates. 48K and 96K files are recordings of LPs using my phono pre digital out with VinylStudio recording software. All YouTube music displays as 48K. CD's display as 44.1k. All 2 channel 24bit 48K, 96K, and 192K discs display as 48K on the XDA-3 front panel. Digital outs on the Blu-ray players are set for highest sample rates - 96K on one, and 192K on the others. The 24bit 96K output of my phono preamp shows as 96K on the XDA-3 front panel. The front panel on my RMC-1L displays the correct information for sample rates of discs and the optical SPDIF from the phono pre - I use HDMI to the RMC-1L from the players. When I work out the displayed format kinks, I will talk more about the sound and other things. Thanks Keith. I did find and change the computer default sample rate a day later. I haven't used my computer much as a media player. I had a very old copy of JRiver but I deleted it for lack of use. Will look into a current version of JRiver. What about native sample rate playback from Blu-ray players? I set the digital outputs for max rates, 96K and 192K, but 96K and 192K Blu-ray tracks playback at 48K. |
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Jul 31, 2023 12:01:45 GMT -5
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Jul 31, 2023 12:10:02 GMT -5
jRiver definitely supports WASAPI mode... I believe the setting is under the options for the specific output device - after you pick one. If you use FooBar2000 you have to download, install, and then select, the separate WASAPI component (I like FooBar2000... it's got a lot fewer bells and whistles than jRIver... and it's free.) Blu-Ray players may be a trickier question... I suspect that many of them may only allow you to set the output sample rate for HDMI output... (and, if you're using ARC, the TV itself may only support 48k for ARC and PCM). You could try looking for different settings in different places (some have separate options pages for optical - which probably also apply to coax). ................................... Thanks Keith. I did find and change the computer default sample rate a day later. I haven't used my computer much as a media player. I had a very old copy of JRiver but I deleted it for lack of use. Will look into a current version of JRiver. What about native sample rate playback from Blu-ray players? I set the digital outputs for max rates, 96K and 192K, but 96K and 192K Blu-ray tracks playback at 48K. |
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Post by AndyB on Aug 5, 2023 11:29:23 GMT -5
Is there any way to get an Emotiva product in silver as opposed to black, or is black the only ever finish. Any online reviews for the XDA-3 yet?
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Post by geebo on Aug 5, 2023 12:19:35 GMT -5
Is there any way to get an Emotiva product in silver as opposed to black, or is black the only ever finish. Any online reviews for the XDA-3 yet? Nothing silver from Emotiva and here is a review from cheapaudioman that KeithL posted earlier in this thread. I have one and love it. |
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Post by jdubs on Aug 9, 2023 10:01:58 GMT -5
Anyone able to comment on how this sounds?
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Post by tchaik on Aug 9, 2023 10:35:29 GMT -5
I just ordered mine!!!!!  |
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Post by Boaty McBoatface on Aug 9, 2023 18:38:18 GMT -5
Went to order and it says sold out. I hope restock doesn't take months
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Post by PaulBe on Aug 10, 2023 7:54:08 GMT -5
I like the slow rise in startup volume on the XDA-3. Perhaps this feature can be added to the G4P. Love the sound of the XDA-3.
Still can't play stereo high resolution PCM from Blu-ray physical media at native resolutions of 96k and 192k through the XDA-3. Player manual says max resolution for spdif outputs is limited to 48k for copyright material. I suppose this is the catch.
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Post by Abbey on Aug 10, 2023 20:03:16 GMT -5
I’m very impressed with the sound quality of the XDA-3. Silent background, outstanding resolution and very musical. I tried replacing a much more expensive DAC/preamp with the XDA-3 and the Emotive is staying in my system.
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Post by Abbey on Aug 10, 2023 20:03:52 GMT -5
I’m very impressed with the sound quality of the XDA-3. Silent background, outstanding resolution and very musical. I tried replacing a much more expensive DAC/preamp with the XDA-3 and the Emotiva is staying in my system.
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Post by vcautokid on Aug 11, 2023 2:18:34 GMT -5
The DAC landscape is highly competitive. Nice to see the XDA-3 a reality. Even sold out it seems. I am curious how it compares to the Eversolo Z8 DAC. Same exact money.  |
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Post by geebo on Aug 11, 2023 9:18:52 GMT -5
The DAC landscape is highly competitive. Nice to see the XDA-3 a reality. Even sold out it seems. I am curious how it compares to the Eversolo Z8 DAC. Same exact money. View AttachmentNow how on Earth would anyone know which sounds better before Amir gets an XDA-3 to test? Your not suggesting that people should listen to them to determine the answer are you?  |
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