vega
Minor Hero
Posts: 30
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Post by vega on Oct 4, 2023 14:00:34 GMT -5
Has anyone had a chance to compare the DAC in the new XDA to the DAC in the PT100? I’m very curious on whether this is much of an upgrade when not using the balanced connections. Thanks!
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 4, 2023 15:26:21 GMT -5
Having not heard either, these are just … random thoughts (by Jack Handy)
* When using short interconnects in a non-hostile environment, both RCA & XLR should sound the same
* The XDA-3 is Emotiva’s flagship DAC, besides their latest and best DAC technology, it has filters and other cool dodads!
* Depending on what else is in your system, and/or how critical you are, it might sound better
I can probably come up with more random thoughts, but maybe someone will have real ones!
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on Oct 4, 2023 16:39:33 GMT -5
I agree with you entirely... I HAVE heard the XDA-3... and it is a very good sounding DAC... The XDA-3 has a lot of extra features and capabilities compared to the DAC in the PT100... BUT the DAC in the PT100 is actually pretty good... So, if it's doing everything you want already, there will be limited room for improvement... Whether the difference will be audible, or significant to you, will depend on your sources, and the other gear you have it connected to. Having not heard either, these are just … random thoughts (by Jack Handy) * When using short interconnects in a non-hostile environment, both RCA & XLR should sound the same * The XDA-3 is Emotiva’s flagship DAC, besides their latest and best DAC technology, it has filters and other cool dodads! * Depending on what else is in your system, and/or how critical you are, it might sound better I can probably come up with more random thoughts, but maybe someone will have real ones! |
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Post by vcautokid on Oct 4, 2023 19:59:03 GMT -5
If the DAC is doing what it is supposed to do, your analog output stage has really more to say what the sound is. Oh my what a hating I just started. Hmmmm, DACs sure sound different. I have quite a collection myself, but if you compare from the same make or brand, say Emotiva, I bet on a double blind you would probably guess wrong most of the time. A happy problem actually. Now if you pit the XDA-3 against the competition outside Emotiva products, you may have something, but the arguments that DACs sound really close, I am not part of that argument by the way. But you may have other feelings about that. So if the competition and the XDA-3 are compared, we could have something here. Let the games begin. I still want an XDA-3 but at the moment I am having a rough time justifying one. I like the Balanced analog input and Unbalanced too. Really opens up the possibilities for my editing projects.
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vega
Minor Hero
Posts: 30
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Post by vega on Oct 4, 2023 20:04:25 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I currently have a PT100 with a BassX A2 amp, source is a Bluesound node. speakers are Emotiva RS11 sub and modified CerwinVega! Speakers with high quality crossover parts and heavily damped cabinets. Perhaps I would be better off upgrading the BassX A2 with a XPA 2 and keep the PT100 for now.
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 5, 2023 4:00:03 GMT -5
Although I haven’t yet heard the XDA-G3, I have owned and directly compared the PT100 and the DC1. To my ears, the DC1 was the superior DAC (and by no small amount).
Why? The DC1 sounded more dynamic and had more detail and definition. Since the XDA-G3 is intended to be the replacement for the DC1, I’d expect that the new DAC would retain that audible edge.
This is meant in no way to slander the PT100. I consider that BasX series preamp to be one of the technological wonders of the modern world, and a dragon slayer extraordinaire at its price. That said, the internal DAC of the PT100 is not in the same class. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t as exceptional as the rest of the preamp, IMHO.
Boomzilla (aka Glenn Young - Former Senior Editor for the Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity website)
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vega
Minor Hero
Posts: 30
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Post by vega on Oct 5, 2023 6:38:25 GMT -5
Thanks Boomzila, I agree the PT100 is a fantastic piece of equipment. And your post is exactly what I wanted to hear. I was really hoping to see Emotiva come out with a better DAC peice and sounds like the XDA series is it. Like you say not that the PT is bad, just looking to upgrade in this area and I’m a bit OCD and like having everything match so I am very happy to keep it Emotiva. I will purchase the XPA this fall and then my next piece will be a XPA amp. It would be great to find a used Gen3 DR to go with the balanced connections on the DAC 👍🏻
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 6, 2023 2:45:03 GMT -5
Hi vega - I posted the following in another thread, but it might apply here too, so... Lots of folks DO like the sound of Emotiva Gen. 3 X-series gear.
Lots of folks DO like the price of Emotiva Gen. 3 X-series gear.
I have no objections to the price - it seems fair. And I wouldn't say that the Gen. 3 X-series gear sounds in any way bad. I do say that (having previously owned Gen. 1, Gen. 2, Gen. R, and Gen. 3 Emotiva gear - and quite a lot of it), I, personally prefer the sound of the previous equipment. The difference is subtle, but it's there.
I'd also say that I, personally, prefer the sound of Emotiva's BasX amplifiers to that of the Gen. 3 X-series gear.
Now to qualify what I've said - I don't run exceptionally low-impedance speakers; I don't play my gear very loudly; I'm (more often than not) using high-sensitivity speakers. So I'm effectively listening to the "first watt" of all Emotiva products. That means that my experience won't be applicable to all listeners. Nevertheless, I've expressed what I've heard as honestly and plainly as possible. I have noticed over time that I'm not alone in what I've heard.
I'd certainly expect that here on the Emotiva Lounge, the ratio of fans to critics would be strongly biased toward the sound of Emotiva products, and that's OK. But there are a lot of competitors out there any more that give Emotiva products a run for their money in the sound per dollar race. Many of these competitors are NOT (in KeithL's words "insanely expensive"). The competitors may (or may not) offer the wattage per dollar that Emotiva offers, but in my case that's irrelevant.
As to "pro" amps, some can and do sound amazing on an absolute basis, and even more so when their modest prices are taken into account. But there's little consistency in the world of Pro amps. Three models from the same manufacturer may well sound radically different. So anyone wanting to surf the seas of pro audio had better be able to listen for themselves and discern which amps sound good and which don't. One doesn't have to worry about that with (for example) Emotiva. One Gen. 3 X-Series amp will sound virtually identical to any other. That's a good thing (especially for mixing and matching as a system grows). As to the "quirks" of pro amps (fans, cheap DSP, and Neutrix speaker connectors), you either can live with them or you can't. Personally, I'm fine with fans & Neutrix, but not cheap DSP.
Cheers.Of all the threads I've posted on this board, this is the ONE thread that KeithL said he fully agreed with - for what it's worth... |
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cawgijoe
Emo VIPs 
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - Yogi Berra
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Post by cawgijoe on Oct 6, 2023 6:46:54 GMT -5
I mostly agree with what Boom stated. I differ in that I like the sound of the Gen 3 X amp I currently own just slightly better than the Gen 1 X amp I used to own. My speakers, Thiel Audio CS 1.6 and SCS 3 center channel likely have something to do with this. They require good power to sound their best and both series amps had no issue driving them.
In terms of cost, the amps are not as inexpensvive as when they were first released. I paid about $840 delivered for the XPA-5 Gen 1. Huge deal at the time. Taking inflation and supply chain into account, the current amps are priced well, but no where near the deal of the original amps.
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vega
Minor Hero
Posts: 30
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Post by vega on Oct 6, 2023 7:01:24 GMT -5
I feel Emotiva has a bit of a muscle car reputation when it comes to amps. Price per clean sounding watt they are right up there, however I agree in this current economy the bargain does not seem as good as it used to. (Especially in Canada where I am)The fact that one of you prefers each model shows how close they are and really how good of a deal the BassX series is. Perhaps a souped up balanced BassX with higher quality parts and a few upgrades would be a good seller. Not everyone needs 300 watts. I’m kinda expecting a new class D amp from Emotiva this holiday season and I think it will be balanced
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 6, 2023 8:33:49 GMT -5
cawgijoe hit it on the head - His Thiel speakers NEED lots (LOTS) of clean power and into WIDELY varying impedance. The Gen. 3 Emotiva amps do that very very well. vega is also right - Emotiva amps = muscle cars (I love it). Extending that analogy... Vintage tube amps = MGAs SET tube amps = racing bicycles Current high powered tube amps = vintage Corvettes Current high powered SS amps = Masseratis Class D amps = Teslas Fun, Fun, Fun (till her daddy takes the T-bird away)!
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Post by geebo on Oct 6, 2023 12:15:34 GMT -5
I owned the PT-100 and currently own the DC-1 and XDA-3. I think that while the PT-100 was very good for the money I don't think it's in the same class as the DC-1 or XDA-3.
Now my PT-100 was using RCA interconnects while my DC-1 and XDA-3 use XLR interconnects.
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vega
Minor Hero
Posts: 30
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Post by vega on Oct 6, 2023 20:30:10 GMT -5
Good analogy’s Boomzila😆 and thanks For the information on XDA being a upgrade over the PT100 Geebo, that’s what I was hoping for 👍🏻
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