Emotiva XDA-1 Digital Preamp/DAC

[StevenSurprenant]

The Emotiva XDA-1 is a digital preamp/DAC with remote control for $299. Here is an except from the manufacturer...
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“The XDA-1 Differential Reference™ balanced 24Bit/192kHz DAC/Digital Preamp represents a stunning achievement in sonic performance. Designed around the acclaimed Analog Devices AD1955 DAC operating in a fully differential mode, its differential output is then coupled to a digitally controlled volume control stage. The output of this stage then drives our fully discrete, cross coupled, Differential Reference™ balanced line amp stage. The result is breathtaking.

In addition to being a state of the art 24Bit/192kHz DAC, the XDA-1 can operate as a digital preamplifier and source selector in a digitally based reference level audio system. Inputs for up to six digital sources including AES/EBU, USB, Coax, and Toslink are available. The XDA-1 incorporates a VFD display for volume, input select, and system status messages. In addition, it is supplied with a milled aluminum remote control for convenient operation.”
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I just received mine yesterday and thought I'd post a “first impression”.

Let me start by saying that there a few reviews on the net addressing this unit and the opinions vary wildly. One person will compare it to a specific DAC and declare it better and another will declare it “not as good” with the same competing DAC. Some people will say it's bright, another just the opposite. It goes on pretty much this way. There are many reviews that say it's the best thing since buttered bread, for the price. Well, I'm in the last camp.

I've owned a few DAC's in my days that were under $1,800. They were the same or marginally better than the DAC in my CD/DVD player and not worth the cost of admission. That was 15 years ago, but it really made me trigger shy to try another one. Today..., I needed a 2 channel remote controlled preamp for my stereo system with switching capabilities. I've owned a number of preamps too and getting one that was completely transparent was also a risk, especially at the lower prices. I found the Emotiva XDA-1 and thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad I did!. I wasn't in the market for a DAC and was more interested in the preamp. The preamp section of the unit was very good, but the DAC really impressed me. I'm not sure I can separate the two since they are one and the same.

I was running my system from the analog outs of a Panasonic DVD Blueray player and then I put a Behringer Ultra Curve Pro (equalizer) between the DVD player and the amp. This was out of necessity because I modified my speakers and had to remove some excessive bass. The Behringer is gone once I remake the speaker boxes. Anyway, the Beringer was slightly better than the Panasonic as far as DAC's go. I am using a Trends TA 10.1 digital amp for power which has it's own passive volume control. All in all, this system sounded great, very transparent, a large soundstage, and any number or accolades that I can mention.

I installed the Emotiva XDA-1 into the system and was very surprised at what I heard. The soundstage grew wider and deeper and transparency was top notch, much better than what I had before. This was not a subtle change! Images became tighter and more defined. As an example, voices were better defined and I could hear more vocal inflections. The space between the images also became more resolved. I was literally hearing things that I didn't know was in the music. Instruments and singers in the back of the soundstage were clearer and took on a body of their own. As an added bonus, it also took the edge off of some of the lesser recording. It also seemed to give the sound more high frequency extension. It might be that instead of extension, it just had more resolving power at the higher frequencies. The only thing that might be a negative is that it is not a warm sound, rather analytical in nature. If I had to choose between warm and analytical, it would be analytical. Both would be nice.

After running through about an hour of music, I decided that this Emotiva was here to stay. Actually, after the first minute, but I had to be sure.

Well, that's it. I can't think of much else in audio that can give this much improvement for $300.

As for the device itself, it has blue lights and a digital readout for the volume which can be dimmed. The remote is aluminum and heavy. You can read about it if you're interested. Emotiva Audio XDA-1 Digital-to-Analog Converter