Emotiva XDA-1 Initial Impressions

[Ajani]

So here are my initial impressions of the XDA-1 with no burn in and just a few tracks played:

Let's start with the bad -

There are 2 really frustrating design choices that might be a deal breaker for some persons;

1) The gain is way too high... Considering that Emotiva amplifiers already have way too high a gain, the combination with my 90db speakers is that a volume level of 2.5 out of 80 (not 8, but 80) is a comfortable listening level... So clearly I could never use this combo with a a high efficiency pair of speakers... Also it means that you have very little control over the volume range.... While the extra high gain is about the same as my Benchmark DAC1, there are 2 things to consider; 1. The DAC1 has internal attenuators so you can drop the gain down 30db if you so desire 2. Emotiva has a line of products and by default they should be designed to work well together - So the XDA-1 to XPA-2 should be designed to have an appropriate gain when combined, with average sensitivity speakers...

2) WHY does Emotiva insist on over-tightening the screws??? I almost had a fit a few weeks ago when I had to replace the fuse on my XPA-2... At least in that case, they could argue that a user may never have to replace a fuse... The problem with the XDA-1 is that in order to use the remote (change batteries or just remove the paper inside the battery compartment that stops the remote from working initially) you have to unscrew the backplate of the remote... I may need to seek professional help to remove these screws, as I have been unable to use the remote so far...

So chances are you might find yourself severely frustrated before you even play your first track... Which is is a shame since the DAC has very good sound quality... I can't give a serious impression of the sound yet as I have not given it enough time and also I'm still really pissed about not being able to unscrew the remote, but my quick swap with my Benchmark DAC1 suggests that the XDA-1 is a more than respectable option, though it seems to fall just short of the DAC1... NOTE: That opinion may completely change when I give the XDA-1 more time and if I'm ever able to use the remote... :mad2:

[atomicAdam]

humm... i'm sorry to hear that you have problem w/ screwing.

But I agree with you, that much gain at that low a level is pretty frustrating, especially with equipment from the same manufacturer.

That is, in a since, my only complaint so far w/ this Melody MK88 I have in so far. The level is barely off zero and the listening level is perfect. I've had it up higher for sure, but I don't think ever even past halfway.

[Ajani]

humm... i'm sorry to hear that you have problem w/ screwing. Hopefully a few blue pills will solve it :smile5:


But I agree with you, that much gain at that low a level is pretty frustrating, especially with equipment from the same manufacturer.

That is, in a since, my only complaint so far w/ this Melody MK88 I have in so far. The level is barely off zero and the listening level is perfect. I've had it up higher for sure, but I don't think ever even past halfway.

Sadly minor annoyances like that can detract from a really good product... having had some more time to listen to the XDA-1 I am very impressed with it's sound quality... It's really not that far off from my DAC1 at this stage... So who knows how good it might sound with a decent amount of playing time...

[Mr Peabody]

Ajani, the XDA is quite the value if rivaling the Benchmark at a fraction of the price.

[Ajani]

Ajani, the XDA is quite the value if rivaling the Benchmark at a fraction of the price.

Well it's a great value... Though I'm trying to be careful not to oversell it... So far the Benchmark is definitely better, but the Emo is not embarrassed in a comparison... And when you consider the price difference, I could easily see someone buying the Emo instead of a Benchmark and putting the remaining $700 towards improving their amplification or speakers...

[Luvin Da Blues]

Does this have true balanced outputs or just quasi-balanced? I would be interested in hearing about the quality of the XLR connections.

The reason I ask is that my Music Hall doesn't sound that good with RCAs but is a whole different puppy using the truly balance connections.

[Ajani]

Does this have true balanced outputs or just quasi-balanced? I would be interested in hearing about the quality of the XLR connections.

The reason I ask is that my Music Hall doesn't sound that good with RCAs but is a whole different puppy using the truly balance connections.

This is a fully balanced design... My XPA-2 amp is not... So Emotiva intends for this DAC to be ideally connected directly to their XPA-1 fully balanced monoblocks...

I've only used the balanced outputs...

[Mr Peabody]

Ajani, if you've only used the XLR then try the RCA, XLR are about 6dB hotter than RCA outs. The RCA may offer a better match in gain with your amp.

[kexodusc]

I had the same damn problem with the remote screws on the upgrade remote they sent me for my UMC-1. It's a nearly identical remote to the ERC-1's which wasn't overtightened at all. Probably some machine or worker getting a little trigger happy.
Very frustrating, even though I'll never use the factory remote.

You've got me awful tempted to try this thing out...

[Ajani]

Ajani, if you've only used the XLR then try the RCA, XLR are about 6dB hotter than RCA outs. The RCA may offer a better match in gain with your amp.

Problem is that the RCA is not supposed to be as good as the XLR... I have the same issue with the Benchmark... by RCA it is good, but the XLR (once you change the stock attenuation from -20db to 0db) is what the reviewers have raved about.... I only made that switch recently and saw the DAC1 really come alive... So even though limited volume range is annoying, I'd rather have better quality sound... But I will try the RCA anyway, just in case their isn't a noticeable drop-off in sound quality...

[Ajani]

Mr. Peabody,

I just tried the RCA's and I could barely detect a difference in volume between them and the Balanced... So I went back to balanced...

[audio amateur]

Have you been listening through the headphones or technics speakers?

[Ajani]

Speakers... The XDA-1 doesn't have a headphone amp... and my DAC1 only has digital inputs...

[harley .guy07]

Have you been listening through the headphones or technics speakers?

I think I know where you are going with this, The technics speakers might not be revealing enough to give a real good indication on the dacs performance in comparison to the benchmark unit you already have. I have heard your Technics speakers or at least ones like them and they don not sound bad for a budget speaker but I can see where possibly a set of higher end headphones might give a better picture of the difference between these two dcs instead of the Technics speakers until you get the speakers that you are waiting on.

[Ajani]

The ideal tool for testing out the differences between the DACs would be my Cans, but as I have no plans to buy a separate headphone amp anytime soon, the real test of the XDA-1 will come when I change my speakers... But the Technics work for now as I am very familiar with their sound...

[harley .guy07]

Have you for sure picked out your speakers or are you waiting to make sure what you want. I know how I am and I will do research and look at different options many many times before I make my decision on what to buy. I looked for a year or so before I bought all of my newer stuff it just so happened that I bought most of it within a few months of each other. I think I am going to get a new preamp and some new rear speakers for the ht part of my system and call it quits for a while as far as equipment goes. The only thing that I might play around with after that will be cables and room treatment.

[Ajani]

My speaker options are pretty open... I've been patiently deciding on speakers for a very very long time... Revel is a top choice as it and Monitor Audio are my 2 favorite brands... and more importantly, Revel is available locally, so I can avoid the nasty shipping cost to Jamaica...

However, other than Revel, I'm really tempted by the Zu Audio Omen, Tekton Lore, Building my own Open Baffle with 12" Audio Nirvana Full Range Drivers, Totem Rainmaker & Axiom M60V3.... So we'll see what choice I actually make when the trigger gets pulled...

[Mr Peabody]

I'm looking to try a set of the Omen Def. When considering Zu, one should call to talk with them or notice the impedances, some are 12 or 16 ohm which might not be a good idea with solid state. A new place is carrying Totem and I want to give them a listen as well.

[Ajani]

I'm looking to try a set of the Omen Def. When considering Zu, one should call to talk with them or notice the impedances, some are 12 or 16 ohm which might not be a good idea with solid state. A new place is carrying Totem and I want to give them a listen as well.

The Omen line is supposed to be more SS friendly than the Soul line... Worse case, I end up getting a MiniWatt SET or a DIY Class D amp like Feanors to drive them...

I actually didn't think all that much of Totem when I auditioned them years ago, but they were driven by NAD gear at the time... And I remember how much better my speakers (from that same store) sounded once I ditched the NADs... So I suspect Totem and Emotiva would be a sweet combo...

[Ajani]

Anyway if anyone is interested there have been a load of reviews of the XDA-1 on the Emo forums... Some positive, some not even close to positive...

Some persons find the XDA-1 too bright... Others say it's too dark... some claim they hear little difference between it and higher end DACs, others think it is comparable soundwise to price compatible DACs...

After using it for awhile now, I'm convinced it is a level below my DAC1, lacks a bit of warmth (my speakers have reverted to sounding bright again) and I find the poor volume control implementation annoying... the volume is supposed to move in 0.5db steps, but instead it is changing the voltage in equal increments... meaning that the volume is high by about 3 out of 80... So fine volume control is not possible... Members of the Emo forums are anxiously waiting to see if there will be a user serviceable fix to the volume implementation or whether they'll have to return the units to Emotiva...

EDIT: I initially expected the volume problem to be corrected on all future units being shipped... However, since the Emotiva website adjusted the wording from saying that the volume controls operates in 0.5db adjustments to just 0.5 adjustments (whatever the hell that is supposed mean), I fear that there maybe no intention to resolve the issue...

Note: if the volume issue is not resolved, then I won't be recommending any Emotiva products in the future....

[Ajani]

So my last update on this topic unless a resolution is found, is that Emotiva is working on a solution for the volume problem. Until that happens, I can't recommend the XDA-1 as a Digital Pre and my Emotiva gear will vanish from my signature.

[harley .guy07]

Well thats that. Sometimes when a product seems to cheap to be that good it has a drawback somewhere. Not to say that there is not some components out there that for their price woop the hell out of units that are 5 times their price but for the price of the XDA 1 I would think it would be kind of hard to compete with the likes of PS-audio and benchmark in any regard and especially all since the Digi link and the Benchmark are 1000 dollar and over units retail. I looked into the Emo dac and to found out that the dac chip in it is a older chip that most dacs no longer use, not to say that the dac chip is not the only part of a dac that controls the sound quality and features and the quality of the outputs and other stuff are very important as well. It is good to know that this unit needs some work before too many people buy one just to return it because of the same issues that you are having. I understand that they are working on the problem but I would think that they could have seen this problem in pre production or prototype level and take care of them before the unit gets released to the public. I am more glad now that I chose the psaudio unit and have been very happy with the smooth musical sound it gives me that gives me the sound I was looking for with my digital setup.

[Ajani]

Well thats that. Sometimes when a product seems to cheap to be that good it has a drawback somewhere. Not to say that there is not some components out there that for their price woop the hell out of units that are 5 times their price but for the price of the XDA 1 I would think it would be kind of hard to compete with the likes of PS-audio and benchmark in any regard and especially all since the Digi link and the Benchmark are 1000 dollar and over units retail. I looked into the Emo dac and to found out that the dac chip in it is a older chip that most dacs no longer use, not to say that the dac chip is not the only part of a dac that controls the sound quality and features and the quality of the outputs and other stuff are very important as well. It is good to know that this unit needs some work before too many people buy one just to return it because of the same issues that you are having. I understand that they are working on the problem but I would think that they could have seen this problem in pre production or prototype level and take care of them before the unit gets released to the public. I am more glad now that I chose the psaudio unit and have been very happy with the smooth musical sound it gives me that gives me the sound I was looking for with my digital setup.

I'm sure you made the right choice... The PS Audio is in the class with the Benchmark (which you prefer is really more about individual tastes and the rest of your equipment), while the XDA is a clear step below... I think the sound is more than acceptable for the price, but I have had a few too many issues with it + I am not even remotely impressed with the way Emotiva has responded to complaints about the volume control (that thread on the emotiva forums got really heated and was locked a few hours ago)...

[Mr Peabody]

Boy, you must be miffed, you were happy with your amp and you even took that out. I wonder if it was a rush to market, no testing of the product or they just didn't think it too big a deal. This can't be a good thing for Emo, they were growing fast by word of mouth and things could go the other direction just as quick. And, in this economy to boot.

Are you past your return period?

[harley .guy07]

I was looking at the XSP1 preamp for a while as well but when I heard that they have been telling people that it was in the works for a year or longer and have not brought it to the market and with their dac that they have been talking about for ever having these problems right off the bat I don't think I am going to go that route with my preamp decision. I was already at that thought anyway since studying the design and seeing that this preamp will not be able to add much to my present set up and probably not mate up well with my dac,speakers and amp that I have decided to look at the fact that I am going to have to spend a little more to get what I want with it be with a tube pre or SS I believe there is better out there just like with this dac. I do agree with Mr Peabody that it is probably a good sounding unit for the money I also know for sure that PS audio would not come out with a new dac if it had these problems to hinder its abilities. I don't know if Emo is resting on there new success or they are cheapening up their stuff for profit reasons like so many brands of gear that have came out and changed the price to performance ratio only to crank their prices up or suffer quality wise soon after. As a study of circuit design I see that Emotiva is a great starter for someone looking for a beginning to go past the receiver speaker setup but for someone looking to really see what separates can do over a receiver or what a really good dac can do I think one needs to look elsewhere from what I see.

[harley .guy07]

Another question is are you going to keep your amp now as well or is it in the mix to change since you obviously have taken it off your equipment list?

[TheHills44060]

Note: if the volume issue is not resolved, then I won't be recommending any Emotiva products in the future....


...and my Emotiva gear will vanish from my signature.
You are the biggest hypocrite ever. What the hell have I been saying about Emotiva this whole time!?!?!

I have been openly anti-Emotiva and am constantly trying to suggest other options and what do you do? You claim that I must have, "...never heard an Emotiva amp" and called me a liar. Now look at you hahahaha. What a complete 180 you have turned...such a joke. How's that humble pie Ajani, tasty?

[Ajani]

Boy, you must be miffed, you were happy with your amp and you even took that out. I wonder if it was a rush to market, no testing of the product or they just didn't think it too big a deal. This can't be a good thing for Emo, they were growing fast by word of mouth and things could go the other direction just as quick. And, in this economy to boot.

Are you past your return period?

I can still return but I'd lose about $120 on shipping to and from.... So I'd rather just keep it...

The sound is ok, but I am really irritated with the way the addressed the complaints about the volume control. They refused to acknowledged that it was a mistake, despite users showing clearly that

1) Emo inplemented a linear rather than logarithmic volume control - which is contrary to just about every volume control in audio...

2) The wording on the website (which has since been changed) claimed the volume could be adjusted in 0.5db steps, which clearly means a logarithmic volume control...

Also on a poll on the Emo forums, 32 of 42 persons (76%) who use the XDA as a digital pre are having problems with the volume control.

IMO, their official response sounds as if they may do us a favour and correct the issue in some way, but they may just not bother. Further if we are not happy we should just return the unit and eat the shipping loss.

Most of don't mind eating a shipping loss if we don't like the sound (as that is a clear risk you take), but not for a design defect...

[Ajani]

You are the biggest hypocrite ever. What the hell have I been saying about Emotiva this whole time!?!?!

I have been openly anti-Emotiva and am constantly trying to suggest other options and what do you do? You claim that I must have, "...never heard an Emotiva amp" and called me a liar. Now look at you hahahaha. What a complete 180 you have turned...such a joke. How's that humble pie Ajani, tasty?

Nope. You're opinion is still based on ignorance. As you have no experience with Emotiva. So you are still just trolling opinions without fact or experience.

Unlike you I am honest and will admit when I am happy and also when I am disatisfied with a product. You just bash products and other users because you can.

[Ajani]

Another question is are you going to keep your amp now as well or is it in the mix to change since you obviously have taken it off your equipment list?

I am keeping the amp as I still regard it as an excellent value for money, but I removed it from my signature as I don't feel comfortable recommending Emotiva due to their current behaviour.

[TheHills44060]

Nope. You're opinion is still based on ignorance. As you have no experience with Emotiva. So you are still just trolling opinions without fact or experience.

Unlike you I am honest and will admit when I am happy and also when I am disatisfied with a product. You just bash products and other users because you can.
I have heard Emotiva amps and I do not like them simple as that. I have not heard their preamps, processors, dac or speakers and have never commented on them specifically. If you actually read my posts you see that i have been dissatisfied with other gear as well. Why can nobody else but you have an opinion and like one product but not another?

You turn into a cry baby as soon as someone says something negative about a product you own and your only defense is to wipe the tears away from your eyes and claim the person hasn't heard the item.

[harley .guy07]

Why do people have to be immature on here about who said what and what others have or have not heard. My family earlier in time believed in Ford products until they had a couple of bad experiences with them and changed their mind on what kind of automobiles they were really putting out and the customer service that they had. Before that time we were quite content with them. My point is that sometimes you can get involved in a companies products with one good purchase that you like and then have a bad experience which will make it a bittersweet thought about the company. It does not mean that Ajani is a hypocrite or that he does not know anything that he was talking about its just that he had a bad experience with a product and brand that he once believed in. I think going through life everyone has experienced this with companies of about any product produced at some point or another. I really think that THE HILLS needs to grow and face the fact that what he is doing is acting like a kid and needs to worry about acting like an adult instead of trying to belittle other people for trying products and having legit problems with them and Hell I have been plugging PS audio because I have loved the dac that I have but if I bought a power conditioner from them and it had problems and they would not help me I would be in the same predicament as ajani is. Now I know that PS audio is a better brand and I don't think that this would happen with them in a million years but still to say what you have said just because he has had problems with a company that he believed in at one time is something that happens every day and you being a little preschooler about it(The Hills) does not do anything but make you look like an ass to everyone else on this forum.

[harley .guy07]

Sorry to anyone that had to read my rant I am just tired of the poking back and forth on this forum about who likes what and who told someone what. It gets old hearing the same old damn arguments about flat panel or box speakers or tube or SS equipment and which brands are better than others and what brands people think are crap and the such. I know that a friendly debate over these topics helps build knowledge and is not harmful in any way but to act like children back and forth to each other is just not very adult in my opinion and as a forum trying to attract new audiophiles to this site is not going to attract them by putting posts slamming each other and acting like kids. If we are going to keep this site together and keep people interested I think going the adult route is going to be a better way to do it don't you think

[Ajani]

Sorry to anyone that had to read my rant I am just tired of the poking back and forth on this forum about who likes what and who told someone what. It gets old hearing the same old damn arguments about flat panel or box speakers or tube or SS equipment and which brands are better than others and what brands people think are crap and the such. I know that a friendly debate over these topics helps build knowledge and is not harmful in any way but to act like children back and forth to each other is just not very adult in my opinion and as a forum trying to attract new audiophiles to this site is not going to attract them by putting posts slamming each other and acting like kids. If we are going to keep this site together and keep people interested I think going the adult route is going to be a better way to do it don't you think

I appreciate your response... I have had to report the Hills twice for following me around threads and launching nasty personal attacks... He has been reprimanded twice and is under threat of being banned, yet he feels the need to come into this thread to start the personal attacks again. I am really disappointed that instead of being able to have a legitimate debate, he insists on just pointlessly attacking me...

[Ajani]

I have heard Emotiva amps and I do not like them simple as that.

Then you should have said that any one of the dozen or so times that another forum member or myself has asked you for what Emotiva gear you've auditioned. Had you done that there would have been no debate. You chose to never answer the question directly and hence be rightfully accused of not having auditioned the gear you kept bashing.

[TheHills44060]

Then you should have said that any one of the dozen or so times that another forum member or myself has asked you for what Emotiva gear you've auditioned. Had you done that there would have been no debate. You chose to never answer the question directly and hence be rightfully accused of not having auditioned the gear you kept bashing.
I have repeatedly over and over and over...and explained what i don't like about them but you never bother to read my posts. Instead you cry to the admins. You were the one made false claims with no proof. All i ever did was say that i don't like a particular brand of amplifier. You need to be more accepting of people's opinions.

But again this thread proves who you are without me having to say anything. Who am I? "I love Emotiva!!!!! oh wait...I hate Emotiva!!! hahaha

[Ajani]

I have repeatedly over and over and over...and explained what i don't like about them but you never bother to read my posts. Instead you cry to the admins. You were the one made false claims with no proof. All i ever did was say that i don't like a particular brand of amplifier. You need to be more accepting of people's opinions, grow some balls and get a girlfriend or something.

But again this thread proves who you are without me having to say anything. Who am I? "I love Emotiva!!!!! oh wait...I hate Emotiva!!! hahaha

Another post where you resort to personal attacks. Since you want to be banned, I will be reporting this one as well.

[TheHills44060]

Another post where you resort to personal attacks. Since you want to be banned, I will be reporting this one as well.
Go for it. You know Adam deserves a huge xmas gift for all of the extra work he's had to do listening to you whine. You take things so damn seriously it's comical.

Btw you never answered my PM. I am really interested in the answer.

[Ajani]

Go for it. You know Adam deserves a huge xmas gift for all of the extra work he's had to do listening to you whine. You take things so damn seriously it's comical.

Btw you never answered my PM. I am really interested in the answer.

Do you really believe that I would divulge any personal information to someone who stalks me around an online forum just to make nasty remarks? I will not be responding to your PM. So don't hold your breath waiting for it.

[TheHills44060]

The answer is obvious anyway. There is no way in hell you are in a position to be vacationing anywhere.

Anyway....it's very refreshing you finally saw the light about your beloved Emotiva. A year from now you will be thanking me.

[Ajani]

Anyway to get this thread back on track:

Today (shockingly after some heavy debates on the Emo forums) this announcement was made:


Hello one and all,

Well we finished the testing of the revised code which will change the taper of the volume control from linear to log. We realize some of you would prefer this to give you better low level volume control over the DAC as it steps off from the 0 point. So we have decided to offer this as an alternative code set anyone who would like it. What you will need to do is call and get a RA#. Send it in so we can re-program and test it and we will ship it back to you.

For our international customers, we haven’t forgotten about you. At present we don’t have everything worked out as to the best way to take care of you, but we will make it as painless as possible. For the time being, please just send an email to customerservice@emotiva.com and tell them you want to get on the list to change the volume control on your XDA-1. Once we have it all worked out, we will contact you and let you know.

As always, thanks to everyone for their support and feedback.

Lonnie

Of course it is not an admission of a mistake nor does it say whether international customers will be stuck with a heavy shipping cost, should they request the volume fix, but at least it's a start...

I still won't be recommending Emotiva at this time, as there is no resolution available for me and I feel the product launch of the XDA-1 and the response to customer complaints, should have been handled much better than it was...

[Geoffcin]

Let's keep the personal attacks out of this thread. Got an opinion? State it and that's it! There's no room on these forums for ANY personal attacks.

Consider yourself warned.

[harley .guy07]

Let's keep the personal attacks out of this thread. Got an opinion? State it and that's it! There's no room on these forums for ANY personal attacks.

Consider yourself warned.

Thank you for this. It does get old to hear someone personally attack someones opinion or a change of opinion based on personal experience. I don't believe there is any room for that in adulthood and especially in a forum full of people that are supposed to be intelligent in audio and also have some sort of politeness too each other because we are all brothers in the audio world and are trying to get to the same thing, our own audio heaven and even though your audio heaven might be different from mine due to opinion,personal tastes and the fact that human hearing varies from person to person. I think we kind of need to get back on track with helping each other out and having friendly debates about audio and even though opinions are what they are we can still be friends and discuss the subjects at hand.

[poppachubby]

Hey Ajani, so sorry to hear about these issues. I have admired Emotiva from afar, their products and philosophy seem great.

I would assume that this is their first real issue, so you must understand that they are green in terms of how to follow up. If companies like BP can drop the ball in the face of a major environmental disaster, Emotiva should be allowed SOME slack.

That said, I am not defending their actions. Just saying give them a couple of chances to make this thing right, and make you happy.

As for the product itself, sounds like you should have gone with the Beresford dac that everyone is screaming about. I know how you feel about the gain problem. My EICO is notoiriously hot, the pot is useful from zero to only a quarter turn. It's an art setting a listenable volume, but one that I have grown accustomed to.

Keep us posted. I suspect this subject will be Googled by potential customers in the future, so details will be a helpful thing.

[Ajani]

Hey Ajani, so sorry to hear about these issues. I have admired Emotiva from afar, their products and philosophy seem great.

I would assume that this is their first real issue, so you must understand that they are green in terms of how to follow up. If companies like BP can drop the ball in the face of a major environmental disaster, Emotiva should be allowed SOME slack.

That said, I am not defending their actions. Just saying give them a couple of chances to make this thing right, and make you happy.

As for the product itself, sounds like you should have gone with the Beresford dac that everyone is screaming about. I know how you feel about the gain problem. My EICO is notoiriously hot, the pot is useful from zero to only a quarter turn. It's an art setting a listenable volume, but one that I have grown accustomed to.

Keep us posted. I suspect this subject will be Googled by potential customers in the future, so details will be a helpful thing.

I see your point but the problem is that they already had a lot of complaints around the UMC launch... And this one was even worse than that...

The issue was quickly identified by forum members as being an incorrect implementation of the volume control (not gain as many of us initially thought)...

Instead of addressing the issue immediately, we noticed that the wording of the website changed from claiming exact volume control of 0.5db steps to meaningless terminology


Internal Volume Control: Digitally controlled in increments of 0.5 steps

What is a 0.5 step? 0.5db makes sense and is why persons expected a very accurate volume control. The new wording left some persons wondering if we were being cheated in some way...

Another issue is that all the units shipped with no manual. Which means there were not even any safety instructions included. Even just to prevent a lawsuit by someone misusing your product, safety instructions can't be left out.

Up to now, the issue of volume and the manual have not been satisfactorily addressed for all persons... The wording of the official responses basically say that some users want a different volume implementation. That is totally different from admitting that a mistake was made and we received an incorrect volume implementation. So some persons feel like they are getting smoke blown up their @$$#$. Also we still don't know if we will have to pay the shipping costs to and from Emo and whether we'll have to pay for the volume change...

Yes, the company is still relatively young, but they really need to handle situations like this a lot better...

Many persons (myself included) have openly questioned whether Emotiva is turning out too many new products. The share number of delays mean that products have been talked about for almost 2 years before they finally hit the market and when they finally are released there are a slew of complaints about some issue or the other (UMC and XDA). While it is good that Emotiva is attempting to address the issues, the question still remains of whether products should hit the market in such a condition... IMO, they would do well to focus on producing less products and ensuring that each product is completely ready for release, rather than trying to rush out several products at once...

Emotiva is a small company, yet they have 2 lines of monoblocks, stereo and MC amps (and a third line is set to be released early next year). a preamp and processor (another line of both to be released early next year), a CD player, a DAC, a line of speakers (another line to be released early next year), two lines of cables and interconnects + a few accessories... Frankly, they are setting themselves up for failure... That's just way too many products to be checked by a small company...

[poppachubby]

Do they produce their own stuff? I agree it's alot of gear in a small amount of time, they are simply trying to get their slice of the pie. Strike while the iron is hot. Their name has been well regarded, and they are trying to cash in.

You are correct however, this is the fallout of too much, too soon. The faster you move things through production, this includes the entire process, the more mistakes will be made. QA becomes harder to implement and sometimes ignored all together.

It would seem that they are trying to cover their tracks for any potential customers who may be considering a purchase. As for owners, I guess we'll see where uit goes.

Good luck. BTW, have you looked at the Beresford? Maybe you should just count your losses and get one. I'm sure with some insistance, Emotiva will pick up the shipping.

http://www.beresford-dac.com/

[Ajani]

Do they produce their own stuff? I agree it's alot of gear in a small amount of time, they are simply trying to get their slice of the pie. Strike while the iron is hot. Their name has been well regarded, and they are trying to cash in.

You are correct however, this is the fallout of too much, too soon. The faster you move things through production, this includes the entire process, the more mistakes will be made. QA becomes harder to implement and sometimes ignored all together.

It would seem that they are trying to cover their tracks for any potential customers who may be considering a purchase. As for owners, I guess we'll see where uit goes.

Good luck. BTW, have you looked at the Beresford? Maybe you should just count your losses and get one. I'm sure with some insistance, Emotiva will pick up the shipping.

http://www.beresford-dac.com/

I think I'll keep the XDA and hopefully it will smooth out in time (or at least when I change speakers)... Worse case I'll use it as an excuse to add a tube pre to the setup...

If I was to go for another DAC, I'd want to save up $1K and try the Wyred 4 Sound DAC-1, which I believe has a remote (I know the DAC-2 definitely does)...

[harley .guy07]

As far as I know Pappa they engineer a lot of their stuff and have a production company in china build it for them to their specs. this company also builds components and parts for other companies so really they don't make their own stuff but they do design it or at least have a good control over the design. I do understand that a company can get something wrong from time to time and I completely see that but in this case something that would seem like a very simple catch to slip through the tracks and get to the public is a little concerning. I figure it is a very simple fix but to have all of these units shipped back to them for this fix while people sit there and wait would make me a little angry to say the least. Benchmark,PS audio and many others have came out with awesome dacs that work like a well oiled tool from the word go and never need to be sent back or "fixed" so in this regard I am not impressed especially from a component that have no moving parts or have a over the top complicated design. It it was a transport with a motor problem or a something I think I would be much more accepting of this issue but a volume adjustment setting that effects this whole units ability to work with other components downstream should be caught in pre production and dealt with. Just my 2 cents for what they are worth. And ending this statement I am not by any means saying that their amplifiers and other components are bad in fact I have heard their cd player and it is a awesome unit for the money and seems to hold its own against way more expensive units.

[Ajani]

As far as I know Pappa they engineer a lot of their stuff and have a production company in china build it for them to their specs. this company also builds components and parts for other companies so really they don't make their own stuff but they do design it or at least have a good control over the design. I do understand that a company can get something wrong from time to time and I completely see that but in this case something that would seem like a very simple catch to slip through the tracks and get to the public is a little concerning. I figure it is a very simple fix but to have all of these units shipped back to them for this fix while people sit there and wait would make me a little angry to say the least. Benchmark,PS audio and many others have came out with awesome dacs that work like a well oiled tool from the word go and never need to be sent back or "fixed" so in this regard I am not impressed especially from a component that have no moving parts or have a over the top complicated design. It it was a transport with a motor problem or a something I think I would be much more accepting of this issue but a volume adjustment setting that effects this whole units ability to work with other components downstream should be caught in pre production and dealt with. Just my 2 cents for what they are worth. And ending this statement I am not by any means saying that their amplifiers and other components are bad in fact I have heard their cd player and it is a awesome unit for the money and seems to hold its own against way more expensive units.

I certainly don't want to become a straight out Emotiva basher, as I am satisfied with my XPA-2, but I just can't fathom why there were so many silly mistakes with the XDA-1... It really just seems like quality control took a hit.. Even a simple issue like that they clearly overtightened the screws on my remote with a machine (not a screwdriver)... Three of the screw-heads have stripped rather than turning. so I'll have to get a pro to remove them... Little things like that are just poor quality control... someone should realize that a screw that you intend for customers to regularly remove (to change batteries) should be so easy to remove that child could do it, and not an exercise in frustration for the customer...

Sadly the XDA-1 really should be a winner and an easy recommendation: It is a beautiful visual match to the Emotiva amps, has great features (a remote is virtually unheard of at the price) and respectable (though bright at the moment) sound quality... Yet the issues just make it impossible for me to recommend at this time... And the response to the issues just leaves me unwilling to recommend Emotiva in general...

I really hope they take the criticisms they received in a positive manner and use it to ensure that future product launches can get unreserved recommendations from all their customers, and not just the most die-hard fanboys on the Emotiva forums...

[harley .guy07]

To add to this thread I will say again that I am not against Emotiva or anything they are doing I just think they might try to test a little more before coming out with products since they have a lot of trusted customers and are a price leader for people just trying to get their start into a higher end audio than your receiver speaker world or what I like to call your "Best Buy" world. I would hope that they take care of everyone on this and make good on their promises of a good dac for the money. Did I really expect it to compare to my PS audio or Ajani's benchmark will no but at 1 4th the price I was not anticipating that to begin with but I would expect a unit that could get a working class person with children and a mortgage and all the other payments we have to make nowadays into a good quality sounding unit for the price tag. I know that their amps are well built and deliver the power and while some don't like their amps but these people have already stepped passed Emotiva and are on a different level of audio and have spent way more. I have not personally heard any of their amps but would not mind hearing one seeing that they do not sell for a lot and give a lot of power and have a following especially their monoblock amps which seem to be the cheapest monoblock amps on the planet for what they can do. I am not a fanboy nor a emo attacker I just think they are a great beginning to the world that is far more quality oriented than your Sony receiver at your local electronics outlet which by the way is what most people see and why most people especially younger people don't know that there is a higher quality out there to be had. Heck I just had some guests over for the weekend from out of town that have never heard of ps audio, dynaudio or most of the brands of stuff that I own except for Yamaha and samsung and they were astounded at what difference a good quality dac and speakers made to my system and I explained everything from my Dac to my Adcom amp too them. Guess what they are going to get a hold of me after tax season in order to get them on the road to a better music system as well.

[nhb007]

ajani, you're in ja? I'm looking for a DAC & need some advice. send me an email at jentechs@cwjamaica.com
nhb007

[Ajani]

ajani, you're in ja? I'm looking for a DAC & need some advice. send me an email at jentechs@cwjamaica.com
nhb007

Another audiophile in JA, Cool... I'll send u an e-mail...

[Poultrygeist]

How's the Ja bobsled team these day? Loved that movie.

[Ajani]

So just to leave my final thoughts on the XDA-1 in the this thread:

In the time since I last posted, the sound quality has improved in the sense that the brightness is gone (thankfully!)... The sound is still clearly (to me) behind the DAC1, but more than respectable for a sub $500 DAC...

I have opted not to try and get the volume fixed due to the following: 1) It will probably cost me some change 2) I don't notice an improvement when using the XDA's volume control versus the Squeezebox's VC.... So I now use the XDA volume set permanently at 10.0 (essentially as an attenuator) and control the volume changes with the Squeezebox (range between 60 - 100 where there should be no/minimal bit loss due to the digital volume control))...

So while I don't think the XDA-1 is nearly as special as my XPA-2 amp, it's doing a decent job in my living room setup... I still don't recommend it (based on the bad experience out the gate with the volume control), but that is a decision a potential purchaser must make up his/her own mind on (especially considering the VC issue is resolved on newer units)...

[Ajani]

How's the Ja bobsled team these day? Loved that movie.

No idea about the team... I can't say I've actually followed their career at all...

However I do enjoy the Brooklyn style pizza they make at Bobsled Cafe in Montego Bay... :D

[Feanor]

So just to leave my final thoughts on the XDA-1 in the this thread:

In the time since I last posted, the sound quality has improved in the sense that the brightness is gone (thankfully!)... The sound is still clearly (to me) behind the DAC1, but more than respectable for a sub $500 DAC...
...
You've had too much aggrevation with this thing, Ajani. Still given that Emotiva has finally beaten the problems, it sounds quite worthy of consideration.

Of interest, maybe, for the DIY inclined, for my next project, I'm considering a Twisted Pear DAC, either the ESS Sable32-based Buffalo II plus IVY III driver stage, (here (http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/buffalo.aspx)), or for cheaper, the Wolfson WM8741-based Opus plus S/PDIF receiver, (here (http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/opus.aspx)).

[Mr Peabody]

It's a shame you couldn't get your unit switched out. Just a note of interest back when I bought my ERC-1 I emailed Emo about something and mentioned "burn in" their tech said they don't believe in burn in. I definitely felt the unit sounded better after several hours of play. The highs weren't as brash. I don't think it was just getting used to it because it wasn't my main player and I always had my main unit as reference.