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Has anyone successfully used the XDA-1 DAC/Pre as a pre-amp? Some owners suggest it sounds better mating with a pre-amp but the posts lack details on how the unit is hooked up to their systems (using RCA IC, XLR IC, optical cable, coaxial cable, etc.). I am planning to use the DAC as a pre-amp in addition to its DAC and appreciate feedback from XDA-1 owners.
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I bought one not long ago when Emo offered it at 249 delivered. I figured why not. I tried it both as a stand alone dac and as a digital pre. I thought it was great on paper, but just not my "flavor". I also thought the volume control was kind of awkward in that I couldnt seem to find just the right level. In my system, I felt like it was a little bright and fatiguing. I do feel that Emotiva brings some serious value to the game.
giantnutz I came to the same conclusion. The build quality and features are great for an all digital system but the sound would just wear on me from the sound characteristics you mentioned. I really wanted to like it but ended up going back to the MF V-DAC which was way more pleasant at least to my ears.
This part of the question rates its own answer...
The Emo XDA-1 (and many other DACs) has a true digital volume control. As with all digital volume controls, this means that, when you turn the volume way down, you lose bits of resolution (the same thing happens with quiet sounds recorded on a CD). The result is that, if you ended up with the volume on the XDA-1 way down, and the volume on a preamp it was plugged into turned way up, the combination might sound a slight bit harsh. This is simply a result of how digital volume controls work.
The bottom line is that, if you have a DAC plugged into a preamp (ANY DAC with a digital volume control), for absolute best sound quality leave the volume on the DAC set to full and use the volume control on the preamp. If you're using the XDA-1 as a preamp, odds are you won't notice anything amiss since, when the volume is set high it sounds perfect, and when the volume control is turned way down the music will be too quiet to notice the loss of resolution (just like you don't notice the quiet parts of a CD sounding grainy either).
When Emotiva talks about using the XDA-1 as a preamp, what they mean is that, if you have all digital signal sources, you can plug them into the XDA-1 and then connect the XDA-1 directly into a power amp - in which case you won't need an additional preamp - since the XDA-1 has both an input selector and a volume control. The XDA-1 also has a high enough output level that it can drive most power amps. If you have any analog signal sources, then you are also going to need an analog preamp of some sort.
Hello Pete, I'm quite familiar with the XDA Dac being that a family member runs it through his system. He uses it as a dac/pre currently, even though he has another very high quality preamplifier sitting idle for the moment. When using separate preamp be sure your amp can take the incoming voltage otherwise you may get a blown amp (as he did unfortunately). The Emotiva will pump out 12 volts balanced at full tilt. Anything less and you will start chopping off bits (with 24 bit music).
As for the sound, the Emotiva dac is crystal clear but flat sounding. It definitely sounds better mated to a good preamp. You can hook it up in a myriad of ways. Try coax or toslink input and unbalanced or balanced output to your next unit down the chain.
Thanks for the pre-warning, Say. You have saved me big time as my amps are 2 monoblocks. Will make sure to keep the volume to its minimum on start up and turn it up slowly :-)
The XDA-1 has no analog inputs.
I use an XDA-1 with optical input and this output path:
XDA-1 -> unbalanced analog output -> a volume control -> active crossover -> 6 channel power amp.
Bill
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