Introduction to the Emotiva XDA-1 Differential Reference DAC for the audiophile

**gadgtfreek** · 05-12-2011, 07:38 AM

As general rule of thumb, I try not to review equipment from manufacturers of products that I personally own as it can lend an air of bias on my part. I’m just letting you know up front that I own a UMC-1 pre/pro and three amplifiers from Emotiva. I find their products to perform very well and are true bargains in the A/V world. The reason I allowed myself to indulge in this review of their XDA-1 was because I have never used an outboard DAC and felt I could review it without (too much) prejudice.

Home Theater Hifi

**tvmonkey** · 05-12-2011, 08:55 AM

I auditioned this DAC for a while and found it to be excellent for the price. NB some of the earlier units apparently had a volume control issue, but I believe it has been solved. Worth checking, though. I've gone through a lot of DACs and I think it is tough to beat this unit at this price unless you go the vintage route.

**gadgtfreek** · 05-12-2011, 08:59 AM

I guess for a dummy like me, what does a DAC really add to a system?

I mean I have my setup in my sig, what can I do other than new speakers, to improve SQ?

**ev666il** · 05-13-2011, 03:58 AM

Originally Posted by elwaylite

I mean I have my setup in my sig, what can I do other than new speakers, to improve SQ?

Separates

**homank76** · 05-13-2011, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by elwaylite

I mean I have my setup in my sig, what can I do other than new speakers, to improve SQ?

Room treatments.

**Hi Resolution** · 05-13-2011, 09:13 AM

I love this stuff, anyone know where it's made?

**speedking** · 05-13-2011, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Hi Resolution

I love this stuff, anyone know where it's made?

Made in China...offices are in Tenn...they have transferable 5 year warranties on their products...I have heard good things about them...only knock I have heard is that they fudge the "marketing" numbers on some of their amps...

**nobsplease** · 05-13-2011, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by homank76

Room treatments.

+1 Make sure you've got the basics covered by reducing first reflections. Optimize sub placement. Don't fret; enjoy music and movies. In extreme circumstances, apply appropriate doses of booze.

**ev666il** · 05-13-2011, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by nobsplease

+1 Make sure you've got the basics covered by reducing first reflections. Optimize sub placement. Don't fret; enjoy music and movies. In all circumstances, apply appropriate doses of booze.

Fixed.

**lenchosal11** · 05-25-2011, 08:13 PM

Hello there, I purchased the XPA 5 and i rec'd it monday. So here is my problem. After hooking it up correctly, after a while it shuts off and goes orange, and channel 4 blinks in red. Does anyone know what that means. Also when i slightly touch the RCA cables i hear a click and it shuts off. Very annoying. Anyone had or has the same problem? Thanks
Sal

**ev666il** · 05-26-2011, 02:46 AM

It sounds like your amp clips and shuts itself off for safety/protection. Check your RCA cables, and make sure connectors are all firmly mounted and well plugged in, without touching one another. Also make sure your bare speaker wire / spades never touch each other, either at the amp or at the speaker level, as that would provoke a short circuit and trigger your amp's safety mechanism (it happened to me with spades, in the past).

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