Emotiva DAC "mule" pics

Emotiva DAC "mule" pics:
Link

Features:
- 6 discrete output stages
- selectable inputs
- volume
- segmented power supply

 

I've been watching the thread over there for a while and am looking forward to hearing how well it performs. I've just always used my receiver for DAC but am interested in a standalone DAC. I wonder what I've been missing

 

I've been watching the thread over there for a while and am looking forward to hearing how well it performs. I've just always used my receiver for DAC but am interested in a standalone DAC. I wonder what I've been missing

I am no DAC expert, but I think the answer is "it depends".
The HRT MS DAC I added to my laptop made a difference.
I think the major variables are how good your source(s) are, the current DAC, and the rest of your audio chain and speakers.

Full specs & product sound like they should be available soon.

Mike

 

XDA-1 DAC update - close but delayed

From Lonnie (admin) at Emotiva forum today:
Link

"Well I have been a little remiss about getting you up to speed on the XDA and I am sorry.

We got in the final cosmetic sample and have been testing and listening to it extensively. First off let me say that the sound quality is unlike anything else we have done before. It is really something special. The discrete output stages in the XDA are in a league of their own. The discrete output stage we did for the ERC and USP as good as they are can’t hang with this thing. The depth and detail in the music is so deep and accurate it is difficult to describe, so I have no doubt you will love it once we release it.

Now the bad news. We placed the XDA on top of the ERC (we were using it for a transport) and while we were listening to it, we just couldn’t get past the fact that the cosmetics didn’t match and it just didn’t look right. So we have redesigned the front panel to give it a more family look. Unfortunately this will delay the release a little longer, but all the electronics are solid and fully check out. So hopefully this won’t delay things too much longer because I know many of you have been waiting for a while.

I am sorry about the delay but we want you to enjoy the whole experience of the unit and have it match up with all the other gear, so hang in there it is coming."


Mike

 

Renderings - XDC-1 (old), XDA-1

Emotiva DAC render image concepts...

So, we had:
1. XDC-1 renders (full size and smaller)
2. XDA-1 concept render
3. XDA-1 render (new today)

 

Other info:
- headphone jack
- volume control: digital & global (for all inputs)
--- therefore, turn volume to MAX for use with pre-amp

Future:
- "At this time I am just working on this one. The baby version is down the road. "

Mike

 

I personally think the new design is much better than the previous ones. It's great to have an update on them!

 

I personally think the new design is much better than the previous ones. It's great to have an update on them!

Yeah, it looks cool.
Good to have another DAC option (although there are a lot) at a low price point.

Now just need some product, reviews, posts...

Mike

 

Update on Emotiva DAC pricing...$299

Update on Emotiva DAC pricing...

Link
"As it is right now, we are looking to release it at 299.00"

 

There are some truly nice offerings around $500, this is an interesting pricepoint...

 

HRT Music Streamer II's New 24/96 Hi Res asynchronous USB DAC's

Off topic (of Emotiva at least)...

HRT Music Streamer II's New 24/96 Hi Res asynchronous USB DAC's

Link


Specifications: Music Streamer II
Electrical: Full Scale output 2.25 volts RMS
Frequency Response (20 Hz / 20 kHz) 0 dB / -.5 dB
Noise Floor (DC to 30 kHz) 26 uV RMS
S/N Ratio (DC to 30 kHz) 98 dB
THD+N (1 kHz FS) 0.010%
USB to Audio output isolation > 20M Ohm
Interface Data Rate: up to 96 kS/s
Bit Depth: up to 24 bit
Transfer Protocol: asynchronous
USB type 1.1 or Above
Power Requirements (USB buss) 200 mA
Dimensions (L x W x H) 4.1" x 2.1" x 1.2"
Price $149.95

New for 2010!! Improved version of the original HRT Music Streamer II, now featuring full 24/96 Hi-Res capability and asynchronous data transfer protocol. Fully compatible with USB 1.1 and above for full bandwidth performance! The Music Streamer II+ is a high performance music interface that allows a computer and a home entertainment system to become perfect partners. With its unique topology, the Music Streamer provides a completely isolated path between the computer and audio system. No more audio contamination by the computer; your music will always sound its best. There are no external power supplies to worry about because the Music Streamer derives its power from the USB buss while completely regenerating power for all its internal circuitry using a sophisticated set of proprietary circuits.

Operation is simple: just plug the Music Streamer into any USB port on your computer and the Music Streamer will install itself and be ready for use in a matter of moments. Connect the other end of the Music Streamer into any analog input and you are ready to stream high quality computer based music. Minimum System requirements Windows XP service Pack 3, MAC OsX 10.3 or newer. Not all MAC Mini's have enough output voltage to power the Streamer in some cases you'll need a powered USB Hub.

The Music Streamer provides full support for applications such as iTunes™, Windows Media Player™ Rhapsody, Napster or anything else! Direct to your home entertainment system, with a level of quality never before possible. You can also use the Music Streamer to listen to internet radio or other music subscription services such as Rhapsody™ or Napster™ in high quality through your Home Entertainment System, Television or Stereo system. High Resolution Technologies Music Streamer, the product for tomorrow, is available today.

 

Updates - DAC info / delay until July 2010?

DAC updates...

4/2/10 Post - LINK -
"They announced in today's webcast

http://emotiva.com/webcast040210/webcast.shtm

(section 2 of the webcast)
that the new physical design on the DAC means it won't be released for another 90 days or so.
So at this point, the DAC should be available sometime this July."


- Lonnie (@ Emotiva forum - 4/3/10) - LINK -
"Even though the ERC and XDA share the same DAC, the reason the XDA sounds so much better is because of the discrete output stage.
In the ERC the design is a straight forward single dif, going to a single stage VAS and output stage.
The XDA on the other hand uses a Dual dif input stage with crosslinked current sources, Darlington VAS stage and Darlington output stages, so the speed and current it can deliver is like night and day different from the ERC.
So as good as the ERC sounded (and to be honest I thought it was amazing), the XDA is in a league all its own."

 

i will admit i am not up to speed on the DAC players
So what are the main things/specs/etc to look for
is it the greater the value of the specs the better or is it the lower the better. :crazy::crazy::crazy:
What are Quality components and which are the ones to steer clear of??
anyone care to educate??
:huge:

 

i will admit i am not up to speed on the DAC players
So what are the main things/specs/etc to look for
is it the greater the value of the specs the better or is it the lower the better. :crazy::crazy::crazy:
What are Quality components and which are the ones to steer clear of??
anyone care to educate??
:huge:

Me to, I'm not sure what an external DAC is for other than higher quality sound.

 

That is exactly what it is for. :yes:

Me to, I'm not sure what an external DAC is for other than higher quality sound.

 

That is exactly what it is for. :yes:

Thanks

 

XDA-1 DAC "final sample"

From Emotiva thread post:
Link

"From the podcast: "The final sample, with the revised cosmetics of the XDA, is shipping tonight. Yeah!"

Which I assume means it's shipping from China to Emotiva. So, it's getting closer, but not that close."

 

Pic update:
Link

 

DAC specs (from Emonatics - unconfirmed)

Specifications:
(pending)
From Emonatics - http://emonatics.com/XDA-1.shtml
(unconfirmed)...

Inputs (both)
1) AES/EBU
2) Coax Digital
2) Optical Digital
1) USB (Should be PC & Mac Compatible)

Outputs
1) L/R Unbalanced RCAs
1) L/R Balanced XLRs (all outputs are hgh voltage)

Triggers (automatic on/off for amplifiers and XDA-1 itself)
1) 12v output trigger
1) 12v input trigger

Analog Devices AD1955 DAC, with 384k oversampling, and 1V rms (7V peak for extended dynamics), 24-bit, 192 kHz Sample Rate PCM Audio Data, 120 dB SNR/DNR (not muted) at 48KHz Sample Rate (A-Weighted Stereo), -110 dB THD+N (0.0003162%)
Burr Brown buffers coming out of the DAC
6 fully discrete output stages
Selectable inputs
Segmented power supply

 

More info - output stages, 60-75d, vs. UMC, ERC DACs

More info from Lonnie at Emotiva
Link

"The output stages in the XDA are in a league way beyond anything an opamp can do. They are fully discrete, think miniature version of an X series amp stage.
Dual differential input with cross linked current sources, Darlington VAS stage and Darlington output stage. Can we say Bad @$$ "

...

"I still have some testing to do and we need to get schedule production, but a ball park figure woudl be 60-75 days."

...

"The easiest way to discribe this is to start with the UMC and work our way up to the XDA.

The UMC uses a similiar design principle that is used in Pro recording gear. The DAC is run wide open to get the best performace out of it. From the DAC it goes to some very high quality OPAMPs which are used as a gain stage. From there it goes to a digitally controlled, but still analog volume control. From the volume control it goes to another set of opamps which are used as buffers and then to the outputs.

In the ERC the DAC is run wide open as well. The signal then goes to Burr Browns which are set up at buffers. From the buffers it goes to the discrete output stage. The discrete output stage is a beautifully simple design that uses a single dif input to a traditional VAS and output stage. Basically in terms of sound quality and performace it is a whole order of magnitude beyond that of an opamp.

The XDA is our most advanced design to date. Although it uses the same DAC as in the ERC practically everthing else is all new. From the DAC the signal goes to set of Burr Browns which are used as buffers. From there is goes to the discrete output stages but these are completely different from the ERC. These are like a miniature version of an X series amplifier. They use dual differential inputs stages with cross-linked current sources which then goes to a Darlington VAS stage and then to a Darlinton output stage. So in terms of performace and sound quality, this is a whole order magnitude greater than the ERC.

Hope this helps.

P.S. it is just my opinion, but if you really want to get the most out of the XDA. Connect it straight to the amp and forget about using a pre-amp. Just playing with it here, we originally had it run into the USP. We could hear a difference and it sounded better than the ERC itself, but it really wasn't a night and day difference. So we decided to connect it directly to the amps and see what that sounded like. Well that was when we realized just how good it really is and it was the night and day difference we were expecting."

 

XDA-1 bypass mode???

RE:
(bold/red added)

From Lonnie at Emotiva...
Link

"P.S. it is just my opinion, but if you really want to get the most out of the XDA.
Connect it straight to the amp and forget about using a pre-amp.
Just playing with it here, we originally had it run into the USP. We could hear a difference and it sounded better than the ERC itself, but it really wasn't a night and day difference. So we decided to connect it directly to the amps and see what that sounded like. Well that was when we realized just how good it really is and it was the night and day difference we were expecting."

New Emotiva thread:
XDA-1 bypass mode???


I'm trying to figure out how this DAC would (or would not) integrate into my current office system.

 

Latest pics and specs on XDA-1

Latest pics and specs on XDA-1
6-10-10 update (Emotiva VIP Lounge): Link

"Some quick specs for you all.

Frequency response: 5-50Khz
S/N: in excess of 110db
THD+N: 0.02%
Ground floor noise: 10uV
Output voltage: 1V nominal, 12V peak"

...

"We hope to have them in your hands in about 45 days."

...

Q (TonyMc): "So would putting the XDA-1 between transport and USP-1 negate the sonic improvements of the XDA-1?"
A (Lonnie): "It won't negate the improved sound, but as good as the line stage is in the USP, the XDA by itself is way better."

 

wow!

maybe i will get an xda for my 2channel setup. i do have lots of digital format audio, and i could get a good transport for my cd's but not worry about the DA performance.... *hmmm*


Matt

 

XDA-1 October availability

Newest Emotiva webcast:
http://emotiva.com/podcast73010/webcast.shtm

XDA-1 production "end of September" and available in October.
"Reserve list" soon (next week? unclear)

Mike

 

New thread, info, and pics:
http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=preampdac&action=display&thread=12973

Still no pre-order list.

Mike

Added:
New Pre-amp/DAC section @ Emotiva forum: http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=preampdac