Price Alert: Emotiva XDA-2 DAC Digital Preamp Now Just $219.00 Shipped

Facing a possible scolding from the Missus...I ordered one this weekend. Actually I ordered at least six! The website kept saying my CC wasn't going through so I kept trying different cards. Need to call Emotiva tomorrow to get things straightened out. It would be replacing a Fiio D3 ($30) so I hope it's an upgrade! I'm guessing I might not hear much difference from my Roku but hopefully the Blu-Ray sound will be noticeably better for movies and CD's...it's already pretty good through the Fiio, IMO.
 
I pulled the trigger on one. Normally I would have to pay international shipping plus duties which makes the deal less interesting but I will be in Vermont soon so I called Emotiva up and they were very friendly and helpful. I will get the free shipping and it will be under my limit for bringing back duty free!

It will be fun to compare to my DacMagic as a DAC and then see how it does as a preamp vs my Proceed. A simpler signal path might improve things. I might also be able to hook up the 12V trigger to my 3B-ST and make for easier on/off. Looking forward to trying it out.
 
My XDA-2 arrived today. :banana: I tested it briefly in the shop system and liked what I heard.

It's now installed in the TV system and working / sounding very nice. I'm running optical (Toslink) from the Samsung HDTV to the XDA-2 and then unbalanced RCA interconnects to the amp. Very definitely a major improvement in sound quality. :yes:

If you only need two channel, this is a good solution and much cheaper than a full blown AVR.
 
My XDA-2 just arrived today and I already have it hooked up! I placed it in my office in place of the PopPulse DAC, just to test it out. I think eventually it will live in the main room.

First impressions are WOW, the device itself is solidly built with a lot of attention to detail. Double boxed, wrapped in a felt cover for shipment. The remote control feels and looks like it's carved from billet.

Hookup was a cinch. I am using USB to the DAC and then from there to the NAD1600/2400 and then the Morel Duets are pushing the air around. Out of the box, the DAC meshed seamlessly with the computer's USB signal. No fiddling necessary (unlike the MusicHall DAC I tried out a few months ago, which had issues talking to the Mac and the AirPort Express).

I personally like the blue display and with 5 dimming modes, it can be tamed depending on ambient light conditions or mood.

The sound is excellent so far. Not sure how I would swing a side-by-side comparison with the PopPulse. But by itself, the Emotiva seems to present materials a little differently. Bass is a bit more controlled, and some studio "artifacts" are more noticeable.

Overall, for $220 SHIPPED to my door, this is a great deal. Everyone should have at least one! (My only wish is that they packaged it with an Apple Airport Express built-in so I could stream directly to it.)
 
Mine had been working flawlessly until tonight. All of a sudden intense static via USB from the laptop. I reconnected the PopPulse DAC to see if it was a connection and the PP sounds great. I powered down the XDA and will consult the manual, but curious if anyone else has had issues.
 
Flawless, as always.

Of course their 5-year warranty should cover any issue—if the DAC is the problem.
 
Hello,

I got interested in this DAC/Preamp. Anybody can give some comparison how it stacks up to the Grant Fidelity DAC-09 or DAC-11?

Thank you.
 
waudio said:
I got interested in this DAC/Preamp. Anybody can give some comparison how it stacks up to the Grant Fidelity DAC-09 or DAC-11?
Click to expand...

I can't compare sound quality but I always like to emphasize the extra utility the Emotiva XDA-2 contributes to a vintage 2-channel system. Even if you continue to use a vintage pre-amp (as I do) the XDA-2 will add input/source switching and volume control from the remote, features I've lusted over in my vintage system for years. Now I can sit on the couch and switch between the Toslink output from my TV to the coax output from my CD transport and BluRay player, or USB from my computer without getting up. The volume control works beautifully and provides great range of adjustment without seeming to cause any gain issues or adding noise.

I did notice an audible improvement in sound quality with the Emotiva versus my CD transport's internal DAC but the only other DAC I've tried was in a high-level Denon universal disc player and Muse mini USB DAC. A-B comparisons between the Denon and my older Sony CD/DVD player uncovered no improvement so back it went (Crutchfield return policy is the real deal) but the XDA-2 made an audible improvement, and I'm using a system that won't hide any flaws!
 
Huge improvement over the analog outputs of my Squeezebox Duet with updated output caps. Very happy at this price point, trying to resist purchasing another.
 
waudio said:
Hello,

I got interested in this DAC/Preamp. Anybody can give some comparison how it stacks up to the Grant Fidelity DAC-09 or DAC-11?

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Not much help here. LOL I own all three but have never compared them head-to-head in the same system. The 09 and the 11 have been compared and the 11 won. I would guess that the XDA-2 is close to the Dac-11's direct out but they are set up in completely different systems. The XDA-2 sounds very good to my old ears, though.

I think you will enjoy your purchase.
 
Man, if this thing had just ONE pair of analog inputs, I'd get one. But I'm not giving up my modified BillD Carver C-1 preamp and it's outstanding phono section just yet. Helluva good deal.
 
avguytx said:
Man, if this thing had just ONE pair of analog inputs, I'd get one. But I'm not giving up my modified BillD Carver C-1 preamp and it's outstanding phono section just yet. Helluva good deal.
Click to expand...

I'm with you.
I use my Soundcraftsmen Pro-Control-Four and Pro-EQ 44 and just run the XDA-2 into one of the AUX inputs. The Emotiva has no tone controls (yeah, purists, I know what you're saying . . . ). That way I don't lose any of the control from my analog system but still have all the advantages of the XDA-2 in my hands through its tank-like remote. :thmbsp:
 
I'm with you, BMW...I've got too much into the C-1 to just toss it to the wayside. But, since my wife likes to listen to tunes from the music server on occasion, the simplest way is how I've got it thru the C-1 plus I have added remote volume control and mute to the C-1 which is awesome. (Might have to to that to my Soundcraftsmen DX4200 some day) I'd be fine without the tone controls on the XDA-2 since JRiver has equalization in it "if" I needed it.
 
Got the XDA-2 today. It is very well built with a tank like remote.

Everything works out of the box, played for an hour or so. I am impressed. I am not sure which one I like better between the DAC-09 (with GE white 5 star tube) or the XDA-2. The base is tight and punchy. Will have couple local friends coming this weekend to compare between the two.

For $219, very good value. The blue led also looks nice.
 

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