Emotiva XDA-3 Differential Reference DAC / Preamp

The Emotiva XDA-3 is an audiophile quality two-channel digital-to-analog converter (DAC), with both digital and analog inputs. It can be used as both a DAC and control center or preamp. The digital audio inputs on the XDA-3 support most standard sample rates and stereo digital audio formats, the HDMI-ARC input accepts digital audio directly from your TV, and the analog inputs enable you to connect analog sources like a phono preamp or other line level analog source. Unlike many less sophisticated DACs, the XDA-3 uses a digitally controlled analog ladder network volume control, which do not reduce the resolution at low listening levels on its digital and analog inputs.

When you listen to digital audio it is the DAC that converts the ones and zeros of the digital audio stream into the analog sound that you hear… which is why the DAC you choose has such a major impact on sound quality. When it comes to playing digital audio, the DAC is literally the heart and soul of your audio system.

If you already have an analog audio system, then you probably think of a DAC as the source component that adds high quality digital audio inputs to your existing system. Or, if you only have digital sources, then you may look at your DAC as the control center of your whole system, taking the place of the preamplifier in an analog system. Our new XDA-3 offers the features you need and the sound quality you crave to fulfill either role superbly, while offering some exciting and interesting new features and capabilities you may not have even thought possible before.

The USB input on our new XDA-3 supports all of the important two-channel digital audio formats, including PCM at sample rates and bit depths up to 32/768k, and both DoP and native DSD (DoP up to DoP256, and native DSD up to DSD512). The four S/PDIF digital audio inputs support sample rates up to 24/192k and are ideal for connecting devices like CD players and audio streamers. The HDMI-ARC input enables you to send digital audio directly from your TV to the XDA-3. And, unlike most other DACs, the XDA-3 also has both balanced and unbalanced analog inputs you can use to connect analog devices like a phono preamp.

While it is predominantly a digital product, the XDA-3 was designed from the ground up with all of the analog features you would expect from an Emotiva Differential Reference product. The signal path for digital inputs is fully balanced and fully differential, from the balanced outputs of the DAC chips to the XLR connectors on the rear panel; and the signal path for the balanced analog inputs is fully balanced and fully differential from input to output. And, since the XDA-3 features digitally controlled analog ladder network volume control, the analog inputs have a fully analog signal path and are never converted into digital. In case you were wondering, the XDA-3 has both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, with the unbalanced outputs being derived directly from the balanced signal, via a separate balanced to single-ended converter stage.

The XDA-3 also has a long list of features you would expect in a high-end audio product intended to be used in an audiophile setting, like a high-performance headphone amplifier, a full-featured machined aluminum remote control, and a high visibility OLED graphical display. (You’ll want to check out the Features and Specifications pages for all the details there.)

We also want to point out that the XDA-3 is a full-sized audiophile component – designed to be right at home in any stereo or home theater system. It includes features that that you would expect to find in a stereo component, like a full-sized all-metal cabinet, with a precision low noise internal AC power supply, and a rear panel populated with full sized input and output connectors.

We’re very proud to put our name on it…The Emotiva XDA-3 Differential Reference DAC.

Features

• Plenty of digital audio inputs – including USB, Coax, Toslink, and HDMI-ARC
• Balanced and unbalanced analog inputs.
• Analog ladder network volume control.
• Support for PCM audio up to 32/768k and both DoP and native DSD audio.

Specifications

• Inputs 
  • 2 - Coaxial S/PDIF digital audio inputs.
  • 2 - Toslink optical S/PDIF digital audio inputs.
  • 1 - HDMI-ARC digital audio input
  • 1 - High performance USB digital audio input.
  • 1 pair - Balanced XLR analog audio input.
  • 1 pair - Unbalanced RCA analog audio input.
• Outputs
  • 1 pair - Main Outputs (stereo; balanced / XLR), variable level.
  • 1 pair - Main Outputs (stereo; unbalanced / RCA), variable level.
  • 1 - Headphone output, 1/4” stereo, front panel
• Formats
  • Stereo PCM digital audio via USB at standard sample rates / bit depths up to 32/768k (no drivers required for Windows, Apple, and most Linux computers).
  • Stereo DoP (DSD-over-PCM-over-USB) via USB at DoP64, DoP128, and DoP256 (ASIO driver or support required).
  • Native DSD (DoP) via USB at DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, and DSD512 (ASIO driver and additional software support required).
  • Stereo digital audio via S/PDIF (optical and electrical) at all standard sample rates and bit depths up to 24/192k.
  • Stereo digital audio via HDMI-ARC (sample rates and bit depths determined by source).
  • Analog audio via one pair of stereo Balanced (XLR) Inputs and one pair of stereo Unbalanced (RCA) Inputs.
• Circuit Highlights
  • Digital to Analog Conversion: ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE32 Reference DAC (32-bit Stereo DAC with Hyperstream® II DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator).
  • Headphone Amplifier: Texas Instruments TPA6120A2 (high-power, very high fidelity, current-feedback monolithic Class A/B headphone amplifier).
  • Volume Control: NJW1195A (digitally controlled analog ladder network volume control).
  • Analog Signal Path Active Electronics: OPA1656 (ultra-low-noise, low-distortion, FET-input, audio operational amplifiers).
  • USB Interface: Comtrue CT7601 32-bit 768 kHz USB Audio Bridge (supports PCM up to 32/768k; DoP up to DoP256; native-DSD up to DSD512).
• Rated Output
  • 2.0 V RMS (RCA)
  • 4.0 V RMS (XLR)
• Analog Signal Path
  • Frequency Response: 10 Hz to 55 kHz +0 /- 0.2 dB.
  • Signal to Noise (S/N) Ratio: > 110 dB.
  • Crosstalk: < 91 dB.
  • THD: < 0.001% at 1 kHz.
  • THD: < 0.0015% 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
  • IMD: < 0.0005%.
• Digital Signal Path
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/-0.1 dB (44.1k and above sample rates).
  • Signal to Noise (S/N Ratio: > 95 dB (44.1 kHz sample rate).
  • Signal to Noise (S/N Ratio: > 110 dB (48 kHz and above sample rates).
  • Crosstalk: < 100 dB.
  • THD: < 0.0035% (16 bits).
  • THD: < 0.002% (24 bits).
  • IMD: < 0.0025% (44.1k sample rate).
  • IMD: < 0.0005% (48 kHz and above sample rates).
  • NOTE:The frequency response with digital input signals is determined by the sample rate of the incoming digital signal and the oversampling filter selected.
• User Selectable Oversampling Filters (DAC)

  • Filter #1: Linear Phase Fast Roll-Off. 

  • Filter #2: Linear Phase Slow Roll-Off.

  • Filter #3: Minimum Phase Fast Roll-Off.

  • Filter #4: Minimum Phase Slow Roll-Off.

  • Filter #5: Apodizing Fast Roll-Off.

  • Filter #6: Hybrid Fast Roll-Off.

  • Filter #7: Brick Wall.

  • Since the ideal filter alignment is both a matter of personal preference, and of the specific content you are listening to, we have provided a button that allows you to cycle through the various filter options right on the remote control. Press the Filters Button once to display the current filter; and press it multiple times to cycle through the available filter options.
• Trigger Trigger Input; Trigger Output (output +12V DC; input 5-12 V AC/DC).
• Power Requirements 230 VAC +/- 10% @ 50 / 60 Hz (automatically detected and switched).
• Dimensions 17” wide x 2.25” high x 13.5” deep (includes feet and connectors).
• Weight 8-1/2 pounds (unboxed).

Support

• Manual