XDA-3 Differential Reference DAC / Preamp

Emotiva

XDA-3 Differential Reference DAC / Preamp

Name: XDA-3 Differential Reference DAC / Preamp
Brand: Emotiva
SKU: EMOTIVA-XDA-3-DIFFERENTIAL-REFERENCE-DAC-PREAMP

Model DAC-DAC-XDA3 · Series Differential Reference

The 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.

At a glance

All specifications

Frequency response: 10 Hz to 55 kHz
Crosstalk: < 91 dB.
THD: < 0.001% at 1 kHz.
IMD: < 0.0005%.
Filter #1: Linear Phase Fast Roll-Off.
Filter #2: Linear Phase Slow Roll-Off.

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Overview

A DAC is the heartbeat of digital listening. It's the piece that turns ones and zeros into real music, and it can either add high-quality digital playback to an analog system or act as the control center for an all-digital setup.

The XDA-3 is designed to do both, with the connections you actually need: a high-performance USB input for everything from standard files to ultra high-resolution PCM (up to 32/768) and DSD (up to DSD512), four S/PDIF inputs for players and streamers (up to 24/192), HDMI-ARC for easy TV audio, plus both balanced and unbalanced analog inputs so you can bring in gear like a phono preamp.

Under the hood, it is a true Differential Reference design, fully balanced and fully differential from the DAC stage to the XLR outputs, and the balanced analog inputs stay fully differential from input to output. Volume is handled the right way, with a digitally controlled analog ladder network, so analog sources remain fully analog and never get forced through A/D conversion. You also get both balanced and unbalanced outputs, a high-performance headphone amplifier, an OLED graphical display, and a full-function machined aluminum remote, all housed in a full-size, all-metal chassis with a low-noise internal AC power supply and proper full-size connectors.

Features

Balanced by Design, Differential From End to End
The XDA-3 runs a fully balanced, fully differential analog signal path right through to the XLR outputs, helping keep noise low and dynamics wide open. Even better, your analog sources stay purely analog, so you are not forced through an A/D conversion just to use the inputs.
Volume Control That Keeps the Detail
Instead of a typical digital volume control that can reduce resolution at quieter listening levels, the XDA-3 uses a digitally controlled analog ladder network. The result is smooth, precise level changes with the kind of natural, full-bodied clarity you want when using it as a DAC and true control center.
Plug In Anything: USB Hi-Res, HDMI-ARC, and Headphone Listening
The XDA-3 is built for modern systems, with high-performance USB for ultra high-resolution playback, plus multiple S/PDIF inputs and HDMI-ARC for easy TV integration. Add a built-in headphone amplifier and both balanced and unbalanced outputs, and it becomes the kind of hub you can build an entire listening space around.

Specifications

Frequency response: 10 Hz to 55 kHz; The range of pitches it reproduces, from deep bass to the top of the treble.
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.; The sources you can connect.
Model code: EMOTIVA-XDA-3-DIFFERENTIAL-REFERENCE-DAC-PREAMP; Quote it when you ask a specialist.

TOPOLOGY

TOPOLOGY: The XDA-3 is a high-performance two-channel audiophile DAC with a variety of digital inputs, including a very high-performance USB input, an HDMI-ARC input, and two stereo analog inputs. The XDA-3 features a fully balanced, fully differential analog signal path, and a true analog ladder network volume control for superb performance as both a DAC and a preamp.

INPUTS & OUTPUTS

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

AUDIO FORMATS AND BIT RATES SUPPORTED

AUDIO FORMATS AND BIT RATES SUPPORTED: 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).

SIGNAL PATHS

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%.
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 OVERSMAPLING 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 & POWER REQUITRMENTS

Trigger: Trigger Input; Trigger Output (output +12V DC; input 5-12 V AC/DC).
Power Requirements: 115 VAC or 230 VAC +/- 10% @ 50 / 60 Hz (automatically detected and switched).

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT

Dimensions: 17” wide x 2.25” high x 13.5” deep (includes feet and connectors).
Weight: 8-1/2 pounds (unboxed). DOWNLOADSDownload Product Manual