New Emotiva XDA-3 Preamp crushes the competition!

Emotiva XDA-3 DAC/Preamp bit.ly/3OA8huf
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[@cheapaudioman]

Emotiva XDA-3 DAC/Preamp bit.ly/3OA8huf Intro graphics by johnvilardi.com Support the Channel! Shop on Amazon amzn.to/3W8vsgK Crutchfield shop-links.co/cguPK8XEGmt Join the best hifi community out there! patreon.com/cheapaudioman TRY ROON roonlabs.com/r/RTmYWdCP9kitqouBa5pcIw Tidal Deal bit.ly/3siuqSF Amazon Unlimited Music Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9 Crutchfield shop-links.co/cguPK8XEGmt Best Buy Deals shop-links.co/cf9yDZeYtUH amzn.to/3GkNaop CAM Store (New Products!) bit.ly/30Lgu4K apos.audio?sca_ref=552340.TY98BPcZ6P

[@BostonMike68]

I need help Randy ! I'm sold on this but what amps would be the most happy with in the long run xpa mono blocks or would the basx mono blocks be good enough for the money. I'm not rich but I keep buying things I'm not satisfied with and. My speakers are really expensive and powerful I designed them myself and I spent some money on them just on the components Jantzen z caps 3 order crossover alone cost a small fortune and want to get the most out of my speakers Thanks brother

[@BostonMike68]

Why am I getting messages saying I won something

[@shitmandood]

That’s a hard bargain to beat! How do you use it just as a DAC? I’ve beeb hankering for a Freya S or + and would like to get the best of both worlds.

[@clamcharlie]

I was just self diagnosed as an Audiophile....goodbye money

[@cheapaudioman]

you're amongst friends here. we shall trudge this road together, my friend

[@bigdreams5554]

First step is admitting you have a problem. Now back to ordering a Wiim Mini for every room in my house....

[@curioustraveler1390]

​@@bigdreams5554This made me LOL! Thanks for brightening my day!

[@michaelwitt1733]

​@@cheapaudioman❤

[@carminedesanto6746]

Yup ..and welcome 💸💸💸💸

[@rmzidann]

They were made by ToneWinner in China for Emotiva. Uses the same parts I have seen used with ToneWinner preamps. Should be very good.

[@Kevin-io5js]

i have tonewinner amps and the pre pro great value. also have emotiva mx-1 rx-a2a b1 bookshelves and a few more smaller emotiva products.

[@thedownunderverse]

Made in China means I won't buy it.

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Your enthusiasm and the manufacturer have made me add this to my list even though I don't know yet if I need it or not. 😂 You, Sir, are the consummate salesman and audio reviewer. Thank you for this envigourating and energetic introduction to this equipment, your time, and effort sharing this with us all. Take care, Sir, and keep up the great work.

[@verndebes892]

As of today I have purchased four items you have recommended! Very happy with them watch all your video to learn more!?still a little confused about amps, preamps etc but learning through your channel!

[@jimmyclaw9974]

“As well as… a CD transport” I see what you did there. Looking forward to the review on that transport :)

[@cheapaudioman]

Coming soon!

[@billanders9199]

I got mine today. It replaces a PT-1 and J2 AKM. It sounds absolutely great. Using it for TV, CD, Streaming, and vinyl through a Tube Box S2 with Genelec Gold Lions in the RCA input. Subwoofer using the second Pre out.

[@tulz43]

Very nice. Is there any delay in the sound from the time you drop the needle to the time you hear it out of the speakers?

[@buekbukiewicz8064]

Have you any problem with using sub connect to pre out? How it work?

[@spencertackett9448]

Great video Randy! I’ve been looking for something like this. Would love a video comparing this to the BASX PT1 and PT2

[@lbudt29]

Love Emotiva. I have the two channel amp for my system.

[@HeyYall398]

What I love about Emotiva is that if I have a warranty concern or need to make a return, I can call and talk to a real person. They don't ghost their customers like IOTAVX or a ChiFi company, for example.

[@GeirRssaak]

Very good! Emotiva has poor production quality!

[@scottyo64]

Not true coming from someone with many Emotiva products ​@GeirRssaak

[@scottyo64]

​@@GeirRssaaksee above

[@GeirRssaak]

@@scottyo64 perhaps you are right?!

[@EsotericArctos]

The blue display reminds me of the older vacuum flourescent displays, that all systems had back in the 70s to late 80's era. I like it

[@scottwillson5562]

i got this a few days ago, connects via USB to my Eversolo DMP-A6 and by HDMI-ARC from my FrameTV box which gets my AppleTV input. Connection wise it's great because when I turn on the AppleTV the DAC and emotiva amp automatically turn on. Sound is excellent with several filter options. Very versatile with excellent sound. All of this is going to a couple on-wall Dali Oberon On-Wall and SVS SB-1000 Pro. I live in a studio so this is really all I need for excellent sounding music and movies. Thanks for the review, there weren't many on KZbin. Still aren't!

[@scottyo64]

I only use mine as a DAC and run it through my XSP-1 preamp into DR-1 monoblocks. Its been a nice upgrade to my 10+ year old Cambridge DAC Magic

[@NosEL34]

Feature set and price wise this is a great component. Hdmi and balanced input/output is outstanding. It would all come down to how it sounds. I love all the connections on this thing though.

[@thadboudreaux5692]

I just ordered this Emotiva XDA-3, and a pair of Emotiva XPA-DR1 Differential Reference™ Monoblock Power Amplifiers. I hope my 15 year old Marantz SR7002 is not missed too much. ❤️ Thank you for your knowledge and wisdom. 🙏 AND your humor is awesome! 😎 Patreon Member AverageNiceGuy.

[@cheapaudioman]

What a system! That is going to be awesome

[@thadboudreaux5692]

@@cheapaudioman, God bless you and yours. You have given me audio wisdom, and you have saved me from many wasted dollars. 🙏

[@gu1111]

How is it sounding?

[@cytowing3353]

Minor correction, Emotiva are based out of the Nashville area, specifically Franklin, Tennessee. Not Memphis. I used to live near thier facility and got to know them. They are good people and have excellent value products.

[@bengleason508]

Thank you Randy

[@edverbeek6292]

Topping EX5 (usd 349) has DUAL ES9038Q2M, also balanced (= fully balanced = fully differential) output, and with headphone amp, and filters. Only misses analog and HDMI input.

[@mechamania]

You’re a cool guy, dude. Thanks for the chill delivery and the awesome picks! Had my OG NAD runnin’ my Klipsch KG4s-until I replaced it with a ‘96 Yamaha, after my “friend” somehow spilled beer on it, despite where it was... ) but you got me thinkin’ ‘bout some “Surround Sound” stuff, esp. with that Fosi redesign (you’d helped them with, re: the airflow), for the back, but honestly, the KG4s have some incredible spatialization and yet to lemme down, 30 years later... Speakin’ of, considering the KG4s each have 15” subs in their backs (to be face diagonally toward a corner, according to Klipsch), what might you do to get the best outta those, if anything differ’nt? Thanks!

[@adaboy4z]

Dang it!! I jus bought a vintage Yamaha Preamp for my B-2 amplifier. That HDMI and remote makes this a winner!!!

[@bigdreams5554]

I bought the lower end version of this a few months back... That HDMI input would have been worth it

[@robertgruber982]

Emotiva makes a decent phono preamp. Would have been nice to have that included. I actually think I'd rather a phono preamp which haven't changed much in last 20 years than a DAC which seem to improve and get cheaper every 6 months built in. But I'm glad someone is doing a quality full sized preamp for a decent price. I'm sold on separate power amps but finding a good preamp that isn't a fortune isn't as easy.

[@AverageNiceGuy]

Emotiva XDA-3 DAC, and XPA-DR1 Monoblock's received today. I'm impressed 😎👍

[@robertldcarlson]

How are you liking still? What sources did you connect?

[@AverageNiceGuy]

@@robertldcarlson It is working well with my system. I'm using NVIDIA Shield as source with SKW USB cable. It is very clear. Sub is SVS SB1000. Speakers are Carnegie CST-1'S. 650 watts / channel is way to much on power. The EMOTIVA DAC (Sabre chip) is nice for me but I think most prefer Gesheli DAC with swappable op amps and ~AKM (I think) chips. I really like the sound and performance. Better performing equipment for me would be much more expensive. I've recently tried WiiM Pro with iFi power supply, but it is a step down with openness and imaging. I will be returning the WiiM. I'm using SBC Worlds best cables for Interconnects.

[@AverageNiceGuy]

2 months later. I'm still impressed. NVIDIA Shield > USB (SKW brand) > EMOTIVA XDA-3-DAC > Balanced (WBC Worlds Best Cables) > EMOTIVA XPA-DR1 Monoblock's > WBC speaker cables) > Carnegie CST-1 upgraded speakers (tilted back to raise soundstage) SVS SB-1000 sub. Tried the WiiM Pro plus for a week, but it was a step down (returning it)

[@AverageNiceGuy]

​@@robertldcarlsonnoted below. I'm still impressed

[@robertldcarlson]

What do you recommend for a streamer then?

[@maximo90019]

Love the spontaneous "It sounds glorious! "

[@jamessavage5533]

Hey Randy. I just got my pair of magnepan LRS+ delivered (haven’t dialed them in but they sound incredible already) and I think they would sound next level in that system! Might have to start saving…again

[@flynow5614]

I love my LRS.

[@scottyo64]

I switch my LRSs with my Cornwall IVs running off my DR-1s often, its a nice change every so often

[@istevens78]

I used to have the XDA-2 and loved it. This new one certainly looks cleaner and adds the HDMI Arc & balanced inputs. This should sell really well!

[@thedownunderverse]

Ditto. That was made in the US and I enjoyed it. Will give this one a wide pass though since it's made in China.

[@scottyo64]

​@@thedownunderverseXDA2 was made in china as well. Just assembled in the US

[@thedownunderverse]

@@scottyo64 Different times back in 2012. World’s changed.

[@geoffreydebrito7934]

However much bang for the buck this DAC/preamp may offer, untill manufacturers start adding remotes with balance control. High Pass filter on the subout for the speakers and room correction they still won't be with the program.

[@vulcangunner58]

Randy, I just bought a Nobsound AV-525 hybrid amp. 200w/, tube/AB via Toshiba,....have only about 8 hours listening time in thus far, but I am pleased, even impressed with the sound and build quality. Sounds great and is very attractive. I found a good price, $345 shipped from Doukmall (US) Had it in 3 days. Take a look at this one.

[@stackoverflow8260]

It doesn't have to be fully balanced design for interference rejection. Taking difference will automatically result is noise rejection.. (Signal + Noise) - (-Signal + Noise) = 2×Signal

[@TriAmpHiFi]

. You're correct @stackoverflow8260. There can be balanced connections without balanced components.

[@jackstraw1756]

I would be more interested in emotiva if they had just a pure preamp, no digital or phono stage, of any kind, w a couple balanced inputs and outputs.

[@Audfile]

I started with an XDA 2. Loved it! But quickly moved on to better sounding and performing dacs.

[@cliffjohnson271]

Holy Cow! You showed us what's "ON THE BACK" and I just saw that Emotiva is just down the road in my home town! Just across the street from one of my favorite TV shows - Power Nation (automotive TV shows).

[@jeffcaudill5467]

Love the channel, great review, it's not often you see a audio setup in the middle of a jungle😊 I swear I saw a panther behind the plants

[@adsph]

Great review Randy. Yes I noticed the cd transport. That’s cool. Good to see you are rocking a system of this caliber. Look forward as always to hearing about it all. All the best.

[@cheapaudioman]

thanks so much for watching!

[@patrickmcnally1986]

Thanks!

[@cheapaudioman]

You bet! thank you for your support, my friend

[@juanmillaruelo7647]

Great price. And it looks like a good remote. Liking the MoFi speakers?

[@preiter20]

I would be interested in a comparison to the Denafrips Ares 2 and the Geshelli J2 AKM DACs. The Geshelli J2 punches well above its price point, IMO.

[@cheapaudioman]

J2 comparison is coming. I don't have the denafrips anymore unfortunately

[@02honeydew]

​@@cheapaudiomanCan you try and snag up the new Matrix Audio Mini-i4 to compare? It's $650, and I'd be interested in how it compares to this

[@NightFlight1973]

@@cheapaudioman I wouldn't be surprised if the J2 is equal to or better. Op-amp rolling is a huge benefit with the J2. While the J2 has no pre, it will possibly still out value the XDA-3 if they cranked the price up to $1K like it shows for me on their site.

[@raymoore8435]

@@NightFlight1973Have you tried it with the Sparkos op amp ?

[@NightFlight1973]

@@raymoore8435 I can’t speak to the J2, just the rolling ability. IMHO you hear a lot more change in analog sections. That’s what makes this hobby fun. I own the XDA-2 and it had a a lot of noise issues off the display. My brother redid it all with Tantalum caps and it sounded much better. Still the schiit BF2 sounded better to me. The design on emotive DAC’s is just fine. Good bang for the buck, but I doubt it will come out on top in a shoot out at its price point in stock form. It’s a real shame they didn’t choose to socket the analog section op-amps in the XDA3

[@roberthall1707]

If i sit down first, I'll have to get up to grab a cup of coffee

[@chrisaustin2986]

Based out of Memphis? Don’t let Dan hear you say that! 😊

[@stevezeidman7224]

Loved the intro! Looks like a neat product.

[@HuggyBearHikes]

I only wish they would have included the sub out with bass management

[@aceofspades6667]

Loved the intro

[@kenanderson2216]

If I hadn't taken the whole summer off, I would be buying this now.

[@shaunyweaver1144]

I have to stop watching these temptations, i have 5 dacs do i use them all No, do i have a favourite, Yes . Im happy so stop it (whats next :,) If im honest the blue is a no for me and i prefer silver . I wonder if this affects their resale value ? But there is no doubting that they make very good audio components .

[@MrTgrewell]

I also wish this had the hi-pass low-pass filters like the TA1.

[@roberthart9886]

Longtime fan of dac/pres. When properly designed with a excellent power supply, a system would need to be extreme high dollar to justify separate dac/pres. My Audio Alchemy DDP1 + PS 5 (outboard power supply-essential to get the full experience) still impresses even though it is ~ 7 year old design

[@jackstraw1756]

Looking fwd to the urd review

[@michaelhald3819]

Great review - would love to see a review of the Lyngdorf 1120 - all in one unit

[@jefflock7635]

Hey Randy. Happy Friday!

[@cheapaudioman]

Same to you!

[@JR-ho5qm]

Been waiting for this! Holding my purchase off till I hear the comparison video.👽

[@jordantewari]

That cup of coffee came out of nowhere

[@lazzzzze1]

Randy, have you every considered doing a blind A/B DAC off? Just purchased the SU-1 off your recommendation and it sounds excellent. This thing could easily compete with my Ares II. I understand you may risk stepping on toes, but I would pay money to see it.

[@SuspiciousAra]

let's see that!

[@ryanschipp8513]

I like Randy but there's no way he's going to do something like that. He'd probably eliminate some of his close ties.

[@ryanschipp8513]

If you listen to several different Dacs( near the same price from a competent company) in a blind test they will all start blending and you won't be able to tell the difference. Notice how many of them are on the market? It's like feeding a gremlin after midnight and getting it wet. Countless options.

[@lazzzzze1]

@ryanschipp8513 yeah, I'd love to see a sub $500 DAC off, but he'd have quite a bit egg on face if the J2 turned out to be no better than an iPhone dongle. It would be a popular video regardless and provide some transparency.

[@ryanschipp8513]

@@lazzzzze1 I hear you. I would like to see something like that too. Or even some other price point comparisons. But it's not in these Hi-Fi reviewers best interest. Whether it's a Dak, a pre-amplifier, or an amplifier at some point they all sound extremely similar and then they would have nothing to review one by one since everything sound so similar it would kill their Channel. Their channels thrive on individuality of components and not doing actual sound comparisons or blind tests. Unfortunately none of these guys give full transparency but I do believe some give more transparency than others

[@shawnjohnson7680]

Add hdmi arc to ta1 and/or ta2. Game over. It’s literally the only thing I think my ta1 is missing.

[@carminedesanto6746]

DAUMMM! IM LIKING THIS!!😊

[@purplerider2362]

I just got an emotiva amplifier. A xpa dr2 thing sounds amazing. I was wanting to get a tube preamp. But the one I want is over $1,000. This one is 700. I wonder how good it sounds

[@JR-ho5qm]

The XDA would go awsome with your DR2. I bet it would sound great

[@terrynguyen236]

Just bought a modius magnius stack for its dac and preamp functions.. probably would have gotten this had I know it was coming/existed.

[@beaverish]

Schiit > Emotiva imo.

[@AllAboutRush]

Randy! Please compare the DAC to the Schiit Modi 3, which I have connected to the Sony STR-DH190 receiver. 🙂

[@zippymagee]

What a Legend having a pocket knife around for those types of tasks.

[@deankim6687]

I wonder if the RMC 1L+ will use these DACs.

[@JoshColletta]

Frickin' magnets. How do they work?

[@ruud6899]

It's called USB B Randy 😉

[@holdencaulfied7492]

Can you control the bass and treble with this? Like the PT1?

[@Onesimus4]

No. Randy mentioned that.

[@michaelwright1602]

Nice!

[@jonfoss3437]

If you take it to a tech and get all the stuff upgraded

[@garytotty3971]

you should revise this to some of the competition.

[@nathanberger618]

Will you be at Capital AudioFest?

[@ryanschipp8513]

Another great option is the Parasound Newclassic dac/pre. It will most definitely give tge Emotiva a run for its money ...$699 right now..sub outs with crossover and phono pre outs. Tons of digital options too.

[@dickdeveraux]

Just looked it up, parasound newclassic doesn't have hdmi or balanced i/o

[@ryanschipp8513]

@@dickdeveraux yep...and the Emotiva doesn't have dual sub outs with crossover control. Never said they were identical units. Simply stated that will give the emotiva run for its money and it also has many connections

[@dickdeveraux]

I see. I've been interested in preamps and integrated amps with hdmi. Nice to see it coming to hifi components and not just av receivers geared toward home theater.

[@ryanschipp8513]

@@dickdeveraux agreed!🙂

[@JorgeFernandez-mo5yv]

Very excited to see the full review. I have mixed feelings with Emotiva. I bought Emotiva TA1 but returned it due to under impressive amplification for my taste but the DAC and the pre-amp in general were great. Emotiva's DAC in the TA1 sounded much better than my Cambridge Audio CXA61 's DAC. I am now leaning towards Audiolab 7000A that also comes with HDMI ARC what is a great feature. Watching a KZbin channel reviewing the audiolab 7000A he suggested the option to include a MiniDSP Dirac (DDRC-24) in the setup for room correction. I am still not understanding how such a setup would work without bypassing or degrading the output of the integrated amplifier's DAC. How would you integrate room correction with Emotiva XDA-3? I can't imagine the MiniDSP DAC to be better than one of the later models from AKM or ESS SABRE DAC's.

[@dixonwa1]

Would love to see some reviews on Emotiva's SX sub line. Almost 0 reviews on KZbin (that I can find) for them.

[@2shoestoo]

I just bought the XPA-2 Gen 3 amp and the Bas-X Pt2 pre amp today they are having a %15 off till the end of the month.

[@beaverish]

There's a lot of "air" inside that chassis. I prefer discrete design over op-amps so this is not my cup of tea. However, I think the price is reasonable.

[@earthoid]

OK I'm ready to buy one, but I don't really need it, and I probably won't actually buy it, but I want it!

[@patrickodenbeck770]

How is the URD?

[@jaydorsett1580]

I have the same mononlocks, cd player and preamp paired with the t-3’s….. u were smart to copy me Randy!! I want to add the flagship eversolo streamer to it. Its 2 channel awesomeness

[@sonyairxl]

Fucking Nice review - please with the next follow-up include the IMOTIVA CD-Transport + make a comparisation with your previous favorite dac’s🙏👍

[@BeanJones]

The lack of a sub out is pretty lame for a company with some nice subs for sale

[@StrangeBrewReviews]

Hopefully they make a larger version with more analog connections, an actual preamp....technically this is just a dac.

[@ryanschipp8513]

It's irresponsible

[@jimx1169]

I spy an Urd on your stack. I love mine playing into the Schiit Yggy.

[@jimx1169]

@Click-_here_to-Massage No!

[@stephangraves3642]

I have an xda-2 and wonder if the xda-3 would sound significantly better not considering new features.

[@werefed8613]

I always appreciate your videos and reviews. I have the rogue rp5 pre amp Which sounds great. Would this DAC make it better? Would this DAC totally bypass the DAC inside the rp5?

[@chrisnunya7171]

I watch your shows religiously to learn as much as possible because I'm new to the world of system building. But sometimes I'm completely lost when you talk about certain things...such as this thing! 😅

[@johngault-9597]

Digital source from a streamer, TV, mp3 player (with digital out) goes into a DAC which converts the digital signal to a mechanical aka analog signal. This output signal is weak and if fed into an amplifier would make the amp struggle to feed the speakers so, a preamplifier enters the picture and boosts the signal fed to the amplifier. Randy's takling about a box that does both digital to analog conversion as well as boosting the output thry a preamp stage...hope this helps

[@chrisnunya7171]

​@@johngault-9597 Thank you! I sincerely mean that. It WAS a big help! I honestly didn't know what that was! 😅 So, thanks again.

[@donaldharrell6915]

Is it better than the RME ADI2?

[@cheapaudioman]

Haven’t heard that one so I couldn’t say with any confidence

[@derberti2280]

It would be nice to operate it with an App.

[@JR-ho5qm]

Very curious if this would be a big upgrade over the Emotiva PT1 and PT2.

[@redstang5150]

There needs to be a multichannel dac/preamp priced at about this level. If I can buy a RECEIVER for under $500 that does 7.1 channels, why can they not make a multi channel dac/preamp for under $1k? It's madness.

[@cheapaudioman]

Lunacy!

[@keithlevkoff8579]

Once you're looking at multi-channel preamps and DACs you're looking at a "surround sound processors" (pre/pros). Processors are more complex because they need features like licensed surround sound decoders... And home theater customers tend to be less concerned with features like support for high sample rates and DSD... And processors fall into the category of "separates"... (since you will also need to purchase a multi-channel amplifier). (Which puts them in a higher price bracket than "low end, all in one, AVRs".) Note that Emotiva does also make a surround sound processor that lists for $1099 - the MC1.

[@rogerfalk5944]

When will you be reviewing the Urd?

[@shawnm1856]

Sorry to off-topic but I found a sale. I have Sony MDR-V6 monitor headphones. I'm looking at AKG K52 closed back headphones but don't know anything about them. Are they good. Do I need these? Thanks!

[@gnd144]

Please don't tell Emotiva that they aren't charging enough for products. Thank-you.

[@craigenputtock]

Would seem to be great ... but wait till ASR gets hold of it!

[@beaverish]

You have a long way to go in this hobby if you think ASR is status quo.

[@PaulStradling]

I hate you Randy or more accurately my bank account does 😂 I’m looking for a new preamp and possibly a new DAC to replace my ageing Audiolab M-Dac. I’d better start saving. Looking forward to your next videos on the DAC comparison!

[@cheapaudioman]

it's going to be interesting. the thing about this component is that it's not really "just a dac". Kind of stands on its own with the analog input section. I'll still compare it to a bunch of other dacs but this is a very unique component. I really like it

[@dougg1075]

Tell him to put a spectrum analyzer on it and it sold

[@tylerhackman6832]

They need to bring back the peq they had on their older preamp. We live in a weird world of digital/filters/everything but no one ever includes a proper adjustable parametric EQ.

[@keithlevkoff8579]

There's a reason for this. A DAC is a relatively simple single-purpose device. (The switchable filters are features of the DAC itself.) In order to add parametric EQ, or room correction, you need to add actual processing of the audio signal. (So you need to add a DSP and software... so you've gone from being "a DAC" to being "an audio processor".) (It's more natural to include capabilities like that in a product that starts out being "a processor" rather than "a simple DAC".)

[@bigdreams5554]

I recently bought a PT1, but miss having an HDMI connection on it. I have a 2.1 system in my living room and sounds amazing. Having HDMI and using it for movies would be nice but optical is ok for now.

[@danielh12345]

Is there a difference between the HDMI and optical or is it just the E-arc feature that will turn it on as the tv goes on?

[@NosEL34]

​@@danielh12345I don't know about this Emotiva but with some components eArc connection will turn the stereo on or out of Standby mode. For me the best thing about eArc being hooked into a TV is now you only need one remote for volume. With optical you need one remote to control the TV, then you would have to use the stereo remote to do the volume. With eArc your TV or cable remote can control the volume of the Emotiva. To me it's such a big deal. Having to use 2 remotes to watch TV or listen to music apps from the TV isn't the best.

[@NosEL34]

I don't think most people would notice a difference between how optical and HDMI sound..my opinion anyway

[@danielh12345]

@nosEL34 ah thank you, I wasn't aware of the volume control part. That makes a lot of sense! And yes, I wouldn't expect a difference in sound quality for hdmi / optical if its done properly, and I assume a company such as emotiva can do that properly lol.

[@williammitchell3271]

At a basic level, I get that balanced in and out is a good thing, but I seriously wonder if you can hear the difference. Strikes me as the next excuse I might use to start swapping components, but I really wonder and want to know. Thoughts??

[@rapfreak7797]

It’s mostly beneficial for long cable runs and/or areas with high RF interference. Some may argue it sounds better but that’s not necessarily a given.

[@thor7564]

Balanced is for studio use with long cables going back and forth lumped together with AC cables and tons of equipment. There is nothing wrong with RCA.

[@mikeg2491]

⁠@@thor7564I’ve seen some bedrooms that are a mess of cords like a studio tbh

[@mattrismatt]

In addition to reduced noise created by interference from electromagnetic (EM) and radio frequency (RF) sources, balanced connections (such as XLR) are capable of _double the Voltage_ of unbalanced connections (like RCA). This can be heard as a livelier presentation of the sound/music. Depending on the equipment and specific cables used, results may vary. Without getting technical with science and measurements: All connections, cables, and components do not sound the same. There are many variables - including the listener's hearing abilities and personal preferences - all of which affect the overall experience. The intricacies of audio systems can be daunting and confusing, so it's best to learn by hearing things for yourself.

[@ryanschipp8513]

Xlr are only comes into play with ultra long runs. Not a 3-6 ft run in your rig. Inherently the actual our will sound louder but it's only because there's a decibel gain with XLR. Hence why some people claim it sounds "better". What they are hearing is simply louder

[@PhillioDoede]

Without knowing how good it sounds it looks too expensive for a mid-tier high-end DAC and dosnt have enough features to really consider it a usable pre-amp. Its also is getting close enough in price to the miniDSP SHD which makes way more sense if you are primarily going to be into digital but still need a analog input because it has Dirac Live, streaming capabilities also has a very good sounding DAC, and frankly looks10x better.

[@cheapaudioman]

I can use it as a preamp. I covered that in the video. Appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. It helps KZbin promote the video when I get people to watch and comment.

[@PhillioDoede]

@@cheapaudioman Yeah, I get that it functions as pre I just find the I/O limiting if were looking for pre-amp / and DAC combo. The MiniDSP SHD has similarly I/O but brings more feature wise to the table in addition to being a excellent sounding DAC and pre-amp. Either way, still enjoyed the video.

[@richardarsenault8022]

Anxiously waiting for more reviews focusing on the sound quality if used solely as a DAC. Fixed volume (or near max if only variable) into a proper preamp. Are both outputs active simultaneously or does one defeat the other?

[@keithlevkoff8579]

@@richardarsenault8022 Both balanced and unbalanced outputs are active at the same time.

[@paulcannon3918]

Amazing video John, lots of work involved. With that I feel a pain in the arse asking any questions but😅.... I have had the RME AD12DACFS in my basket ready to go for. Then this eversolo and others come out. Did a comparison ever come to your mind about the quality of output/dac for the RME against these 3 you've reviewed. I have a wiim pro so all the streaming would be taken care of. Then the issue is would these 3 you've reviewed be a night and day difference against my current dac/streamer the Audiolad 6000N (with the infuriating PlayFi App) I have a hunch the RME plus wiim would be the best for me at the price. If anyone has any experience in opinion here on this I would graciously appreciate it.

[@RaymondDotson-r1s]

How would you rate Emotive's XDA-3 DAC to the Everolo Z8 you reviewed?

[@gusgusnft8231]

Can they make it bigger!!!

[@pepe73737]

I normally use my marantz sr8012 in my home theater to listen to 2.2 channel music, can I add this to my marantz? And is it worth doing?

[@BostonMike68]

Randy I love your channel. I have some serious speakers and I'm still running them on my avr which has no output for other amps. I was thinking about xpa monos and the preamp dac or would I be satisfied with their avr. You said it sounds good for movies. I don't want to make the wrong decision. I have some big powerful custom speakers that can sound much better with the right setup but I don't have $50000 grand what should I do or maybe the basx monos so many choices

[@Skipow10]

My hang up is- don't need balanced xlr (cost cutting?). Just have more single ended. And yeah, volume knob. Does the differential only work through balanced or nothing to do with?

[@eryxis827]

Is this overkill to pair with the Schiit SYN? I'm trying build a set it and forget it "surround" and audio system for a beach rental. I'd just throw in a sound bar, but I use it a few times a year too. I'm pitching it to the wife as a as a differentiator to justify higher rental rates.