EMOTIVA XDA3 Analog Preamp/DAC/Headphone Amp, At the RIGHT PRICE!

With the XDA3 EMOTIVA's Done It Again!
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0:00 Meet the EMOTIVA XDA3
0:42 A DAC with ANALOG connectivity!
1:43 Not just another DAC
4:24 The REVIEW system!
6:23 Emotiva vs Denafrips
7:39 Music
8:42 Pass Labs vs. Emotiva
10:32 XDA3 as a headphone amp
12:05 So Steve, what do you really think?
13:45 AUDIOPHILIAC Viewer System of the Day!
15:24 Outro
Twitter: @AudiophiliacMan
Instagram: / steve.guttenberg
#hifi #homeaudio #greatsound

[@RICHIE87622]

An appreciation for the quilting behind you! Sadly my dads sister died a few weeks ago, she was an amazing quilter and sold them too liberties of london in the sixties!

[@andallxr]

Thank You Steve! appretiate for showing my stereo 🙏

[@FOH3663]

Alex, care to share a music recommendation? I can't tell you how cool that'd be. Something I might otherwise miss out on. Track, group, genre ... anything. Thank you kind sir, and again, superb execution on the system/room ... It just resonated, it's killer.

[@andallxr]

ah, there are too much great bands and artists dear @@FOH3663 my last opening is Council Skies from Noel Gallagher and a step before it was ORI - 1986 but usually I prefer to listen to (and to discover) just well done music, some modern jazz, Japanese embient (such as VA - Kankyō Ongaku. Japanese Ambient, Environmental and New Age Music 1980-1990) and piano albums from Nils Frahm hope something from the list will touch You

[@carlosbauza1139]

My older Emotiva preamp-tuner-headphone amp, and separate stereo power amp are Totally satisfactory to me. And they have totally affordable price. Great products and Company! Thanks for a great review!

[@FOH3663]

Alex(sp?) from Kiev, what a nice execution of cool gear! Several best practices in evidence, dig the setup, dig the gear, I appreciate the amp ... sweet. All the best during these times.

[@andallxr]

thanx 🙏

[@feelgeorge]

Thank you for your reviews. I been watching your reviews for years and I have to say I really like your shirt and long sleeve shirts

[@maxpower78-15]

Yes!!! Ive been waiting for this one.

[@adsph]

Appreciate this info on the Emotiva product. Good value at this price point.

[@davidkalil5698]

Thanks for the music recommendations, Steve. I'm digging Stand High Patrol.

[@christopherviers8302]

A big thank you for turning me on to Stand High Patrol...!!! Much appreciated...!!!

[@christopherviers8302]

Wondaful man...!!! I be surveying these guys for the next week or so... Mucho grande...!!!

[@johnfredmurray]

I love how Steve has an Eraserhead cd in the background. Definitely admire your taste

[@ML-rm3vk]

Steve great stuff brilliant sir thank you music on🎉

[@mehmetcamat4458]

Hi Steve I hear another all American dac brand the GESHELLI JNOG2 SOCKETED [J2S] with AKM 4499 DAC Chip and Sparkos Opamps is really good. I think you should review that one as well.

[@thomasjacques5286]

Just got mY PT1 and A2 and it too keeps the signal 100% ANALOG as well. Military Discount sweetened the deal.

[@ChadwickJames]

Great system Alex, music always sounds better when you have a hand in the components.

[@andallxr]

thanx 🙂

[@eliotcole]

Desperately waiting for them to update thier processor line up to HDMI 2.1 48GBPS as their stuff is just perfect for me.

[@maxpower78-15]

I want it. I already own the Emotiva T3 Tower Speakers, their XPA DR2 amp, and this is the missing link. Cant wait to hear how my cds and records sound with it. Cheers and happy holidays

[@carlosbauza1139]

Differences in the SOUND of properly functioning (and properly Used) Power Amplifiers are exceedingly fine and difficult to detect.

[@jlutell]

saw mad dogs and englishmen at URI during that tour....awesome.

[@PhilSilv3rs]

Hi Steve, Oiseaux (French for birds) is pronounced Waz-oh.

[@carlitomelon4610]

We'll "balanced" review Steve Thanks! Please review the similarly priced Musical Paradise MP701mk2 valve preamp. Super sounds and a tweakers dream 🎵🎶😁🎶🎵

[@roberthart9886]

Great 411 on a super reasonably priced true balanced dac/pre

[@user-ps6kt7eh2m]

Nice review. I think one of the things missed though is the XDA3 is fully balanced with a decent dac. Hooking it up to a fully balanced amp will give you the sound this product can gjve. Also, the analog inputs are not normal at this price range. They completely stay analog throughout! No conversion as just about any other product at this price would. I know the preamp comparison was with a $4k preamp but the amp used, was it fully balanced? Xlr connection used or single ended?

[@RP-ms7lu]

There are some real world situation I would like to share : audio gears are most loved things for the music lovers BUT others think it is total waste of money on expensive audio articles ! None oppose when I buy a 55 inch television at 2000 $ but most frown on 1000$ amplifier!

[@danielwilliams1921]

Off topic: Based on your recent review, I just ordered a pair of Eminent Technology LFT-8b. They are out of stock till around December, tho😢

[@AverageNiceGuy]

2 months later. I'm still impressed with the EMOTIVA-XDA-3. 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)

[@Durrutitv]

Thought Emotiva gave up on 2 channel audiophile hardware. I had an XDA-1 that was over a decade old and when the psu gave up the ghost last year I was disappointed to find that they didn't have anything comparable, seemingly having pivoted almost exclusively to home theater. Don't think I would have been able to pull the trigger at this price point, though. What attracted me to Emotiva was the fantastic price to performance ratio, you simply could not get gear that sounded that good at that price point 15 years ago. Now there's plenty of great sounding dacs to be had under $500.

[@keplermission]

Well the power supply you know ... (whispering like Joe Biden) ... it can be repaired.

[@Durrutitv]

@@keplermission Yeah, I got it quoted but the repair with shipping in both directions was going to cost more than the smsl su-9 I replaced it with. So now it sits in my closet until I decide if I want to keep it or sell it to someone who wants to do the repairs.

[@keithlevkoff8579]

I think you'll find that our new XDA-3 is extremely competitive... But, yes, the XDA-1 was quite nice...

[@psyphonyxaudio]

This thing is cutting edge tech .. the NEWEST ESS Sabre 9038 DAC... It's really nice.

[@alexanderbelov6892]

Its analog electronics don't show match to ESS Sabre 9038 DAC specs. THD: < 0.0035% (16 bits)/THD: < 0.002% (24 bits) - is far from THD+N < 0.0001% supported by ESS Sabre 9038

[@newfguy1826]

how about reviewing Daniel Hertz system?

[@musicman8270]

I had that Joe Cocker album and it is truly amazing. Lost in time

[@myself61607]

My Linn Akurate DSM from 2014 did all that plus streaming and MM/MC phono input. At a higher cost for sure but anyway.

[@ecyfoto]

Transferable warranty? Now ain’t that the Schiit.

[@jamesschneider3828]

You talked me out of it, thanks.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

What will you get instead?

[@gtrguyinaz]

Steve, Have you ever done a review of the Oppo 105 cd / streamer.. mine is modified by Modright ..

[@reestyfarts]

I have this model. Where you feel the low price is in the molasses slow push button volume control by remote or on the unit. I would have happily paid more for a twist knob.

[@JR-ho5qm]

Do you think it would be a upgrade over the Emotiva PT 100?

[@reestyfarts]

I cannot say since it is the only preamp of theirs I have used.@@JR-ho5qm

[@mito747]

I really enjoy your reviews. Do you think they'll ever build a piece of equipment; turntable, speaker, etc.... that's going to deliver a performance true to music, regardless of price?

[@bruss529]

That will always be a matter of personal preference. No two people will have the same concept of 'true to music'.

[@danmarjenka6361]

One day there will no longer be a need for speakers or headphones. A chip implanted in our heads will excite the neurons in our brain in an exactly identical way that a live concert does. The two will be sonically indistinguishable. Of course, home theatre surround systems and TV's will also be obsolete for the same reason. Scary, but probably true.

[@mito747]

@@danmarjenka6361 very possible

[@JR-ho5qm]

I really wanted to buy this to replace my PT100,but the lack of subwoofer input is hard to get past. I’m really curious how this compares as a pre amp DAC compared to the BassX lines as a non balanced piece. Does the XDA have a better sound than the PT100 or P1? Would the XDA be a upgrade over the PT100?

[@keithlevkoff8579]

Keith here... from Emotiva. The XDA-3 is a significant step up in performance over the PT1 or TA1 and is capable of sounding significantly better with the right content. The XDA-3 supports higher PCM sample rates, and both DoP and native DSD over USB, and has both balanced and unbalanced analog inputs and outputs. But I would generally describe the XDA-3 more as a "purist two-channel DAC and digital audio control center"... Whereas the PT1 (and TA1) include a phono preamp, and a sub output, and tone controls, and even tuners...

[@JR-ho5qm]

@@keithlevkoff8579 Thanks Keith! I was so close to pulling the trigger on the XDA and DR2 to replace my BassX Pt100 A300 system during the sale but I think I’m going in a different direction.

[@joeswason7911]

Hi Steve do you still do audio setups showcase / collections

[@pudintain9656]

Nice, but no sub out is a deal breaker for me.

[@georgechronis3169]

Then buy an AV Receiver!

[@JR-ho5qm]

I agree if it had a sub out I would have bought it to replace my PT100

[@peterrichard3706]

I have the PT 1 PRE. THE A2 amp. There gear is fantastic. I aint rich but I am very satisfied. I cant get it over 6. Holy Cow !! RE 30,s, Cerwin Vaga. OHM L. NICE! Hade the L,s since 78. Made a big difference. Recommend ? Emotiva. That real spenzive stuff , too much for the average guy/ girl. They got a couple affordable mono blocks.

[@johngault-9597]

Color me confused Steve, you're reviewing a "DAC", which I'm told stands for Digital To Analog Converter...so whats with the analog inputs...what's it converting??

[@hifiman4562]

The rca input passes straight to the output section. No conversion.

[@charlesstupart1991]

Hi STEVE WHAT SOUND BETTER AS A PREAM SCHITT KARA OR XDA3

[@ronniehosein7384]

I asked the same question to Steve. But no response as yet

[@charlesstupart1991]

Stevie too busy.

[@bornodnoc1034]

An whole other endeavor is so correct.

[@JingoLoBa57]

I know but still… how might it compare with a basic Marantz 1509 DAC? Meaningful upgrade for tv use?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

The thing is, once you're watching TV or a movie sound quality is secondary, the picture dominates your senses. If you're asking for music, then yes the Emotiva would make a difference.

[@dennismalone1048]

Being that it has a preamp built in, can I connect this to my AVR as I would any source component?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Yes! You would connect it as any DAC

[@tech78o32]

What's the power rating on the headphone amp?

[@michaelgarnett1372]

Did i miss which streamer into Emo ?

[@paulrenault7991]

la sim-faux-knee day wahseau

[@gage4375]

Xda3 vs shitt Freya+🤔😳

[@mattburgess2]

Does this preamp have tone controls?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

No

[@alexanderbelov6892]

Emotiva XDA-3 specs don't look impressive in comparison with Emotiva basX PT-100 that also has digital optical and coaxial input, embedded DAC chip, and at least 3 RCA x2 analog inputs. Design is nice. I like it.

[@wolfmanjacksaid]

Really? The XDA-3 has balanced in and out which the PT-100 does not have. The USB input on the PT-100 is limited to 24/96 whereas on the XDA-3 it has 32/768 for PCM USB input. But I agree as a preamp it should have more inputs.

[@drwatson32bit]

As a PT-100 owner, the price left me uninterested.

[@JR-ho5qm]

I would have already purchased this to replace my PT100, but the lack of a subwoofer input is hard to get over

[@steverogers7611]

Does it have tape/effects loop ?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

No

[@Gary_M]

It really needs a subwoofer out.

[@JR-ho5qm]

Absolutely it’s a bit frustrating to not see one. I would have already purchased this to replace my PT100 if it had a sub connection

[@craigpaske9351]

It has. You can use a set of analog outputs to go to your sub/subs.

[@JR-ho5qm]

@@craigpaske9351 is that only if you are using the balanced connection for your amp?

[@Niels133]

Nice polkadots.

[@rufus_the_cat]

Can I plug in my Sony Blu ray player to the HDMI and play SACD?

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

No

[@hellonwheelsuknow6556]

That's cool seeing the system from russia I'm guessing. I wish Putin would knock it or so we can be friends again... It would be cool to try some Soviet era vac tubes. A wild back i ordered some Russian military mre's to try. Better than ours in a lot of ways.

[@uribar-ner5055]

Hope that it is seriously engineering and will be measured well.

[@daveyurkovich9459]

Every time I watch one of your reviews I end up buying media. Yikes

[@zzezzobike]

hi,appreciate your review as always but I must admit that your hearing is not as it was,at least regarding those so called "birds".There are no birds on this album. There are imitations of birds made by little clay or porcelain figures sometimes filled with water which kind of resemble birds voices or sounds, so man made not original birds and its so obvious when reproduction is great as this recording. Sorry about this remark and will see you in the next video.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thank you for filling me in! I appreciate it.

[@thedownunderverse]

Made in China? Off my list immediately.

[@TheYuhasz01]

Similar device capability to RME-2 DAC FS. However, RME costs twice as much.

[@patrickgeorge141]

I have the RME ADI-2 PRO FS R BE and absolutely love it. Worth the money to me. I like the extra things I get over the dac version

[@richm4402]

Odd comparison!