Emotiva BasX XDA- 3 DAC/Preamp

Featuring analogue inputs and volume control, as well as reference quality digital processing, the Emotiva XDA-3 is a DAC with a difference.

Slimline centre of excellence
With a full range of digital connectivity, plus analogue inputs, too, the Emotiva XDA-3 makes the idea heart for any multi-source hi-fi system. Plug in your TV, PC, games console, CD player and network streamer and enjoy superb quality digital sound. Analogue sources can be connected via balanced XLRs for studio quality connectivity. Output via headphones, balanced or RCA phonos for complete onwards versatility. All this, within a slimline case, makes the XDA-3 a brilliant system hub.

Top quality DAC
At the heart of the XDA-3 is a reference quality DAC (Digital to Analogue Convertor). Connect your home computer via the USB and you can playback files at up to 32 bit/768kHz and DSD512, for studio-quality sound. The other digital inputs are also Hi-Res music compatible, although at the lower rate of 24 bit/192kHz. The ESS SABRE32 DAC chipset has incredibly low levels of jitter, giving this DAC a smooth and detailed and seamless sound that’s packed with detail.

Wide range of digital inputs – including HDMI
Thanks to its HDMI input, the XDA-3 is TV friendly – or any other source with an HDMI audio output for that matter. The high performance USB is ideal for connecting your PC, Mac or laptop. For games consoles, set-top TV, network streamers and any other source with a digital output, there are two optical inputs and two coaxials.

Pre-amp - supports analogue inputs
Making this a full-blown pre-amp rather than simply a DAC, the Emotiva XDA-3 is equipped with analogue inputs and an analogue ladder volume control. The balanced XLR input is perfect for a high-end phono pre-amp or CD player, with the RCA input perfect for any line-level source. The volume control uses a digitally controlled, analogue ladder system for precise adjustment.

Balanced outputs
For reference quality connectivity, the XDA-3 features XLR balanced outputs. Suitable for use with XLR-equipped power amps, such as Emotiva’s XPA range, they offer a highly shielded and low distortion connection for cleaner, more detailed sound.

Harness the full potential of all your sources, with the Emotiva XDA-3.

XDA-3 DAC / Preamp

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 analogue inputs. The XDA-3 features a fully balanced, fully differential analogue signal path and a true analogue ladder network volume control for superb performance as both a DAC and a preamp.

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:

• 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 analogue 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).