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Should I upgrade my Emotiva XDA-2 (how much better are modern DAC's)

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robertbb

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Thanks for the input all.

Appreciate the dose of rationality Majestyk.

Trying desperately to avoid succumbing to the bug, but I'm seriously considering buying the Pioneer U-05s to replace the XDA-2 (while keeping the XPA-200 amp).
 

Vapor9

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Yes, but don't ask most people frequenting this forum. They prescribe that human hearing is marginal at best and there is a little to no difference between DACS. I don't buy it. I upgraded my XDA-1 to a Peachtree dac-itx and now a Pro-ject S2. Each was a step up - subtle yes and maybe even not noticeable unless you have a highly resolving system. But, there is now way I'd go back.
 

Ron Texas

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Either don't bother, or take a second mortgage on your home and buy something from DCS.
 

MediumRare

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Thanks for the input all.

Appreciate the dose of rationality Majestyk.

Trying desperately to avoid succumbing to the bug, but I'm seriously considering buying the Pioneer U-05s to replace the XDA-2 (while keeping the XPA-200 amp).
I don't know either of those DACs, but I strongly recommend you limit yourself to equipment reviewed here - or at least with detailed measurements from a reliable source, if you feel competent to evaluate them on your own. If you think there's a chance your DAC is not audibly SOTA, spend $25 and send it to Amir for testing. Worst case you'll find it's great and you don't need a new one. "Best case" you'll find a good excuse to spend $300 on a SOTA DAC reviewed here.
 

The Dragon

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Hi All,

First time poster.

Wondering how much DAC technology has improved in the last 7 years or so. My home hi-fi system is built around an Emotiva XDA-2, hooked up to an XPA-200 amp.

The speakers are a pair of B&W CM5s2's each of which rolls off to an RELT5/i sub (it's a 2.2 hi-fi setup).

I don't listen to high res files at all - just Spotify and YTmusic, over a chromecast audio (connected to the XDA-2 via toslink).

Could I expect to see a big improvement in sound quality by changing DAC's? Honestly I couldn't afford to change the amp as well (unless I am convinced to try an option which has a DAC and amp integrated, and I am able to sell my Emotiva gear).

Other than the chromecast audio, I also use a Gen 1 Apple TV (with separate optical output) to access NetFlix and iTunes movies so I am looking for a solution that will allow me to switch between these (and normal TV) using a remote.

Cheers!

If you are asking if you will hear a big improvement over your XDA-2. The answer is no - at least not in your current application. The XDA-2 is a fairly unique item with it's combination of feature set, performance, and price. I think it is a pretty neat unit and it is no slouch in the sound department. You will not have any trouble unloading it if you decide to sell the it. I have an XDA-2 Gen2 myself. I had the upgrade itch a while back and purchased several DACs, including a couple Schiit multibit DACs to compare. They all sounded slightly different - but only slightly. In fact, some of the best sounding DACs I auditioned and now own are vintage ladder style DACs (for CD playback). HiRes sounds great through the XDA-2 in case you are wondering. I unloaded both of the Schiit mulitbit DACs. Some folks like them, but my ears never warmed up to them.

It wasn't until I tried the Chord Qutest that I found a DAC that sounded consistently better than the XDA-2 and the others I tried. Regardless, I'm keeping my XDA-2. I like it and they are out of production (I know, I'm a DAC hoarder). The Qutest does not have a remote or volume control, so it requires a separate preamp. I'm pretty satisfied with the Qutest right now. It took some getting used to because of the weird form factor. The key is to find a DAC with the feature set you need, that also sounds good. Good DACs will sound more alike than different.
 

KxDx

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OP, you have a setup similar to mine... DAC directly to speaker amplifier. Do you mind me asking if the Emotiva has a turn-on delay so that there's no pop in your speakers? This seems to be a hit-or-miss feature for some reason.
 

NightFlight

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I know this is reviving an old thread, but I'd like to point out that you can drop in op-amps into the XDA-2 as they are socketed. The stock op amps are ... nothing special and really not that great. Op-amp rolling is totally a thing and can highlight either detail or musicality depending on what you gravitate to.

IMHO the power section and DAC section on the XDA-2 are OK. The op-amps should be upgraded. Do your research and enjoy, it's low cost DAC and op-amps don't cost much to experiment with.
 
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