ЦАПы — Emotiva XDA-3

The XDA-3 is a Differential Reference DAC and preamplifier with a built-in headphone amplifier from Emotiva, the American electronics company. It was announced in April 2023 at USD 799, with an initial limited batch of 192 units. It combines digital conversion, analogue preamplification with its own inputs, and headphone drive in one all-metal chassis.

Key specs that matter

Conversion relies on the ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE32 with HyperStream II and a Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. The USB input accepts PCM up to 32 bit and 768 kHz, native DSD512 and DSD256 over DoP. There are two coaxial and two optical inputs up to 24 bit and 192 kHz, an HDMI ARC input, and analogue XLR and RCA inputs. Variable outputs deliver 4.0 V on XLR and 2.0 V on RCA. Frequency response is 10 Hz to 55 kHz ±0.2 dB for analogue sources and 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.1 dB for digital sources. Signal to noise ratio exceeds 110 dB for analogue inputs and digital rates of 48 kHz and above, and 95 dB at 44.1 kHz. THD is below 0.001% at 1 kHz and 0.0015% across 20 Hz to 20 kHz, intermodulation distortion is below 0.0005% and crosstalk better than -91 dB. The chassis measures about 432 x 57 x 343 mm and weighs 3.9 kg.

Engineering and use context

The signal path is fully balanced and differential from the DAC to the XLR outputs, and balanced analogue inputs stay differential from input to output. In a differential circuit each channel is carried as two signals of opposite polarity, and noise picked up equally by both is cancelled when they are combined. An NJW1195A resistor-ladder chip sets the level without digitising it, so analogue sources pass through without conversion to digital and back. The headphone amplifier is based on the TI TPA6120A2, a current-feedback Class A/B device, and drives a 6.35 mm jack. Seven selectable oversampling filters change the digital filter response of the DAC. A 12 V trigger input and output switch other components on together with the XDA-3, and an OLED display and a machined aluminium remote are included. With HDMI ARC, television audio also passes through the XDA-3, so music and TV share one control unit. Power is 115 or 230 V with automatic switching.

Pairing

The balanced XLR outputs drive power amplifiers and active monitors with balanced inputs directly, including Emotiva's own power amplifiers. Computers connect over USB, televisions over HDMI ARC or optical, and turntables through an external phono stage into the analogue inputs.

Alternatives

The Emotiva BasX TA1 combines a preamplifier, DAC and tuner with a built-in stereo power amplifier.