Emotiva XDA-2 DAC on closeout for $199

[jinjuku]

This represents a 33% price break.

If you need a DAC I don't see how you can do better for $199 for a solid and capable piece of kit.

Plenty of inputs and balanced outputs.

 

[slipperybidness]

Good price. That's what I paid for the XDA-1

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Do I need to replace my AudioEngine D1 just for balanced outputs?? probably not, but I didn't had I'd jump on it

 

[KEW]

Can someone verify?
Can I play music from an iPod or Android player via the USB port?
Will it also charge through that port?
I assume so, but need to verify before I order.

 

[jinjuku]

I would call Emotiva but I doubt it will work.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Can someone verify?
Can I play music from an iPod or Android player via the USB port?
Will it also charge through that port?
I assume so, but need to verify before I order.

I'd assume it would change mobile device with right cable, but it would be very slow charge option.
Highly doubt to almost positive it would NOT play from neither device

 

[djreef]

Seems kinda silly that you can't play through one port and charge through another.

Hello? Redesign!??!

O,Emo has a lot of stuff on sale right now. It looks like they're clearing more than a few things out. Must be getting close to the time for the new updates.

DJ

 

[KEW]

Well, I went ahead and sprung for one of these. Pretty nice unit.

Pros -
1. Thin profile,
2. SQ good,
3. Much better remote than my USP-1 had, (I think they added lead weights to make it so heavy; no other remote I have feels as dense).
4. Balanced outputs and RCA outputs both active (to feed mains and subs at the same time)
5. Plenty of inputs (but wish it could accept HDMI input - cannot stream Pandora via new Amazon Fire TV which only has HDMI out).
6. Low Cost

Cons -
1. Cheap (GP brand) batteries in RC leaked acid.
2. Battery cover is magnetic - Strangely it rattles against RC body.
3. No volume knob and digital control is graduated in .25dB increments. The rate of volume change does not increase after holding down the volume button for a second or two, making it slow to make large changes in the sound level. I counted off ten seconds and the volume change was 22.25dB over that time.
4. Unlike XDA-1, it does not play nice with multichannel formatted input. One time I got silence, another an unsettling digital machine gun type sound.
5. Has 5-level display "dimming", but I can read the dimmest level in a brightly lit room with lots of windows, mid-day from 15' away. IOW, it goes from bright-normal to extremely bright and no off position. Tinted film would be required for a bedroom system or use with HT in darkened room.
6. No analog inputs

Overall, I am quite happy with it! For $200, it is not perfect, but I know of nothing else that is price competitive.

The rattle in the RC is something I will have to address (strategically placed electrical tape will probably pad it well enough).

I need to call Emotiva about the RC battery leak, guess I'll ask for replacement RC. I am a little concerned that there will be premature corrosion/failure. I wiped it out with paper towel, and the paint on the underside of the battery cover wiped off where the acid contacted it.

 

[djreef]

Hey Kurt,

Did u check out the DC-1, also? Seems a little more heavy duty.

O, and corrosion is basic, so use vinegar. That'll eat the caking out of the remote.


DJ

 

[KEW]

Hey Kurt,

Did u check out the DC-1, also? Seems a little more heavy duty.

O, and corrosion is basic, so use vinegar. That'll eat the caking out of the remote.


DJ

I'm good with the XDA-2! the form factor fits with my other gear and $200 made this an easy call!

Just for the record:
I contacted them about the remote. They did not have loose remotes so they will send me an entire new XDA-2 with a return label to send the old one back. They needed my CC number to process it this way, and will charge me if I have not returned the unit within a month.
I will just swap the remotes and return it (I have already done a pretty good job of testing out the one I have, so why risk possible defect in a replacement unit).

Will follow up to let you know if the RC battery cover rattle is a design flaw or unique to my RC with leaked battery. That rattle is my biggest complaint now that I have lived with it for a few days.

 

[djreef]

I'm good with the XDA-2! the form factor fits with my other gear and $200 made this an easy call!

Just for the record:
I contacted them about the remote. They did not have loose remotes so they will send me an entire new XDA-2 with a return label to send the old one back. They needed my CC number to process it this way, and will charge me if I have not returned the unit within a month.
I will just swap the remotes and return it (I have already done a pretty good job of testing out the one I have, so why risk possible defect in a replacement unit).

Will follow up to let you know if the RC battery cover rattle is a design flaw or unique to my RC with leaked battery. That rattle is my biggest complaint now that I have lived with it for a few days.

Ya, that sounds like a win-win all the way around.

DJ