High-Resolution Digital Playback -- and Much More -- from Emotiva

by The Audio Beat | December 19, 2012

motiva's new XDA-2 ($399) takes into account the way people access and listen to their digital music today. It combines a 24-bit/192kHz USB DAC, a digital preamp, and a high-current headphone amplifier into a single chassis. It features six digital inputs (two coax, two TosLink, one USB and one AES/EBU) and direct connection to a power amplifier or powered speakers. The heart of the DAC is the Analog Devices AD1955 digital-to-analog converter and AD1896 asynchronous sample-rate converter. The headphone amp features enough gain to drive even demanding headphones and a 105dB signal-to-noise ratio for sensitive in-ear monitors. The XDA-2’s analog resistor ladder volume control provides 0.25dB steps, delivering channel tracking down to -100dB attenuation. The front-panel alphanumeric display and full-function machined-aluminum remote give users complete control over all functions.

Perhaps most significant of all, Emotiva offers free shipping and a 30-day in-home trial for each of its products, making at-home audition of the XDA-2 easy.