Advertisement

Quick Links

Differential Reference
DAC
TM
User Manual

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Summary of Contents for Emotiva Differential Reference XDA-3

  • Page 1 Differential Reference User Manual...
  • Page 3 Important Safety Precautions and Explanation of Symbols The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important installation, operation, and service instructions in this manual. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltages within the enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electrical shock to the user.
  • Page 4: Fcc Interference Statement

    Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that of the receiver. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Emotiva Audio Corporation Attn: Repair Department 139 Southeast Parkway Court...
  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Quick Start ........................14 Using The USB Input ....................15 Using The HDMI-ARC Input..................17 Care and Maintenance ....................18 Inputs and Outputs ..................... 19 Specifications ......................... 20 Emotiva Audio Corporation Five-Year Limited Warranty ....... 23 Notes ..........................26 Page 1...
  • Page 6 XDA-3 Differential Reference Page 2...
  • Page 7: Introduction

    Differential Reference Introduction Thank you for purchasing the new Emotiva XDA-3 Differential Reference DAC. The XDA-3 Differential Reference DAC is a lot more than just a superb audiophile quality digital-to- analog converter. The XDA-3 is also a fully capable audiophile preamp and control center, with both...
  • Page 8: About This Manual

    XDA-3 Differential Reference About This Manual This manual will provide you with all the information you need to get great sound, and many years of reliable service, from your XDA-3. The manual also includes a brief summary of the features offered by the XDA-3 and describes how the controls work and how to perform common operations.
  • Page 9: Features

    Independent control and retention of main output level and headphone volume. • Universal AC voltage—automatic 115VAC/230VAC operation. • Transferrable 5-year warranty, 30-day in-home trial. You can find more information about the Emotiva XDA-3 on our website at www.emotiva.com. Page 5...
  • Page 10: Unpacking

    Your XDA-3 was carefully packed and should reach you in perfect condition. If you notice any shipping damage or other issues when you unpack it, please contact Emotiva immediately. Gently remove your XDA-3 from the packing carton and remove all wrappings and shipping material.
  • Page 11: Xda-3 Front Panel

    XDA-3 Differential Reference XDA-3 Front Panel Volume -33.0dB INPUT VOLUME 192k XDA-3 1. Headphone Jack (1/4”) The XDA-3 includes a monolithic high performance current feedback headphone amplifier with wide dynamic range and exceptionally low noise and distortion. When there are headphones plugged into this jack, the main outputs are muted, and the Volume buttons on the front panel (and on the remote control) adjust the headphone output level.
  • Page 12 XDA-3 Differential Reference 5. Standby Button and Standby Indicator When the rear panel AC Power switch is On, press this button to switch the XDA-3 On; press it again to return to Standby. You may also switch the XDA-3 On and Off using the On and Standby buttons on the remote control.
  • Page 13: Xda-3 Remote Control

    XDA-3 Differential Reference XDA-3 Remote Control The solid aluminum full-function remote control for the XDA-3 includes several functions that are not included in the front panel controls, including the Mute, Dim, and Filter buttons, as well as buttons that enable you to directly select Inputs. STANDBY Standby &...
  • Page 14 XDA-3 Differential Reference Volume (+) & Volume (-) Button Press the Volume (+) and Volume (-) buttons to raise and lower the Volume. A single press moves the Volume one step, holding the button causes the Volume to continuously move smoothly up or down.
  • Page 15: Xda-3 Rear Panel

    “external USB DAC”. (Some source devices may identify the XDA-3 as “Emotiva XDA-3”. Others may report it as “SXW CTUAD768 PRM-A”, which is the name of the high performance audio interface chip we use. And, if you’ve installed special drivers, it may be identified by the driver or drivers you’ve chosen to use.)
  • Page 16 XDA-3 Differential Reference 5. HDMI ARC (Digital) Input Use this input to connect the XDA-3 to the ARC (Audio Return Channel) output of a TV set or projector. The XDA-3 is a STEREO DAC and so will only accept a stereo audio input. See the section entitled Using The HDMI ARC Input for more details.
  • Page 17 XDA-3 Differential Reference 8. IEC Power Cord Receptacle Accepts a standard IEC power cable. A high quality commercial power cord is provided with the XDA-3. 9. AC Power Switch Switches the main AC power to the XDA-3 On and Off. When this switch is Off, no controls operate, and the XDA-3 cannot be turned On by the remote control or a trigger signal.
  • Page 18: Quick Start

    XDA-3 Differential Reference Quick Start To get the most from your XDA-3, we urge you to read the entire manual. If you just can’t wait to listen to it, this section will cover the basics you need to get started. •...
  • Page 19: Using The Usb Input

    32/768k, without the need to install any additional drivers. The XDA-3 will show up on your list of output devices as either Emotiva XDA-3 or SXW CTUAD768 (the high performance USB hardware in the XDA-3).
  • Page 20 WILL ALSO BE A REPOSITORY FOR THE CURRENT ASIO DRIVERS FOR THE XDA-3. We also expect to start a section on our forum, The Emotiva Lounge, dedicated to both the XDA-3, and to various resources and sources for high quality music.
  • Page 21: Using The Hdmi-Arc Input

    XDA-3 Differential Reference Using The HDMI-ARC Input The Audio Return Channel (HDMI-ARC) is a feature that is available on virtually all modern TV sets. ARC is also currently available on one or two projectors and will probably be available on more projectors in the near future.
  • Page 22: Care And Maintenance

    Note: DO NOT spray water or cleaning solution directly onto the XDA-3 or into the display or connectors. Replacing The Batteries in Your XDA-3 Remote Control Emotiva recommends using high quality Alkaline AAA batteries in the XDA-3 remote control. • Remove the back plate of the remote control.
  • Page 23: Inputs And Outputs

    XDA-3 Differential Reference Inputs and Outputs Topology: The XDA-3 is a high performance two channel PCM audio DAC, with a variety of digital inputs, including a very high performance USB input, an HDMI-ARC input, and two stereo analog inputs. The XDA-3 features a fully balanced differential analog signal path, and a true analog ladder network Volume control, for superb performance, as both a DAC and a preamp.
  • Page 24: Specifications

    XDA-3 Differential Reference Specifications Circuit Highlights: Digital to Analog Conversion: ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE 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 analog ladder network volume control).
  • Page 25 XDA-3 Differential Reference User-Selectable Oversampling Filters (DAC): • Filter #1: Linear Phase Fast Roll-Off. • Filter #2: Linear Phase Slow Roll-Off. • Filter #3: Minimum Phase Fast Roll-Off. • Filter #4: Minimum Phase Slow Roll-Off. • Filter #5: Apodizing Fast Roll-Off. •...
  • Page 26 XDA-3 Differential Reference Filter #1 +0.25 dB 0 dB Linear Phase -0.25 dB -0.5 dB Fast Roll-O -1.0 dB 20Hz 200Hz 2kHz Filter #2 +0.25 dB 0 dB Linear Phase -0.25 dB -0.5 dB Slow Roll-O -1.0 dB 20Hz 200Hz 2kHz Filter #3 +0.25 dB...
  • Page 27: Emotiva Audio Corporation Five-Year Limited Warranty

    The warrantee holder must make a claim within the Term of the Warranty. A claim shall not be valid (and Emotiva has no obligation related to the claim) if it is not made within the Term and if it is not made in strict compliance with the requirements of the “How do you get service?” section.
  • Page 28 (v) to consumable parts, such as batteries or failure of or damage to the Product caused by batteries; (vi) if any Emotiva serial number has been removed or defaced on the product; (vii) glass or plastic panels, cabinetry, trim or other appearance items; (viii) cosmetic wear or damage to remote controls by user.
  • Page 29 What if my product is damaged on the way to you? Emotiva is not liable for damages that may incur while an item is in transport to us. Please purchase insurance when you ship your item. If your Product was not adequately packaged, we will refuse receipt and the damaged package will be returned to you at your cost.
  • Page 30: Notes

    Notes All information contained in this manual is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. In keeping with our policy of ongoing product improvement, we reserve the right to make changes to the design and features of our products without prior notice. XDA-3 Differential Reference DAC User Manual v 1.1 April 2023...

Table of Contents