Emotiva XDA-1 DAC?

I also had owned an XDA-1 and had return it dissatisfied. The volume control was an issue but apparently has been addressed since but sound quality isn't anything to write about.

Just as Ts0711 wrote, the bass is bloated and doesn't show much pitch or definition. The midbass and midrange dynamics while is an improvement over the Mac Mini, falls quite short of my Marantz SA-11S1. The treble range recessed and doesn't take any air or space of any kind.

Is it worth its dollar? Well, yes. It does improve the sound compared to my Mac Mini analog. It can not on the other hand be considered a high end killer. I didn't keep it as I knew it wouldn't meet my expectations in the long term.

I use the BB OPA2134 as a headphone amp.
For this use, a little 'opamp rolling' may yield benefits.

As it stands, would the DacMagic for maybe a 'c' note more, be an improvement?

FWIW, tried the XDA-1 but eventually settled on the Eastern Electric Minimax which was markedly better. Thanks all for you input!

After a whole month of break in, I spent the past 2 days listening to digital music and am pleasantly surprised to find no "digital harshness", just music... Been listening to Pandora Music thru a Sony PS3 to my new XDA-1 via optical link, connected unbalanced to my amp, PS Audio Hca-2, driving Ambience Superslim 1800SE... At initial set up the sound was promising but a bit harsh and the mid's sounded metallic... 200 hrs of break in later the sound became more musical and the midrange less harsh but there was still a metallic edge to it... Now, am just enjoying the music and am truly happy at how the XDA-1 delivers the goods. No harshness, no digital glare, great sound and good music... WOO HOOO....

Anyone know how the XDA-1 compares to a Vdac?