Emotiva Audio debuts space-saving music stack system

A compact new stack music system is bringing Emotiva Audio's audiophile engineering into smaller rooms.

Karma‑AV has confirmed UK availability of the Emotiva DR Stack. The modular music system is available in a chassis only two‑thirds (267mm width) the size of full‑width separates, and comprises the DRP‑1 preamplifier, DRA‑1 power amplifier, DRD‑1 DAC and DRS‑1 streamer.

Typical applications would be media rooms, secondary zones and installations where full‑width electronics are impractical.

Each unit shares the same steel enclosure, black anodised aluminium faceplate and dimmable OLED display. The design centres on a fully balanced signal path from input to output, reducing noise and preserving dynamic range.

The DRP‑1 Differential Reference Preamplifier is engineered around a short, differential signal path with sealed relay switching and a studio‑grade resistor ladder volume control. Internal bass management at 80Hz simplifies subwoofer integration. Connectivity includes RCA and XLR inputs, a moving‑magnet/moving‑coil phono stage, and both balanced and unbalanced outputs, plus a summed XLR subwoofer feed.

The DRA‑1 Differential Reference amplifier delivers 100W per channel into 8 ohms, rising to 130W at 4 ohms, and can be bridged to 400W for more demanding loudspeakers. Emotiva specifies a signal‑to‑noise ratio above 115dB and THD+N below 0.008%, figures that place the DRA‑1 firmly in audiophile territory despite its compact footprint.

For digital sources, the DRD‑1 Differential Reference DAC employs the ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE32 converter with selectable filters and a differential analogue stage built around low‑noise OPA1656 and OPA1678 op‑amps. USB supports PCM up to 768kHz, DoP256 and native DSD512. Balanced and unbalanced outputs are provided, along with HDMI‑ARC for TV audio.

Buyers wanting streaming capability can opt for the DRS‑1 Differential Reference Streamer/DAC, which combines the same ESS DAC architecture with a lifetime Volumio Premium licence. This supports Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect and internet radio, as well as playback from local storage. Multiroom control for up to six zones is available through Volumio.

Outputs include balanced XLR, RCA, optical and coaxial digital audio, with Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, USB plus HDMI for track info, or UI on TV or monitor for configuration and display.

All components include 12V triggers, and both the DRD‑1 and DRP‑1 ship with matching metal remote controls.

Available from August, expect to pay £740 retail for the DRP‑1 preamp, £850 for the DRA‑1 amplifier, £740 for the DRD‑1 DAC and £850 for the DRS‑1 streamer. Distribution is via Karma-AV.