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DRA-1 | Differential Reference® Stereo Amplifier

Black audio equipment with 'Emotiva' branding on a white background
DRA-1 | Differential Reference® Stereo Amplifier
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Black Friday Deal
$499.00
$499.00
$799.00
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If you are ordering from Emotiva Europe, the product cost includes all taxes and free shipping. It is higher than our USA product price which does not include any taxes. USA customers pay taxes as a separate line item fee added at checkout.

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Product Overview

Little amp that could... and does. Repeatedly.

The DRA-1 Differential Reference® Amplifier wakes your speakers with clean vocals, tight bass, and smooth sound at any volume. Built into a compact chassis that stacks to keep your system small, its Hypex NCOREx solution is transparent and efficient, with high-current for power delivery without glare. You get 100 watts x 2 at 8 ohms or 130 watts x 2 at 4 ohms. Bridge both channels into one for 400 watts at 4 ohms. Noise and distortion sit far below the music: signal-to-noise ratio over 115 dB and total harmonic distortion plus noise and low levels is 0.0008%. 

Make it one system.
Shop Differential Reference® Stack -->

Go with the full Differential Reference® Stack for one-tap control and cleaner, more balanced audio. Plus, built-in savings and a free performance Cable Kit ($100 value) for easy wiring.

Product Features

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Effortless NCOREx Power

Hypex NCOREx based design delivers transparent, efficient, high-current drive for clean dynamics and tight bass.

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Stereo or Bridged

Stereo power is 100 watts x 2 at 8 ohms or 130 watts x 2 at 4 ohms; bridge to 400 watts at 4 ohms.

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Ultra-Quiet Background

SNR over 115 dB and THD+N about 0.0008% keep noise and distortion far below the music for lifelike detail.

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Compact, Stackable Build

Steel chassis with black anodized aluminum faceplate and gold fasteners; 10.5" W x 10.25" D x 2.25" H, about 5 pounds, four rubber feet.

Specs & Downloads

Complete Your Audio Solution

These products work great with DRA-1 Amplifier
Black Friday Deal
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$499.00
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$19.99
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FAQ

The DRA-1 is a compact two-channel Class-D power amplifier built around the Hypex NCOREx NCx252MP amplifier module. It offers both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, giving you serious stereo power in a compact chassis that fits neatly into a Differential Reference system.

In stereo, the DRA-1 delivers 100 watts RMC into 8 ohms and 130 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms with both channels driven. Switch it to bridged mono and it delivers 365 watts RMS into 8 ohms or 400 watts RMS into 4 ohms.

Yes. The DRA-1 can be switched into bridged mono mode, so a pair can be used with one amplifier dedicated to each speaker. In bridged mode, the Channel 1 input is used and the speaker connects between the two red binding posts according to the polarity markings on the rear panel.

No. The DRA-1 is a power amplifier and should be connected to a preamp, processor, DAC with volume control, or another component that provides safe control of listening level. In a complete Differential Reference system, the DRP-1 preamp handles volume control.

Yes. The DRA-1 accepts both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA connections. When using the RCA inputs, install grounding jumpers in the XLR connectors as shown in the manual for the best noise performance.

The full-size five-way binding posts accept banana plugs, spade lugs, or bare speaker wire.

Yes. The DRA-1 includes 12V trigger input and output connections. Connect it to another trigger-enabled component and it can turn on and return to standby along with the rest of your system.

Yes. The DRA-1's fully differential circuit design makes it well suited to the compact Differential Reference stack as well as the full sized Differential Reference components. As with any amplifier, keep the ventilation openings unobstructed and provide adequate airflow around the system.

The DRA-1 is covered by Emotiva's five-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Coverage begins on the original retail purchase date and may be transferred to another owner during the original five-year term. See Emotiva's warranty terms for complete coverage details.

Product Reviews

  • 5 stars: 6 (75%)
  • 4 stars: 1 (13%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 1 (13%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
A
AndyR
Big sound, tiny amp

Was running all 7 channels from my Marantz cinema 70 to a Basx- A7. Upgraded my center channel amp to one of these configured to mono . This little baby pumps out big power. Such an improvement. cant wait to get a few more. Great stuff Emotiva!!!

K
Kevin

This amplifier is as advertised. It is robust and refined in a compact package. I upgraded from an emotiva A2L+ and instantly gained the needed headroom to power my wharfdale evo 4.2 speakers. very satisfied and would recommend.

C
Christina Norbie

Incredible company and product.

S
Scott C.
Treble too sizzly

I had high hopes for the unit, as a replacement for a Parasound power amp that had died. But, in direct comparison with a very natural sounding Audiolab integrated amp, I was sorry to find the Emotiva's top end artificially sizzly, to a degree I couldn't imagine living with it. I appreciated Emotiva's very quick response to my wish to return it.

N
Nrr

Incredible company and product.

S
Stephen
Solid Amp

It is great amp. I have three in mono mode for my LCR. They sound great and I love the size of them especially. I swapped out three basx A1 because their size made my home theater equipment hard to setup cleanly. Plus my stand creaked from the weight of my AVR, BASX a7,a3, and 3 a1. I have enjoyed the sound and everything from the DRA.

My only two cons are that they do get warm even in an open air av console. The other cons are that is that do have a slight coil whine when in stand by mode.

T
T. T.
Remarkable, for the size, price and sound

I didn’t expect much from a $500 power amp that can fit in my messenger bag. I was blown away with the performance of the DRA-1. The sound was clear, it imaged beautifully, and the amp handled the highs and lows of all the recordings I used it with. (Speakers are Audiio Physics Classic 30, NAD 658 pre amp). I could not be happier.

M
Michael Y.
Great detailed sound, plenty of power

TLDR: Plenty of power with great detail but without listener fatigue. Perfect for a high value stereo system. Or go nuts and bridge a pair. And I only own the amp, not the whole stack.

On with the review:
I originally purchased a BasX A2+ as an upgrade to my WiiM Vibelink that I moved to my office. I must say, the A2+ is an absolute beast, 160 watts @ 8 ohms, clean forgiving class A/B amplification, linear power supply, and balanced and unbalanced inputs. It is a "full size" amp at 17" wide and a robust 25 pounds thanks to its oversized toroidal transformer and all-around beefy construction.

But this is a review of the DRA-1. Fact is, the heft and size of the A2+ just didn't work for me in the end. And with the much smaller and lighter DRA-1 offering the high efficiency class D amp's 100 watts @ 8 ohms, I looked into a switch. An Emotiva support rep agreed that given my priorities, the DRA-1 could be a better choice for my main listening room. He was not wrong. Emotiva authorized a trouble-free return of the BasX and, Bobs your uncle, I ordered the DRA-1.

So finally, the review. The DRA-1 is fed from a WiiM Ultra streamer by way of a Schiit Mimir DAC over balanced cables. The amp drives a pair of Wharfedale EVO4. 2 3-way speakers backed up by an active subwoofer (The sub is driven directly from the WiiM Ultra, not from the DRA-1. )

The Wharfedales have a nominal sensitivity of 88 dB and the little Emotiva amp drives them with ease, producing a smooth, yet very detailed sound that I could (and did) listen to for hours. The system can produce 100 dB with no apparent distortion or strain, although I generally listen in the 70-90dB range. This is in a fairly good size room with a ceiling that rises to 13'. This is a budget system but I could not be happier with the results. The WiiM Ultra provides a lot of flexibility and the Schiit Mimir DAC is sweet, but the DRA-1 is the engine that pulls the musical train. It delivers all the detail the rest of the components can produce, and seemingly does so with ease and grace. (Proving that size does not always matter. )

If you are considering all or most of the Differential Reference Design Series stack, I won't argue with you, based on my Emotiva experience, even though I have not auditioned any of the other Designer Series components. If you are replacing a receiver or an integrated amp, I would consider the DRP-1 preamp to pair with the DRA-1 because it just makes sense. But if you just need a good amp at a great price, maybe to replace a power amp that is on its last legs or that can't drive some new speakers you just bought, and if space is limited, you could do well to consider auditioning the DRA-1 integrated into your existing system. I think you will be pleased.

By the way, the sound quality is a definite upgrade from the highly regarded Vibelink, as is the build quality. The balanced inputs and sleek design are just frosting on the cake.