Emotiva DR Stack compact separates launch in the UK

Karma-AV has announced UK availability of Emotiva’s Differential Reference DR Stack compact separates for August 2026. The four-box range comprises the DRP-1 preamplifier, DRA-1 power amplifier, DRD-1 DAC and DRS-1 streamer/DAC. Typical UK retail prices are £740 for the DRP-1 and DRD-1, and £850 for the DRA-1 and DRS-1, including VAT.

The DR Stack is built as a compact, stackable hi-fi separates ecosystem rather than an all-in-one unit. Emotiva uses a fully balanced Differential Reference layout across the range. Each component is 267 mm wide, with a steel chassis, black anodised aluminium front panel and dimmable blue OLED display.

The DRA-1 power amplifier uses a Hypex NCOREx-based design. It is rated at 130 watts per channel into 4 ohms, and can deliver 400 watts in bridged mono mode into 4 ohms. Emotiva quotes a signal-to-noise ratio above 115 dB for the amplifier.

Digital conversion is handled by ESS ES9038Q2M SABRE32 Reference DAC hardware in both the DRD-1 DAC and DRS-1 streamer/DAC. The DRD-1 supports PCM up to 768 kHz and Native DSD512 via USB-C. The DRP-1 preamplifier provides RCA and balanced XLR inputs, plus a phono input compatible with moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges. The DRS-1 supports Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect.

Each DR Stack component includes 12V trigger input and output connections for system control. The full Differential Reference Design Series Stack is also offered in the US at a regular price of $2,599. UK availability is scheduled for August 2026.