Joined: Sept 2012 Gender: Male Posts: 182 Location: Bay Area, California
first moments - XPA-200 and my Magnaplanar MMG's « Thread Started on Nov 27, 2012, 12:03am »
First post - although Ive covered these forums thoroughly over months of what has seemed endless research into Emotiva products.
After reading all of the other great maggie MMG specific posts on this board (for which I thank every one of you) I knew the RIGHT way to go was the XPA-2.
In the end, I decided I'm really going the full balanced XSP-1, XDA-2, ERC-2, into the future XPA-1L's route, and the amp I'm buying today is really going to be powering a second 2 channel system once the XPA-1L's are released into the wild. And the XPA-2 was causing me some power concerns, and would be beyond overkill for that rooms speakers. So I decided to take the risk and see what this glorious new XPA-200 could do with the MMG's, in my main listening room.
After reading everyones descriptions I was worried I had built up my expectations far too much of what this amp would do to make my mmg's sing like they never have.
4 hours ago the XPA-200, 2 meter Emotiva speaker run, and two Emotiva RCA's were introduced to my favorite old MMG's of almost 14 years now.
Track 1 of Robbie Robertson Music for the native Americans.....with my sub off.....just the mmgs. Speechless. I had no idea my MMG's could do that amazing low mid bass magnepan sound. jaw on floor, this isnt possible. The depth to the soundstage that I have is now WAY beyond my front screen wall. I did not expect that to be improved so dramatically.
As much as I want to continue this right now it appears our database server wants some attention.
All I can honestly say at this point, is I had unrealistic expectations of my first Emotiva product, there was no way it could live up to what I had in my mind. And I'm just so BEYOND floored that in real life, in my living room, this amp has exceeded my expectations by I dont know, simply orders of magnitude. Sure the MMG's play a part here, and I knew they were always terribly hungry and under driven, but still, WOW. The build quality is stunning for this level product.
Thank you Emotiva and all the Lounge members for the content that made me keep coming back to Emotiva as I was researching the planned purchases.
XPA-200 USP-1 ADSL990's/Magneplanar MMG's Carver C1 Pre Denon AVR-2801 Sources: Itunes on MAC - Jriver PC TT - Lovely Oak - 1950's Rek-O-Kut Rondine Jr L-34 w/JICO SAS M55E TT - Dual 1257 as my ROK has no 45 RPM Reel to Reel - Teac A-3340 Alesis - Masterlink Alesis ADATs 20/48's Various forms of mid END DAC/ADC/soundcards/digital mixers
one good thing about music, when it hits you...you feel no pain
Joined: May 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 1,840 Location: Brandon, MB, Canada
Re: first moments - XPA-200 and my Magnaplanar MMG « Reply #2 on Nov 27, 2012, 12:14am »
Awesome isn't it, gotta love that initial feeling of gratitude on accomplishing something so great in your system that gives those goosebumps as your emotions mingle with the music....whooaa...too deep..?...lol
Joined: Jun 2012 Gender: Male Posts: 1,589 Location: Space Coast, FL
Re: first moments - XPA-200 and my Magnaplanar MMG « Reply #3 on Nov 27, 2012, 1:42am »
Hi paradigme!
Welcome to the Lounge and thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I always enjoy reading the feedback from new Emotivites. You've done the legwork and researched components. I think your proposed system will be spectacular.
As a fellow XPA-200 owner, this amp is something special. I'm glad you are enjoying it as much as I am, and I can imagine what they're doing for those MMGs.
Joined: Sept 2012 Gender: Male Posts: 182 Location: Bay Area, California
Re: first moments - XPA-200 and my Magnaplanar MMG « Reply #7 on Nov 27, 2012, 2:05pm »
Just my opinion - but I wanted to make a comment on the topic of this forum a few times along the way, but I didnt have an account setup.
1) A company clearly takes a risk when it makes a forum like this given the proportion of minor issues which can sometimes appear skewed in scope by the casual reader etc.. and all the other dangers of providing avenues for negative feedback. 2) What impressed me the most with this forum is that I DID NOT feel like the occasional failures and issues( that do happen occasionaly with any product) were being hidden from me. 3) The responses to some of the "problem" posts, were literally amazing. I can think of dozens of examples Ive read, but the CEO sending PM's to someone an hour or two after posting a problem on the forum is just the type of over the top "YES, We stand behind our products" example that this forum shows.
After moving on to listening to Vinyl last night and then sending some feeds from my home studio to the Emotiva/MMG's I came to a horribly awesome conclusion. My system TODAY now sounds better than I had in my mind it would sound like once I finally buy the entire system of XSP-1/XDA-2 etc.. Now of course this fact will not be expressed to the GF, but seriously, adding the XDA-2 for all my digital sources is next and I simply cant wait.
XPA-200 USP-1 ADSL990's/Magneplanar MMG's Carver C1 Pre Denon AVR-2801 Sources: Itunes on MAC - Jriver PC TT - Lovely Oak - 1950's Rek-O-Kut Rondine Jr L-34 w/JICO SAS M55E TT - Dual 1257 as my ROK has no 45 RPM Reel to Reel - Teac A-3340 Alesis - Masterlink Alesis ADATs 20/48's Various forms of mid END DAC/ADC/soundcards/digital mixers
Just my opinion - but I wanted to make a comment on the topic of this forum a few times along the way, but I didnt have an account setup.
1) A company clearly takes a risk when it makes a forum like this given the proportion of minor issues which can sometimes appear skewed in scope by the casual reader etc.. and all the other dangers of providing avenues for negative feedback. 2) What impressed me the most with this forum is that I DID NOT feel like the occasional failures and issues( that do happen occasionaly with any product) were being hidden from me. 3) The responses to some of the "problem" posts, were literally amazing. I can think of dozens of examples Ive read, but the CEO sending PM's to someone an hour or two after posting a problem on the forum is just the type of over the top "YES, We stand behind our products" example that this forum shows.
After moving on to listening to Vinyl last night and then sending some feeds from my home studio to the Emotiva/MMG's I came to a horribly awesome conclusion. My system TODAY now sounds better than I had in my mind it would sound like once I finally buy the entire system of XSP-1/XDA-2 etc.. Now of course this fact will not be expressed to the GF, but seriously, adding the XDA-2 for all my digital sources is next and I simply cant wait.
Great post.
I agree. Emotiva is a fantastic company that stands behind their products and goes out of their way to help out their customers Sure, I run into some issues now and then, but my positive experience overall completely dwarfs any issues I run into.
Joined: Sept 2012 Gender: Male Posts: 182 Location: Bay Area, California
Re: first moments - XPA-200 and my Magnaplanar MMG « Reply #12 on Nov 27, 2012, 7:45pm »
So yeah - bootman is going straight towards why my experience has been so over the top
I put the MMG's away a few years back as the old NAD poweramp I was using then had died. I then got them out as my old ADS's seemed to be developing a woofer issue in one speaker but was only using a denon avr2801 for power in that room. So I knew the MMG's were terribly unhappy with what they were being fed. But over the last 4 months I went on a huge vinyl kick from 0 records to about 400 right now, and fell in love with the MMG's and Vinyl, and decided it was time to get a real amp. Went back and forth if I was wasting my time building a new system around these old MMG's, but now happy the route I went. Plan is to build out my dream 2.1 channel system with the MMG's, and then move on to updated speakers once I get all my ducks in a row.
XPA-200 USP-1 ADSL990's/Magneplanar MMG's Carver C1 Pre Denon AVR-2801 Sources: Itunes on MAC - Jriver PC TT - Lovely Oak - 1950's Rek-O-Kut Rondine Jr L-34 w/JICO SAS M55E TT - Dual 1257 as my ROK has no 45 RPM Reel to Reel - Teac A-3340 Alesis - Masterlink Alesis ADATs 20/48's Various forms of mid END DAC/ADC/soundcards/digital mixers
XPA-200 USP-1 ADSL990's/Magneplanar MMG's Carver C1 Pre Denon AVR-2801 Sources: Itunes on MAC - Jriver PC TT - Lovely Oak - 1950's Rek-O-Kut Rondine Jr L-34 w/JICO SAS M55E TT - Dual 1257 as my ROK has no 45 RPM Reel to Reel - Teac A-3340 Alesis - Masterlink Alesis ADATs 20/48's Various forms of mid END DAC/ADC/soundcards/digital mixers
Joined: Sept 2012 Gender: Male Posts: 182 Location: Bay Area, California
Re: first moments - XPA-200 and my Magnaplanar MMG « Reply #16 on Dec 14, 2012, 5:36pm »
So very excited - USP-1 is ordered and on its way soon. XSP-1 will need to wait a few months and I know I will be in 2 channel audio bliss with the USP-1 as is (for now)
XPA-200 USP-1 ADSL990's/Magneplanar MMG's Carver C1 Pre Denon AVR-2801 Sources: Itunes on MAC - Jriver PC TT - Lovely Oak - 1950's Rek-O-Kut Rondine Jr L-34 w/JICO SAS M55E TT - Dual 1257 as my ROK has no 45 RPM Reel to Reel - Teac A-3340 Alesis - Masterlink Alesis ADATs 20/48's Various forms of mid END DAC/ADC/soundcards/digital mixers
Joined: Sept 2012 Gender: Male Posts: 182 Location: Bay Area, California
Re: first moments - XPA-200 and my Magnaplanar MMG « Reply #17 on Dec 20, 2012, 9:54pm »
USP-1 now driving the XPA-200. Simply LOVE IT - Finally have my desired 50 hz HI/lo with MMG's and oh so nice. I like the USP-1 phono so far as well. Thank you Emotiva for another great product far surpassing my sonic expectations. Cant even imagine what things will be like once this goes into my other room and is replaced my a XSP-1.
XPA-200 USP-1 ADSL990's/Magneplanar MMG's Carver C1 Pre Denon AVR-2801 Sources: Itunes on MAC - Jriver PC TT - Lovely Oak - 1950's Rek-O-Kut Rondine Jr L-34 w/JICO SAS M55E TT - Dual 1257 as my ROK has no 45 RPM Reel to Reel - Teac A-3340 Alesis - Masterlink Alesis ADATs 20/48's Various forms of mid END DAC/ADC/soundcards/digital mixers
Joined: May 2012 Gender: Male Posts: 266 Location: Saint Paul,MN
Re: first moments - XPA-200 and my Magnaplanar MMG « Reply #18 on Jan 4, 2013, 12:04am »
Congrats on your recent Emotiva products, btw did the XPA-200 have a funny smell when you opened up the box?, I ask this because I got my UPA-200, and there's a strange smell, mayby it's that new AMP smell.
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