Post by Bonzo on Jul 9, 2012 13:03:34 GMT -5
So as I was discussing in this other thread here,
emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=amps&action=display&thread=24772
I was having issues with my new XPA-2 having a harsh sound with my system. Last week while on vacation I did some extensive listening tests (mostly using my speaker test CD I made years ago while searching for speakers.) I listened at various volumes from relatively quiet all the way up to ear blasting. No matter what, I got this harsh sound to everything. It was especially noticeable on higher things like cymbals, women's voices, and stringed instruments. I got my wife involved to make sure I wasn't imagining things, and she said no way are you imagining it; it's very obvious once you actually listen, and when played loud actually hurts your ears. She described it as brash and distortion to higher pitched things. I was not a happy camper. So with the discussions on the previous thread in my mind, I started down the road to try and figure it out.
First, since I had never heard this issue pre-XPA-2, I hooked my wires back up to the Denon receiver to listen closely to that. No harshness at all. Even when cranked up WAY overly loud (really loud listening usually means a volume setting of about -12 to -10, but I'm talking about overly loud -5 to -3 here), there was no harshness to be heard. It sounded great, much nicer than with the XPA-2. The only aspect of the XPA-2 that was better was in regards to instrument separation, which enhanced imaging slightly, which I really liked. But otherwise, the Denon was absolutely enjoyable, while the XPA-2 was not.
So I hooked the XPA-2 back up and started fiddling around. I adjusted the pre-amp levels (using the Denon as my pre-amp) and no change. I adjusted the bass levels in my speakers and no change, just more or less bass. I tried tilting my speakers back farther (already had them tilted with the front being about 1/2" higher in back) and removing the tilt all together, and the harshness was still present. I then tried moving the speakers around (a total PITA), in and out from the wall, and side to side, but no change in regards to the harshness issue. I then tried hanging some towels up on the walls and from the ceiling fan to deaden the room more, but it was still there.
By this time I was just upset. Not pissed anymore, just kind of sick to my stomach upset that I had to send the amp I had always wanted back. Either this was not the right amp for my other electronics or speakers, or the Denon just had better sound. I kept saying to myself that I know the XPA-2 is a better made product, so it just has to be a "bad handshake" in my system. The Denon clearly sounded better. This made me even more depressed because if I ever wanted a real amp, I was either going to have to change all the other stuff around, or spend a ton more money for a different amp. My wife must have seen my utter sadness and disappointment, because she said "is there anything you haven't tried? Try thinking of that for a bit."
So I thought about it, and the only 2 things I could think of were the interconnects (unbalanced RCA which I bought from Emotiva), and that the XPA-2 was plugged directly into the wall. Since Emotiva brags about having built protection and basically recommends you plug it straight in the wall, I tried the interconnects first. Nothing, no change. So as a last resort, I plugged the XPA-2 into my Monster Power Bar, and.......
........GONE!!! HARSHNESS GONE. I kept listening and listening to all the songs where it was totally obvious, but all the Denon style smoothness was back, but with more pronunciation of instrument separation that I liked. I listened for hours trying to find the fault that was there before, and it was totally gone. I was so happy I had tears in my eyes. Sounds stupid, but it's true.
So who would have thought a $200 Monster Power Bar (line conditioner & surge protector in one) would have made that much difference? Not me, that's for sure. But what I can say is that without the Monster Power Bar in my system, the XPA-2 would have been going back. Amazing. In the end I am blaming the electronics, or more accurately, the lack there of.
Now what I haven't done, yet, is to hook it all back up to the Denon, and plug the Denon straight into the wall. That would be the true test of the Monster Power Bar's effect on the sound. I'll keep you posted when I do this.
Of course I'm basically posting this thread to see if anyone out there has any thoughts on this? Has anyone else had this sort of issue? Does anyone else have my speakers and not had this problem? Just curious.
Cheers ---- Bonzo ;D
emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=amps&action=display&thread=24772
I was having issues with my new XPA-2 having a harsh sound with my system. Last week while on vacation I did some extensive listening tests (mostly using my speaker test CD I made years ago while searching for speakers.) I listened at various volumes from relatively quiet all the way up to ear blasting. No matter what, I got this harsh sound to everything. It was especially noticeable on higher things like cymbals, women's voices, and stringed instruments. I got my wife involved to make sure I wasn't imagining things, and she said no way are you imagining it; it's very obvious once you actually listen, and when played loud actually hurts your ears. She described it as brash and distortion to higher pitched things. I was not a happy camper. So with the discussions on the previous thread in my mind, I started down the road to try and figure it out.
First, since I had never heard this issue pre-XPA-2, I hooked my wires back up to the Denon receiver to listen closely to that. No harshness at all. Even when cranked up WAY overly loud (really loud listening usually means a volume setting of about -12 to -10, but I'm talking about overly loud -5 to -3 here), there was no harshness to be heard. It sounded great, much nicer than with the XPA-2. The only aspect of the XPA-2 that was better was in regards to instrument separation, which enhanced imaging slightly, which I really liked. But otherwise, the Denon was absolutely enjoyable, while the XPA-2 was not.
So I hooked the XPA-2 back up and started fiddling around. I adjusted the pre-amp levels (using the Denon as my pre-amp) and no change. I adjusted the bass levels in my speakers and no change, just more or less bass. I tried tilting my speakers back farther (already had them tilted with the front being about 1/2" higher in back) and removing the tilt all together, and the harshness was still present. I then tried moving the speakers around (a total PITA), in and out from the wall, and side to side, but no change in regards to the harshness issue. I then tried hanging some towels up on the walls and from the ceiling fan to deaden the room more, but it was still there.
By this time I was just upset. Not pissed anymore, just kind of sick to my stomach upset that I had to send the amp I had always wanted back. Either this was not the right amp for my other electronics or speakers, or the Denon just had better sound. I kept saying to myself that I know the XPA-2 is a better made product, so it just has to be a "bad handshake" in my system. The Denon clearly sounded better. This made me even more depressed because if I ever wanted a real amp, I was either going to have to change all the other stuff around, or spend a ton more money for a different amp. My wife must have seen my utter sadness and disappointment, because she said "is there anything you haven't tried? Try thinking of that for a bit."
So I thought about it, and the only 2 things I could think of were the interconnects (unbalanced RCA which I bought from Emotiva), and that the XPA-2 was plugged directly into the wall. Since Emotiva brags about having built protection and basically recommends you plug it straight in the wall, I tried the interconnects first. Nothing, no change. So as a last resort, I plugged the XPA-2 into my Monster Power Bar, and.......
........GONE!!! HARSHNESS GONE. I kept listening and listening to all the songs where it was totally obvious, but all the Denon style smoothness was back, but with more pronunciation of instrument separation that I liked. I listened for hours trying to find the fault that was there before, and it was totally gone. I was so happy I had tears in my eyes. Sounds stupid, but it's true.
So who would have thought a $200 Monster Power Bar (line conditioner & surge protector in one) would have made that much difference? Not me, that's for sure. But what I can say is that without the Monster Power Bar in my system, the XPA-2 would have been going back. Amazing. In the end I am blaming the electronics, or more accurately, the lack there of.
Now what I haven't done, yet, is to hook it all back up to the Denon, and plug the Denon straight into the wall. That would be the true test of the Monster Power Bar's effect on the sound. I'll keep you posted when I do this.
Of course I'm basically posting this thread to see if anyone out there has any thoughts on this? Has anyone else had this sort of issue? Does anyone else have my speakers and not had this problem? Just curious.
Cheers ---- Bonzo ;D
