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Post by dac0964 on Dec 20, 2012 17:09:17 GMT -5
Aside from raw power, is there really a big difference in sound quality between these two amps? Their specs are almost the same or very little difference.
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Post by pallpoul on Dec 20, 2012 18:08:23 GMT -5
Aside from the xlr balanced inputs ont he xpa-200, imho at normal levels the answer is no . I own the upa-200 and xpa 2, and i find the diffenence is obvious between those two.
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Post by paradigmE on Dec 20, 2012 18:41:53 GMT -5
For myself - I went with the XPA-200 for the larger power supply and larger secondary capacitance. Plus the XLR inputs. I'm so happy with my xpa-200 I'm at a loss of words.
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Post by dac0964 on Dec 22, 2012 4:33:44 GMT -5
Thanks Pallpoul, I listen at, I would say normal levels, so I'm good with my current upa-200. I am also planning to get the xsp-1 next year, so you think I will just be wasting money if I stay with my upa-200? Will I still get (hear) the full benefit of the xsp-1/upa-200 combination?
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Post by dac0964 on Dec 22, 2012 4:39:48 GMT -5
paradigmE, I listen at normal levels so the larger power supply and capacitance will not be needed. Also, correct if I'm wrong, that XLR inputs are beneficial only if used on long cables and my set-up is not (speakers are about 1.5 - 2 meters away from the amp).
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Post by pallpoul on Dec 22, 2012 10:01:15 GMT -5
I still beleive that for normal listening levels the difference, although present, is not immense. My system consists of USP-1, XDA-1, XPA2, AND Polkaudio Rtia-7's, and I have to admit that with the XPA2 it sounds better and clearer even at lower volumes. I tried the same setup with the upa-2 and the then with upa-200, and they sound really good, but leave something to be desired. If you are planning on going the xsp-1 route, then may be an XPA-2 would do you justice. by the way what speakers are you using and in waht setting.? I recently purchased the polk LSI15's and I have to say the xpa-2 makes them shine. The xpa-2 is on sale now u may grab one now and pat yourself on the back later ! I see this as the better value, rather then getting the xpa-200 and you will not have the itch to upgrade later ans spend more money.
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Post by roadrunner on Dec 22, 2012 11:40:43 GMT -5
paradigmE, I listen at normal levels so the larger power supply and capacitance will not be needed. Also, correct if I'm wrong, that XLR inputs are beneficial only if used on long cables and my set-up is not (speakers are about 1.5 - 2 meters away from the amp). We really can't give you a focused answer on your question because we don't know the size, shape, number/size of doors and windows, and construction materials of your listening room. Nor do we know what speakers you have (brand/model numbers/placement), the placement of the speakers, relation of speakers to room furnishings, etc. The genre of materials you view/listen to and your listening habits. Depending on your answers, we will be in a much better position to advise you as to which power amp would best serve you. When discussing your room size, the cubic feet or cubic meters of the room and whether the floor plan is a closed room or open to adjacent rooms. The power amp has to be powerful enough to pressurize the open space and the larger the space the more power you will need. If you have photos of your room that will also be very useful in advising you. The more info you can furnish the better.
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Post by Golden Ear on Dec 22, 2012 13:21:13 GMT -5
I still beleive that for normal listening levels the difference, although present, is not immense. My system consists of USP-1, XDA-1, XPA2, AND Polkaudio Rtia-7's, and I have to admit that with the XPA2 it sounds better and clearer even at lower volumes. I tried the same setup with the upa-2 and the then with upa-200, and they sound really good, but leave something to be desired. If you are planning on going the xsp-1 route, then may be an XPA-2 would do you justice. by the way what speakers are you using and in waht setting.? I recently purchased the polk LSI15's and I have to say the xpa-2 makes them shine. The xpa-2 is on sale now u may grab one now and pat yourself on the back later ! I see this as the better value, rather then getting the xpa-200 and you will not have the itch to upgrade later ans spend more money. I had them for more than a decade and can't find any better speaker on its price range. The ring tweeter is just downright impressive without being harsh while getting the details out. The mid and highs are to die for but the bass are somewhat lacking in finesse.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Dec 22, 2012 15:42:13 GMT -5
Also, correct if I'm wrong, that XLR inputs are beneficial only if used on long cables and my set-up is not (speakers are about 1.5 - 2 meters away from the amp). The 'long cables' are those between preamp and amp, the length of speaker cable is not significant when discussing the advantage of XLRs. There's also the more positive XLR connector, but RCAs work well for most systems.
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Post by dac0964 on Jan 2, 2013 15:56:19 GMT -5
Sorry for my very late response, been busy with the holiday season. To answer RoadRunner's questions, I live in an apartment. My system are located in the living room/dining room about 13 x 25 (est). I have Monitor Audio Silver RX8 towers (4 ohm speakers and 90 dB sensitivity). I have an Onkyo TX-8050 A/V receiver that I use as preamp, Onkyo CD player and Emotiva UPA-200 for amp. I also use the receiver's music streaming feature to listen to Pandora One. I also plan to get into vinyl records this year. I listen usually to Jazz but sometimes Pop music. Part of the reason for my question is my plan to replace the Onkyo receiver with the XSP-1 pre-amp so I'm curious if by doing this I'll just be wasting money if I don't upgrade the amp as well. Pallpoul already gave some great advice but I welcome other opinions. Part of my dilemma as well is what to do with the receiver when I have the XSP since I like listening to Pandora, but I'll post this question in another thread under the 'preamp' category.
Anyway, thanks for all your inputs. They're all great. Happy New Year to everyone!
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Post by ocezam on Jan 2, 2013 17:14:28 GMT -5
We really can't give you a focused answer on your question because we don't know the size, shape, number/size of doors and windows, and construction materials of your listening room. Nor do we know what speakers you have (brand/model numbers/placement), the placement of the speakers, relation of speakers to room furnishings, etc. The genre of materials you view/listen to and your listening habits. Depending on your answers, we will be in a much better position to advise you as to which power amp would best serve you. When discussing your room size, the cubic feet or cubic meters of the room and whether the floor plan is a closed room or open to adjacent rooms. The power amp has to be powerful enough to pressurize the open space and the larger the space the more power you will need. If you have photos of your room that will also be very useful in advising you. The more info you can furnish the better. And because all of these factors can change. And a guy may want different speakers in the future. And many other things could change. I'd simply say: BUY ALL THE AMP YOU CAN AFFORD AND NEVER LOOK BACK. I wouldn't advise selling a UPA-200 to get an XPA-200.
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Post by Dan Laufman on Jan 2, 2013 17:22:41 GMT -5
We really can't give you a focused answer on your question because we don't know the size, shape, number/size of doors and windows, and construction materials of your listening room. Nor do we know what speakers you have (brand/model numbers/placement), the placement of the speakers, relation of speakers to room furnishings, etc. The genre of materials you view/listen to and your listening habits. Depending on your answers, we will be in a much better position to advise you as to which power amp would best serve you. When discussing your room size, the cubic feet or cubic meters of the room and whether the floor plan is a closed room or open to adjacent rooms. The power amp has to be powerful enough to pressurize the open space and the larger the space the more power you will need. If you have photos of your room that will also be very useful in advising you. The more info you can furnish the better. And because all of these factors can change. And a guy may want different speakers in the future. And many other things could change. I'd simply say: BUY ALL THE AMP YOU CAN AFFORD AND NEVER LOOK BACK. I wouldn't advise selling a UPA-200 to get an XPA-200. Neither would I...
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Post by dac0964 on Jan 2, 2013 20:37:48 GMT -5
We really can't give you a focused answer on your question because we don't know the size, shape, number/size of doors and windows, and construction materials of your listening room. Nor do we know what speakers you have (brand/model numbers/placement), the placement of the speakers, relation of speakers to room furnishings, etc. The genre of materials you view/listen to and your listening habits. Depending on your answers, we will be in a much better position to advise you as to which power amp would best serve you. When discussing your room size, the cubic feet or cubic meters of the room and whether the floor plan is a closed room or open to adjacent rooms. The power amp has to be powerful enough to pressurize the open space and the larger the space the more power you will need. If you have photos of your room that will also be very useful in advising you. The more info you can furnish the better. And because all of these factors can change. And a guy may want different speakers in the future. And many other things could change. I'd simply say: BUY ALL THE AMP YOU CAN AFFORD AND NEVER LOOK BACK. I wouldn't advise selling a UPA-200 to get an XPA-200. Thanks for the advice. I really am happy with the UPA-200 and it's more than enough for where I live.
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Post by dac0964 on Jan 2, 2013 20:42:02 GMT -5
And because all of these factors can change. And a guy may want different speakers in the future. And many other things could change. I'd simply say: BUY ALL THE AMP YOU CAN AFFORD AND NEVER LOOK BACK. I wouldn't advise selling a UPA-200 to get an XPA-200. Neither would I... Thanks as well Dan for being honest. Most company exec would just suggest to upgrade to make a sale.
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Post by ossif on Jan 3, 2013 11:01:11 GMT -5
I am not sure if this has been discussed already, but I noticed that the XPA-200 says it is 2x 150 Watts at 8 Ohm. However in the measurement files I read barely 125 Watts at 8 Ohm. Not that the difference is that much but in the end which numbers are the right ones?
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Post by creimes on Jan 3, 2013 11:48:54 GMT -5
I'm actually wanting to order a XPA-200, what is the actual class A power before switching to class B, I have ran my Monitor Audio RX6's in 2 channel with my UPA-500 and it is very detailed and open soundstage so I'm assuming the XPA-200 would be no slouch, I'm liking the 29db gain as well, seems a little more laid back.
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Post by sharkman on Jan 3, 2013 13:47:34 GMT -5
I am not sure if this has been discussed already, but I noticed that the XPA-200 says it is 2x 150 Watts at 8 Ohm. However in the measurement files I read barely 125 Watts at 8 Ohm. Not that the difference is that much but in the end which numbers are the right ones? I noticed that a month ago, they still haven't corrected it I guess. As for the two amps, I'm sure one wouldn't be able to tell them apart sonically. I was puzzled as to why Emotiva would release 2 models so close in output but perhaps a customer rep would have an answer for that.
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Post by ossif on Jan 3, 2013 14:52:00 GMT -5
I am not sure if this has been discussed already, but I noticed that the XPA-200 says it is 2x 150 Watts at 8 Ohm. However in the measurement files I read barely 125 Watts at 8 Ohm. Not that the difference is that much but in the end which numbers are the right ones? I noticed that a month ago, they still haven't corrected it I guess. Ok, but what is the correct Output in Watts per channel on 8 Ohm load? 125 or 150?
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Post by sharkman on Jan 3, 2013 15:48:07 GMT -5
I was going to shrug my shoulders and say flip a coin, but I went back and checked again and it's fixed. The web page now says the XPA-200 does 150 watts at 1% THD. That's a little high in the THD, so I'll bet it does 125 watts at .1% or something like that.
On the other hand, the UPA-200 does 125 watts at .05% THD.
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Post by paradigmE on Jan 3, 2013 16:30:17 GMT -5
Wait......Ok now I'm confused on these THD numbers out of my more expensive XPA-200 vs UPA-200. Oh well, I'm beyond happy so not going to worry about it. Bigger PS, secondary capacitance, and XLR's drove my decision so I guess I shouldnt worry about the stats in this case.
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