RPA-1

[kse]

The search option wasn't giving me any love, so I thought I'd start a thread.

So, the RPA-1, who's got one of these beauties? This amp was discontinued long before I discovered Emotiva. I have read some on-line reviews of it, but would like to hear from some real world folks. They never come up for sale so owners must love them. I am sure the performance speaks for itself, but the looks alone are worth holding onto. When I finially found my RSP-1, I couldn't believe how gorgeous it was in person. Pictures don't do those older components of that style any justice.

So for those who have one, tell us how much you love it.

[Pauly]

Never had one, but I should have. I still kick myself for not buying one before they stopped making them. I was so close to pushing that checkout button lol. I really wish Emo would go back to that styling they had then. I always loved the look of the dual "floating" metal faceplates and lacquer side panels. My DMR-1 had that, and it's something I really miss.

[cgolf]

Have the RPA-2 and love it. It looks great, sounds even better and gets swapped out with an XPA-2 about every couple of months just to keep them both active!!!

Love the meters although for the lower volumes I use, they don't move much..... ;D

[bigred7078]

wish I still owned all these beauties...

[cgolf]

Wow, all the oldies but goodies!!! ;D

[kse]

Wow, bigred, beautiful. That case was surely more expensive to manufacturer than the current Emo gear, but man they look good. How did you like the RSP-1?

[bigred7078]

Jul 5, 2011 18:30:09 GMT -5 kse said:

Wow, bigred, beautiful. That case was surely more expensive to manufacturer than the current Emo gear, but man they look good. How did you like the RSP-1?

Yeah that was the reason they stopped producing these as they just cost to much and made little profit compared to todays products. The retail prices were also MUCH higher.

The RSP-1 was great other than its lack of HT Bypass. The USP-1 is every bit as good though.

[RPA-1 man]

I wish you well on your quest kse. I promise you when you do find one you will not be disappointed.

Some reviews have stated that the RPA series is not quite as dynamic as the XPA series. Imo the sound is very refined and possibly slightly laid back. I believe that's why I fell in love with it.

[kumayama]

One of the things that explains the RPA-1 sonic performance is its extremely low noise and distortion at low wattage levels. This makes it superior to most other amps when used with highly efficient speakers, and/or lower volume listening levels. Truly, over the last 40 years I've tried, owned, sold or tested several dozen high end amplifiers [for example, I've owned Threshold, Paracas, McIntosh and Audio Research], but none have been superior to my RPA-1 used with Klipschorns. Really. As for greater dynamics, the XPA series may well demonstrate greater dynamics with some less efficient speakers, but at a price of greater low wattage distortion. For me, my Klipshorns are plenty dynamic enough regardless of what amp is used.

As for cosmetics, I complained bitterly about the abandonment of the floating panel/black lacquer side panels when EMO introduced their new (now present) cosmetics. I contended then, and still assert today that it was a regressive step done solely for cost containment. It also left a lot of people forced to have a mixed cosmetic appearance if they wanted to add any new EMO components. It truly seemed that the original cosmetic look should have at least remained available as an extra cost option.

I absolutely adore the looks of the original cosmetics, which look way better in person than as presented in a 2 dimensional photo. The VU meters are fairly inexpensive models, and I never see them move with my modified Klipschorns, but they still look great in a warm way. I realize it is different for some, but part of my satisfaction is the looks of my audio equipment. I truly love the looks of RSP-1/RPA-1 combo, and find the ERC/XDA-1 units that sit above them to appear cheap and unrefined looking in comparison. Even my wife asks every now and then why our UMC-1/MPA-2 home theater set up looks so industrial and unrefined compared to the nice 2 channel audio electronics (or the non-EMO components that power her Magneplanar system).

I'd gladly pay a $300 premium to have an XSP dressed in the RSP-1 cosmetics. And would gladly pay a premium price to obtain another new (with full warranty) RPA-1.

So, that's how much I love them.

[RPA-1 man]

I was thinking to myself last night that I wish I had bought two RPA-1's when they were new. It would be interesting to see what an unopened RPA-1 or RSP-1 would fetch in ten or 15 years.

Along the lines of the cosmetics, I've often thought of making or having a set of piano black side panels made for my ERC-1. I'd would really like to have my newer Emo gear look closer to the RPA-1/RSP-1 cosmetically.

[bootman]

Big Dan, are you listening? ;D

[RadTech]

I love my RPA 2! I wanted another but the following week they were discontinued.

Jul 5, 2011 22:10:02 GMT -5 RPA-1 man said:

Some reviews have stated that the RPA series is not quite as dynamic as the XPA series. Imo the sound is very refined and possibly slightly laid back. I believe that's why I fell in love with it.

Me too! ;D