XPA-2 and USP-1

[dbster]

I am a skeptic when it comes to electronics since my undergraduate degree and some of my post-grad work was in Electrical Engineering. The source of this doubt often comes down to two common themes in audio marketing, the "cable differential" claims, and the "hearing new things from the exact same music source" claims. Well, with the two subject components swapped in for some audiophile components, I now believe the second claim. It was such a surprise that I played the CD on a few other systems just to be sure. The amplifier I swapped for was a 20 year old full class A biased classic. It is really sort of amazing that Emotiva equipment at this price level could be an improvement. Some credit has to go to Emotiva, not just two decades of improvements in electronic component technology. Everyone has access to the same part manufacturers; just as chefs have access to the same ingredients. The essence is what you do with them. Now if I get 20 years out of this equipment too, I will be even more satisfied.

One set-up comment is that since heat is the enemy of electronics, I put the USP-1 standing on its side four inches to the left of the XPA-2; I wanted nothing on the top of the amp so the convection cooling would work. I called Emotiva Tech and actually talked to a person within a few minutes, who concurred with me that 1) since there were no external vents in the USP-1 cabinet the orientation shouldn't matter and 2) the relays should operate just as well without being right side up. The point is that a couple of minutes was all it took to get an answer not for a problem, just for a technical curiosity point.


System now looks like:

Sources:
Dual 1019, Ortofon OM5e, Tributaries 5A
NAD 515 BEE, Emotiva XRCA
Pioneer RT-707, Emotiva XRCA

Audio chain:
Emotiva USP-1
Audio Quest Sidewinder
Emotiva XPA-2
Monster M1
PSB Stratus Gold i

[HDSapper]

Glad you're enjoying your Emotiva gear. Just an observation though: if you don't believe in "cable differential" claims, why did you list your interconnect brands in your post?

[roadrunner]

dbster

Congrats on your new Emotiva gear. You are not the first, and I am sure not the last, person to be shocked at how well the Emotiva gear performs against much more expensive gear.

You have three of compenents that Audioholics and Secrets of Home Theater and Hi Fi picked as "products of the year" after they reviewed them on their web magazines. If you did the research you probably read those reviews, but if you missed them you might want to check them out now to re-enforce the wisdom of your purchases.

I love my Emotiva gear for their sound quality first and foremost, and for their pricing right after the sound quality. All of the pieces you bought out-perform the competion anywhere near their price. I think the USP-1 is one of the best bargains in all of A/V. I recommend the USP-1 to any music lover, no matter what their budget level is.

For the past few years, Emotiva has used the USP-1/XPA-1 as the heart of their demo systems in their headquarters and on all the A/V roadshows. The ERC-1/ERC-2 has been the source component connected to the USP-1; and, the ERT-8.3 tower speakers have been connected to the XPA-1 power amps. This assemblage of Emotiva components has received "best sounding room" on several occassions at various A/V roadshows. It speakes volumes for the USP-1 to have been a key component for all those shows.

Enjoy listening to your new toys. Welcome to the Emotiva Lounge.

[dbster]

Maybe I should have been clearer. I was skeptical of cabling until I tried some 'real' versus cheap interconnects, and 'real' speaker wire versus 16 gauge appliance cord or 12 gauge Romex. A few things such as audible distinctions of the characteristics of expensive cable still elude me, especially when their marketing says it can't be explained by measurements. But I no longer think that any old cable will do, which is why it is on my profile.

The point was my skepticism number two, hearing things not noticed before as I've seen reviewers write, was also revised a bit after hearing the USP-1 and XPA-2 on records I've heard a lot with other equipment (and the class A 75 wpc amp almost weighed as much as the XPA-2)