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Post by jerrin on Oct 16, 2012 0:06:25 GMT -5
Ronnie - I don't have any of Norah's stuff...sorry! But...you will get to listen soon enough!!! Mark Yeah, LIKE TOMORROW!!! Now what are YOU complaining about? ;D I'm sure you'll get one of your own very soon.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 16, 2012 6:35:33 GMT -5
jamscape - to your question, "I also don't get why there would have to be an audio dropout of one or two seconds when engaged. I've never experienced this with a tone defeat switch before."
I think the answer lies in the fact that the XSP-1 is a "digitally controlled analog pre-amp". The XSP has a "direct" mode, and from what I understand, the input signals go the shortest possible path from input to output. When you engage the tone controls, you are going out of direct mode into a mode that allows the tone control. Net, additional circuitry comes in and my guess it's related to that.
I actually do like that it briefly goes silent for a practical reason...I would prefer to run in direct mode, and if I accidentally hit the "direct" button on the remote (which toggles between direct and tone control mode) - I want to know I hit it. The short silence is a strong clue that I did something and would make me take note that I should switch back.
Also, I will re-try the trims to re-check their impact.
Mark
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Post by monkumonku on Oct 16, 2012 9:27:12 GMT -5
Yeah, LIKE TOMORROW!!! Now what are YOU complaining about? ;D I'm sure you'll get one of your own very soon. Oh I wasn't complaining - I was expressing happiness for RR! ;D What a wonderful birthday present for him! And you are right, I have ordered mine so I can't wait for it to arrive, the sooner the better. I have to validate Mark's review.
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Post by monkumonku on Oct 16, 2012 11:31:48 GMT -5
On a more mundane note, a couple of questions:
Does the XSP-1 come with a manual or do you need to download it?
Does it come with a trigger cable?
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Post by creimes on Oct 16, 2012 12:12:36 GMT -5
Now we need some Pics Mark....to help with the fantasy side of what it might look like with our gear...lol
Anyone with me on that..................
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Post by pmctexas on Oct 16, 2012 12:25:52 GMT -5
Yes to both - manual and trigger cable came in the box with power cord...
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Post by jerrin on Oct 16, 2012 13:10:54 GMT -5
Now what are YOU complaining about? ;D I'm sure you'll get one of your own very soon. Oh I wasn't complaining - I was expressing happiness for RR! ;D What a wonderful birthday present for him! And you are right, I have ordered mine so I can't wait for it to arrive, the sooner the better. I have to validate Mark's review. *laughs* I know. ;D Good point though. Congrats Ronnie! I know you have been waiting on this for some time.
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Post by aliminas on Oct 16, 2012 15:28:15 GMT -5
klinemj, thanks for sharing your impressions. i am lacking a good preamp for my stereo. specs look good and few early owners that bothered to post report immediate sound improvement over usp-1 which is already fairly decent unit. This is almost enough to persuade me not to get costlier units that i know sound good - if it wasn't for that atrociously tacky front side of this preamp.. hmm, hell, i can always rack it sideways or backwards.. i know we buy this stuff for sound, not for looks, but sheesh
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Post by garbulky on Oct 16, 2012 16:35:59 GMT -5
Aliminas. I guess it takes all kinds. I find the black and silver aluminium look gorgeous. Only thing is that it may be a tad bulky....
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Post by roadrunner on Oct 16, 2012 16:39:00 GMT -5
On a more mundane note, a couple of questions: Does the XSP-1 come with a manual or do you need to download it? Does it come with a trigger cable? Rickie It comes with the "standard" trigger cable that comes with Emo gear with trigger capability; and it come with a "Quick Reference Manual" that just touches on the features and connections. The download manual on the Product Page has far more information. At the very least, download it so you can read detailed information on each topic on your computer. You may want to print it out if your computer is not conveniently located near your equipment rack.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 16, 2012 17:06:58 GMT -5
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...I personally like the look. If you like the XPR-series amps appearance better - it's likely they will come out with an R-series preamp someday and it will share the R-series look, I'm sure.
Mark
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 16, 2012 17:08:10 GMT -5
Also...I find the manual pretty well done. A lot of people have complained about the UMC-1's (which I actually found helpful if somewhat incomplete), but I really think this one is well done.
Mark
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Erwin.BE
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Post by Erwin.BE on Oct 17, 2012 9:06:52 GMT -5
I don't have any of Norah's stuff...sorry! Mark Now you're hurting me... When my ears and soul need soothing, Norah is one of the best! She's a peach. It's okay, at least you dig Radiohead. My favourite album is Amnesiac. Glad you love the XSP-1. Will get one myself later. I wonder if you got a source with volume control so you can compare the normal balanced inputs vs the XLR HT bypass? Be carefull if you try HT bypass, it has no volume control. I am thinking to use my Weiss DAC2 (with digital VC) with the HT bypass. And a Oppo BDP-105 with the normal input.
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Post by tchaik on Oct 17, 2012 14:30:13 GMT -5
Bottom line...the XSP-1 for me is WELL worth it..the best pre-amp I have ever owned and it's hard to imagine a whole lot better. Mark best pre-amp i ever owned was the spectral playing through a krell ksa-100 back in the late 80's. i am anticipating that this is going to be even better. tchaik...............
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 17, 2012 15:39:16 GMT -5
Erwin - unfortunately I don't have any source w/balanced outs + volume control, so I can't do that test. My only source w/balanced outs is the ERC-2. Also, I am thinking I need to get some Norah...I keep hearing good things about her from many here.
Mark
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Post by paintedklown on Oct 17, 2012 20:39:00 GMT -5
Mark, your "stream of consciousness" listening updates have slowed down...any new listening impressions or things to share?
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Post by Dark Ranger on Oct 17, 2012 20:48:03 GMT -5
...maybe he's actually losing consciousness now, thus manifested as the reduction of updates. Possible causes: - lack of sleep - too much critical listening - adult beverages - he's had an out-of-body experience from the XSP-1's exceptional sound quality - etc. etc. We Lounge Lizards are most grateful for all the first impressions on this "totally rad" piece of equipment. I had no doubt it would be stellar, but it's nice to see the confirmation.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 17, 2012 21:01:27 GMT -5
Also, I am thinking I need to get some Norah...I keep hearing good things about her from many here. Mark Yup, first song I played on my first piece of Emo gear (XDA-1) was "Don't Know Why" from "Come Away With Me", after that I had to just let it play through to the great opening guitar & bass in "Seven Year Itch". Can't go wrong with that album, I like most of the others too but some feel they're less 'great'.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 17, 2012 21:23:19 GMT -5
PK and Dark Ranger...Dark Ranger about hit the nail on the head with every point!
Seriously though - my failure to post anything else is because I don't have anything else to add over my post of post #37 or #47 of this thread. I keep listening, and I keep getting the same impression I summed up in #37. This thing is fantastic.
I'm listening to Michael Hedges right now, and it sounds better than ever. Last night - Sarah McLachlan and much more.
As they say, "it's all good..."
I will add this, though...based on my comments, some have been kind of P&M-ing (Pissing and Moaning) about the fact that the lights don't go fully out or that the trims are only +/- 3 dB. I can understand for some people that those are "big deals"...but not for me.
The bright lights/big city of the USP-1 never bothered me, and all lights on the XSP-1 dim to a VERY low level on setting 1. At the low level they are at...it would be hard for me to understand anyone being bothered. Besides, in really critical listening, are we all not sitting there eyes closed in Utopia imagining the band before us?
On the trims, IMHO - Emotiva caved to those who wanted traditional bass/treble controls, and in reality - in a proper system I do not feel they are needed. I have had them on pre-amps for years...but I have NEVER used them - even in my car stereos because they never sound right to me. If I were to complain at all about the XSP-1, it would not be that Emotiva gave only limited adjustments...instead it would be that Emotiva spent a single minute working on designing such a feature or a single penny implementing it. I would rather not have this feature. That it is there and is fully defeatable is fine w/me...but, I just don't need it.
All else...bliss...wait...I said "nirvana" earlier, and I am sticking to that!
Mark
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2012 1:11:05 GMT -5
..... Norah is one of the best! She's a peach......
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