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Post by initforthemusic on May 13, 2013 10:19:44 GMT -5
I took the plunge and ordered an XPA-2 during the holiday sale. I thought what the hell @ $679 plus shipping it was about Aus$960, delivered to my door. I received the amp in Febuary. Boy this is a beast of an amp.
Out of the box the XPA-2 understandably sounded a little harsh but settled down after about 18 hours play. I also believe the amp opened up and smoothed out a bit more after a further 50 hours or so.
Once i thought the amp had settled in I have been A/B ing against a very good similar power rated amp, the Australian made Benchmark Plexus an already good amp which has been upgraded and is now an outstanding power amp and can compete with or best Power Amps at 2 or 3 times it's $5k price.
Equipment used,a very musical JLTI upgraded CD player, a partly upgraded Audio Research SP9 Mk2, and very revealing custom speakers.
So how did the XPA-2 stack up? To my ears the XPA-2 came very close, it was only marginally bested in the following areas: Bass was slightly flabby in comparison, the Benchmark was a little smoother and relaxed,although I felt the XPA-2 had very good depth. Individual instruments on the Benchmark were just slightly clearer, plucking of strings a little more precise, a bit more sustain. There was a bit more air around the instruments on the Benchmark. Overall the Benchmark sounded more musical in that the music flowed a bit more.
My conclusion is that the XPA-2 far exceeded my expectations. It certainly sounds at home in a system far exceeding it's price tag. Since The Benchmark has bested many highly regarded amplifiers costing upwards of 10k and more, I believe the XPA-2 would easily compete with amplifiers costing 2 to 3 times it's modest price. I also believe that when I get this amp upgraded it has the potential to be a giant killer.
I am also looking forward to hear the XPA-2 with my new high end custom made pre-amp (when I finally get it) and my big Note Perfect speakers, when I finally sort out my main music room (don't hold your breath).
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Post by chaosrv on May 13, 2013 11:10:13 GMT -5
I'm glad you liked the XPA-2. I love mine.
Out of curiosity, what sort of upgrades do you plan on performing on the XPA-2?
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Post by initforthemusic on May 13, 2013 20:41:53 GMT -5
I'll leave the upgrades to my tech. One person I conversed with said he bypassed the balanced/unbalanced switch, changed coupling cap and upgraded the RCA sockets and got a big improvement.
It won't be happening soon as my tech is already miles behind on two projects he is doing for me, but he is a wizard, so I've learnt to be super patient.
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plato
Minor Hero
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Post by plato on May 31, 2013 19:34:07 GMT -5
Don't mind me, though I always wonder how these "friend techs" are able to make upgrades that yield a notice improvement by doing those simple things like socket....stuff that a company like emotiva made have overlook? IMO emotiva seems like their equipment is overbuilt and design so I'm a little curious how "simple" these modifications can yield an improvement. I'm no sound tech , just curious enthusiast.
Congrats on your new amp!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using proboards
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Post by garbulky on May 31, 2013 19:38:10 GMT -5
Simple switches like caps etc aren't necessarily going to upgrade the sound unless you really know your way around the circuit....
BTW, Are your xpa-2's are plugged directly into the wall or into some power conditioner? Emotiva reccomends against power conditioners as they feel they may limit dynamics.
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Post by initforthemusic on Jun 4, 2013 7:52:30 GMT -5
Don't mind me, though I always wonder how these "friend techs" are able to make upgrades that yield a notice improvement by doing those simple things like socket....stuff that a company like emotiva made have overlook? IMO emotiva seems like their equipment is overbuilt and design so I'm a little curious how "simple" these modifications can yield an improvement. I'm no sound tech , just curious enthusiast. Congrats on your new amp! Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using proboards I've been getting components upgraded/modded for nearly 30 years. Every component I've had upgraded has yielded an improvement in SQ, sometimes massive. It will be a while before I get the Emo done as have other projects on the go, but will advise when done. |
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Post by initforthemusic on Jun 4, 2013 7:57:45 GMT -5
Simple switches like caps etc aren't necessarily going to upgrade the sound unless you really know your way around the circuit.... BTW, Are your xpa-2's are plugged directly into the wall or into some power conditioner? Emotiva reccomends against power conditioners as they feel they may limit dynamics. Plugged directly into the wall as recommended. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2013 15:23:41 GMT -5
OP,.. I too agree with your statement But have to say your statement of the XPA-2 being "Harsh" right out the box seems overstated to some point in saying 18 or 50 hours of a "breakin time".
At what time did you find the "Harsh" ness of your XPA-2 "Smooth" out at? Your statement of the XPA-2 being "Flabby" with the "Lowend" seems too me being a speaker placement issue? Did you move around any or one of your speakers after your A/B test?Maybe after unhooking your "Benchmark" your found something more of the XPA-2 that was missing from the "Benchmark" that wasn't there after all.You are right about one thing that the XPA-2 is good for, and "Flabby" bass note's are found in weak drivers with no balance or speaker driver design.Yeah I agree the XPA-2 a Beast of an AMP design by Emotiva.
Upgrading the "GUTS" of an already Outstanding AMP design is pointless,I say upgrading the driver's in your "Custom Speaker" would be money better spent.
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Post by initforthemusic on Jun 5, 2013 8:29:12 GMT -5
Hi cmw. I think you have taken things slightly out of context. I only said a little harsh not harsh out of the box. All new components need a burn in or break in. There is no problem with the speakers so take that out of the equasion. The Emo was only slightly flabby in comparison to the Benchmark. The Benchmark has an outstanding lower end, the tightest I have ever heard in a 250W X 2 SS Power Amp. Maybe I should have worded it as not quite as tight and controlled instead of slightly flabby?. As I stated The Benchmark has bested many high-end Power amps costing much more. That the Emo was only marginally bested I believe was an outstanding result for such a modestly priced amplifier. I did feel that the Emo went a little deeper, more powerful in the bottom end, but the Benchmark was a little smoother, a little more musical. The Benchmark overall was just a bit more relaxing, a bit more involving,a little bit easier to pick out individual instruments, more musical so to say. I found the Emo to be just slightly in your face by comparison. An accomplice of mine also made the same comment.
I think if you take the time to re-read my write-up and take the overall, which is very positive, instead of just trying to magnify only the couple of very small negatives, you will actually find that I have given the XPA-2 a glowing report.
As stated I believe the XPA-2 would easily compete with amplifiers costing 2 to 3 times it's modest price. I havn't been able to A/B against anything else but feel fairly confident with that statement. (It could be more but don't like making big statemnts without actually doing an A/B).
Also don't kid yourself that upgrading is pointless. As long as it is done by a knowledgable and compotent tech, every item I've heard has been improved, including many mega-buck, so called state of the art equiptment has been improved, sometimes dramatically.
As you can see I'm very happy with the purchase of the XPA-2, it's exceeded my expectations so far. My initial thought was it would spend most time in my 3rd system. It looks like spending a lot of time in my 2nd system and who know's when upgraded a fair bit of time in my top system?
Cheers.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2013 10:07:07 GMT -5
I find the XPA-2 to be upfront and in your "Face" too.It really does bring the sound stage up "front" totally agree with that statement of yours.It is Not a "Neutral"the (XPA-2), sounding Amp like I found with the XPA-5 that I had.Not that I didn't like the XPA-5 cause I did just not for my two channel set for music only I gave that one(XPA-5) to my oldest Son for there "New Home" (Gift).I wasn't trying to be out of (context) with your post of the XPA-2 I really was trying to understand your findings of your A/B test.Your post of the XPA-2 (A/B)test actuary is a really good one.Like you I luv doing A/B test set ups to me it is one of the better things us audio buffs love too do with this hobby for me anyways. I have found that no matter how much one can read up on Amps Pre-Amps or anything else in this hobby doing just what you have done in your (test) is the only way too find what one likes for the ear.Now as for upgrading the "Guts" of audio home use Amps can be lots of fun I can see myself doing something like that.I was thinking of picking up a old Carver amp and re-doing all the "Guts" of it just for fun.I am in no way a "Elect-Tech" in Home Audio amps or anything else in that field.But I have done the field work on Control Panels very HI-End panels "PCL" Panels in the Oilfield so I do understand the working "Components" of and PC "Board".So doing upgrades on an already outstanding amp "design" to "Me" is pointless.Not so sure as to why you thought I took most or some of your post out of "context"?.Maybe cause some have found that the XPA-2 isn't as stable into a 2 ohm load as some of the higher-end amps that some of the so called"Elite" home amp makers like say"Pass" but hey spending 10 g's on a amp to find out if its "Stable" enough for that kind of load is maybe for the 1%,ers.Like in your post a very good "Value"is what Emotiva is all about.
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Post by initforthemusic on Jun 5, 2013 10:51:29 GMT -5
Yes, I guess the point I've been trying to make is the XPA-2, was not out of it's league in comparison to a very,very good Power amp. This is the only Power Amp I had on hand at the time so it was virtually thrown in at the deep end. So to be competitive with an Amp of this quality is a big plus for the XPA-2. I have another dual mono amp which may be a fairer comparison, it's been at my Tech's for 10 months in a long queue, so will A/B with it when I get it back.
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Post by initforthemusic on Jun 5, 2013 11:28:11 GMT -5
I posted a reply but?
I'll post again.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is the XPA-2 was able to compete in the same league as a very, very good Power Amp. It really was thrown in at the deep end,as the Benchmark was the only other Power amp I had on hand at the time, The XPA-2 amazed me how well it performed.
A fairer comparison might be a dual mono Power Amp, I'm waiting to be returned from my tech.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2013 0:36:08 GMT -5
I think you just hit the nail on the head with the XPA-2,A/B testing it with a duel mono amp in the same box I think would be or how can I say this.."Even" in a statement? yeah I could see that happing in a A/B test.Your XPA-2 and mine are the same it is by design as close as Emotiva got too making it mono "Block" design. I read a Spec-test on it the guy who tested it out the XPA-2 its as close to monoblock by "design" which is why Emotiva design that amp for,music lover's who have this amp buy this because of that design.It out performed my two monoblocks that I have and they are really good amps for two channel sets I upgraded too the XPA-2 for that reason more control over my drivers which by the way are a 4 ohm load and the XPA-2 and I hate to put it this way but took control of the driver's in my speakers.Now I do not have custom speakers these have been out in the field for over ten years and are very well known for being a "step-up" into high-end speakers..much can be said with that statement I just made about speakers..Anyways I can see that you are on the right track with your A/B test God knows I have done so many A/B test of audio gear gong back all the way too the late 70's till now.
It is mostly why I pick the XPA-2 the design if it is so close to a monoblock design and it spec-out as good as most monoblocks out there with "jet-black" noise floor of a true monoblock.In my book by design Emotiva did an outstanding job with the XPA-2 just look at the price of it not as one would think.
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