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Post by bluesman60 on Nov 6, 2013 12:08:14 GMT -5
Hey all. I have a pair of UPA-1 mono blocks. I had been driving a pair of Magnepans with them. I now have Golden Ear Triton 7's and had been considering simplifying with an integrated amp or going to the XPA-200 and moving the mono blocks. What are your thoughts? I assume the XPA-200 to be a notch above the UPA line in terms of sound quality. Would I benefit from this change? Thoughts and input appreciated.
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jlafrenz
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I don't want to jump in, unless this music's thumping
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Post by jlafrenz on Nov 6, 2013 12:17:55 GMT -5
I would just keep what you have. The UPA-1's are nice amps.
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Nov 6, 2013 13:36:23 GMT -5
I have come to the conclusion that when someone asks a "should I do this or that" question, they don't want to hear "you should keep what you have, it's fine" as an answer!!! They are usually ready and willing to buy,!!
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Post by Dark Ranger on Nov 6, 2013 13:47:17 GMT -5
I would keep the UPA-1 amplifiers. I honestly don't believe the XPA-200 will be a notch above. A long time ago, Big Dan said the old Ultra series amplifiers were discontinued because they were too expensive to build and were too similar to the larger XPA series in overall design. So the Ultra series amplifiers available today (UPA-200, UPA-500, UPA-700) look very different under the hood than the old Ultra series amps. However, Emotiva took the UPA-2 and UPA-1 and refined them in a few areas. The new XPA-100 is very similar to the old UPA-1. Likewise, the new XPA-200 is very similar to the old UPA-2. Some of the tweaks include gain adjustment from 32dB to 29dB, an improved power supply, upgraded connector hardware, and other tweaks throughout. It's kind of like what Emotiva did for the Gen2 release of the XPA-2/3/5 (XPA-1 Gen2 is forthcoming). So, moving from a UPA-1 to a XPA-100, or a UPA-2 to XPA-200 is basically a sideways move from a sound-quality perspective. In your case, you are considering a move from 2x UPA-1 to XPA-200. I believe this to be a downgrade in overall performance. Sound quality should be similar IMO, with perhaps a slight tip towards the UPA-1 being superior. I say keep the UPA-1 amplifiers. If you have upgrade-itis, but want to move away from mono-blocks, then consider the Gen2 XPA-2 or even the XPR-2. But I'd also reconsider your integrated amp option. You might like that just as well.
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Post by knucklehead on Nov 6, 2013 13:59:17 GMT -5
Shoot - if you're in upgrade mode sell me those 2 UPA-1's and buy a pair or XPA-100 mono's. The XPA_100 has to be the killer deal of all the current sale items IMO.
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Nov 6, 2013 14:05:12 GMT -5
Mono blocks are always a good setup. Don't move away from that unless the move is significant.......
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Post by creimes on Nov 6, 2013 14:06:45 GMT -5
XPA-100 is a sideways move, upgrade to the XPA-1L's, are you selling the UPA-1's or moving them to another room if you buy new...?
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Post by bluesman60 on Nov 6, 2013 14:13:19 GMT -5
Sage advice all. I appreciate the input from everyone and will take the comments into consideration. Thanks Friends!
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Post by bluesman60 on Nov 6, 2013 14:21:49 GMT -5
XPA-100 is a sideways move, upgrade to the XPA-1L's, are you selling the UPA-1's or moving them to another room if you buy new...? I'd be selling them.
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