Post by robf1 on Dec 5, 2013 22:45:07 GMT -5
I have used these forums extensively while I was looking for my new setup so I thought it only appropriate to reciprocate and let you know my story and experience. I took advantage of the fall sale and purchased an XPA-200 and XDA-2 to upgrade my living room 2-channel setup. I had been listening to a Marantz SR5300 receiver and Energy Pro 22 speakers. I also have a HT room with a Yamaha RXV765 powering Paradigm Monitor and Atom speakers. I mostly listen to stereo in the living room with the HT room reserved for Movies and Seahawk games ☺.
Our living room is 15x20 with a 12x15 dining room off to the side. The ceiling is vaulted to 12 feet with cedar strip, the living room has carpet and the dining room is hardwood. I have always liked the sound of the Marantz and the Energy’s but the speakers were showing their age and I have always wanted to have a separate amplifier. I had been looking at Anthem and NAD until a friend put me on to Emotiva. The XPA-2 interested me but I have a bad back so… I opted for the XPA-200, also I felt it was plenty for my listening tastes. I play music at moderate to loud levels but not blow the windows out. All of our music has been ripped to iTunes and we have also subscribed to Match so we can access it from anywhere. The XDA-2 interested me, as I needed to stream from Apple TV and a Macbook Air.
I live in British Columbia so I didn’t get free shipping but decided to take the plunge with Emotiva. Couldn’t have been easier, one phone call, price quoted included shipping, duty, taxes and one week later Fed Ex delivered two large boxes and one small one containing interconnects. Extremely well packed, double boxed and obviously care is take to protect the goods.
Setup was a breeze and in no time I was listening to a new sound, a very good new sound. The old Energy’s didn’t know what hit them. It was like they awoke from a groggy sleep. There was clarity in the mid range and preciseness in the bass that I had never heard before. My wife even commented on how much better they sounded (sorry couldn’t resist that classic line, but it is true)
Although the Energy’s sounded great with the new amp and DAC, I felt they were on borrowed time. I have always liked the Paradigm sound and had been auditioning a pair of Studio 60 V.5’s at a local store. I had also been listening to some KEF, Polk Audio and Totem. The Paradigm Studio 60’s came home for an audition, they never went back. With the XPA-200 and XDA-2 the sound is all I could have hoped for. The XPA-200 delivers a precise power and never seems to run out of steam. The XDA-2 does a fantastic job from either the ATV or Macbook. I must admit the XDA-2 does such a good job with the ATV that it is the source of choice, as it is so easy to select playlists or general browsing from the remote on an iPad.
I am not a music critic but a few musical observations. Norah Jones, “I don’t know why”, sounds like she is in the room. Supertramp, “School”, the detail of the sax at the beginning is rich and clear, the kids voices pop out like I have never heard before, and the baseline later in the song is strong but not overbearing as the keyboard leads. Oscar Peterson, “Something’s Coming”, again bass and piano working well together with great separation, the drums are in another dimension further into the song. The whole package presents a great soundstage that let’s you get lost in the music.
If your looking for a great DAC and Amp combo that delivers a delicious powerful sound then I would strongly endorse the XDA-2 and XPA-200.
Our living room is 15x20 with a 12x15 dining room off to the side. The ceiling is vaulted to 12 feet with cedar strip, the living room has carpet and the dining room is hardwood. I have always liked the sound of the Marantz and the Energy’s but the speakers were showing their age and I have always wanted to have a separate amplifier. I had been looking at Anthem and NAD until a friend put me on to Emotiva. The XPA-2 interested me but I have a bad back so… I opted for the XPA-200, also I felt it was plenty for my listening tastes. I play music at moderate to loud levels but not blow the windows out. All of our music has been ripped to iTunes and we have also subscribed to Match so we can access it from anywhere. The XDA-2 interested me, as I needed to stream from Apple TV and a Macbook Air.
I live in British Columbia so I didn’t get free shipping but decided to take the plunge with Emotiva. Couldn’t have been easier, one phone call, price quoted included shipping, duty, taxes and one week later Fed Ex delivered two large boxes and one small one containing interconnects. Extremely well packed, double boxed and obviously care is take to protect the goods.
Setup was a breeze and in no time I was listening to a new sound, a very good new sound. The old Energy’s didn’t know what hit them. It was like they awoke from a groggy sleep. There was clarity in the mid range and preciseness in the bass that I had never heard before. My wife even commented on how much better they sounded (sorry couldn’t resist that classic line, but it is true)
Although the Energy’s sounded great with the new amp and DAC, I felt they were on borrowed time. I have always liked the Paradigm sound and had been auditioning a pair of Studio 60 V.5’s at a local store. I had also been listening to some KEF, Polk Audio and Totem. The Paradigm Studio 60’s came home for an audition, they never went back. With the XPA-200 and XDA-2 the sound is all I could have hoped for. The XPA-200 delivers a precise power and never seems to run out of steam. The XDA-2 does a fantastic job from either the ATV or Macbook. I must admit the XDA-2 does such a good job with the ATV that it is the source of choice, as it is so easy to select playlists or general browsing from the remote on an iPad.
I am not a music critic but a few musical observations. Norah Jones, “I don’t know why”, sounds like she is in the room. Supertramp, “School”, the detail of the sax at the beginning is rich and clear, the kids voices pop out like I have never heard before, and the baseline later in the song is strong but not overbearing as the keyboard leads. Oscar Peterson, “Something’s Coming”, again bass and piano working well together with great separation, the drums are in another dimension further into the song. The whole package presents a great soundstage that let’s you get lost in the music.
If your looking for a great DAC and Amp combo that delivers a delicious powerful sound then I would strongly endorse the XDA-2 and XPA-200.