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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 13, 2014 9:36:13 GMT -5
Last evening, another gentleman of the Lounge was kind enough to bring over his brand new Emotiva XPA-1L amplifiers for an audition and comparison to my XPR-2 amp.
All listening was done with the Paradigm Eclipse BP speakers (8" two-way bipolars with a -3dB anechoic of 28 Hz.).
The last time we had an "amplifier shoot out" at my place, we compared multiple amplifiers using some Definitive Technology SM65 monitor speakers (92 dB / 1w / 1m at 6.5 ohms). We found little if any difference between the amps under audition.
This time, the Paradigm speakers offered a more challenging load - 4 ohms at about 86 dB / 1w / 1m. No need to keep you in suspense: We could tell NO difference between the sound of the XPA-1Ls in Class A mode, the XPA-1Ls in Class AB mode, and the XPR-2. Every time I thought I heard a difference, I'd play another cut to confirm it, and then find out that I was no longer too sure.
We listened loudly, softly, and everywhere in-between. We listened to acoustic music, to voice, and to synthesizer with subsonics - no difference. We played the XPA-1Ls for over an hour until they reached full operating temperature (still far, far less hot than the XPR-2 runs), and the sound didn't change.
So for any credible volume using any speaker with even remotely decent sensitivity, it would seem that just about ANY of Emotiva's amps will sound so much alike as to be virtually indistinguishable without heroic listening efforts. The XPA-1Ls are amazing and even more so if you consider their light weight and mono block construction.
So do I regret buying my XPR-2? No I don't. I wanted the better parts quality and the "one amp, not two" footprint. The high operating temperature of the XPR-2 is somewhat of a concern, but since the amp has a five-year warranty, it's a manageable one.
As to the XPA-1Ls, I'd say that anyone considering them can buy with confidence that you're not giving anything substantive away to the XPR series. The XPA-1L is just that good!
Again - BRAVO Emotiva (and thanks very, very kindly to the friend who generously loaned the equipment for the evening)!
Boomzilla
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2014 9:42:23 GMT -5
well done! I can also confirm the difference between using L/R from an XPA-5 vs XPA-1 pair (both direct from DC-1) there is ZERO difference....happy to have sold the xpa-1's to pay for my second sub.
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 13, 2014 9:45:44 GMT -5
Lots of us "overbuy" on amplification. Nothing wrong with that... It's comfy to know that your amp will not only drive your current speakers, but any you choose down the road. But in terms of SQ, my ears hear so little difference between the A-100 Mini-X and the XPR-2 (when used at low volumes with benign loads) that it's hard to really justify the extra expense. Not that I plan to swap out my XPR-2, but just saying...
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Post by Bonzo on Jan 13, 2014 15:34:03 GMT -5
When I switched from my Denon receiver "rated" at 120wpc (we all know what rated means when it comes to normal receivers) to the 300wpc XPA-2, when plugged into my Belkin PF-60, I heard zero difference. ZERO. Low volume, high volume, all kinds of music. No difference. [Keep in mind that my speakers are odd balls, with built in powered subs and 92 sensitivity rating.]So why did I keep the XPA-2? Mainly so I knew I had superior equipment. I know it's better stuff inside and out, and it helped me grow my system from 5.1 to 7.1. Then all the other little things like manly hood, bragging rights, and chest pounding. Really, it just helped with a confidence that I knew my amp section was no longer a bottle neck in the system. Seriously, I think the best thing about Emotiva for me is that their build quality to price ratio is off the chart, and that allows for options. More options than I could ever dream of before. When one single Anthem amp costs $6000, options for a normal middle class guy are very limited. I love Emotiva for their high build quality items and every guy prices. From everything I've read in reviews like this on this forum, I would buy the biggest ones you can afford, or are willing to spend, then be done with it. It might be over buying, but hey, you'll never have to upgrade. My personal plan for me, sometime in the future, is to sell my XPA-2 and buy (2) XPA-1 Gen 2's. Will I hear any difference with my current speakers? I doubt it. But with 600wpc monoblocks, and Class A capability, there won't be any speaker in my price range in the world that I couldn't change to if I felt the need. It's good to have options. I'm sure the XPR series amps are outrageously awesome, but they are just more than I can imagine I'll ever need. Who knows what the future holds, except for I know my wife's new kitchen comes first. Thanks for the input Boomzilla. It's nice to hear such honest opinions.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 13, 2014 15:49:04 GMT -5
Great choice for a review, well done, I'm so jealous that you have so many Emotiva owners locally to swap gear around. Unfortunately because of their over $A1K cost each all of the XPR series amps get uneconomical (10% exchange rate, $A250+ freight, 5% duty and 10% GST all cumulative) for my budget. But XPA-1L's I can buy one at a time, keeping under $1k, so no duty and no GST.
Cheers Gary
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 13, 2014 15:54:48 GMT -5
Exchange rates & duties always SUUUUUUUUUCK! Condolences, Gary Cook - and to others outside the country from Franklin, TN.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 13, 2014 16:12:50 GMT -5
Exchange rates & duties always SUUUUUUUUUCK! Condolences, Gary Cook - and to others outside the country from Franklin, TN. And you get free freight too Cheers Gary
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 13, 2014 16:17:46 GMT -5
Look on the bright side - you can go to the beach & vide all the super-hot Australian surfer-girls!
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Post by Bonzo on Jan 13, 2014 16:21:10 GMT -5
Look on the bright side - you can go to the beach & vide all the super-hot Australian surfer-girls! And get eaten by sharks!!!
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 13, 2014 16:38:24 GMT -5
Look on the bright side - you can go to the beach & vide all the super-hot Australian surfer-girls! And get eaten by sharks!!! But die REALLY happy!
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Post by tme110 on Jan 13, 2014 16:46:48 GMT -5
You don't think being fully balanced from source to amp with the -1s got you any benefit either then?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2014 16:52:37 GMT -5
You don't think being fully balanced from source to amp with the -1s got you any benefit either then? On my setup there was no audible difference. Not sure about boom Shaka laka
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 13, 2014 16:58:52 GMT -5
No audible diff to me either.
The hookup, by the bye, was from the XLR outputs of the Oppo BDP-105 to the XLR inputs of the XPR-2 and the XPA-1Ls.
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Post by bigmule on Jan 13, 2014 17:15:40 GMT -5
Last evening, another gentleman of the Lounge was kind enough to bring over his brand new Emotiva XPA-1L amplifiers for an audition and comparison to my XPR-2 amp. All listening was done with the Paradigm Eclipse BP speakers (8" two-way bipolars with a -3dB anechoic of 28 Hz.). The last time we had an "amplifier shoot out" at my place, we compared multiple amplifiers using some Definitive Technology SM65 monitor speakers (92 dB / 1w / 1m at 6.5 ohms). We found little if any difference between the amps under audition. This time, the Paradigm speakers offered a more challenging load - 4 ohms at about 86 dB / 1w / 1m. No need to keep you in suspense: We could tell NO difference between the sound of the XPA-1Ls in Class A mode, the XPA-1Ls in Class AB mode, and the XPR-2. Every time I thought I heard a difference, I'd play another cut to confirm it, and then find out that I was no longer too sure. We listened loudly, softly, and everywhere in-between. We listened to acoustic music, to voice, and to synthesizer with subsonics - no difference. We played the XPA-1Ls for over an hour until they reached full operating temperature (still far, far less hot than the XPR-2 runs), and the sound didn't change. So for any credible volume using any speaker with even remotely decent sensitivity, it would seem that just about ANY of Emotiva's amps will sound so much alike as to be virtually indistinguishable without heroic listening efforts. The XPA-1Ls are amazing and even more so if you consider their light weight and mono block construction. So do I regret buying my XPR-2? No I don't. I wanted the better parts quality and the "one amp, not two" footprint. The high operating temperature of the XPR-2 is somewhat of a concern, but since the amp has a five-year warranty, it's a manageable one. As to the XPA-1Ls, I'd say that anyone considering them can buy with confidence that you're not giving anything substantive away to the XPR series. The XPA-1L is just that good! Again - BRAVO Emotiva (and thanks very, very kindly to the friend who generously loaned the equipment for the evening)! Boomzilla I appreciate the honesty in your comparison, as I am sure I am not the only person that debated between the xpa-1L's and the XPR-2. This audio stuff is fun!!
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Post by milsap195 on Jan 13, 2014 17:41:27 GMT -5
You don't think being fully balanced from source to amp with the -1s got you any benefit either then? I could not tell any difference when I had a pair of 1L's in a fully balanced set up vs the same with un balanced. Don't really know why they make such a big deal of it.
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Post by milsap195 on Jan 13, 2014 17:58:04 GMT -5
Also I thought the xpa1L did sound slightly better than the xpa-2 I have(little warmer)
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Post by pedrocols on Jan 13, 2014 18:29:36 GMT -5
Also I thought the xpa1L did sound slightly better than the xpa-2 I have(little warmer) Be careful with using the term "warm" as some people might interpret that as less accurate in the reproduction of the music...
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Post by tme110 on Jan 13, 2014 19:16:50 GMT -5
We'll that's good info. I'm happy w my xpa5 and my setup but I've been thinking about the 1Ls to go fully balanced. I may not need to worry about it it sounds like.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2014 19:18:00 GMT -5
We'll that's good info. I'm happy w my xpa5 and my setup but I've been thinking about the 1Ls to go fully balanced. I may not need to worry about it it sounds like. IMHO definitely not. In my case it was curiosity as well as getting an awesome deal. So I figured what the heck. Give it a go.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 13, 2014 21:26:34 GMT -5
I think it's obvious from my posts that I'm not an XLR zealot, but they do work on some (many) occasions. An example, my uncle lived next door to a guy who made furniture in his retirement. He had a big mother woodworking lathe for turning down legs and such and a similar vintage linisher/plainer. The only way I could stop the EMF getting into his audio gear was with XLR cables, every where, the whole lot, no RCA's in sight. Same gear moved to his new house where RCA's worked just fine (he packed the XLR's vey carefully and we couldn't find them for weeks). Since moving my sub amp closer to the sub, but further away from the main rack, I've had to use XLR's, too long a run for RCA's.
So XLR's do have their uses, they're just a bit rare in my experience.
Cheers Gary
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