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Post by deltadube on Jan 15, 2014 1:11:39 GMT -5
At reasonable listening levels you're in class a on either amp.....? Well I am a nooby so I don't know what do do mean by "reasonable listening levels." well the police don't show up at the door! cheers
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 15, 2014 3:46:22 GMT -5
Boomzilla, After reading what you have written about your XPR 2 for the last few months I wanted to pose a question to you. I too own the XPR 2 and use a Oppo 105 using the analog outs to a Emotiva Stealth DC 1... I realize fantastic synergy, detail, resolution, and authority to my two channel listening....I, however, have gone beyond what most people in this forum are comfortable doing and that is connecting all of these components with wire that is much more expensive. When I use the stock power cord and cheap interconnects the sound field collapses, detail is decreased, and the vocals turn more metallic and unrefined. Basically making the XPR 2 an excellent amplifier and not a world class amplifier. My opinion is just that, my opinion. My question to you is after owning the XPR 2 would you consider changing out your power cord and interconnects for better ones and write about your findings on this forum? I welcome your response to my post.... David Hi David - In fact, I already AM listening using fancy wires. My power cord for the XPR-2 is an Emotiva X series shielded power cord that I've modified by attaching a very high-quality 20-amp plug & IEC socket. The interconnects are Audioquest Blue Sky XLRs. I've also used some generic Mogami XLR microphone cables (I hear no difference). What products do you recommend? Needle Doctor and other online sources offer free trials, so no cost to try. Thanks - Boomzilla I might also say right now that I don't think that either the power cord or the interconnects (or the XPR-2) are currently the "weak point" of my system. I'd say that the slacker among my components is the 18-yerar-old Paradigm Eclipse BP speakers. They're very, very easy to listen to, but not the ultimate in resolution. When I get the new Emotiva towers this Spring, that will change, I'm sure. I may update this thread at that time.
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Post by audiobill on Jan 15, 2014 5:10:54 GMT -5
Getting what you want for a bargain price is ALWAYS a good thing! So how much actual difference do you hear between the XPA-1s and the XPA-2? Do you attribute the difference to the mono block construction or to other factors? Could you tell the difference blindfolded? Well, since I'm using Magneplanar 1.7's in a 20x25 room with 18' ceilings, I liked the idea of the additional power and headroom. I listen primarily to acoustic jazz, so probably don't get out of the G1's class A of 10w. But I also use my 2.0 system for TV, and there's nothing like an explosion or car blowing up with 1KW/ch ! I also like the idea of a fully balanced system, coming off BAT components. And as a result of internal balancing the noise and distortion specs are lower in the XPA-1 vs. the XPA-2. If anything, I think the XPA-2 was a tad sweeter, but no, I don't think I could tell them apart in a blind test. They both sound great, and I could be very happy with either setup. The way I saw it, for twice the price I got twice the power, and better specs and mono block benefits "free".
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 15, 2014 8:45:34 GMT -5
Hi Garycook -
I like your thinking. I went the other direction because of footprint & cost. The XPR-2 was a "don't mention it" expense for my wife. The XPR-1 pair would have exceeded that threshold & I didn't wish to make the person I love most in this world uncomfortable. With your room and speakers, however, I think you made the right choice.
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Post by pedrocols on Jan 15, 2014 10:36:12 GMT -5
Well I am a nooby so I don't know what do do mean by "reasonable listening levels." Trying to reproduce a rock concert might be considered unreasonable. (I do that sometimes). Turning your system up so that a scene with a jet engine approaches the actual DB level, might be considered unreasonable. (I tried that, but my XPA-2 goes into the red LEDs). I also like turning my system up so that it actually sounds like your next to a helicopter. (My XPA-2 can do that). Would it be okay to use ear protection? I ask because that is what a Jet pilot as well as helicopter pilots do....
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Post by repeetavx on Jan 15, 2014 11:31:49 GMT -5
Um, yes but... As an aircraft mechanic (commercial jet), we have to wear ear plugs (well most of the time). Yes, a lot of my co-workers are half deaf. If it's not the jet engines, it's riveting and compressed air too. I can make my system loud enough that you probably should wear hearing protection for for a few seconds. But a lot of the damaging noise is in the ultra sonic range that my speakers might be able to reproduce, but most recordings don't include.
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Post by creimes on Jan 15, 2014 14:59:20 GMT -5
Um, yes but... As an aircraft mechanic (commercial jet), we have to wear ear plugs (well most of the time). Yes, a lot of my co-workers are half deaf. If it's not the jet engines, it's riveting and compressed air too. I can make my system loud enough that you probably should wear hearing protection for for a few seconds. But a lot of the damaging noise is in the ultra sonic range that my speakers might be able to reproduce, but most recordings don't include. I just ordered a GE90-115B turbine engine for my HT area for more realism when there are aircraft present in the film I'm watching
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 15, 2014 15:11:55 GMT -5
I just ordered a GE90-115B turbine engine for my HT area for more realism when there are aircraft present in the film I'm watching That could be fun to explain to Homeland Security They are monitoring your purchases Cheers Gary
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Post by audiobill on Jan 15, 2014 15:13:56 GMT -5
Excellent!
Is that the "high-deaf" version?
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Post by creimes on Jan 15, 2014 15:14:07 GMT -5
I just ordered a GE90-115B turbine engine for my HT area for more realism when there are aircraft present in the film I'm watching That could be fun to explain to Homeland Security They are monitoring your purchases Cheers Gary Nahhh in Canada we have the RCMP on horseback haha
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 15, 2014 15:20:48 GMT -5
That could be fun to explain to Homeland Security They are monitoring your purchases Nahhh in Canada we have the RCMP on horseback haha What's a line on map when you have drones Cheers Garyt
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 15, 2014 16:37:41 GMT -5
Nahhh in Canada we have the RCMP on horseback haha
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Jan 16, 2014 11:36:21 GMT -5
Hi Garycook - I like your thinking. I went the other direction because of footprint & cost. The XPR-2 was a "don't mention it" expense for my wife. The XPR-1 pair would have exceeded that threshold & I didn't wish to make the person I love most in this world uncomfortable. With your room and speakers, however, I think you made the right choice. I think applying extra $1600 (3400-1800) towards better speakers would be a much better move. As you saw your speakers are no match for the XPR-2 or even the XPA-1Ls.
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Post by moko on Jan 16, 2014 12:37:23 GMT -5
Hi Garycook - I like your thinking. I went the other direction because of footprint & cost. The XPR-2 was a "don't mention it" expense for my wife. The XPR-1 pair would have exceeded that threshold & I didn't wish to make the person I love most in this world uncomfortable. With your room and speakers, however, I think you made the right choice. I think applying extra $1600 (3400-1800) towards better speakers would be a much better move. As you saw your speakers are no match for the XPR-2 or even the XPA-1Ls. +1. internet direct companies who specialized in speaker and use welknown drivers like salk sound, selah audio and philharmonic offer reasonable price and i think will be a significant upgrade compared to upgrading amp.
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 16, 2014 14:15:56 GMT -5
Clarification: I'm NOT thinking of upgrading my amp. I just (intended to) say that others made good amp choices for their speakers & rooms. I AM however thinking of upgrading my speakers. The top contenders on the current list are (in order of preference) the new Emotiva towers and the Axiom Audio M80s, both with subs. That other one that everyone recommends (name escapes me) I may also look at if neither of the front runners light my fire. Another outside contender is the Thiel 1.6/1.7 speakers with a sub.
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Jan 16, 2014 17:35:56 GMT -5
What is your price range?
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 17, 2014 9:04:27 GMT -5
What is your price range? As cheap as possible, but I'll pay for quality. If Emotiva offers some new ribbon midranges in their towers, then I'm in for sure. If not, I'll probably try them anyway. The Paradigms go on the local Craigslist soon; the DefTechs come to the Emporium soon, and spare gear gets sold NOW to sweeten the kitty for the upcoming Emotiva speakers. Should I NOT like the Emotivas for any reason, I've heard Garbulky's Axiom Audio M-80s in my room and liked them a lot. They may need a sub, but so will the Emotiva speakers. The Axioms are between $1.5K and $2K per pair. I doubt that I'll find much else to compete at that price unless I go used. The Tekton Pendragons (sp?) have been repeatedly recommended, so I may give them a listen too. So to specifically answer your question, my upper range is $2K (the price of a tricked-out pair of Axiom M80s). For new speakers, that limits me significantly. For used, far more range. For DIY, that's a LOT of speaker! Boom
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 23, 2014 7:14:04 GMT -5
I played the XPR-2 last night with a bunch of oldies - Tony Bennett, Matt Monroe, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Linda Ronstadt ("Perfidia"). Even warmed up all the way, the XPR-2 isn't quite as dynamic as my old XPA-2, but it throws a WAY deeper and wider soundstage. When paired with some highly dynamic speakers (Axiom M-80s or some horn-loaded speakers), the XPR would be even better, IMHO. I plan to listen to the new Emotiva towers, some Tekton Pendragons, and the M80s again before I decide on speakers.
No matter what, though, the XPR-2 is still a keeper! Just for curiosity's sake, has anyone had experience with BOTH the XPR-2 and the XPR or XPA ones? What differences are there between the mono amps and the XPR-2? Just curious - not (repeat - NOT) contemplating any change.
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Jan 23, 2014 22:44:44 GMT -5
How is the XPA-2 more dynamic than the XPR-2? Are they brighter sounding? Or are they louder bc of the higher gain?
I went from the XPA-5 to the XPR-5 and the XPR-5 is far more dynamic sounding to me, where some parts of movies sound "live".
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