Real Maximus
Minor Hero
I now have a dedicated Salamander monoblock stand for my XPA2. Very sexy! :)
Posts: 35 
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Post by Real Maximus on Mar 13, 2014 17:22:10 GMT -5
I realize this isn't the first thread comparing these two. I am looking for fresh feedback, any and all opinions are most welcome. My primary question in creating this post, is not so much which one you prefer, but why. In other words, describe the sonic differences between the two. Where does one out shine the other? Let's list comparative strengths and weaknesses.
I am personally trying to find a two channel amp, or pair of mono blocks, that can achieve musical finesse and nuance, while also offering a very tangible and authoritative bass response, capable of deep, tactile layering. Is this too much to ask? Is there such an amp capable of both criteria? Let's hear your thoughts, those of you who have owned or heard there pieces.
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Post by vinylfreak on Mar 13, 2014 17:42:25 GMT -5
^^+1^^
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Post by thevinoman on Mar 13, 2014 19:02:47 GMT -5
^^^+2^^
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Post by creimes on Mar 13, 2014 19:09:39 GMT -5
While I loved my XPA-1L's I sold them as for me in my system(see below) they just weren't doing anything more than my XPA-5 can do for 2ch music, might be different for you in your setup but save your money and get the outstanding XPA-2 which I have also owned(gen 1) and maybe put the extra $$$ somehwere else in your system you may want to upgrade. Or just step up and be honest with yourself and get the XPR-1's  |
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Post by milsap195 on Mar 13, 2014 19:29:25 GMT -5
I had both and sent the 1l's back. They were the only amp that ever gave me listening fatigue.
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Lsc
Emo VIPs 
Posts: 3,342
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Post by Lsc on Mar 13, 2014 21:37:26 GMT -5
Yes! I chose the XPA-2 gen 2 yesterday. It should be here on Monday. I don't know why I always order on Wednesday, but before they had Sat. Delivery...now it's Monday. Boo!  |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,222
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Post by novisnick on Mar 13, 2014 21:52:15 GMT -5
Don't forget this post,,,,,
You owe us a review!
Please,,,,,,,
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Lsc
Emo VIPs
Posts: 3,342
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Post by Lsc on Mar 13, 2014 22:18:59 GMT -5
They are for my surround backs but I did plan on comparing them to the XPR-5 just to see and also to give fellow Emo guys another source of information. |
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Real Maximus
Minor Hero
I now have a dedicated Salamander monoblock stand for my XPA2. Very sexy! :)
Posts: 35
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Post by Real Maximus on Mar 14, 2014 4:41:43 GMT -5
Fascinating. I would have thought the XPA 1L monos would beat out the XPA G2 at least in terms of musical fidelity. The quad balanced design with true class A amplification. Part of the equation for me, is also having that gutsy, low end control over the bass drivers. Perhaps I should consider the XPA2 G2. It sounds like these second gen amps really have stepped up their game. Thank you for your feedback everyone, keep it coming!
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Post by creimes on Mar 14, 2014 12:18:19 GMT -5
Fascinating. I would have thought the XPA 1L monos would beat out the XPA G2 at least in terms of musical fidelity. The quad balanced design with true class A amplification. Part of the equation for me, is also having that gutsy, low end control over the bass drivers. Perhaps I should consider the XPA2 G2. It sounds like these second gen amps really have stepped up their game. Thank you for your feedback everyone, keep it coming! In all honesty there has never seemed to be a time when the XPA-2 hasn't had game, I had a used gen 1 for a while and it was great but so were the XPA-1L's for me, I just found it to be too much $$$ to have the XPA-1L's in my system, for dedicated 2ch listening the 1L's would be my choice for sure. |
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Real Maximus
Minor Hero
I now have a dedicated Salamander monoblock stand for my XPA2. Very sexy! :)
Posts: 35
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Post by Real Maximus on Mar 14, 2014 13:22:30 GMT -5
By too much money, do you mean the electric bill? I'm
Also curious how the gen 2 XPA2 compares to gen 1. Are the gen 2 models substantially better?
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Post by kooreeho on Mar 14, 2014 13:44:16 GMT -5
This is truly a million- dollar question for me as i am also considering the upgrade going from Xpa3. Inmate please post your feedback if you have a chance. Xpa-2 gen 2 or Xpa-1l??? To be or not to be, that is the question!
Thanks guys
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Post by creimes on Mar 14, 2014 14:33:16 GMT -5
By too much money, do you mean the electric bill? I'm Also curious how the gen 2 XPA2 compares to gen 1. Are the gen 2 models substantially better? No not the electric bill, just the money invested in the actual amps, I just really didn't think I need that much money in equipment on the rack, if I had more funds to my name I wouldn't have sold them, heck I'd have a full XPR setup if money wasn't an issue but I'm middle class at best haha, and my wife doesn't make much so I take care of 80% of our living expenses. |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,222
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Post by novisnick on Mar 14, 2014 15:36:11 GMT -5
Kooreeho, Fully balanced, fully discrete, Quad Differential,, if this is what your looking for ? Then there is no question about your choice.
You want,,,,,,,no you need to have the XPA-1Ls in the package, otherwise I don't see that it matters. The best 2 channel set-up will be Fully balanced, fully discrete, Quad Differential,
I have such a system and the -1Ls sound every bit as wonderful as anyone can expect,,,,,and then some. I would still own them if not for a great opportunity to get the Big Dogs and I needed the extra $$$$$ for the XPR-1s so begrudgingly I sent the -1Ls back for my dream amps
Every thing that a class A amp should be is incapsilated in the XPA-1L.
Just thought you would like to know.
Peace,
Nick
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Real Maximus
Minor Hero
I now have a dedicated Salamander monoblock stand for my XPA2. Very sexy! :)
Posts: 35
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Post by Real Maximus on Mar 14, 2014 16:48:52 GMT -5
Thanks Nick! That is what I was waiting to hear. Someone that has owned them, and felt they really are noticeably superior to other emo A/B pieces.
My only other question is regarding the bass response. Do these amps in A/B, at 250 wpc have enough gusto to really handle bass drivers with tactile sensation? My Marantz MM8077 amp is very musical, and hits the bass notes, but those bass notes aren't authoritative, with texture inside the LFE. I want the bass notes to have some growl. I don't want a 4 or 6 cylinder engine, I want a big V8.
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,222
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Post by novisnick on Mar 14, 2014 17:21:57 GMT -5
  I'm not familiar with your speakers but I do know mine. Driving my Klipsch speakers the amp-o-meter reads under 400 watts for the pair of speakers. That would give you plenty of headroom because I don't believe that the reading is that high. I can check again tonight if you like. The -1Ls will give you what you want, they did for me but when I up grade to an end game speaker, I did not want to be limited by the amp ( one time purchase , I'm old and getting older,,,,,he,,,,,he,,,,) I'm kicking around the idea of setting up my second system ore selling it , I'm looking at a purchase of a set of XPA-1Ls again if I build that system. It would be in a large room with some perfect three way '80 s JBLs . I think it would be killer BUY? Do I want to go there  ? I'm still undecided. I've never heard a two channel amp but I have run two channel with the XPA-5 with only two speakers on it and the XPA-1Ls blow multichannel amps out IMHO. That's why I have asked others to join the MONOBLOCKS Sosiety! Photos os above show both XPA-1Ls with a pair of Sherbourn C-12 fan units on them,,,,,yes they need to breath and in my configuration I needed the fans. ( tight quarters ) The other objay de art,,,,,..One of my XPR-1s Peace, Nick |
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Post by kooreeho on Mar 14, 2014 19:24:47 GMT -5
Thank you, Nick and everyone else who responded with feedback.
I got a question for you Nick. From the picture I see you have much of room on top of the XPA-1L and you still need the fans? Does it get that hot?
I still haven't decided yet on which one, however if I do end up with XPA-1L I'll have about 6 inches of breathing room on top of it. I wonder if it's OK. My entertainment console is open-design with no door front and back (from Costco). I really don't like the idea of having to have fans. I have XPA-3 and UPA-2 and heat was never a concern at all. What do you think?
Happy Friday to everyone.
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,222
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Post by novisnick on Mar 14, 2014 19:53:37 GMT -5
Thank you, Nick and everyone else who responded with feedback. I got a question for you Nick. From the picture I see you have much of room on top of the XPA-1L and you still need the fans? Does it get that hot? I still haven't decided yet on which one, however if I do end up with XPA-1L I'll have about 6 inches of breathing room on top of it. I wonder if it's OK. My entertainment console is open-design with no door front and back (from Costco). I really don't like the idea of having to have fans. I have XPA-3 and UPA-2 and heat was never a concern at all. What do you think? Happy Friday to everyone. No worries on the fans, 6" is more then enough! I got a great deal on the fans,,,,,, so I figured,,,,, why not. They do run hotter in Class A mode but not a serious problem and Luke warm in A/B mode. Nick |
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Real Maximus
Minor Hero
I now have a dedicated Salamander monoblock stand for my XPA2. Very sexy! :)
Posts: 35
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Post by Real Maximus on Mar 14, 2014 22:28:04 GMT -5
My Marantz MM8077, 7 channel amp will handle my center and surrounds well. It's my mains I require the most out of. I require absolute musical presentation, but with cinematic prowess. Hence my starting this thread, comparing the XPA2 G2, vs XPA1L. My speaker towers are Infinity Beta 50, with dual 8" bass drivers, sensitivity of 91 db, do fairly efficient. www.crutchfield.com/App/Mobile/App/Product/Item/Overview.aspx?i=108BT50B&tp=185With this information, which amp is the better fit for my speakers? I'm leaning toward a pair of XPA1L. Thanks folks! |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,222
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Post by novisnick on Mar 14, 2014 22:35:10 GMT -5
My Marantz MM8077, 7 channel amp will handle my center and surrounds well. It's my mains I require the most out of. I require absolute musical presentation, but with cinematic prowess. Hence my starting this thread, comparing the XPA2 G2, vs XPA1L. My speaker towers are Infinity Beta 50, with dual 8" bass drivers, sensitivity of 91 db, do fairly efficient. www.crutchfield.com/App/Mobile/App/Product/Item/Overview.aspx?i=108BT50B&tp=185With this information, which amp is the better fit for my speakers? I'm leaning toward a pair of XPA1L. Thanks folks! Didn't we just do this? |
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