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Post by borbafett on Apr 9, 2014 9:52:23 GMT -5
Hi
I just picked up a used Xpa-2 gen 1,and was wondering what would be a preferred pre-amp for this beast.I'm currently using a vintage harmin kardon 330b receiver as my preamp,and although it's doing a pretty good job i feel that i can get better sound from a dedicated preamplifier.I can pick up a used umc-1 for 350.00,would that be a good option or should i wait for the new stereo preamp from emotiva when it's released.
Thanks
Al
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Post by PoloOle on Apr 9, 2014 10:03:51 GMT -5
Go with the UMC-1. Works like a charm for me.
Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk
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Post by borbafett on Apr 9, 2014 10:23:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the quick reply poloOle,i can see that your running 2 xpa 2's,do you have to pay the neighbors not to call the cops on you? Man thats alot of power.I think i'll try and pick up the umc-1,is 350 a fair price on the used market? On a side note the build quality and power from this amp are unbelievable,spent the last few days listening to all my music again,This amp is amazing.
Thanks
Al
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Post by garbulky on Apr 9, 2014 11:36:25 GMT -5
$350? The UMC-1 would work. I would go for a used sherbourn pre-1.  I tried its brother the USP-1 with an XPA-2 and liked the results. The pre-1 wil allow you to use XLR outputs. Hopefully the USP-1's replacement can give us some more of that. Just keep in mind that the used usp-1 and pre-1 have very touchy remote controlled volumes. You get about 3-4 useful clicks. To over come this you would need a control freak which is about $60.... |
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Post by brubacca on Apr 9, 2014 12:48:57 GMT -5
I'll apologize for the audio snob that I have become in the last two years, but the umc-1 would be a bad choice for a stereo pre-amp. If all you want is a stereo pre-amp then get one. I wouldn't recommend ANY home theater pre-amp for a dedicated two channel setup. This is coming from someone who has tried to use two different ones (a $2,000 retail and a $800 ID one) in my setup.
Get a dedicated pre-amp, if that is what you want.
Within the Emotiva Family you could try:
USP-1 (used) , Sherbourn Pre-1 (used)., New replacement for USP-1. Which should be out relatively soon.
You could use the Control Freak if you only have one analog source.
Also could do a DC-1 if you have a couple of digital sources and only one analog.
XSP-1 would also be a good choice if you have the money.
Would be best if you told us what sources you are using and how much you have/want to spend....
I have become a fan of tube audio products, so add Rogue Audio and jolida to the list. We should know about Emotiva glass products in the near future.
Good luck!
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Post by trinhsman on Apr 9, 2014 14:57:46 GMT -5
I had a USP1 that did a great job. I longed for even more. I found a fully reconditioned Audible Illusions Modulus 3A from Galen Carol Audio, with warranty. Gave some warmth that I wanted. It is considered to be one of the top preamps of all time. On top of that, if you have the money, you can have a lot of fun swapping out tubes to get the sound that makes you the happiest. I still have the USP1 but have moved it to a secondary system.
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klinemj
Emo VIPs 
Honorary Emofest Scribe
Posts: 14,746
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Post by klinemj on Apr 9, 2014 15:01:36 GMT -5
Why not get an XSP-1 Gen 2?
It's out and awesome.
Mark
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Post by borbafett on Apr 9, 2014 21:20:21 GMT -5
Thank you all for your help and input..And i apologize for not being more clear about what i want to spend and what gear i have.
My sources are a Rotel cd player (rcd 951)
Technics turntable (SL-1700mk2 with dynavector cartridge)
My speakers are B&W dm604 s2's
And i would also like to run my computers s/pdif to the preamp
I have no doubt that the xsp-1 is a great piece of hardware but it's to rich for me,especially since i'm in Canada. When you factor in the exchange rate the shipping charges and whatever other fees they stick me with then it becomes way to rich for me.
Honestly not looking to spend more than 400-500 dollars for a preamp which pretty much rules out any decent tube amps.Rogue audio makes amazing tube gear but out of my league
the usp-1 and the sherbourn would be great ,but neither of these are available locally for me ,i prefer local when buying used audio gear.
the dc-1 is nice and would probably work well for my setup,but it's just outside my budget.
again thank for all the help,much appreciated.
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 10, 2014 7:08:47 GMT -5
Look for a used tube preamp on your local Craigslist or eBay. You might get lucky
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Post by borbafett on Apr 10, 2014 9:37:47 GMT -5
Thanks Boomzilla, That is most likely what i'll end up doing.
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Post by borbafett on Apr 15, 2014 10:39:42 GMT -5
Well i couldn't wait any longer and ended up getting the UMC-1,as was stated in some of the responses ,it isn't the ideal for stereo playback but i couldn't pass up the deal i got on the UMC-1(got it cheaper then the 350 that was asked for it).Plus it allows me to plug in everything i wanted to in my setup.And early impressions on this unit is that it does a great job,better then what i was using before.Just have to get to the job of updating it to the latest firmware.Have some questions on that but will post those in the processor sub forum.Thanks to all those who took the time to respond to my question.
Al
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Post by PoloOle on Apr 15, 2014 16:08:59 GMT -5
I told you to get the UMC-1, glad to hear that you picked one up and that you like it as well.
Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk
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Post by borbafett on Apr 16, 2014 13:15:43 GMT -5
Yes you did and i'm glad i did,excellent performer .
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Post by brubacca on Apr 16, 2014 13:21:22 GMT -5
Congrats on the purchase. Glad you like it.now sit back and enjoy.
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Post by borbafett on Jan 25, 2015 10:53:27 GMT -5
Well the UMC-1 died on me,channels starting dropping out and then finally nothing. To bad it was doing a great job until it's demise.But there is a silver lining i was able to purchase a peachtree nova pre to replace it and absolutely love the peachtree xpa-2 combo.The longer i have the XPA-2 the more one would have to pry it from my cold dead hands to take it from me.
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Post by vcautokid on Jan 25, 2015 11:12:53 GMT -5
I would go with the XSP-1 Gen 2 also. With the balanced outs going to the XPA-2, it could be all the Preamplifier you would ever need, or want. To beat it, and keep a reasonable budget, you would have to explore used options etc. as new is very expensive. The UMC-1 is a good preamplifier, I would only do this with some reservations as the UMC-200 is better, and not for much more money. Also ultimately the XMC-1 if ultimate theater/music are your goal. If 2 channel music is your focus stay with a great 2 channel preamplifier. If you plan to do both music/theater, you can't go wrong with the UMC-200 or the XMC-1.
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Post by borbafett on Feb 22, 2015 1:28:03 GMT -5
Hi vcautokid.
Yes i agree any of the emotiva preamps you mentioned would have been great.Only problem i have is that i'm in canada and our dollar is not strong at all right now,so purchasing any one of those would be to expensive.And none were available for purchase used when i needed to get a new preamp probably because they are so great.I got the Peachtree through a trade for a yaqin integrated i had that i wasn't using.Thanks for the Suggestions though.
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I tried its brother the USP-1 with an XPA-2 and liked the results. The pre-1 wil allow you to use XLR outputs. Hopefully the USP-1's replacement can give us some more of that. Just keep in mind that the used usp-1 and pre-1 have very touchy remote controlled volumes. You get about 3-4 useful clicks. To over come this you would need a control freak which is about $60....
