novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Jun 28, 2014 16:43:57 GMT -5
Gary, Where is that truck parked? And would you please leave the key on the rear left tire for me. When's a good day to sneak,,,,,,,I mean ,,,come by???
Anonymously yours,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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Post by ronkuper on Jun 28, 2014 16:51:57 GMT -5
BTW, "40 days delivery".....what........I'm in Australia which is a dam sight further away from Emotiva town than you and the worst I have had is 12 days. How's it being delivered, by row boat to cross the Atlantic and then camel train through the desert? LOL In fact it is a boat. Costs half than air delivery... The time varies greatly depending on whether the shipping company has enough volume in stores to fill the container. But now I can't get the picture of those poor camels in the desert carrying HiFi next to exotic spices and fabrics out of my head...
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 28, 2014 17:22:39 GMT -5
BTW, "40 days delivery".....what........I'm in Australia which is a dam sight further away from Emotiva town than you and the worst I have had is 12 days. How's it being delivered, by row boat to cross the Atlantic and then camel train through the desert? LOL In fact it is a boat. Costs half than air delivery... The time varies greatly depending on whether the shipping company has enough volume in stores to fill the container. But now I can't get the picture of those poor camels in the desert carrying HiFi next to exotic spices and fabrics out of my head... Hahahaha, "exotic spices", then not only would your amps sound good they would also smell and taste good. The "fabrics" of course could be used for room treatments. Cheers Gary
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Post by Priapulus on Jun 28, 2014 18:34:56 GMT -5
Since a basic music system consists of a preamplifier and amplifier, those are the two choices.
Power amplifier technology is very mature, I doubt you will hear a difference going to a new power amplifier unless your old one is defective, or grossly underpowered. I have a new 300 watt amp, but I probably rarely use more that 10 watts. Other than a lower noise floor, I heard no difference in sound quality (excellent) between it and my previous 15 year old Sony receiver.
I see the preamp as the heart of a system. Preamp technology, standards and sound quality have dramatically changed and improved, so that is where I would upgrade. If you are strictly a stereo music fan, especially phonograph records, then I would recommend the USP-1 or XSP-1, according to your budget.
If you are also interested in movies, then you instead want the UMC-200 or mythical XMC-1 pre/processor, according to budget. They also have the advantage of having fine built-in DACs. The UMC-200 & UPA-500 combo should satisfy almost all but the largest rooms. The Fusion 8100 receiver is practically the same thing in one package.
Of course room treatment and good speakers are important, but you can source those locally. Sincerely /b
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Post by ronkuper on Jun 28, 2014 19:02:59 GMT -5
Hi Priapulus, thanks for your input!
I could see from your signature that you have a separate gear stack for HT and Stereo and that both share the front speakers, is that correct? I am curious to know if you have had a chance to compare the XPA-5 and XPA-2 and in what degree (if any) do you find the XPA-2 to be superior for stereo compared with the XPA-5?
Would you say that, apart from source, the main advantage of your stereo stack stems from the use of the XDA-2 and XSP-1 instead of the UMC-1 rather than the use of the XPA-2 instead of XPA-5? (Ignoring for the sake of discussion the need for 2 more channels to complete the 7.1)
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Jun 28, 2014 19:26:26 GMT -5
My goodness we have a " Jumper " He wants to jump to a sterio amp,,,,,,I need air!!!!!!! How on Earth has this happened? What are you thinking man? ? No MONOBLOCKS ?? I need a medic here!! Oh yeh, I DONT do mouth to mouth,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,, ronkuper!! Have you lost your mind, don't waist it on a multi channel amp, Fully Balanced Quad Differential, that's the way to go man,,,,,,,please snap out of it!!!! Medic! Medic! Get some air to this man! Quick!! Somebody!!! HELP.
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Post by Priapulus on Jun 28, 2014 19:42:15 GMT -5
I hear ~no~ difference between the XPA-5 and XPA-2; they are both excellent. The XPA-2 serves my 2 channel; it (and speakers) also serve for the main l&R channel in the 7.1 channel system, using the HT-Bypass feature of the preamp. Buy either, depending on the number of channels you need. They both provide an incredible amount of power; much more than I need. As a do-over I'd probably get smaller amps. Also, a 5.1 system is adequate, as few movies are 7.1; I rarely hear anything from the rear speakers.
Purists rave about monoblocks and class A. But my stereo a/b xpa-2 is virtually perfect. I cannot believe that paying double the price for class "a" monoblocks will produce an audible difference worthy of the investment (or one that most people can detect!). Class A and mono blocks are for people that also need Rolex watches.
MY UMC-1 (predecessor to the umc-200) has software bugs that interfere with two channel music, it also lacked an record player preamp circuit. I bought the XSP-1 to get around those problems. If the XMC-1 lives up to its claims, my XSP-1 and XDA-1 will be redundant.
For music, I turn on the xsp-1, xpa-2 and xda-2. For video I add the TV, umc-1, xpa-5 and htpc. (actually, the "trigger-outputs" do that).
Sincerely /blair
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Post by ronkuper on Jun 28, 2014 20:15:47 GMT -5
LOL novisnick you are cracking me up! Blair - Thank you very much for your answers. Well guys I owe you an update - I've discovered the Emporium section of these blogs and couldn't resist the UMC-200 which was offered on sale there. I think my decision would be getting an XPA-5 to go with it, sell both my Yamaha and NAD and save some money . I'll probably go ahead with the home evaluation of a high-end power amp as planned just to see if changing amps would do any good. The temptation is high as the 1Ls are sooo cool and are in a good price point but in the value-for-money position that I'm at it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. So this is it unless someone would come with something convincing about going mono... I hate saving money
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Jun 28, 2014 20:49:09 GMT -5
LOL novisnick you are cracking me up! Blair - Thank you very much for your answers. Well guys I owe you an update - I've discovered the Emporium section of these blogs and couldn't resist the UMC-200 which was offered on sale there. I think my decision would be getting an XPA-5 to go with it, sell both my Yamaha and NAD and save some money . I'll probably go ahead with the home evaluation of a high-end power amp as planned just to see if changing amps would do any good. The temptation is high as the 1Ls are sooo cool and are in a good price point but in the value-for-money position that I'm at it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. So this is it unless someone would come with something convincing about going mono... I hate saving money Good conclusion! look around the forum at all the sigs, most either started with a purchase of a XPA-5 or ended with the purchase of a XPA-5. i personally can not see how any HT system could/would go without a XPA-5,,,, unless of course your system and speakers require a XPR-5. Gentalmen, we have a thoughtful and intelligent new member here! welcome to the "Family" ,,,,,, in my best Godfather voice! I have Secilian blood in my veins ya know!!
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Post by ronkuper on Jun 28, 2014 21:01:40 GMT -5
Unbelievable just yesterday they randomly aired Godfather I at my parents' cablebox and we sat to watch... It all comes together
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Post by creimes on Jun 28, 2014 21:30:38 GMT -5
Purists rave about monoblocks and class A. But my stereo a/b xpa-2 is virtually perfect. I cannot believe that paying double the price for class "a" monoblocks will produce an audible difference worthy of the investment (or one that most people can detect!). Class A and mono blocks are for people that also need Rolex watches. Ouch that was a low blow dude, I don't even wear a watch man haha On the upside everyone should be allowed to make their own decision on what to purchase, for me as well I could tell very little if at all any difference when I had an XPA-2 and XPA-5 as they are both that good, at the current sale price of the 1L's they are not that much more than an XPA-2, I recently sold my XPA-5 Gen2 and was going to stick with my LPA-1 for a while but it just wasn't giving me that dynamic open feeling when cranking it up so I bought some 1L's as I really like how they sound in my system (I had them before) even though I can not tell a difference between Class A and A/B using the front switch they are my favorite amp I have owned to date. The OP is free to do as he chooses as we all are, I just wanted to share my experiences within my system in my room to my ears Chad
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
|
Post by novisnick on Jun 28, 2014 22:54:36 GMT -5
Purists rave about monoblocks and class A. But my stereo a/b xpa-2 is virtually perfect. I cannot believe that paying double the price for class "a" monoblocks will produce an audible difference worthy of the investment (or one that most people can detect!). Class A and mono blocks are for people that also need Rolex watches. Ouch that was a low blow dude, I don't even wear a watch man haha On the upside everyone should be allowed to make their own decision on what to purchase, for me as well I could tell very little if at all any difference when I had an XPA-2 and XPA-5 as they are both that good, at the current sale price of the 1L's they are not that much more than an XPA-2, I recently sold my XPA-5 Gen2 and was going to stick with my LPA-1 for a while but it just wasn't giving me that dynamic open feeling when cranking it up so I bought some 1L's as I really like how they sound in my system (I had them before) even though I can not tell a difference between Class A and A/B using the front switch they are my favorite amp I have owned to date. The OP is free to do as he chooses as we all are, I just wanted to share my experiences within my system in my room to my ears Chad Sounds to me someone has a tin ear,,,,,,,,this from a Timex crowd.
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Post by ronkuper on Jun 29, 2014 0:49:21 GMT -5
Purists rave about monoblocks and class A. But my stereo a/b xpa-2 is virtually perfect. I cannot believe that paying double the price for class "a" monoblocks will produce an audible difference worthy of the investment (or one that most people can detect!). Class A and mono blocks are for people that also need Rolex watches. Ouch that was a low blow dude, I don't even wear a watch man haha On the upside everyone should be allowed to make their own decision on what to purchase, for me as well I could tell very little if at all any difference when I had an XPA-2 and XPA-5 as they are both that good, at the current sale price of the 1L's they are not that much more than an XPA-2, I recently sold my XPA-5 Gen2 and was going to stick with my LPA-1 for a while but it just wasn't giving me that dynamic open feeling when cranking it up so I bought some 1L's as I really like how they sound in my system (I had them before) even though I can not tell a difference between Class A and A/B using the front switch they are my favorite amp I have owned to date. The OP is free to do as he chooses as we all are, I just wanted to share my experiences within my system in my room to my ears Chad Could you tell a difference between the 1L's and the XPA's? If so than to what extent?
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Post by creimes on Jun 29, 2014 2:52:31 GMT -5
Ouch that was a low blow dude, I don't even wear a watch man haha On the upside everyone should be allowed to make their own decision on what to purchase, for me as well I could tell very little if at all any difference when I had an XPA-2 and XPA-5 as they are both that good, at the current sale price of the 1L's they are not that much more than an XPA-2, I recently sold my XPA-5 Gen2 and was going to stick with my LPA-1 for a while but it just wasn't giving me that dynamic open feeling when cranking it up so I bought some 1L's as I really like how they sound in my system (I had them before) even though I can not tell a difference between Class A and A/B using the front switch they are my favorite amp I have owned to date. The OP is free to do as he chooses as we all are, I just wanted to share my experiences within my system in my room to my ears Chad Could you tell a difference between the 1L's and the XPA's? If so than to what extent? It is very minimal, and I have never had the chance to blind test it as I have never owned both amps at the same time, for me it is personal preference, I'm more music than I am movie so 2ch is of more priority to me than surround, by having the 1L's it is partly peace of mind and the first amps I ever owned were the older UPA-1 monoblocks which sent me in the direction of external amplification. Like others have mentioned some may hear large differences and some may not hear any, I try not to get to into the way it sounds and just enjoy the music as that's what it's all about in the first place. At the moment if you are an eclub member and they are in fact giving the 20% off the $599 price of the 1L's the difference of a pair of 1L's or a XPA-2 is about $230 IMO though amps are a more minimalistic change in SQ than the source, preamp and speakers....oh and room treatments Chad
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Post by Priapulus on Jun 29, 2014 8:59:35 GMT -5
>> Priapulus said: >> Purists rave about monoblocks and class A. But my stereo a/b xpa-2 is virtually perfect. I cannot believe that paying double the price for class "a" monoblocks will produce an audible difference worthy of the investment (or one that most people can detect!). Class A and mono blocks are for people that also need Rolex watches.
> novisnick: Sounds to me someone has a tin ear,,,,,,,, this from a Timex crowd.
----------------------------------------- If you should be referring to me, perhaps I do have a tin ear. But I'm also a classically trained professional musician, and none of my professional peers have complained of my hearing. I don't own a watch either, I check time on my cellphone.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against extravagance. I recently spent $450 for an oval French Mauviel copper frying pan, to fry trout in. Is it 10 times better than a $45 frying pan? I doubt it. Is it 20% better than a $45 pan? Perhaps. There is no economic reason to buy it. But it brings me joy to look at it, and cook with it. I love it's weight, color and elegant shape, how it evenly distributes the heat and never burns. I don't even like eating fish...
If investing heavily in something special brings you joy, then do it. Should you love the warm glow of tubes or the symmetry of two monoblocks, then do it. If you do it to impress your fiends (sic), you are perhaps somewhat shallow. If you spend twice as much for a class A monoblock, expecting twice the sound quality, you are deluded.
Sincerely /b
p.s. I believe the OP requested value for his money; not the best of the best...
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Jun 29, 2014 10:17:57 GMT -5
>> Priapulus said: >> Purists rave about monoblocks and class A. But my stereo a/b xpa-2 is virtually perfect. I cannot believe that paying double the price for class "a" monoblocks will produce an audible difference worthy of the investment (or one that most people can detect!). Class A and mono blocks are for people that also need Rolex watches.
> novisnick: Sounds to me someone has a tin ear,,,,,,,, this from a Timex crowd.
----------------------------------------- If you should be referring to me, perhaps I do have a tin ear. But I'm also a classically trained professional musician, and none of my professional peers have complained of my hearing. I don't own a watch either, I check time on my cellphone.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against extravagance. I recently spent $450 for an oval French Mauvel copper frying pan, to fry trout in. Is it 10 times better than a $45 frying pan? I doubt it. Is it 20% better than a $45 pan? Perhaps. There is no economic reason to buy it. But it brings me joy to look at it, and cook with it. I love it's weight, color and elegant shape, how it evenly distributes the heat and never burns. I don't even like eating fish...
If investing heavily in something special brings you joy, then do it. Should you love the warm glow of tubes or the symmetry of two monoblocks, then do it. If you do it to impress your fiends (sic), you are perhaps somewhat shallow. If you spend twice as much for a class A monoblock, expecting twice the sound quality, you are deluded.
Sincerely /b
p.s. I believe the OP requested value for his money; not the best of the best... Beautiful and elegant retort! Yes, I am speechless. Thank you.
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Post by ronkuper on Jun 29, 2014 13:18:29 GMT -5
I can relate to aesthetics, peace of mind (as creimes have put it), taking pride and joy out of exclusive items and even the accidental harmless "show off".
I can also appreciate a good discussion like the one we had here.
You guys have been such a tremendous help. Thank you all very much!
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Jun 29, 2014 16:12:43 GMT -5
Like I said ronkuper, one large group of friendly gentlemen. Civility lives in our little piece of the world. Please don't be a stranger.
Nick
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 29, 2014 18:45:42 GMT -5
Gary, Where is that truck parked? And would you please leave the key on the rear left tire for me. When's a good day to sneak,,,,,,,I mean ,,,come by??? Anonymously yours,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, There's actually 3 trucks that you could choose from depending on exactly what you want. One is my cousin's, he's an acoustic engineer and his company works on all sorts of projects. From freeways to train lines, board rooms, concert halls, conference facilities and recording studios for TV and radio. They have a truck load of acoustic panels that they take around for testing. The second truck belongs to the company that I used to work for way back in my sound and lighting roady days. The first half of the B Double is full of acoustic panels, the back half has all the light and sound gear in it. The last choice is the one that goes to movie sets, it has enough gear in it to set up a portable sound studio anywhere in the field, generators, mixers, the full monty. None of those 3 are used every day, so it's no big deal to borrow a few pieces for testing in the man cave (if I had one). Cheers Gary
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 29, 2014 18:55:12 GMT -5
I hear ~no~ difference between the XPA-5 and XPA-2; they are both excellent. Having owned an XPA-2 before the current XPA-5, I have to agree with Blair. The XPA-2 and XPA-5 sonic signature is as identical as I have found and the extra 100 watts (from the XPA-2) wasn't detectible in my set up even at my (often loud) volumes. Cheers Gary
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