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Post by frankie2075 on Aug 8, 2014 8:17:37 GMT -5
thinking of getting a mono for my center channel speaker i have XPA2 and XPA3 right now but want to move into the mono block game so ill start with my center. which would be better to do if the money wasn't a prob? I'm all about dynamics and sound stage? i can do the crown XLS 1500 and run it in mono mode and have about 1000watts at 8ohms. i have CHASE SHO-10 speakers not sure of the sensitivity but I'm going to say about 92db.. going to upgrade speakers eventually.. thought? how do the pro amps really sound over the "AUDIOPHILE AMPS"
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Post by sct on Aug 8, 2014 8:19:16 GMT -5
The Crowns have gotten very good reviews for the sound quality, they are a best buy, IMHO. I guess you could get both in for a demo and decide for yourself...
SCT
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Post by garbulky on Aug 8, 2014 8:48:19 GMT -5
XPA-1 gen 2
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Post by stads77 on Aug 8, 2014 8:50:20 GMT -5
I have Crown XLS 1500's for all my speakers. I do not run them in mono mode, except for my sub. I have tried them in mono for my front speakers and found no noticeable gains to justify doubling my costs and space. Boomzilla has done the same with some XLS 2000's and I believe he came to similar conclusions. They are great amps. I found all of mine used for between $230-275 each.
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Post by knucklehead on Aug 8, 2014 8:54:14 GMT -5
I owned an XLS-1500 for a few months, using it to drive the ERT's. The power and clarity are very impressive. Dead silent with no signal to the amp. At 10 pounds and 500+ wpc into 4ohms they are very impressive. And you can bridge the XLS into a 4ohm load no problem. Can't do that with most consumer grade amps. They do have low gain inputs, 25db IIRC. Some AVR's might have a problem driving them to full power.
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Post by unsound on Aug 8, 2014 9:56:09 GMT -5
I have the XLS 1500 too and, I agree, it is a great amp. Not sure that I've ever heard the fan even. My only issue with it is that it doesn't have a trigger. Which has prompted me to consider selling it.
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Post by frankie2075 on Aug 8, 2014 10:04:08 GMT -5
The Crowns have gotten very good reviews for the sound quality, they are a best buy, IMHO. I guess you could get both in for a demo and decide for yourself... SCT Yea that would be an idea.
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Post by frankie2075 on Aug 8, 2014 10:05:49 GMT -5
I owned an XLS-1500 for a few months, using it to drive the ERT's. The power and clarity are very impressive. Dead silent with no signal to the amp. At 10 pounds and 500+ wpc into 4ohms they are very impressive. And you can bridge the XLS into a 4ohm load no problem. Can't do that with most consumer grade amps. They do have low gain inputs, 25db IIRC. Some AVR's might have a problem driving them to full power. What is the gain thing? How does that affect? What do i look for in the avr and in the amp so i know they jive.
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Post by frankie2075 on Aug 8, 2014 10:10:36 GMT -5
I have the XLS 1500 too and, I agree, it is a great amp. Not sure that I've ever heard the fan even. My only issue with it is that it doesn't have a trigger. Which has prompted me to consider selling it. Yes i have pro amps for my subs and the fact of having to turn them on all the time is deff a pain. I like the whole trigger thing. I have to admit. XLS are much cheaper thats for sure 1000 bucks for LCR instead of 3000$ Is there away to get them to turn on when the avr turns on?
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Post by stads77 on Aug 8, 2014 10:52:46 GMT -5
Buy a good conditioner with high current switched outlets. I believe etheral and Belkin have some. I bought a rack mount Ethereal for like 80 bucks from accessories4less.com
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Post by stads77 on Aug 8, 2014 10:55:54 GMT -5
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Post by djoel on Aug 8, 2014 11:04:42 GMT -5
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Post by Boomzilla on Aug 8, 2014 11:12:56 GMT -5
I'd have to agree with garbulky on this one - The Crown is a fine amp, and opens up a bit after it warms up, but it isn't a direct competitor for Emotiva's X-series amps. In comparison, Crown's class-D amps sound a slight bit less extended in the treble. Is this a measurable difference? Probably not, but I'm not the only one who has claimed to hear it.
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Post by unsound on Aug 8, 2014 11:21:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. It seems to be saying that the high-current outlet is always on and it's the 4 digital ones that are switched. It also says that it can be controlled with a 12V trigger but it doesn't mention if that's for the entire strip or just the digital outlets. Could you please clarify? Thanks!
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Aug 8, 2014 11:34:52 GMT -5
Money is no problem. I've heard the Crowm and the XPR-1 but not the XPA-1. The Emotiva XPR-1 is by far IMHO a great value not just for headroom and power but for it's dynamics and ability to transition so easily from one end of the spectrum to the other. To me the Crown just doesn't match up but to be fair I didn't hear both amps with the same gear. I've had Emo multichannel ams as well as the I'll brother ,,,the formitable XPA-1Ls which I have since repurchased. So I'm sure the XPA-1 gen 2 is one hell of an amp. For my money the Emotiva MONOBLOCK (any of them ) is the way to go. Also, at no extra charge you get a free membership to the MONOBLOCK Society. Nick
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Post by stads77 on Aug 8, 2014 11:35:11 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. It seems to be saying that the high-current outlet is always on and it's the 4 digital ones that are switched. It also says that it can be controlled with a 12V trigger but it doesn't mention if that's for the entire strip or just the digital outlets. Could you please clarify? Thanks! Sorry the pic is wrong on their website. The four outlets on the left are always on and the four outlets (2 banks) on the right, inlcuding the high current are switched. If you go to Ethereal's website, they show an accurate rear pic of the power 1000.
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Post by stads77 on Aug 8, 2014 11:37:59 GMT -5
In regards to comparing the XLS to the X series Emotiva amps, I have had an XPA-2,3,and 5 in my setup over the past 5 years and found no advantage over my current XLS amps. I also have speakers that tend towards bright wth the wrong gear, so maybe I prefer the "slight" treble decrease (if there is any), as I have experienced a shrill top end at times in my previous Kef XQ3 setup. Also, considwering you have horn drivers, maybe the Crown will be better suited. I believe an at home trial is in order
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Post by Cogito on Aug 8, 2014 12:49:00 GMT -5
I'd have to agree with garbulky on this one - The Crown is a fine amp, and opens up a bit after it warms up, but it isn't a direct competitor for Emotiva's X-series amps. In comparison, Crown's class-D amps sound a slight bit less extended in the treble. Is this a measurable difference? Probably not, but I'm not the only one who has claimed to hear it. Devil's Advocate Question: If it's "probably not" measurable with equipment than can discern fractions of a dB, how could the difference be discernible by ears that can barely detect a difference of 1 dB, never mind the fact that human hearing is vastly less sensitive in the upper octave range?
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Post by garbulky on Aug 8, 2014 13:51:45 GMT -5
I'd have to agree with garbulky on this one - The Crown is a fine amp, and opens up a bit after it warms up, but it isn't a direct competitor for Emotiva's X-series amps. In comparison, Crown's class-D amps sound a slight bit less extended in the treble. Is this a measurable difference? Probably not, but I'm not the only one who has claimed to hear it. Devil's Advocate Question: If it's "probably not" measurable with equipment than can discern fractions of a dB, how could the difference be discernible by ears that can barely detect a difference of 1 dB, never mind the fact that human hearing is vastly less sensitive in the upper octave range? Because you're not measuring the right thing. Or intepreting the differences correctly.
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Post by Cogito on Aug 8, 2014 14:03:01 GMT -5
Devil's Advocate Question: If it's "probably not" measurable with equipment than can discern fractions of a dB, how could the difference be discernible by ears that can barely detect a difference of 1 dB, never mind the fact that human hearing is vastly less sensitive in the upper octave range? Because you're not measuring the right thing. Or intepreting the differences correctly. That's rather vague. How does one measure treble extension?
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