novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Sept 14, 2014 0:06:52 GMT -5
I would love a dedicated stereo preamp...No HT bypass or tone controls or crossover stuff... Well, for now you can use the XSP-1 and don't mess with anything but the two channel! Sounds great to me! also, producing such a specific product with a very limited market would drive the price point up, simple economics of supply and demand. You my friend have just got my two cents worth of advice! I pray that I haven't cheated you by charging so much!!,,,he,,,,he,,,,  |
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Post by deltadube on Sept 14, 2014 0:35:43 GMT -5
I would love a dedicated stereo preamp...No HT bypass or tone controls or crossover stuff...When I had the USP-1 I could definitely hear a difference running my speakers at full range and running them using the HT bypass input crossed at 50hz. maybe its the cables  cheers |
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Post by kauai82 on Sept 14, 2014 9:55:15 GMT -5
OP, congrats on your XSP-1, it is a fine preamp. I too have one and really enjoy it. Honestly though, you heard instruments thru your XSP-1 that can't be heard thru a USP-1 or PRE-1? Really? Yes especially on the phono stage. I have an old Poco album that has Heart of The Night cut on it. I have owned this particular LP since it was new (over 35 years ) and have played the song many times. I never had heard that there was a mandolin in the back ground playing softly at the end of the song before hearing it on the XSP -1. Also on some Steely Dan tracks both phono and ALAC and FLAC I could pick out the individual instruments easier. Most enjoyable. Both the USP -1 and Pre-1 are great preamps it just seems that XSP -1 brings out the finer details of the music better. At least that is my experience. Matt |
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Sept 14, 2014 10:02:41 GMT -5
OP, congrats on your XSP-1, it is a fine preamp. I too have one and really enjoy it. Honestly though, you heard instruments thru your XSP-1 that can't be heard thru a USP-1 or PRE-1? Really? Yes especially on the phono stage. I have an old Poco album that has Heart of The Night cut on it. I have owned this particular LP since it was new (over 35 years ) and have played the song many times. I never had heard that there was a mandolin in the back ground playing softly at the end of the song before hearing it on the XSP -1. Also on some Steely Dan tracks both phono and ALAC and FLAC I could pick out the individual instruments easier. Most enjoyable. Both the USP -1 and Pre-1 are great preamps it just seems that XSP -1 brings out the finer details of the music better. At least that is my experience. Matt I agree with you Matt, the XSP-1 is every bit that good! Nuff said!  |
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kse
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Post by kse on Sept 14, 2014 12:11:31 GMT -5
I don't disagree that the XSP-1 is great, but saying you can't hear certain things when being played thru a USP or PRE certainly doesn't say much for those 2 units. For the record, I do they they too are both great.
The 'hearing things I've never heard before' is a phenomenon I've never experienced. Unless we're talking about comparing a hi-fi system to a clock radio or weak car stereo.
Cheers.
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stiehl11
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Post by stiehl11 on Sept 14, 2014 12:55:59 GMT -5
If I understand Emotiva correctly, the major change between the Gen. 1 & Gen. 2 preamp was better optimization of the second generation for XLR sources. Therefore, if you're running RCA inputs / outputs, there might be NO difference between the two. Of course, there might be too, and I just don't know about it. I owned the USP-1, XSP-1 (generations 1 & 2), the UPA-1, and a Sherbourn preamp. Of the bunch, the one that impressed me the most was the second XSP-1. I still like a tube preamp better, but that's just my preference. Based on my own recollections (so they're bound to be right, LOL), the first generation XSP-1 offered 95% plus of the second generation performance. No matter how you slice it, that makes the first generation XSP-1 a real bargain! My understanding was that the difference was SMT versus THT and the result was slightly shorter signal paths. Probably less discernible than the difference between an XPA-5 and a XPA-2 amp. |
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stiehl11
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Post by stiehl11 on Sept 14, 2014 12:58:29 GMT -5
To those that have tried the USP-1 and XSP-1, do you find the XSP-1 less bright/forward? I would say cleaner and more defined. With the trim controls you can adjust the bass and treble to your liking. The volume control is more linear and not as "sensitive" at lower volumes. |
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stiehl11
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Post by stiehl11 on Sept 14, 2014 13:02:10 GMT -5
It has a 'hotter' gain, yes. Where the USP-1 benefitted greatly from the addition of 12db attenuators, the XSP does not need them. A used USP-1 and a pair of attenuators would be less costly than a used XSP-1. Better way to go? Short answer is "no". If you feel that you need the attenuation of the signal go for a different pre-amp. If those pre-amps are more expensive than a used XSP-1 Gen 1 (about $500 to $600) go for the XSP-1. If you're not listening at low volumes, you'll likely not need attenuators. |
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stiehl11
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Post by stiehl11 on Sept 14, 2014 13:22:32 GMT -5
I don't disagree that the XSP-1 is great, but saying you can't hear certain things when being played thru a USP or PRE certainly doesn't say much for those 2 units. For the record, I do they they too are both great. The 'hearing things I've never heard before' is a phenomenon I've never experienced. Unless we're talking about comparing a hi-fi system to a clock radio or weak car stereo. Cheers. While I agree that I haven't experienced a "haven't heard that before" moment in listening to the music in my collection. I can say that certain sounds have been more (or less) prevalent. And, to my ears, I've heard peoples systems that cost similar to mine sound like cheap sh!t. But, clever marketing adjectives and a high price and people just can't get enough of them. Quick story; a friend of mine asked me what I thought of "Brand X" speakers (which he owned) compared to "Brand Y". I told him that "Brand X" was a rape of the ear for anyone that listens to music. He had a hard time believing me because "Brand X" was so highly reviewed. I said, "trust me". He bought "Brand Y" and spent less than $500 on a set of L/R speakers and tried them out against "Brand X" which costs him close to $1,500 (IIRC). He said not only was I right about "Brand X" but couldn't believe that they were rated as high as they were! My point is that there are some pretty sh!tty sounding gear out there that costs more than a XSP-1 at full price but people eat it up. When they get into good gear (whether it be Emotiva, "Brand Y", or other) they are likely to "hear things they've never heard before". The best complement I was paid in college (20 years ago with the gear I had then) was that they could hear things on my system that they could only hear wearing headphones.  |
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Post by garbulky on Sept 14, 2014 14:22:29 GMT -5
I don't disagree that the XSP-1 is great, but saying you can't hear certain things when being played thru a USP or PRE certainly doesn't say much for those 2 units. For the record, I do they they too are both great. The 'hearing things I've never heard before' is a phenomenon I've never experienced. Unless we're talking about comparing a hi-fi system to a clock radio or weak car stereo. Cheers. While I agree that I haven't experienced a "haven't heard that before" moment in listening to the music in my collection. I can say that certain sounds have been more (or less) prevalent. And, to my ears, I've heard peoples systems that cost similar to mine sound like cheap sh!t. But, clever marketing adjectives and a high price and people just can't get enough of them. Quick story; a friend of mine asked me what I thought of "Brand X" speakers (which he owned) compared to "Brand Y". I told him that "Brand X" was a rape of the ear for anyone that listens to music. He had a hard time believing me because "Brand X" was so highly reviewed. I said, "trust me". He bought "Brand Y" and spent less than $500 on a set of L/R speakers and tried them out against "Brand X" which costs him close to $1,500 (IIRC). He said not only was I right about "Brand X" but couldn't believe that they were rated as high as they were! My point is that there are some pretty sh!tty sounding gear out there that costs more than a XSP-1 at full price but people eat it up. When they get into good gear (whether it be Emotiva, "Brand Y", or other) they are likely to "hear things they've never heard before". The best complement I was paid in college (20 years ago with the gear I had then) was that they could hear things on my system that they could only hear wearing headphones. Indeed. Though the axioms run from my UPA-2 aren't quite as "quick" as my sennheiser HD600's, they are a significant improvement in sound quality over them. That is one of the best compliments I can give them |
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Post by kauai82 on Sept 15, 2014 9:40:56 GMT -5
I don't disagree that the XSP-1 is great, but saying you can't hear certain things when being played thru a USP or PRE certainly doesn't say much for those 2 units. For the record, I do they they too are both great. The 'hearing things I've never heard before' is a phenomenon I've never experienced. Unless we're talking about comparing a hi-fi system to a clock radio or weak car stereo. Cheers. While I agree that I haven't experienced a "haven't heard that before" moment in listening to the music in my collection. I can say that certain sounds have been more (or less) prevalent. And, to my ears, I've heard peoples systems that cost similar to mine sound like cheap sh!t. But, clever marketing adjectives and a high price and people just can't get enough of them. Quick story; a friend of mine asked me what I thought of "Brand X" speakers (which he owned) compared to "Brand Y". I told him that "Brand X" was a rape of the ear for anyone that listens to music. He had a hard time believing me because "Brand X" was so highly reviewed. I said, "trust me". He bought "Brand Y" and spent less than $500 on a set of L/R speakers and tried them out against "Brand X" which costs him close to $1,500 (IIRC). He said not only was I right about "Brand X" but couldn't believe that they were rated as high as they were! My point is that there are some pretty sh!tty sounding gear out there that costs more than a XSP-1 at full price but people eat it up. When they get into good gear (whether it be Emotiva, "Brand Y", or other) they are likely to "hear things they've never heard before". The best complement I was paid in college (20 years ago with the gear I had then) was that they could hear things on my system that they could only hear wearing headphones. Maybe I am using the wrong terminology in my statement "things I have not heard before" in explaining what I am hearing with the XPS-1. I read the post above and hooked up my turntable to the Pre-1 and listened to the Poco "Heart of the Night" track again. The Mandolin at the end of the song can be heard on the Pre-1 but it is further back in the mix. I really had to be listening for it to notice it. It was not prevalent to me. The XPS-1 had it more detailed and prevalent for me. To me the XSP-1 was the more enjoyable way to listen to the track. Of course every one hears differently and as I near 60 years old and have had my ears professionally checked I have lost some sensitivity in the mid highs and highs in both ears. Comes from managing auto repair shops with loud tire repair machines and air tool equipment for many years. Also, I am sure that going to drag racing events didn't help either through the years. However I am blessed to have the time and some nice Emotiva gear that let's me enjoy my passion for music and audio gear in my retirement . |
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Sept 16, 2014 10:03:09 GMT -5
I don't disagree that the XSP-1 is great, but saying you can't hear certain things when being played thru a USP or PRE certainly doesn't say much for those 2 units. For the record, I do they they too are both great. The 'hearing things I've never heard before' is a phenomenon I've never experienced. Unless we're talking about comparing a hi-fi system to a clock radio or weak car stereo. Cheers. I've heard it as well!,,,, and I'm not talking about the little voices,,,he,,,he,,,, some audio is revealed on some sources with better gear, especially when I went from an AVR directly vs going through a XSP-1, adding the DC-1 revealed even more. In some recordings I've been able to hear people in the recording room ( while the tracks are being layer down ) that I've never heard before! So cool to pick up more sound ( information ) for the first time , from a source that I've heard 100 times! :-) |
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Post by monkumonku on Sept 16, 2014 10:11:17 GMT -5
I don't disagree that the XSP-1 is great, but saying you can't hear certain things when being played thru a USP or PRE certainly doesn't say much for those 2 units. For the record, I do they they too are both great. The 'hearing things I've never heard before' is a phenomenon I've never experienced. Unless we're talking about comparing a hi-fi system to a clock radio or weak car stereo. Cheers. I've heard it as well!,,,, and I'm not talking about the little voices,,,he,,,he,,,, some audio is revealed on some sources with better gear, especially when I went from an AVR directly vs going through a XSP-1, adding the DC-1 revealed even more. In some recordings I've been able to hear people in the recording room ( while the tracks are being layer down ) that I've never heard before! So cool to pick up more sound ( information ) for the first time , from a source that I've heard 100 times! :-) Did you actually go back and listen to the original equipment from which you said you never heard those things to see if that was really the case? I think the thrill of getting new equipment makes our mind play tricks on us. I find it hard to believe that quality gear such as a USP-1 would not pick up things in a recording that an XSP-1 would. The limitation would be the speakers, or else some really weak link in the chain, not the processor. I'd be surprised if you compared the two at the same volume level and everything else constant in the chain except for the processor, and that you would still be able to hear people in the recording room from one processor and not the other. You can't go from memory with things like that, you have to test it in real time. |
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kse
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Post by kse on Sept 16, 2014 10:17:02 GMT -5
And an XSP-3 will sound better than an XSP-2, and an XSP-4 will sound better than an XSP-3......
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Post by bub on Sept 16, 2014 10:33:55 GMT -5
Ad infinitum....
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Post by garbulky on Sept 16, 2014 10:56:52 GMT -5
I'm waiting on the Emotiva Omega series. Then I can stop searching.
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Sept 16, 2014 13:02:12 GMT -5
I've heard it as well!,,,, and I'm not talking about the little voices,,,he,,,he,,,, some audio is revealed on some sources with better gear, especially when I went from an AVR directly vs going through a XSP-1, adding the DC-1 revealed even more. In some recordings I've been able to hear people in the recording room ( while the tracks are being layer down ) that I've never heard before! So cool to pick up more sound ( information ) for the first time , from a source that I've heard 100 times! :-) Did you actually go back and listen to the original equipment from which you said you never heard those things to see if that was really the case? I think the thrill of getting new equipment makes our mind play tricks on us. I find it hard to believe that quality gear such as a USP-1 would not pick up things in a recording that an XSP-1 would. The limitation would be the speakers, or else some really weak link in the chain, not the processor. I'd be surprised if you compared the two at the same volume level and everything else constant in the chain except for the processor, and that you would still be able to hear people in the recording room from one processor and not the other. You can't go from memory with things like that, you have to test it in real time. .yes! I have done my due diligence in making sure my imagination was/is not at work. So prevalent was/is the sound that on many occasion I've turned to answer/acknowledge the added sound/voices coming from the speakers. Personal note: I don't drink or do drugs, saved you that question in advance. Nick |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Sept 16, 2014 16:38:12 GMT -5
Personal note: I don't drink or do drugs ... Well, so, I think we found the problem ...  Seriously though, it's probably time that we graduate you from 'Novice' to 'Apprentice'. I think there's a different colored belt or something that you get, maybe you can look it up in the Bylaws of the Monoblock society. You might also have to start following HairNick around the shop and begin working on your pompadour. Congratulations on the promotion. |
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Sept 16, 2014 17:55:41 GMT -5
Personal note: I don't drink or do drugs ... Well, so, I think we found the problem ... Seriously though, it's probably time that we graduate you from 'Novice' to 'Apprentice'. I think there's a different colored belt or something that you get, maybe you can look it up in the Bylaws of the Monoblock society. You might also have to start following HairNick around the shop and begin working on your pompadour. Congratulations on the promotion. Thank you Obi One, Thanks for a great belly laugh my friend! :-). Just a note, without a hat, which I don't ware, my hair is pretty much all that!,,,he,,,,he,,,,he,,,, still have it all and no grey the last time I checked! Pretty good for a guy my age! :-). I rarely check, that's the Mrs department! You nombor one grasshooperson! |
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