Pondering new amp

[Deleted]

Hey guys, I'm thinking about getting a new amp or amps for my front speakers... I had an xpr2 that I thought was too much power for my high efficiency jtr speakers but now am missing the smooth almost mellow midrange that I enjoyed with that piece of gear. I find my mps2 very forward almost ear piercing at times through the midrange... I've taken and cut some of the frequencies in the mids and it's better but not the same (I have rew and usb mic), I'm not going to spend the kind of cash for another xpr and I'm trying to hold out for dirac to see if it helps, but I'm looking for ideas in the meantime.
Thanks,
Ivor

[jlafrenz]

Do you find that all sources are forward?

Something like a tube buffer may be worth looking into as it is a simple addition for little money and lets you use your current amplifier.

[Deleted]

Yes all sources are the same, it was something noticed on my old Polk speakers as well when I switched to the xpr amp.I just miss that buttery smoothness....

[dally]

XPA-1ls are on sale for a pretty decent price.

[audiobill]

Try tubes for great mids.....

[garbulky]

Get these and see if that helps. It warms up the sound slightly reducing treble bite. Overall giving a (slight) analog feel with a warmth to it. Attach them to the end of the pre-amp (and not to the RCA jack on the end of the amp).
www.parts-express.com/harrison-labs-12-db-rca-line-level-audio-attenuator-pair--266-244?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla

[Deleted]

Nov 19, 2014 16:18:09 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Get these and see if that helps. It warms up the sound slightly reducing treble bite. Overall giving a (slight) analog feel with a warmth to it. Attach them to the end of the pre-amp (and not to the RCA jack on the end of the amp).
www.parts-express.com/harrison-labs-12-db-rca-line-level-audio-attenuator-pair--266-244?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla

www.parts-express.com/in-line-xlr-attenuator-pad-10db--240-412

Are these the same thing? I like to take advantage of the xlr connections on my gear....
I thought I remembered you saying something about the xpr amps sounding like the original upa series? Do you think some upa 1's might be what I'm looking for?

[moko]

edit : oops. nevermind.

[garbulky]

Nov 19, 2014 16:52:39 GMT -5 fattykidd said:

Nov 19, 2014 16:18:09 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Get these and see if that helps. It warms up the sound slightly reducing treble bite. Overall giving a (slight) analog feel with a warmth to it. Attach them to the end of the pre-amp (and not to the RCA jack on the end of the amp).
www.parts-express.com/harrison-labs-12-db-rca-line-level-audio-attenuator-pair--266-244?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla

www.parts-express.com/in-line-xlr-attenuator-pad-10db--240-412

Are these the same thing? I like to take advantage of the xlr connections on my gear....
I thought I remembered you saying something about the xpr amps sounding like the original upa series? Do you think some upa 1's might be what I'm looking for?

I haven't heard the XLR version but I imagine it will do a similar function.
I have heard the UPA-1 and UPA-2. I own the UPA-2. The XPR-2 does indeed sound like it. However....it's not the same thing. It just shares a similar sound signature. Hard to explain the difference. But if the UPA-1 or two was made into a reference amp, that would pretty much be the sound signature of the XPR
So the XPR is better but shares some similarities. So, I can't guarantee you that you'll enjoy the same butteriness and 3d body that the XPR amps were able to conjure up with the old UPA series.

[Deleted]

Thanks garbulky.

[creimes]

Nov 19, 2014 16:52:39 GMT -5 fattykidd said:

Nov 19, 2014 16:18:09 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Get these and see if that helps. It warms up the sound slightly reducing treble bite. Overall giving a (slight) analog feel with a warmth to it. Attach them to the end of the pre-amp (and not to the RCA jack on the end of the amp).
www.parts-express.com/harrison-labs-12-db-rca-line-level-audio-attenuator-pair--266-244?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla

www.parts-express.com/in-line-xlr-attenuator-pad-10db--240-412

Are these the same thing? I like to take advantage of the xlr connections on my gear....
I thought I remembered you saying something about the xpr amps sounding like the original upa series? Do you think some upa 1's might be what I'm looking for?

Like these

www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649152801-fs-emotiva-upa1-pair-monoblocks/

[Deleted]

Yeah Chad those are the ones I was looking at. ...