Considering adding an XPA-3 to my system

[bodomreaper]

Hello everyone, I was hoping to hear back from people who own this amp especially those with similar setups to what I am about to describe.

Fronts: Bowers and Wilkins CM10's
Center: CMCentre 2
Receiver: Denon X4000
Power Filter: Panamax M5400

I am on my 3rd Denon X4000, I keep having to get it replaced because one of the bi-amp channels keeps blowing out, I have triple checked and rewired my whole system numerous times to make sure I was not causing a short or anything like that. I believe the speakers I am running especially for stereo listening are just too demanding for this receiver to handle. I am hoping to alleviate this problem by adding an XPA-3 my only concern is that I typically don't order anything without being able to hear it. I love the slightly warm tone of my denon and my speakers, I guess my main question is do you think I am going overboard adding this for just three speakers or do you think it would be a significant difference over what I have now?

[mshump]

I am running the XPA-3 gen1 for my magnepan 1.7's and MMGC. Plenty of power. The warm tone should still come from the Denon pre side. I had a decent Onkyo receiver and when I hooked up the XPA-3 the sound was fuller and more robust. Remember you do have a 30 day trial.

IMHO you will be pleasantry surprised.

[asharris7]

Jan 29, 2015 17:59:19 GMT -5 bodomreaper said:

Hello everyone, I was hoping to hear back from people who own this amp especially those with similar setups to what I am about to describe.

Fronts: Bowers and Wilkins CM10's
Center: CMCentre 2
Receiver: Denon X4000
Power Filter: Panamax M5400

I am on my 3rd Denon X4000, I keep having to get it replaced because one of the bi-amp channels keeps blowing out, I have triple checked and rewired my whole system numerous times to make sure I was not causing a short or anything like that. I believe the speakers I am running especially for stereo listening are just too demanding for this receiver to handle. I am hoping to alleviate this problem by adding an XPA-3 my only concern is that I typically don't order anything without being able to hear it. I love the slightly warm tone of my denon and my speakers, I guess my main question is do you think I am going overboard adding this for just three speakers or do you think it would be a significant difference over what I have now?

Uh...don't know if you know this, but CM10'S are hard to drive. It blows because your X4000 is struggling mightily. Please do your speakers right, get a 5 channel amp that pops 200wpc

[jlafrenz]

The XPA-3 would be a nice addition. If you can spring for the XPA-5 go for it and you will be set. The amps are quite neutral and will let your other components shine.

[shepdog]

I was in the same boat. I have a pair of Thiel 1.6's that are rated at 4ohms but dip into the 3ohm range often. I was using a old Sony 50daes receiver. I never turned it up very loud because the receiver was getting extremely hot.

I added the xpa3 and it was like turning on a light. The sound no longer seemed compressed and small. The bass suddenly had a attack or bit to it. Not sure how to describe it.

I would say with the xpa the overall sound is just clearer and transparent with a wide soundstage and feeling of limitless power.

The Thiels are very revealing and I've debated using a tube preamp but so far, I'm happy with my current setup. (A Yamaha a840 has replaced the Sony as my preamp.)

[smarties]

I don't have a XPA3, however I do have another brand (ATI) 3 channel poweramp, the 2003. I bought that first as my fronts are 4ohm, and I believe B&W do dip down low too.

I would recommend it. Then using your AVR for the remaining channels. I bought the matching 2004 for side & rears as I have a pre, not a AVR. But you could look at a lower range multi-channel amp later for side/rears if you go pre-power, ie a Outlaw 5 channel 5000 series.

[vneal]

I have a brother in law with CM10s who runs the XPA 3 up front. It sounds fine

I like the sound of my CM10s better with my McIntosh amp but rooms vary so much hard to make a call on which amp sounds better

Personally I think the Emotiva combo will blow away the Denon

I am thinking about Emotiva monos(if they ever upgrade them) for my front channels

[wilburthegoose]

bodomreaper - Gen 2 or Gen 3?