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Post by stanlee on May 30, 2015 9:05:27 GMT -5
What do you guys think? I'm seriously itching for a stereo amp for my 2 channel listening pleasure. Between the mac and the Emotiva. What are the advantages and disadvantages besides the obvious price difference? If you own/ed the XPR2 or the MC452, please provide feedback.
Thanks much.
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Post by qdtjni on May 30, 2015 10:12:33 GMT -5
I don't own either, I have two XPA-1 g2, which drives a pair of 804D. Admittedly, the XPR-1 has more power but the XPA-1 should be plenty to drive your 803Ds.
So maybe that could be an alternative to consider too.
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Post by audiosyndrome on May 30, 2015 10:13:08 GMT -5
I've heard the MC352 in several systems that all sounded great. And if you're into meters the MC452 would be hard to beat.
Russ
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Post by stanlee on May 30, 2015 11:58:22 GMT -5
I could care less about the meters, I'm all about the sound sound and more sound! And also dead quietness when there's no signal.
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
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Post by novisnick on May 30, 2015 12:23:05 GMT -5
I could care less about the meters, I'm all about the sound sound and more sound! And also dead quietness when there's no signal.
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Post by pedrocols on May 30, 2015 12:51:28 GMT -5
It seems to me you have an infatuation with big watt amps...
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Post by qdtjni on May 30, 2015 13:07:45 GMT -5
It seems to me you have an infatuation with big watt amps... No sh**, Sherlock!
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Post by knucklehead on May 30, 2015 13:08:04 GMT -5
It seems to me you have an infatuation with big watt amps... Nothing unusual around here eh? As far as meters go I love watching the meters on the Onkyo/Integra amp dance to the tunes I feed it - late at night when I turn things up to '11'. Doesn't hurt that it also does a very nice job of amplifying - its what amps do! I've always loved listening to music in the dark.
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Lsc
Emo VIPs
Posts: 3,352
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Post by Lsc on May 30, 2015 13:28:17 GMT -5
Perhaps he does have an infatuation with big watt amps and that's a good thing . Also, Emotiva is a viable alternative to spending the mega dinero on Mcintosh amps. I do think that the Mcintosh may be the right path though given his up and down experience with the XPR-5. The MC452 is the amp that the dealer used when I auditioned my F208 an it was phenomenal. If I was wealthier, I would have bought that amp. I like everything about it from the meters to the build quality to the binding posts. As I said previously, the F208 in my house never sounded close to what I heard at the dealer until I got the XMC-1. The XPR-2 further improved things but is it better than the mighty Mcintosh? Maybe yes maybe no...I have no idea except that the XPR-2 fit my budget well and sound fantastic. But there is that hiss! MC452 is fully balanced....if you can get a good deal...
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Post by stanlee on May 30, 2015 17:39:22 GMT -5
It seems to me you have an infatuation with big watt amps... Is 450 WPC considered big?
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Post by pedrocols on May 30, 2015 17:53:15 GMT -5
It seems to me you have an infatuation with big watt amps... Is 450 WPC considered big? Yes. There is a member here that drives his B&W 804s with a whopping 35wpc amp and to say he is extremely happy is an understatement!
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Post by stanlee on May 30, 2015 17:55:16 GMT -5
Perhaps he does have an infatuation with big watt amps and that's a good thing . Also, Emotiva is a viable alternative to spending the mega dinero on Mcintosh amps. I do think that the Mcintosh may be the right path though given his up and down experience with the XPR-5. The MC452 is the amp that the dealer used when I auditioned my F208 an it was phenomenal. If I was wealthier, I would have bought that amp. I like everything about it from the meters to the build quality to the binding posts. As I said previously, the F208 in my house never sounded close to what I heard at the dealer until I got the XMC-1. The XPR-2 further improved things but is it better than the mighty Mcintosh? Maybe yes maybe no...I have no idea except that the XPR-2 fit my budget well and sound fantastic. But there is that hiss! MC452 is fully balanced....if you can get a good deal... Thanks Isc. Knowing that the XPR 2 hisses as well helps narrow my decision. Also not having to worry about 20amp lines puts my OCD at ease. Yes the mac is a thing of beauty and knowing that it'll last a lifetime is probably why people are willing to pay that premium tag. Their warranty service is legendary as well from what I've heard. Speaking of being "fully balanced" what does it mean from an audio/sound perspective? I've heard of the term before but never quite understood what it does....are the XPR's fully balanced?
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Post by stanlee on May 30, 2015 18:15:04 GMT -5
Is 450 WPC considered big? Yes. There is a member here that drives his B&W 804s with a whopping 35wpc amp and to say he is extremely happy is an understatement! LOL than either the mac or the XPR 2 would be perfect!!! Which amp is your friend using? When my 804s were my mains, I powered them with a 225wpc anthem integrated, they simply came to life and screamed hallelujah. Before that, I was using a lesser wattage (140wpc I believe) denon and it was sad. Really sad.
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Post by Boomzilla on May 30, 2015 19:46:49 GMT -5
I've owned the MC352 and the XPR-2. I preferred the Mac. That said, the XPR-2 was no slouch at all!
If the Mac dealer will give you a home audition, order the XPR-2 and compare directly. If not, order the XPR-2 and have it delivered to the Mac dealer's. Then do the comparison there.
No matter what you choose, unless you hear them side-by-side, you'll always wonder...
Happy shopping!
Boom
PS: Both of these amps are HEAVY! You'll need a strong pair of backs to move them. It is NOT a one man job (unless you're 20 years old & a football lineman). Also, very important, remember proper lifting technique - Keep the load close to your torso, keep your back straight, bend from the knees, and don't do any twisting with the load. I learned the hard way! LOL
PPS: My XPR-2 never hissed.
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Post by deltadube on May 30, 2015 20:58:08 GMT -5
What do you guys think? I'm seriously itching for a stereo amp for my 2 channel listening pleasure. Between the mac and the Emotiva. What are the advantages and disadvantages besides the obvious price difference? If you own/ed the XPR2 or the MC452, please provide feedback. Thanks much. I recommend joining the mono block society,,, skipping the stereo amps and jumping up to the big dog mono blocks.... fully balance quad differential mono blocks eh in theory the silence you seek!!!! cheers..
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Post by stanlee on May 30, 2015 22:55:05 GMT -5
What do you guys think? I'm seriously itching for a stereo amp for my 2 channel listening pleasure. Between the mac and the Emotiva. What are the advantages and disadvantages besides the obvious price difference? If you own/ed the XPR2 or the MC452, please provide feedback. Thanks much. I recommend joining the mono block society,,, skipping the stereo amps and jumping up to the big dog mono blocks.... fully balance quad differential mono blocks eh in theory the silence you seek!!!! cheers.. What kind of monos do you use? I would love monos but space limitations and power requirements (20amp) would be an issue especially with the XPR 1's. I like to keep my system neat and tidy. If I get monos, there'll be a total of 3 Amps including the XPR 5 next to my main left speaker stacked high.
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Post by stanlee on May 30, 2015 22:58:07 GMT -5
I've owned the MC352 and the XPR-2. I preferred the Mac. That said, the XPR-2 was no slouch at all! If the Mac dealer will give you a home audition, order the XPR-2 and compare directly. If not, order the XPR-2 and have it delivered to the Mac dealer's. Then do the comparison there. No matter what you choose, unless you hear them side-by-side, you'll always wonder... Happy shopping! Boom PS: Both of these amps are HEAVY! You'll need a strong pair of backs to move them. It is NOT a one man job (unless you're 20 years old & a football lineman). Also, very important, remember proper lifting technique - Keep the load close to your torso, keep your back straight, bend from the knees, and don't do any twisting with the load. I learned the hard way! LOL PPS: My XPR-2 never hissed. Thanks for the safety advice Boom. Thank goodness I have my handy guy available for tasks just like this......so why did you prefer the MC352 over the XPR 2's?
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,235
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Post by novisnick on May 30, 2015 23:24:39 GMT -5
I recommend joining the mono block society,,, skipping the stereo amps and jumping up to the big dog mono blocks.... fully balance quad differential mono blocks eh in theory the silence you seek!!!! cheers.. What kind of monos do you use? I would love monos but space limitations and power requirements (20amp) would be an issue especially with the XPR 1's. I like to keep my system neat and tidy. If I get monos, there'll be a total of 3 Amps including the XPR 5 next to my main left speaker stacked high. You mean you don't want something that looks this bad? Right???
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Post by stanlee on May 31, 2015 0:45:54 GMT -5
Yup! Is that a set up in a church or something?
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Post by stanlee on May 31, 2015 0:48:24 GMT -5
Plus are most monoblocks true monos or are they just a bridged version of a stereo amp?
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