Darek
Minor Hero
Posts: 58
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Post by Darek on Jul 18, 2015 10:50:19 GMT -5
For several months I have XPA-2 and this is my best amp I've had so far. All the time I think about XPA-1L. I have a question for those of you who have had both amps. Are the differences in sound quality are really audible?
Thank you for your advice and suggestions.
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Post by teaman on Jul 18, 2015 11:19:48 GMT -5
Hey Darek, I have never owned the XPA-1L's but I do have a pair of UPA-1's which I believe are similar. My XPA-2's definitely outperform the UPA-1's in volume/gain/detail and soundstage. I am not in any way knocking the mono block amps as I believe the individual circuitry may improve separation, noise and distortion but to me the XPA-2 sounds better. I have A/B'd these amps and in all aspects the stereo amp comes out on top. I actually prefer the Gen 1 XPA-2 to the Gen 2 as well. Not sure what it is but it sounds a little better.
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Post by garbulky on Jul 18, 2015 11:22:53 GMT -5
teaman this is a very interesting observation. When I auditioned the XPA-2 (gen 1) I felt that it was a heck of an nice performer compared to my UPA-2 (which I also like). I felt it outperformed it. I didn't get a chance to extensively audition the UPA-1 but it felt very similar in sound signature to the UPA-2. My current budget allows me to go with two UPA-1's or one XPA-2 for an upgrade. Please tell me your impressions - feel free to get as subjective as you like - of how the XPA-2 compares with the UPA-1. And also the sound difference betwween the gen 2 and the gen 1. Thanks.
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Post by teaman on Jul 18, 2015 11:49:15 GMT -5
Hey garbulky, I previously owned the UPA-2 and I too enjoyed what it brought to the table. When I went to the UPA-1's I noticed a bit of a bump in both output and detail. But every time I have A-B the XPA-2 to the pair of UPA-1's the XPA-2 comes out on top. I have not taken measurements so it may be simply personal preference but to me it just sounds more detailed, more open and louder. Even through my highly efficient Infinity and Klipsch speakers the output seems a bit suppressed in the mono blocks. Also, the XPA-2 Gen 1 sounds a bit of a bump in output over the Gen 2. This may be a direct result of a 31 or 32 db gain in Gen 1 over the 29db of Gen 2. Whatever it is I really like it.
On the other hand, the UPA-1's hands down blow away my pair of Outlaw Audio M2200 mono blocks so...
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Post by garbulky on Jul 18, 2015 11:57:48 GMT -5
Good to know! Thank you very much teaman |
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Darek
Minor Hero
Posts: 58
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Post by Darek on Jul 18, 2015 14:22:19 GMT -5
Thank you for your attention, but I do not see even compare my XPA-2 Gen2 with XPA-1L...
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Post by Gary Cook on Jul 18, 2015 14:48:06 GMT -5
I went from an XPA-2 / XPA-3 combo to an XPA-5 with no noticeable difference for 2.1 stereo music or 5.1 movies. More recently I've added a pair of XPA-1L's and again not much difference for 5.1 movies. But for 2.1 stereo music there is a noticeable improvement, depth of sound stage, individual instrument clarity, with a tiny bit more impact. Sax, violins, right hand piano and the female voice sound especially good in Class A. Obviously this is my room, my ears and my speakers.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by teaman on Jul 18, 2015 15:06:45 GMT -5
Thank you for your attention, but I do not see even compare my XPA-2 Gen2 with XPA-1L... What are you looking for as far as answers Darek? The THD seems a little lower on the mono amps (to be expected since the power supplies are separate), power is greater on the stereo amp. Sound is similar with these two amps outside of a little difference in soundstage depth. Is there something in particular you want to know about? |
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FLcanuck
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Kind of Blue ....EMO Blue!
Posts: 362
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Post by FLcanuck on Jul 18, 2015 20:37:54 GMT -5
teaman this is a very interesting observation. When I auditioned the XPA-2 (gen 1) I felt that it was a heck of an nice performer compared to my UPA-2 (which I also like). I felt it outperformed it. I didn't get a chance to extensively audition the UPA-1 but it felt very similar in sound signature to the UPA-2. My current budget allows me to go with two UPA-1's or one XPA-2 for an upgrade. Please tell me your impressions - feel free to get as subjective as you like - of how the XPA-2 compares with the UPA-1. And also the sound difference betwween the gen 2 and the gen 1. Thanks. Not trying to hijack this thread, but... garbulky, I concur with teaman. I have an XPA-2 (Gen 1) and a pair of UPA-1s, and the XPA-2 would be my choice. It's simply more dynamic than the UPA-1s - it's punchier and seems to pull more detail out of the material (how's that for subjective) - I tend to like more detail/a more analytical sound (I like the Oppo "sound" for example). However, if you're looking for a smoother/warmer sound, then the UPA-1s would be the ones to go for. It just depends on how you like your music and/or which may be a better fit for your speakers/system. It's not a night and day difference, but it's there when I've compared them in the same system (more subjective impressions). If I could only have one or the other, the XPA-2 would stay (now that's objective). ...so back to the OP... darek...It might help if you told us what speakers and equipment you have. For example, if you have efficient speakers, then the XPA-1Ls might be a nice choice since you'd be able to utilize the Class A power of the XPA-1Ls more often and perhaps hear a sonic difference/improvement. How loud do you typically listen? Is it a music only system - see Gary Cook's insightful comments? ...lots of variables in play to consider when making your decision. |
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Darek
Minor Hero
Posts: 58
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Post by Darek on Jul 21, 2015 12:17:18 GMT -5
I just ordered a pair of XPA-1L. :-)
Last Post showed me the way. My speakers are efficient, 92dB, Tannoy Sixes 615. I do not need high gain, so I keep certainly Class A and I will have all of its advantages. And warmer in the apartment by the way :-)))))
Thanks for your suggestions and advice.
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Post by teaman on Jul 21, 2015 12:23:35 GMT -5
Congrats on your amp purchase Darek.....enjoy them!
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Darek
Minor Hero
Posts: 58
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Post by Darek on Jul 21, 2015 12:28:37 GMT -5
Should be better, I hope....
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Post by wizardofoz on Jul 21, 2015 13:28:38 GMT -5
A upa-1 is a single xpa3/5 amp module as a monoblock, and nothing even close to an xpa-1L at all or for that matter or an xpa-2 single channel. The xpa-1L is a very different beast from an xpa-2 channel too.
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Post by boomzilla on Jul 21, 2015 15:33:54 GMT -5
I've owned two XPA-2, generation one amps and one XPA-2, generation two amp. I currently own two XPA-1L, generation one amplifiers.
My opinion - not enough difference to bother with. I know that this is heresy to some on the board, but I believe what I say. If I had to pick a single Emotiva product that I thought was the best value for the dollars spent, it would be the XPA-2. If I had to pick a single Emotiva product that I thought was their best sounding, regardless of cost, it would be a tighter race, but the XPA-2 would definitely be a contender.
You can buy more power - you can buy more audiophile bragging rights, but I don't think you can buy a better amp than the XPA-2.
So if I think so much of them, why do I have the 1Ls? I hadn't tried Emotiva's mono block amps and I wanted to. They are every bit as good as the XPA-2, but I honestly don't think they're better. Some say that they like the Class-A sound of the 1Ls, but I honestly prefer the sound in A/B mode.
I've listened to a number of speakers without changing my amplifier preferences too much, so that speaks highly of the amps.
If you've got the XPA-2, bought & paid for, then unless you buy the least efficient speakers in the world, I think you should keep what you're got. I know that Emotiva might not like to hear this (they want to sell amps), but if I had it to do all over again, I'd probably still be living with my XPA-2.
Cheers - Boom
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Post by monkumonku on Jul 21, 2015 15:48:46 GMT -5
I've owned two XPA-2, generation one amps and one XPA-2, generation two amp. I currently own two XPA-1L, generation one amplifiers. My opinion - not enough difference to bother with. I know that this is heresy to some on the board, but I believe what I say. If I had to pick a single Emotiva product that I thought was the best value for the dollars spent, it would be the XPA-2. If I had to pick a single Emotiva product that I thought was their best sounding, regardless of cost, it would be a tighter race, but the XPA-2 would definitely be a contender. You can buy more power - you can buy more audiophile bragging rights, but I don't think you can buy a better amp than the XPA-2. So if I think so much of them, why do I have the 1Ls? I hadn't tried Emotiva's mono block amps and I wanted to. They are every bit as good as the XPA-2, but I honestly don't think they're better. Some say that they like the Class-A sound of the 1Ls, but I honestly prefer the sound in A/B mode. I've listened to a number of speakers without changing my amplifier preferences too much, so that speaks highly of the amps. If you've got the XPA-2, bought & paid for, then unless you buy the least efficient speakers in the world, I think you should keep what you're got. I know that Emotiva might not like to hear this (they want to sell amps), but if I had it to do all over again, I'd probably still be living with my XPA-2. Cheers - Boom I've had various Emo amps - in fact, it was an ad I saw for an XPA-3 for $499 that got me started as an Emo fanboy. Since that time I've had a UPA-2, XPA-2 gen 1, pair of gen 1 XPA-1's, an XPA-5 and just recently got a gen 2 XPA-2. While I have not compared them side by side, when operated within their spec range I don't think I could tell one from the other in a blind test. They all have the same sound character, which is to say they sound neutral to me. Obviously something like an XPA-1 will have more headroom but all of the XPA's have more power than I need. The UPA-2 probably did too, but I used that strictly for surround use. The amp I haven't heard, except at the Newport Beach show when Emo had a room there, is the XPA-1L. I wavered between a pair of those and the gen 2 XPA-2 before finally deciding on the XPA-2. I just didn't have the right space in my rack to accommodate the heat generation of the XPA-1L's. The XPA-2 is an excellent amp and I'm very happy with it as I've been with all the Emo amps. Regarding a comparison between the XPA-1L's and the XPA-2: People talk about the advantage of Class A. But can you really hear it? If you could really hear it then you ought to be able to tell when the amp switched from class A to class A/B mode, shouldn't you? If you can't tell, then that must mean there is no audible difference between the two modes. Some folks say they prefer A/B to A anyway. If that is the case then an XPA-2 might be a better choice since it puts out more watts. The supposed advantage of monoblocks not having crosstalk is minimized with the XPA-2 as well, with pro reviews stating that the crosstalk measurements were excellent. I doubt anyone would be able to distinguish one from the other by listening. Anyway the purpose of this isn't to provide something for the Monoblock society to throw darts at during their next meeting but just to say that you buy an Emo amp of any model, you get an excellent product. And my opinion is you're not going to really hear any real difference between them as long as they aren't overdriven. |
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Post by frenchyfranky on Jul 22, 2015 10:14:03 GMT -5
Darek, I'm waiting for your thoughts about the sonic difference between the two. Enjoy your new toys. And don't worry about the dissipated heat from the XPA-1L in class A operation, owners reported less heating than they expected, this amp is not a winter heating device like an older Pass Aleph or Threshold 30 years old class A power amp.  |
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Post by leonski on Jul 28, 2015 1:10:19 GMT -5
I'm going with Boom on this. I think he hit the nail on the head.
As an aside, I'll BET that unless you have low sensitivity speakers in an absolute CAVERN you use a LOT less power than you think you do.
Even my maybe 85 db panels which are VERY awful as far as sensitivity never use maybe more than about 15 to 20 watts continuous per speaker. That's possibly 200 watt peaks. And that is LOUD.
When I re-amped last year, the 1L was on my short list. X4. But the extra costs associated with running ANOTHER 20 amp line to my stereo plus the fact that I have NO room in the 100 amp service box
made up my mind for me to go with a pair of stereo amps.
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