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Post by dazza on Jul 30, 2015 13:12:24 GMT -5
I'd be grateful for anyone's inputs (subjective or otherwise) on the following amplifiers, SA-250, XPA-2 and a pair of XPA1-l's. Before any asks the XPR-1 are outta my budget, likewise the XPA-1's.
Currently I have a 5.1 system, but want to go 7.1 and power my fronts separately for dedicated 2 channel listening. My mains are a pair of Legacy Focus' so very efficient. Pre amp is obviously the XMC-1.
Here's the rub, I want to purchase now whilst taking advantage of the summer sale. Yes I know leaving it to the last minute.
Thanks in advance.....
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Post by teaman on Jul 30, 2015 13:20:43 GMT -5
Hey dazza, I don't think you can go wrong with any of those choices. If you are looking at running the mains with this new amp, probably best to go the mono block XPA-1L route. I don't have any experience with the SA-250 but it specs out as a great amp. I own four of the XPA-2's and I cannot imagine anyone needing more. Happy shopping!
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Post by monkumonku on Jul 30, 2015 13:24:32 GMT -5
I'd be grateful for anyone's inputs (subjective or otherwise) on the following amplifiers, SA-250, XPA-2 and a pair of XPA1-l's. Before any asks the XPR-1 are outta my budget, likewise the XPA-1's. Currently I have a 5.1 system, but want to go 7.1 and power my fronts separately for dedicated 2 channel listening. My mains are a pair of Legacy Focus' so very efficient. Pre amp is obviously the XMC-1. Here's the rub, I want to purchase now whilst taking advantage of the summer sale. Yes I know leaving it to the last minute. Thanks in advance..... If your speakers are efficient then I say just get the least expensive option which I believe is the XPA-2. I just purchased one and am very happy with it. I doubt that you will hear any difference between these three amps that you could readily identify when comparing them blind. |
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Post by creimes on Jul 30, 2015 13:35:18 GMT -5
Even though I have heard little difference between any of the XPA amps my vote is the 1L's, those are very nice speakers and are deserving of these amps  Happy Shopping, Chad |
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Post by jhob on Jul 30, 2015 13:35:39 GMT -5
I'd be grateful for anyone's inputs (subjective or otherwise) on the following amplifiers, SA-250, XPA-2 and a pair of XPA1-l's. Before any asks the XPR-1 are outta my budget, likewise the XPA-1's. Currently I have a 5.1 system, but want to go 7.1 and power my fronts separately for dedicated 2 channel listening. My mains are a pair of Legacy Focus' so very efficient. Pre amp is obviously the XMC-1. Here's the rub, I want to purchase now whilst taking advantage of the summer sale. Yes I know leaving it to the last minute. Thanks in advance..... I was recently in this same quandary - and I ultimately decided it probably wasn't worth the extra money for the 1L's or SA-250 (but this amp is still calling my name!). I have the XPA-2 now, and I think its great. I definitely don't think you could go wrong with this amp. Plus, it's meter lights are really fun to watch in a dark room, while listening to two channel music. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jul 30, 2015 14:30:27 GMT -5
+1 for the XPA-2
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Post by garbulky on Jul 30, 2015 14:35:56 GMT -5
I'm going to start a thread soon on a similar topic.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jul 30, 2015 16:10:06 GMT -5
I've had an XPA-2 (used together with an XPA-3 and I still have an XPA-5) and I have a definite preference, when listening to stereo 2.1 music, for a pair of XPA-1L's. The sound quality improvement from the XPA-1L's is very noticeable, subtle, but noticeable. For 5.1 movies I can't say as there is much difference. I have taken the monoblock advantage and the XPA-1L's are located close to their respective speaker, i.e. very short speaker cables and 5 metre interconnects. Whereas with the XPA-2/3/5 it was long speaker cables and short interconnects.
As commented many times, the XPA-1L is at the pinnacle of the value for money / sound quality equation in the Emotiva monoblock range, plus of course Nick will sign you up for society membership.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by garbulky on Jul 30, 2015 17:16:02 GMT -5
I've had an XPA-2 (used together with an XPA-3 and I still have an XPA-5) and I have a definite preference, when listening to stereo 2.1 music, for a pair of XPA-1L's. The sound quality improvement from the XPA-1L's is very noticeable, subtle, but noticeable. For 5.1 movies I can't say as there is much difference. I have taken the monoblock advantage and the XPA-1L's are located close to their respective speaker, i.e. very short speaker cables and 5 metre interconnects. Whereas with the XPA-2/3/5 it was long speaker cables and short interconnects. As commented many times, the XPA-1L is at the pinnacle of the value for money / sound quality equation in the Emotiva monoblock range, plus of course Nick will sign you up for society membership. Cheers Gary Do you find the amount of "punch" or bass control/extension is as good with the XPA-1 L's versus the XPA-2? |
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Post by dazza on Jul 30, 2015 17:38:13 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies, some food for thought. I'm surprised there's no acknowledgements for the SA-250.
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Post by wilburthegoose on Jul 30, 2015 18:36:58 GMT -5
I purchased an SA-250, but it was defective. Went into protection mode every time I went above -25db on my XMC-1
Shipped it back and got a refund. Went with another product that is working great.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jul 30, 2015 22:16:35 GMT -5
I've had an XPA-2 (used together with an XPA-3 and I still have an XPA-5) and I have a definite preference, when listening to stereo 2.1 music, for a pair of XPA-1L's. The sound quality improvement from the XPA-1L's is very noticeable, subtle, but noticeable. For 5.1 movies I can't say as there is much difference. I have taken the monoblock advantage and the XPA-1L's are located close to their respective speaker, i.e. very short speaker cables and 5 metre interconnects. Whereas with the XPA-2/3/5 it was long speaker cables and short interconnects. As commented many times, the XPA-1L is at the pinnacle of the value for money / sound quality equation in the Emotiva monoblock range, plus of course Nick will sign you up for society membership. Do you find the amount of "punch" or bass control/extension is as good with the XPA-1 L's versus the XPA-2? At my listening levels I would say definitely yes, if not more so. But keep in mind the much shorter Emotiva speaker cables (previously DIY) plus I run 2.1 with a cross over around 80 hz to a 17" sub in a 140 litre dual vented enclosure. So the XPA-2 wasn't previously and the XPA-1L's currently aren't handling frequencies below that. Comparison is further complicated by the passage of time plus the change to an XPA-100 as the sub woofer amp, previously DIY, albeit with the same watts. Cheers Gary |
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Post by garbulky on Jul 30, 2015 22:26:47 GMT -5
Thank you Gary, very helpful.
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Post by vneal on Jul 31, 2015 7:49:59 GMT -5
XPA2
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Post by gmeyer on Jul 31, 2015 12:47:58 GMT -5
I have Focus HD speakers and they may have a high efficiency spec but they take every watt my XPR-5 can put out. I would get the XPA-1 monoblocks if you can swing them.
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Post by leonski on Aug 26, 2015 17:08:47 GMT -5
The Focus SE is about 94 or 95 db sensitive. Unless you are looking to get evicted from the STATE you certainly don't need more than the class 'a' portion of the 1L. That's my opinion only. Especially when running as part of a 7.1 system.
I'd be MORE concerned with a dedicated power drop for the new amp(s) and potential for room treatments.
25 watts continuous with 250 watt peaks SHOULD be enough to cause hearing damage.
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