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Post by Dan Laufman on Dec 1, 2016 13:36:53 GMT -5
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Post by Mark on Dec 1, 2016 13:59:00 GMT -5
Great read!
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Post by Casey Leedom on Dec 1, 2016 14:30:56 GMT -5
And I sure wish Audioholics would get along with their review! They also reviewed my MPS-1 and I'm curious how the two Amplifiers Designs compare.
Casey
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Post by Wideawake on Dec 1, 2016 15:20:49 GMT -5
Very nice review!
There is an editor's note that says ...
What were the changes made and how do they affect the SQ?
Also, when are the mono block blades expected to be made available?
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Post by creimes on Dec 1, 2016 15:25:33 GMT -5
Very nice review! There is an editor's note that says ... What were the changes made and how do they affect the SQ? Also, when are the mono block blades expected to be made available? Are the blades not already a mono design ?? |
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Post by Hair Nick on Dec 1, 2016 15:30:50 GMT -5
Very nice review! There is an editor's note that says ... What were the changes made and how do they affect the SQ? Also, when are the mono block blades expected to be made available? Are the blades not already a mono design ?? The running adjustment does not change the sound quality at all. I think he is referring to the "double-wide" modules. Also, I do not have a specific date on those yet. |
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Post by creimes on Dec 1, 2016 15:32:57 GMT -5
Are the blades not already a mono design ?? The running adjustment does not change the sound quality at all. I think he is referring to the "double-wide" modules. Also, I do not have a specific date on those yet. That makes more sense, I was confused there lol |
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Post by wilburthegoose on Dec 1, 2016 15:33:10 GMT -5
Very nice review.
Curious - does the Gen 3 use less power than the Gen 2? Also - how does a 230VAC power source improve the quality of the Gen 3 (I'm asking because it would cost some $$ to install such a feed - would required a licensed electrician)
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Post by Wideawake on Dec 1, 2016 15:43:38 GMT -5
Are the blades not already a mono design ?? The running adjustment does not change the sound quality at all. I think he is referring to the "double-wide" modules. Also, I do not have a specific date on those yet. Nick, I haven't kept up with all the XPA Gen3 conversations but my understanding is that currently all blades share a single power supply. That's why there are different output levels per channel for all channels driven, based on the number of blades configured. I thought I had read that at some point Emotiva will be offering this amp with mono block blades wherein each blade will have its own power supply and they will not use a shared power supply, much like the IPS-1. Are the double-wide modules and the mono block blades that I'm referring to one and the same? Or am I horribly confused about all this?  |
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Post by vneal on Dec 1, 2016 17:17:48 GMT -5
Nice review. As in the past Emotiva seems to be the hi fi bargain in amplifiers
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Post by garbulky on Dec 1, 2016 17:50:40 GMT -5
He mentioned the blades were XPA series. Aren't they XPR series?
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,273
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Post by KeithL on Dec 1, 2016 17:53:11 GMT -5
The plan has gone through several iterations.
HERE IS THE CURRENT SITUATION WITH XPA Gen3 MODULES.....
1) Our XPA Gen3 amplifier chassis is currently available with anywhere between two and seven single-channel modules. 2) That option will soon be joined by a new dual channel module. Each of these modules will house two channels, each lower in power than the current channel modules. These use the same power supply as the current channel modules, and you will be able to "mix and match" them in the same chassis. One option will be to put seven dual-channel modules in a single chassis for a total of fourteen channels. Another option will be to install several single channel modules for your main channels, and several dual-channel modules for your surround channels. Of course, you can also use the lower powered channels to run speakers in other zones, or to bi-amp or tri-amp some speakers. 3) We will also be introducing a fully differential XPA Gen3 amplifier module. These are the "double-wide monoblock" channels you've heard rumors about. Massive power and ultimate finesse. Each fully differential, fully balanced, channel will consist of a pair of specially designed modules - linked together. (As with all fully balanced amps, they will be operating as a balanced bridge.) Each of these modules occupies two module slots, so the XPA Gen3 chassis will hold three sets - or three "double wide channels". In order to operate at optimum efficiency, a fully differential amplifier requires somewhat different rail voltages than an unbalanced channel. Because of this, while the actual chassis will be the same, the chassis for the double-wide modules will require a slightly different version of the power supply, which operates at a different voltage. Therefore, because this chassis has a different power supply, you will be able to load it with one, two, or three of the double-wide modules, but you will not be able to put either of the other types of modules in the same chassis. (If you really wanted, the chassis could be built with one amplifier as a true monoblock, but the power supply is actually capable of running three modules.) 4) Each chassis is equipped to support a single power supply. While the version of our power supply customized for the double-wide modules is very powerful, and can deliver really great performance from up to three modules, for those who want the absolute best performance possible, and for whom budget and space constraints aren't a major concern, monoblocks still provide the absolute ultimate in performance. An XPA Gen3 monoblock consists of an XPA Gen3 chassis housing a single fully balanced, fully differential, dual-wide amplifier channel, with its own dedicated power supply.... A set of these monoblocks will get you the absolute best sound quality we're capable of delivering in an amplifier - we promise you WILL be very impressed. The running adjustment does not change the sound quality at all. I think he is referring to the "double-wide" modules. Also, I do not have a specific date on those yet. Nick, I haven't kept up with all the XPA Gen3 conversations but my understanding is that currently all blades share a single power supply. That's why there are different output levels per channel for all channels driven, based on the number of blades configured. I thought I had read that at some point Emotiva will be offering this amp with mono block blades wherein each blade will have its own power supply and they will not use a shared power supply, much like the IPS-1. Are the double-wide modules and the mono block blades that I'm referring to one and the same? Or am I horribly confused about all this? |
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klinemj
Emo VIPs 
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,092
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Post by klinemj on Dec 1, 2016 18:00:47 GMT -5
Great review!
Mark
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klinemj
Emo VIPs
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,092
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Post by klinemj on Dec 1, 2016 18:05:43 GMT -5
By the way Dan Laufman, I may have been sleeping in class, but do we have at least a rough estimate of the double-wide monobeast cost? I suddenly recall how swell the Maggie 3.7's sounded with some XPR-1's and wonder what my 1.7's would sound like with the monobeast amps... Mark |
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Post by routlaw on Dec 1, 2016 18:20:03 GMT -5
Keith thanks for all the info, though at this point it seems a bit confusing to say the least. Regardless can you tell us what the power output of these newer mono blocs will be? When will they be ready for market? And roughly what is the cost of each? Nothing we will hold you to for now just trying to get a feel for whats coming down the pike.
Thanks
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Post by leonski on Dec 1, 2016 19:05:48 GMT -5
By the way Dan Laufman , I may have been sleeping in class, but do we have at least a rough estimate of the double-wide monobeast cost? I suddenly recall how swell the Maggie 3.7's sounded with some XPR-1's and wonder what my 1.7's would sound like with the monobeast amps... Mark Too Bad your 1.7s CAN'T be Bi-Amped without lifting the sock and going for some internal surgery. Same goes for the 3.7 and the 20.7 The .6 series and 20.1 can all be biamped fairly easily but still require some internal mods if you intend a Line Level crossover. Biamping with a line-level crossover is a FINE way to increase 'apparent' amp power. |
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Post by garbulky on Dec 1, 2016 19:20:41 GMT -5
KeithL Woah! Things took an interesting turn! From what I -(gleefully)- infer, the double wide power supply is actually more powerful than the 3.2 kva module and has the capability to be configured with a double monoblock module only? I mean yeah that takes some reading between the lines, but that's what I gather!! I have lots of questions about this one?!
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Post by Gary Cook on Dec 1, 2016 19:33:36 GMT -5
Keith thanks for all the info, though at this point it seems a bit confusing to say the least. Regardless can you tell us what the power output of these newer mono blocs will be? When will they be ready for market? And roughly what is the cost of each? Nothing we will hold you to for now just trying to get a feel for whats coming down the pike. Thanks I thought that Keith explained it pretty well (he usually does), personally I'm not confused. I did guess the power output some times ago, based on the XPA-1 it needs to be at least 600 watts into 8 ohms and 1000 watts into 4 ohms. The power supply would seem to be easily capable of that, 7 x 200 watts = 1400 watts. So I'd suspect something like XPR-1 power output, say 1000 watts into 8 ohms and 1400 watts into 4 ohms. Price wise the Gen 3 's are around 20% more than the Gen 2's, so I'd guess around $1300. Let's see how close I am. Cheers Gary |
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Post by Wideawake on Dec 1, 2016 21:06:04 GMT -5
The plan has gone through several iterations.
HERE IS THE CURRENT SITUATION WITH XPA Gen3 MODULES.....
,,, 3) We will also be introducing a fully differential XPA Gen3 amplifier module. These are the "double-wide monoblock" channels you've heard rumors about. Massive power and ultimate finesse. Each fully differential, fully balanced, channel will consist of a pair of specially designed modules - linked together. (As with all fully balanced amps, they will be operating as a balanced bridge.) Each of these modules occupies two module slots, so the XPA Gen3 chassis will hold three sets - or three "double wide channels". In order to operate at optimum efficiency, a fully differential amplifier requires somewhat different rail voltages than an unbalanced channel. Because of this, while the actual chassis will be the same, the chassis for the double-wide modules will require a slightly different version of the power supply, which operates at a different voltage. Therefore, because this chassis has a different power supply, you will be able to load it with one, two, or three of the double-wide modules, but you will not be able to put either of the other types of modules in the same chassis. (If you really wanted, the chassis could be built with one amplifier as a true monoblock, but the power supply is actually capable of running three modules.) 4) Each chassis is equipped to support a single power supply. While the version of our power supply customized for the double-wide modules is very powerful, and can deliver really great performance from up to three modules, for those who want the absolute best performance possible, and for whom budget and space constraints aren't a major concern, monoblocks still provide the absolute ultimate in performance. An XPA Gen3 monoblock consists of an XPA Gen3 chassis housing a single fully balanced, fully differential, dual-wide amplifier channel, with its own dedicated power supply.... A set of these monoblocks will get you the absolute best sound quality we're capable of delivering in an amplifier - we promise you WILL be very impressed. If the 3 x double-wides are sharing a single PS then they are not truly monoblocks. One of the reasons that I love the IPS-1 is because it gives me 7 monoblocks in a single chassis. One piece of equipment with a single power cord to plug in. 5 monoblocks will do fine too but fewer pose a problem for me. I'm planning a 5.x system in which all 5 channels will use electronic crossovers. If each speaker is a 2-way then I'll need 4 of the XPR3 double wide amps configured with 3 channels each. If 3-way then I'll need 5. Too many amps and too many power cords to deal with. Forget about the single channel per chassis amps since that becomes truly unmanageable. Will Emotiva be offering true monoblocks (5 or more) in a single chassis? I'm not interested in gazillion watts per channel and I don't care about these being balanced either. The IPS-1 gives me 145 watts into 8 ohms and this is sufficient for my needs. It's also not a balanced amp and that's fine with me too. Anything along the lines of the IPS-1 being planned, perhaps with 150 - 200 watts into 8 ohms? |
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Post by Dan Laufman on Dec 1, 2016 21:11:33 GMT -5
Keith has done an excellent job of explaining the XPA G3 amplifier model strategy.
The double wide modules should be available in February. The stereo modules will be arriving a little sooner.
Final power numbers have not been decided, but we expect to be able to see 500-600 watts into 8, and a bunch more into 4. I can't give you the final numbers because they are predicated on safety testing, thermal performance, etc. Suffice it to say it will be plenty! However, if you're looking for over 1000 W into 8 ohms, this will not be the amp for you.
The reality is that very few speakers designed for home use can handle this type of power. We just can't see a large enough market to go to the expense of building a super high powered product so specialized.
Pricing has not been determined. We're just now putting together final costs now that we have the design dialed in. As you know, we will make it as affordable as possible in keeping with our approach to the market. No one, I repeat no one, will offer this kind of performance, power, value, and flexibility.
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