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Post by widespreadpanic on Jan 26, 2018 17:39:11 GMT -5
I have brand new and still in their respective boxes an EMOTIVA ERC 3, EMOTIVA XSP 1 and a pair of Magnepan 1.7i’s. The XSP is oldest at 26 days. Which mono block model is best to complete my system? Thank you for your consideration and reply.  |
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Post by garbulky on Jan 26, 2018 17:45:46 GMT -5
Hard to say. Only very few people have heard the DR1. I like my XPA-1 gen 2.
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Post by widespreadpanic on Jan 26, 2018 19:12:17 GMT -5
Are they supposed to be comparable to the XPR1?
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Post by mack71 on Jan 26, 2018 20:36:00 GMT -5
Are they supposed to be comparable to the XPR1? Xpa Dr1 should be the best, I think it should be. Or maybe I'm wrong? |
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 26, 2018 20:44:32 GMT -5
Emotiva have never made a bad power amp, not that I've ever heard anyway. So there is no bad choice here sound wise. However there are 2 major differences, the DR-1 has a switch mode power supply and no Class A whereas the XPA-1 Gen 2 has a linear power supply and can do Class A up to 60 watts. There is probably a third thing to consider, power amps last a long long time, decades even, as they never really go out of date and the XPA-1 is a well proven design whereas the DR-1 is a brand new model. Whether or not that influences your decision is not something others can make.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by mack71 on Jan 26, 2018 21:19:29 GMT -5
Emotiva does not have bad amplifiers, but you can always get better. According to the announcement, the new Xpa Dr1 will be the sum of the best features of earlier models plus a new power patent. Time and customers will show it.
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Post by rbk123 on Jan 26, 2018 21:24:24 GMT -5
According to the announcement, the new Xpa Dr1 will be the sum of the best features of earlier models plus a new power patent. Do you think they would announce new amplifiers as "almost as good" or "just equal to" the older models? |
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Post by mack71 on Jan 26, 2018 21:42:32 GMT -5
According to the announcement, the new Xpa Dr1 will be the sum of the best features of earlier models plus a new power patent. Do you think they would announce new amplifiers as "almost as good" or "just equal to" the older models? That's how I understand it and I hope so. I am curious about the opinions of new owners, but you have to give them time. |
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Post by leonski on Jan 26, 2018 21:59:08 GMT -5
Just my opinion, but I'd get over to Audio Asylum, the 'Planar Asylum' part and ask around. You'll get a lot of various advice which will boil down
to:
1. Lots of power for Maggies
2. Better Watts are better
3. Maggies are low sensitivity and 'conventional' wisdom (which I don't agree with) says that you want an amp that 'doubles up' into 4 ohms.
You'll be hard pressed to find a larger knowledge and experience base in ONE SPOT for any other given loudspeaker. Everything from equipment choice to Setup is on the table.
Magnepan has done away with multiple input terminals, so bi-Wiring is now generally OUT. And while I was easily able to work multiple amps with my 1.6s, THAT'S out, too.
Not to forget that Maggies are also 'Tube Friendly' and are well-off with some ARC and 'other' tube amps. I'd personally SKIP amps with Switchers, for a couple reasons.
But that's just me, maybe.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 27, 2018 1:17:13 GMT -5
According to the announcement, the new Xpa Dr1 will be the sum of the best features of earlier models plus a new power patent. Do you think they would announce new amplifiers as "almost as good" or "just equal to" the older models? Hell yes, if they could make them lighter for easier (less expensive) shipping. Hell yes, if they could make them more efficient (use a little less electricity). Hell yes, if they were less costly to make and could sell at the same prices (more margin). Hell yes, remember they now have to support a distributor and retail sales model. Hell yes, as long as they survive the warranty period. Hell yes, if they sounded the same and did all of the above it would be considered a winner for any company. Hell yes, of course I'm being cynical, but we have to keep in mind why the XPR range was discontinued and what the design differences in the DR range really mean. Cheers Gary |
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Post by assy74 on Jan 27, 2018 6:39:00 GMT -5
Very good question... You are not alone wondering! It is new technology, so it could go either way...... But I seriously doubt they will make something worse than old models...... My big question is how xpa1 and dr1 sound compared to each other, is it a big difference in sound? Or is it almost impossible to tell? I suspect maybe the new Dr series will be a little more brighter and clearer, and xpa a bit more warmer sound. But just speculation  |
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Post by rbk123 on Jan 27, 2018 15:15:15 GMT -5
My big question is how xpa1 and dr1 sound compared to each other, is it a big difference in sound? Or is it almost impossible to tell? Small/subtle difference that you would be able to tell, but with effort. One amp will be a little better in one aspect, and the other will be a little better in another. |
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Post by rbk123 on Jan 27, 2018 15:18:06 GMT -5
Do you think they would announce new amplifiers as "almost as good" or "just equal to" the older models? Hell yes, if they could make them lighter for easier (less expensive) shipping. Hell yes, if they could make them more efficient (use a little less electricity). Hell yes, if they were less costly to make and could sell at the same prices (more margin). Hell yes, remember they now have to support a distributor and retail sales model. Hell yes, as long as they survive the warranty period. Hell yes, if they sounded the same and did all of the above it would be considered a winner for any company. Hell yes, of course I'm being cynical, but we have to keep in mind why the XPR range was discontinued and what the design differences in the DR range really mean. All of those and more, but the day Emo says something new doesn't sound as good, or only sounds as good as something prior, it is going to be one cold day in Lucifer's basement. Btw, it's not an Emo thing, it's just the corporate way. |
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Post by mack71 on Feb 1, 2018 23:53:04 GMT -5
Do you think they would announce new amplifiers as "almost as good" or "just equal to" the older models? Hell yes, if they could make them lighter for easier (less expensive) shipping. Hell yes, if they could make them more efficient (use a little less electricity). Hell yes, if they were less costly to make and could sell at the same prices (more margin). Hell yes, remember they now have to support a distributor and retail sales model. Hell yes, as long as they survive the warranty period. Hell yes, if they sounded the same and did all of the above it would be considered a winner for any company. Hell yes, of course I'm being cynical, but we have to keep in mind why the XPR range was discontinued and what the design differences in the DR range really mean. Cheers Gary I sold XPR1 a few days ago, now I have a Mc452 and I'm starting to wonder what the real reason for the XPR rollback. I remembered the old Zahov story and remarks that I fully agree with; emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/28558/xpr-reviewsI'm very curious about opinions on DR1 vs XPA1 gen.2. I wonder if it's closer to XPR or to XPA gen2 |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 9,934
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Post by KeithL on Feb 2, 2018 11:27:53 GMT -5
The actual amplifier circuitry in the XPA Gen3 and the XPA DR amps is closer to the XPRs than the XPAs. They all have Class A/B output stages.... but both the XPRs and the new amps have the Class H power supply topology. Note that the new XPA and XPA-DR amps also all have our new REGULATED SMPS power supply... which neither of the previous series had. Hell yes, if they could make them lighter for easier (less expensive) shipping. Hell yes, if they could make them more efficient (use a little less electricity). Hell yes, if they were less costly to make and could sell at the same prices (more margin). Hell yes, remember they now have to support a distributor and retail sales model. Hell yes, as long as they survive the warranty period. Hell yes, if they sounded the same and did all of the above it would be considered a winner for any company. Hell yes, of course I'm being cynical, but we have to keep in mind why the XPR range was discontinued and what the design differences in the DR range really mean. Cheers Gary I sold XPR1 a few days ago, now I have a Mc452 and I'm starting to wonder what the real reason for the XPR rollback. I remembered the old Zahov story and remarks that I fully agree with; emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/28558/xpr-reviewsI'm very curious about opinions on DR1 vs XPA1 gen.2. I wonder if it's closer to XPR or to XPA gen2 |
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Post by simpleman68 on Feb 2, 2018 11:33:35 GMT -5
Just my opinion, but I'd get over to Audio Asylum, the 'Planar Asylum' part and ask around. You'll get a lot of various advice which will boil down to: 1. Lots of power for Maggies 2. Better Watts are better 3. Maggies are low sensitivity and 'conventional' wisdom (which I don't agree with) says that you want an amp that 'doubles up' into 4 ohms. You'll be hard pressed to find a larger knowledge and experience base in ONE SPOT for any other given loudspeaker. Everything from equipment choice to Setup is on the table. Magnepan has done away with multiple input terminals, so bi-Wiring is now generally OUT. And while I was easily able to work multiple amps with my 1.6s, THAT'S out, too. Not to forget that Maggies are also 'Tube Friendly' and are well-off with some ARC and 'other' tube amps. I'd personally SKIP amps with Switchers, for a couple reasons. But that's just me, maybe. Bingo It's all about synergy with the rest of your rig. Particularly speaker/amp combination. I don't think with any solid manufacturer there are better or worse amps in the big picture. It's all about the combination. Scott |
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Post by gsand on Feb 2, 2018 11:53:58 GMT -5
The actual amplifier circuitry in the XPA Gen3 and the XPA DR amps is closer to the XPRs than the XPAs. They all have Class A/B output stages.... but both the XPRs and the new amps have the Class H power supply topology. Note that the new XPA and XPA-DR amps also all have our new REGULATED SMPS power supply... which neither of the previous series ha Does the "A/B output stage" in a DR-2 amplifier mean that it starts out in Class A and if so how many watts are Class A before switching to Class B in a DR-2? |
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Post by mack71 on Feb 2, 2018 12:42:10 GMT -5
The actual amplifier circuitry in the XPA Gen3 and the XPA DR amps is closer to the XPRs than the XPAs. They all have Class A/B output stages.... but both the XPRs and the new amps have the Class H power supply topology. Note that the new XPA and XPA-DR amps also all have our new REGULATED SMPS power supply... which neither of the previous series had. I sold XPR1 a few days ago, now I have a Mc452 and I'm starting to wonder what the real reason for the XPR rollback. I remembered the old Zahov story and remarks that I fully agree with; emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/28558/xpr-reviewsI'm very curious about opinions on DR1 vs XPA1 gen.2. I wonder if it's closer to XPR or to XPA gen2 So you can think that sonically XPA DR1 is an improved version of XPR1 with a new power supply? |
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