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Post by kenj on Oct 22, 2018 13:00:20 GMT -5
Should I consider upgrading the Emotiva MPS-1? Or at least the L/R channels?
I would like to upgrade my stereo listening (more pleasing, natural voices and instruments, involving, etc.) while still having HT and MC music capability. Historically that created a sense of wanting dedicated stereo pre-amp & amp electronics vs. AVR/Pre-Pro. IThere was even a time when I would switch between tube preamp and tube amp and my HT electronics. Rather than dream about having ~$4k of stereo only amp+pre-amp, I would like to think I can achieve that level of stereo from Emotiva HT setup (i.e. RMC-1 + amps).
I have an XMC-1 today which was a pre-amp and DAC upgrade over DMC-1. My XMC-1 is the original w/o 4K upgrades so I am thinking of jumping up to RMC-1 for both 4k and stereo performance. Do I need an amp upgrade as well?
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator 
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,495
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Post by LCSeminole on Oct 22, 2018 13:16:49 GMT -5
What is it that the MPS-1 is lacking in your setup? Is this a case of upgradeitis? You don't mention your speakers at all, is your MPS-1's 200 w/ch not able to drive them sufficiently? Personally, if you're going with an RMC-1 when available, then why don't you just wait and see how well your MPS-1 pairs with the RMC-1. The MPS-1 was a reference power amplifier at the time you bought it, so wait and see if it still performs at that level once you've hooked up an RMC-1 to it.
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Post by kenj on Oct 22, 2018 13:40:03 GMT -5
The MPS-1 has plenty of power.
I have Onix Ref 3 speakers with Ninja upgrades (cabinet damping and new crossovers by Dannie Ritchie of GR Research). I have also had GoldenEar 3+ speakers in my room for comparison. I also compared my Ref 1 surrounds to Salk Veractiy and DynAudio Contour monitors in a dealer environment. Those are the experiments I have had. I loved my old tube amp that I sold to get the Emotiva pre/pro but only heard that with Klipsch Cornwall speakers.
I have tried a reference tube pre-amp...that is an improvement but 2-channel only and swapping cables was a pain. I have not tried a different amp to get a sense what that can do for sound. I could upgrade speakers (heard Revel Performa and B&W 705 S2 as well as the diamonds recently) but wanted to think about electronics for a moment.
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Post by Casey Leedom on Oct 22, 2018 14:01:49 GMT -5
I also have an MPS-1 with which I've always been happy. But a bit over a year ago I built out a pair of Hypex NC400 Monoblocks for a friend and we decided to compare them to my MPS-1 ... the results were startling. First, they did sound different. I've always been of the mind that well-designed Solid State Audio Amplifiers should all sound the same. Hhmmm, well that's one myth shot down ... Second, the NC400's sounded like they had a lot "tighter bass". But that was based on merely 15 minutes of listening. So a lot more would be needed. So all of the above started getting me to think about upgrading amplifiers for at least my Left/Center/Right channels once I get an RMC-1 (or and RMC-1L, or XMC-2 depending on how they line up specification wise ...) Casey |
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Post by leonski on Oct 23, 2018 14:40:43 GMT -5
Kenj? What exactly does 'reference' mean? I see that word bandied about but am not quite clear what it means.
You seem slightly confused about 'system'. Not just that everything plugs in and Electrically works together, but rather makes the other stuff sound its best.
And for Casey? Cool experiment with the NCore400s. I wonder how they sound NOW after presumably a couple hundred hours more play time?
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Post by Casey Leedom on Oct 23, 2018 15:04:30 GMT -5
Well leonski , my friend, to whom I gave those Hypex NC400 Monoblocks, absolutely loves them. His system is: He's very happy with the system right now. He claims that he saw a huge improvement with the SOtM sMS-200ultra Neo versus a Raspberry Pi running the RoPieee Distribution. I'm guessing that means that the Teac NT-503 has a really crappy USB input section. Casey |
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Post by leonski on Oct 23, 2018 17:45:25 GMT -5
Casey, Here is what I 'noodled' for my active biamp upgrade for my Panels. This is for those who totally remove their speaker crossover and would be adaptable to nearly any 2-way speaker. Or 3-way, counting sub. With cases, and all the electronics? 2 grand per side, maybe more. Any urge to DIY some powercords which should exceed the performance of the Pangea 14 stuff? Belden 83803 is a 12-3 shielded cable which gets very high marks in the DIY community. Let me know if you want to help with a group buy. Good discount kicks in at 100 feet. Lesser discount at shorter lengths. I need 21 feet and could be persuaded to go for 25......... Same deal applys to connectors and 'sheathing'. Attachments:
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