thugzy
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by thugzy on May 9, 2019 11:26:45 GMT -5
Hello,
my first post.
I am currently Bi-Amping my RTIA9s. XPA200 running the mids/highs and the XPA2 (Gen1) running the lows.
Lately I have been considering purchasing a second matching XPA2 (replacing the XPA200) and either using them as monoblocks/bridged for the RTIA9s or Horizontally Bi-Amping the way i have it wired today.
I read that the XPA200 is less forward sounding than the XPA2 and therefore probably better for the mids/highs?
Would i benefit with matching XPA2's in a horizontal Bi-Amp? OR using them as Monoblocks for each side?
Or am I good as is today?
Im always on the quest for improving the sound quality of my system
Thanks!
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Post by AudioHTIT on May 9, 2019 11:40:57 GMT -5
Hard to say if you’ll hear any difference, but I prefer vertical bi-amping as it allows the benefits of both mono block and bi-amp. So I’d probably get a matching XPA-2 and sell the 200 (or use it elsewhere). Though it gives you more power if you really need it, I’m not a fan of bridging as the amp is more easily stressed by speaker impedance variations.
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Post by garbulky on May 9, 2019 11:45:14 GMT -5
Hello, my first post.
I am currently Bi-Amping my RTIA9s. XPA200 running the mids/highs and the XPA2 (Gen1) running the lows.
Lately I have been considering purchasing a second matching XPA2 (replacing the XPA200) and either using them as monoblocks/bridged for the RTIA9s or Horizontally Bi-Amping the way i have it wired today. I read that the XPA200 is less forward sounding than the XPA2 and therefore probably better for the mids/highs?
Would i benefit with matching XPA2's in a horizontal Bi-Amp? OR using them as Monoblocks for each side? Or am I good as is today? Im always on the quest for improving the sound quality of my system Thanks!
I think you should use the XPA-2 gen 1 and take the XPA-200 out. The XPA-200 is a great amp. The XPA-2 is simply better sounding for me and so may be held back from the XPA-200. Since I haven't specifically tried the combo (though I have used the UPA-2 and the XPA-2 gen 1 and 2) extensively, I would defer to your subjective judgment on what combination you think sounds best. |
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thugzy
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by thugzy on May 9, 2019 12:40:52 GMT -5
Thank you to above. Sounds like the better option is to get another XPA2 and BI-Amp vertically. This is probably the best option since i can still utilize the XPA2 that I have.
I do notice an improvement BI-amping the XPA200/XPA2 currently versus just using the XPA2 conventionally.
Using two XPA2's should be even better
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Post by garbulky on May 9, 2019 13:32:34 GMT -5
Thank you to above. Sounds like the better option is to get another XPA2 and BI-Amp vertically. This is probably the best option since i can still utilize the XPA2 that I have. I do notice an improvement BI-amping the XPA200/XPA2 currently versus just using the XPA2 conventionally. Using two XPA2's should be even better I would recommend for just a bit more get a pair of xpa1 gen 2 and sell your xpa2 and xpa200. This way you get the advantages of mono blocks, fully balanced architecture, and class a power. But your solution should work. I’m not sure if it would sound a whole lot better |
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thugzy
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by thugzy on May 9, 2019 13:57:53 GMT -5
Thank you to above. Sounds like the better option is to get another XPA2 and BI-Amp vertically. This is probably the best option since i can still utilize the XPA2 that I have. I do notice an improvement BI-amping the XPA200/XPA2 currently versus just using the XPA2 conventionally. Using two XPA2's should be even better I would recommend for just a bit more get a pair of xpa1 gen 2 and sell your xpa2 and xpa200. This way you get the advantages of mono blocks, fully balanced architecture, and class a power. But your solution should work. I’m not sure if it would sound a whole lot better
Thanks! will consider it.
Last question off topic:
If you Bi-Amp a speaker with 250w to the highs and 250w to the lows, does that equate to the same 500w if using one single channel 500w ?
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Post by davidl81 on May 9, 2019 13:57:58 GMT -5
Thank you to above. Sounds like the better option is to get another XPA2 and BI-Amp vertically. This is probably the best option since i can still utilize the XPA2 that I have. I do notice an improvement BI-amping the XPA200/XPA2 currently versus just using the XPA2 conventionally. Using two XPA2's should be even better I would recommend for just a bit more get a pair of xpa1 gen 2 and sell your xpa2 and xpa200. This way you get the advantages of mono blocks, fully balanced architecture, and class a power. But your solution should work. I’m not sure if it would sound a whole lot better I think this would be your best bet. Sell the XPA-2 G1 and the XPA200 and buy two XPA-2 Gen 2. Those amps can be ran in monoblock mode, which at 8 ohm each amp would be rated at 1000W. I think that would give you the best sound you could get out of the options you are looking at. (Or just get a pair of XPA-1 Gen 2!) |
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Post by garbulky on May 9, 2019 14:24:38 GMT -5
I would recommend for just a bit more get a pair of xpa1 gen 2 and sell your xpa2 and xpa200. This way you get the advantages of mono blocks, fully balanced architecture, and class a power. But your solution should work. I’m not sure if it would sound a whole lot better Thanks! will consider it. Last question off topic: If you Bi-Amp a speaker with 250w to the highs and 250w to the lows, does that equate to the same 500w if using one single channel 500w ?
Theoretically yes. But the bass and treble drivers usually have different power requirements. So your tweeter may have less power needed vs the woofers. The other thing to keep in mind is that in normal listening you are listening at between half a watt to maybe two watts of power on average. Yes if you are playing very loud, on peaks you may need a whole lot of watts, but if you just listen at volumes where the volume of the voice is that of the voice in real world and the instruments sound as loud as they would played unamplified, then your power requirements tend to be quite low. I've listened to my big speakers with a 7 watt monoblock amp just fine. |
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thugzy
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by thugzy on May 9, 2019 14:26:59 GMT -5
Thank you for your knowledge garbulky!!
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Post by AudioHTIT on May 9, 2019 17:52:35 GMT -5
I would recommend for just a bit more get a pair of xpa1 gen 2 and sell your xpa2 and xpa200. This way you get the advantages of mono blocks, fully balanced architecture, and class a power. But your solution should work. I’m not sure if it would sound a whole lot better Thanks! will consider it. Last question off topic: If you Bi-Amp a speaker with 250w to the highs and 250w to the lows, does that equate to the same 500w if using one single channel 500w ?
No, it is not the same as a single 500 Watt amp, you will never get the extra 3dB of sustained power and headroom with bi-amping a 2 channel amp, you are still limited to 250W max. Bi-amping still might sound better as each amp channel sees a less complex load, possibly giving more detail and control. The 500 Watt amp could sound better with highly inefficient speakers, a large room, or if what your missing is that last bit of ‘slam’. I’d still recommend the vertical bi-amp as it does allow you to setup each amp close to the speaker (if possible), bi-amp, and distribute the frequency load between the two amps. I don’t dismiss Garbulky’s suggestion of a pair of XPA-1’s, but think that’s rather a different thread, something like ‘looking for a new amp’. |
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thugzy
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by thugzy on May 12, 2019 8:38:45 GMT -5
Thank you guys!! I found me a used matching Xpa2 and wired them up Vertically.... my system never sounded better... I tried horizontally and bridged, vertically is a night and day improvement.. clarity, details and now the lows really hit hard with deep punch... great advice given here! CHEERS!!!  |
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Post by repeetavx on May 12, 2019 8:47:18 GMT -5
Welcome to the club. I came to the same conclusion.
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Post by 405x5 on May 12, 2019 9:00:42 GMT -5
Thank you guys!! I found me a used matching Xpa2 and wired them up Vertically.... my system never sounded better... I tried horizontally and bridged, vertically is a night and day improvement.. clarity, details and now the lows really hit hard with deep punch... great advice given here! CHEERS!!! Glad you’re happy with what you did, but I’m understandably curious.....lookin’ at the dates, how did you manage the advice and pull this off in only 3 days?!?! |
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thugzy
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by thugzy on May 12, 2019 9:05:49 GMT -5
Thank you guys!! I found me a used matching Xpa2 and wired them up Vertically.... my system never sounded better... I tried horizontally and bridged, vertically is a night and day improvement.. clarity, details and now the lows really hit hard with deep punch... great advice given here! CHEERS!!! Glad you’re happy with what you did, but I’m understandably curious.....lookin’ at the dates, how did you manage the advice and pull this off in only 3 days?!?! It all worked out... I had put a wanted ad for a XPA2 Gen1 weeks ago... after my post, I was contacted by a local seller in my area! I had to grab it as his asking price was reasonable and his unit was mint... took it home that afternoon hooked it up and played with it all day yesterday.... when things fall within plan!! |
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Post by 405x5 on May 12, 2019 9:10:27 GMT -5
Glad you’re happy with what you did, but I’m understandably curious.....lookin’ at the dates, how did you manage the advice and pull this off in only 3 days?!?! It all worked out... I had put a wanted ad for a XPA2 Gen1 weeks ago... after my post, I was contacted by a local seller in my area! I had to grab it as his asking price was reasonable and his unit was mint... took it home that afternoon hooked it up and played with it all day yesterday.... when things fall within plan!! Wow |
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Post by tchaik on May 12, 2019 9:22:02 GMT -5
Thank you guys!! I found me a used matching Xpa2 and wired them up Vertically.... my system never sounded better... I tried horizontally and bridged, vertically is a night and day improvement.. clarity, details and now the lows really hit hard with deep punch... great advice given here! CHEERS!!! boy, they made beautiful receivers back in the day, didn't they.............. |
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thugzy
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by thugzy on May 12, 2019 9:31:07 GMT -5
Thank you guys!! I found me a used matching Xpa2 and wired them up Vertically.... my system never sounded better... I tried horizontally and bridged, vertically is a night and day improvement.. clarity, details and now the lows really hit hard with deep punch... great advice given here! CHEERS!!! boy, they made beautiful receivers back in the day, didn't they.............. Sure did.... these are my Sansui G-7500 and 9090.... the G-7500 was passed onto my from my father. He bought it with the turntable (in pictures) in 1978 a year before my birth... it was growing up listening, watching those power meters that made me the enthusiast I am today... When my dad visits, I play his old vinyls on his equipment and reminisce.... more sentimental value here than anything else! |
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thugzy
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by thugzy on May 12, 2019 9:31:57 GMT -5
Vintage love!  |
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Post by Jean Genie on May 12, 2019 10:08:29 GMT -5
Vintage love! sigh... VU meters... sigh...😎 |
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