Just purchased a USP-1 and a XPA-2!!!

[mtak]

Hi there. I have been following EMOTIVA for approximately 3 years since I first read about them on Audioholics. Their products have received extremely excellent reviews from the various INTERNET audio sites and I read a blog about them in Stereophile. They will be driving a set of RBH 1044-SE floor standing speakers that are not very efficient (4 ohm, 88 dB, recommended power 100-250 watts). The set up will be in the game room that is 20'X28'X10' and will be playing a variety of music from an iPod, Computer via HRT Music Streamer II DAC and a tube output CD player with a 24/192 Upsampling Board. I will attempt to send pictures of the set up once I get everything hooked up. I am currently using a PrimaLuna 3 preamp and a set of PrimaLuna 6 mono amps with KT88 tubes to drive the speakers. The tube set up will end up in the extra bedroom with a set of easier driving speakers (Axiom Audio M60ti's or Silverline Audio Preludes) and the Tube CD player. My dad and grandfather (RIP) got me hooked on Audio back in the 1970's (Dad is old school solid state with a Pristine Marantz 2245, AR3 speakers, zero100 turntable and an Akai reel to reel and my grandfather was a TV repairman...remember RadioShack and the tube testers...). Most likely my dad will be blown away by the new set up as I will be too. I can't wait!!! ;D

[jackfish]

Sounds like you are in for a treat. Enjoy!

[mtak]

Well, I received the Amp today ;D...That was very fast. Ordered the Amp on May 3rd. Received a response from Cathy and Sarah the same evening that the order was received and being processed. Heard from FEDEX on May 4th that the order was in transit and received the Amp today, May 6th. Hooked it up to the PrimaLuna three Preamp and the RBH speakers and promptly played Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight...NICE!!! Very NICE. I can't wait for the USP-1 Preamp. All of a sudden the PrimaLuna's aren't feeling the love

[obiwan99]

Very nice setup!!! Wish I had the room like yours. Mine is 13X15 feet. See my rack build pics under DIY section.

I also bought USP-1, ERC-1, pair of UPA-1 and an XPA-5 fo rmy setup. The HT bypass on the USP-1 is a great option. Enjoy and I don't think you'll be disappointed with the USP-1.

[tonymc]

mtak. Congrats.
I have to ask though. How do you like the Prima Luna 6 monos? Those are beautiful amplifiers.
I feel a strong pull to the dark side(tubes).

[HDSapper]

May 6, 2010 21:01:15 GMT -5 mtak said:

Well, I received the Amp today ;D...That was very fast. Ordered the Amp on May 3rd. Received a response from Cathy and Sarah the same evening that the order was received and being processed. Heard from FEDEX on May 4th that the order was in transit and received the Amp today, May 6th.

mtak,

What part of the country are you in? I placed an order yesterday, got my confirmation from Cathy and Sarah right away, and just received my FEDEX email. I'm hoping for a miracle, and that it will arrive tomorrow. I'm just a state away in south Georgia.

[mtak]

TonyMC,

Thanks! I do like the PrimaLuna's. They operate in an Ultralinear mode so they do not have an overly tubey, holographic sound. I found the Primaluna's to be neutral with good imaging and an awesome soundstage (my speakers are about 10.5ft apart and I there is no "hole" in the middle of the listening area). BTW, I am running them with Chinese KT88 tubes and I have found that these tubes were better to listen to in terms of a tight sounding base, detailed treble and fuller mid range. Maybe I am wierd but to me they were better sounding than the EL-34's.
The reason I went with the XPA-2 amp was that I was looking for a high powered amp to drive my inefficient RBH speakers. I will tell you that the combination of the XPA-2 and the RBH speakers is Awesome! When I was listening to Phil last night, I felt like I was in the front row seat at a concert and when I was listening to some Jazz, I felt like I knew where the singer was standing and where his instruments were on the stage.
BTW, I am running a 7.2 in the media room: Fronts are axiom m60's ( I am thinking about getting a pair for the primaluna's or buying the m50's that are for sale in the owners club), with a VP150 center channel and QS4 surrounds. The subs are EP350's.
I bought the PrimaLuna's from Kevin Deal at UpscaleAudio in Upland Ca. Great people.
I hope this helps.

[mtak]

hdsapper,

I live in McKinney Texas which is a suburb of Texas. I was very impressed with the timeliness and the service of both Emotiva and FEDEX. I hope this helps.

[tonymc]

May 7, 2010 16:17:19 GMT -5 mtak said:

TonyMC,

Thanks! I do like the PrimaLuna's. They operate in an Ultralinear mode so they do not have an overly tubey, holographic sound. I found the Primaluna's to be neutral with good imaging and an awesome soundstage (my speakers are about 10.5ft apart and I there is no "hole" in the middle of the listening area). BTW, I am running them with Chinese KT88 tubes and I have found that these tubes were better to listen to in terms of a tight sounding base, detailed treble and fuller mid range. Maybe I am wierd but to me they were better sounding than the EL-34's.
The reason I went with the XPA-2 amp was that I was looking for a high powered amp to drive my inefficient RBH speakers. I will tell you that the combination of the XPA-2 and the RBH speakers is Awesome! When I was listening to Phil last night, I felt like I was in the front row seat at a concert and when I was listening to some Jazz, I felt like I knew where the singer was standing and where his instruments were on the stage.
BTW, I am running a 7.2 in the media room: Fronts are axiom m60's ( I am thinking about getting a pair for the primaluna's or buying the m50's that are for sale in the owners club), with a VP150 center channel and QS4 surrounds. The subs are EP350's.
I bought the PrimaLuna's from Kevin Deal at UpscaleAudio in Upland Ca. Great people.
I hope this helps.

mtak.
Thanks for the info.
I have the M60s too. I absolutely love them.
I think they would be a great candidate for tubes since they're fairly efficient speakers.

[mtak]

Ok...EMOTIVA Rocks ;D Check out the goodies they sent me (Mulan the cat likes the stuf too). They sent me two shirts, Popcorn and a two hats. NICE!!!

[tonymc]

Nice! Is the popcorn blue? ;D

[NorthStar]

This is very cool mtak. Your setup for 2-channel Stereo listening is properly done, Felicitations!

* You must be in Blue Heaven!

[mtak]

Update on my two channel progress...the USP-1 has shipped and will arrive this friday !!!

[tonymc]

Nice.
Your going to love the USP-1. ;D

[tonymc]

Also, I see you use the VTI stands. Same stands I use. Very nice build quality and inexpensive too.

[mtak]

The USP-1 has arrived!!!!!! ;D

After 5+ years I have the two channel systems I have dreamed about:
Solid State System:
ERC-1 CD Player
USP-1 Preamp
XPA-2 Amp
RBH 1044SE Floor standing system
Currently listening to this system with my set up disc that includes Rebbecca Pigeon, the Coryells, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It sounds awesome and I can't wait till it has time to settle.
My initial listen to the All Emotiva system is astounding detail and accuracy. DO NOT PLAY POOR Recordings or your ears will scream in utter pain. Very tight and controlled bass (bass drums have snap). BTW, this is a relatively low volume (definitely not reference volume) I can only imagine the sound at a reference level. I did turn it up and there is absolutely no distortion. I will report more as I get more listening time with this system. I definitely feel like I am in the front row with the middle seat with this system.
The Tube system:
PrimaLuna Prologue Three Preamp
PrimaLuna Prologue Six Monoblocs using KT88 power tubes
Njoe Tjoeb 4000 CD player a tube buffer and a 24/192 upsampler
Axiom M60ti floor standing speakers.

[mtak]

Here is a close up of the Gear. Memorial Day is going to be a blast!!!

[Pantala Naga Pampa]

Wow.. that is one good looking setup. This is why my wife hates me on the boards; because I see other peoples gear and then I get itchy for new gear!

You guys are ruining my marriage, one cool post at a time. LOL.

Actually I have a cool wife and a high WAF on whatever I want to buy.

[SticknStones]

May 11, 2010 17:16:15 GMT -5 mtak said:

Ok...EMOTIVA Rocks ;D Check out the goodies they sent me (Mulan the cat likes the stuf too). They sent me two shirts, Popcorn and a two hats. NICE!!!

Good story and glad all is well.

By the way, I am from Sherman and went to UTA in Arlington driving many a time right through McKinney. It is getting swallowed by the Dallas burbs moving North.

[mtak]

Pantela Naga Pampa,

Glad to hear you have a cool wife with a high WAF. Me too.

My Wife and I are going to spend a week in San Antonio and Austin for our 20th anniversary (We hope to watch TCU vs. Texas in the College Baseball Austin Super Regional...Go Frogs!!!)

Sticknstones,

When we moved to McKinney, people said that we lived in McKinney, Okla. a subarb of Dallas hahaha =)) My wife teaches in Sherman, 4th Grade. I work for a major aerospace firm in McKinney. We moved to McKinney 3 1/2 yrs ago from Southern Cal. when my daughters were 15 and 13. They swore that they would never go to a university in Texas and would go to college in California upon graduation...The oldest is a sophomore at TCU and the youngest is planning to go to SMU