oregonkiwi
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Post by oregonkiwi on Aug 14, 2010 22:35:32 GMT -5
Hi folks.
Just received my pair of XPA-1s and phono preamp Friday.
Here's my confusion?
I hooked up a couple of temporary speakers..I know they are small,Polk bookshelf,around 100 watt rms.
Thing is,my pioneer elite @ 125RMS made these lil guys fill the room about 10 oclock on the volume dial..real loud.
The xpa's I can crank the dial to 2 oclock,and its still nowhere the volume?
I am getting a set of cerwin vega xls 215's(Paradigms100's later)
I so far only have a vintage Marantz 6300 with a 300 dollar grado on it hooked up to the system.
Someone told me they think my cartridge might not be matched to the phone section?
Help...been out of the loop for years,and for the first time bought seperates.
Why is volume lacking,where did it 'go'?
Is it because speakers are inneficient..or perhaps phono cartridge not matched?
Even switching mm-mc only improved sound quality,not increase volume.
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Post by roadrunner on Aug 14, 2010 22:53:40 GMT -5
There are any number of possibilities for you lack of volume compared to what you were used to with your reciever. We need to know the exact brand and model numbers of each of your pieces of equipment to be able to give you a focused answer. Without this information we can only make wild guesses that might serve to make you more confused. ;D
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Post by jlafrenz on Aug 14, 2010 22:54:13 GMT -5
What phono preamp is it and are you using any other preamp in the system?
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Post by aussie on Aug 15, 2010 16:27:43 GMT -5
Sounds to me like the Phono stage isn't bring the line level up so a pre amp issue, like the others said what phono stage are you using
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oregonkiwi
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Post by oregonkiwi on Aug 15, 2010 17:27:57 GMT -5
Hi again folks.. Well,except for Marantz,whole system is brand new last week. Two XPA-1's,and a USP-1 Stereo Preamplifier. I also had my vintage Luxman R-1050 hooked up to these speakers,and at 1/4 volume were far louder.The Lux is rated conservatively at 55 RMS. I'll be doggone if I know.Buggerit!! Anyway,sure appreciate any input before I call Vince on the old tellingbone and make a fool of myself over something no doubt simple?  - |
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Post by jlafrenz on Aug 15, 2010 19:05:02 GMT -5
Just to clarify, have you used the USP-1 with both amps? If you have the same issue with both amps connected to the USP-1 then the issue is with the preamp. If it works with the old amps, but not the XPA-1's then there may be a situation with the new amps. Let us know and we can go from there.
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Post by jackfish on Aug 15, 2010 20:04:03 GMT -5
Check to make sure the switch by the phono inputs on the USP-1 is selected correctly. Higher end Grado moving magnet cartridges have output more like a moving coil cartridge. So set the switch to MC.
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oregonkiwi
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Post by oregonkiwi on Aug 15, 2010 23:06:42 GMT -5
Yes,correct phono selection made.Also,connected ipod through aux 1,still same issue...have to really wind up the volume to get any real serious sound out of speakers
But once again,through Pioneer VSX 902D and my Lux R1050 sound awesome at about 9oclock on volume.
So,it might be a bad preamp(USP-1)?
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oregonkiwi
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Post by oregonkiwi on Aug 15, 2010 23:12:27 GMT -5
P.S...
Yes jlafrenz,I have the XPA 1'S set up as left /right channels in plain old stereo mode...reason I bought them.I want a dedicated 2 channel system for my Marantz 6300,and soon SACD player for my digital CD's
I want to mate the amps primarily with Paradigm Studio 100's in a couple of months,but just waiting for the finances to catch up after buying these beasts.
So,even ipod connected lacks volume just as does the TT.
As I said,these are only bookshelf Polk speakers,but they sounded pretty respectable on my other receivers,and as surrounds especially on the Pioneer.
Hmmmmm???
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oregonkiwi
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Post by oregonkiwi on Aug 15, 2010 23:19:34 GMT -5
Something else I just remembered....
When I play music on either TT,or ipod,the meters(blue) barely show.
If I crank it up to 2 oclock on volume dial on USP1,then I might get 8 or so,but mostly just a few intermittently light up.
I would think at that 'volume' I should be going into the red at the far end of the spectrum?
I have yet to see them go past about 8 blue(maybe 10) let alone 'peak'?
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Post by jlafrenz on Aug 15, 2010 23:39:21 GMT -5
What set of outputs are you using on the USP-1?
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oregonkiwi
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Post by oregonkiwi on Aug 16, 2010 0:10:04 GMT -5
I have tried both...full range and the other one...pretty much the same issue though.
I wonder...bcz the peak meters on my XPA's are barely registering at high 'volume' on the dial of the USP-1,could it be an issue with the USP 1 volume,or signal control?
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Post by roadrunner on Aug 16, 2010 14:31:53 GMT -5
I have tried both...full range and the other one...pretty much the same issue though. I wonder...bcz the peak meters on my XPA's are barely registering at high 'volume' on the dial of the USP-1,could it be an issue with the USP 1 volume,or signal control? You said that you tried connecting your Ipod to the Aux input on the USP with the USP's output hooked to the XPA-1 but still had very low volume from your speakers; and, using the same Ipod connected to either of your receivers gave very strong output. Is this correct? Have you tried connecting the Ipod directly to the RCA inputs on the XPA-1? This sound confirm if your power amp is the problem or not. Just make sure that you have the "unbalanced" switch enabled on the back of each XPA-1. If you still have very low output from your speakers then you probably have a bad fuse inside the XPA-1. One more question. Did you use the same RCA cables between the USP/XPA that you used between the receivers/XPA? If you are using the exact same cables in each setup I am suspecting that you need to replace the fuse(s) in the XPA. I am not trying to insult you, but double check that you have all of your RCA cables properly connected between your source components to the USP-1 and then to the XPA-1 AND that you have the "Balanced/Unbalanced" switches in the "Unbalanced" position. Do you have access to a multimeter that you can use to check the voltage output you get from the USP-1? This will quickly tell you if the pre-amp is functioning as it should. Also... CALL EMOTIVA for tech support. They will be able to walk you through all the steps necessary to isolate your problem, no matter what the cause is. |
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Lonnie
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Post by Lonnie on Aug 16, 2010 15:28:52 GMT -5
Are you running the RCA outputs of the USP into the XLR inputs of the XPA-1?
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oregonkiwi
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Post by oregonkiwi on Aug 16, 2010 22:43:42 GMT -5
Hey folks..Think I have it mostly figured out...due to Nick,and Vince at Emotiva...
Seems that the signal from ipod,and turntable is very low...I dont understand all the lingo,something to due with Volts...they are extremely low on such devices through USP1...
Vince suggested I get a cd or dvd player from somewhere and hook them up...see if there would be a difference as these have higher 'output' in voltage?
Well...bugger me days...He was onto something...now those little polks really scream!
Also,I got a mini stereo splitter to rca,and ran my computer audio out and into aux 1 on the USP1..and same...awesome volume...
Thanks all for all your brainstorming.
One question remains now tho...
How in the blazes do I get my Turntable to make the XPA-1's to crank volume to speakers..I dont really want to outlay a bunch more cash when the reason I bought the USP1 was for it's phono section.?
I was looking at the umc1,but it doesn't have the phono section like the older discontinued processors have!!...grrrr
Your input is highly valued
One last thing...
What would be a good quality mid level graphic equalizer to pair up with my system?
Playing audio through I-TUNES Equalizer sounded better than regualr audio cd though dvd player directly connected to system?
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Post by jlafrenz on Aug 16, 2010 23:36:56 GMT -5
It makes sense that the lower input voltage of the iPod and turntable would provide less volume, but as you said, the point of the USP-1 is to provide the necessary gain. Especially for the phono section. I know the USP-1 has plenty of output voltage to drive the amps so it seems strage that there is something missing between the turntable/phono section and the output.
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oregonkiwi
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Post by oregonkiwi on Aug 17, 2010 1:03:05 GMT -5
Yes,my thoughts exactly..I am no audiophile like most likely are on here,but I can count and read..
What I mean is,one buys the equipment to do a task..TT,pre,amps,speakers etc etc...amd you come up with an issue such as this....doesn't make any sense to me.
Surely there is an answer?
I wonder if I should take my TT in to some audiophile shop,and have them check it out?..or is my phono section perhaps 'off' so to speak?
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Post by Tyler wants bass! on Aug 17, 2010 9:02:27 GMT -5
Hey folks..Think I have it mostly figured out...due to Nick,and Vince at Emotiva... Seems that the signal from ipod,and turntable is very low...I dont understand all the lingo,something to due with Volts...they are extremely low on such devices through USP1... Vince suggested I get a cd or dvd player from somewhere and hook them up...see if there would be a difference as these have higher 'output' in voltage? Well...bugger me days...He was onto something...now those little polks really scream! Also,I got a mini stereo splitter to rca,and ran my computer audio out and into aux 1 on the USP1..and same...awesome volume... Thanks all for all your brainstorming. One question remains now tho... How in the blazes do I get my Turntable to make the XPA-1's to crank volume to speakers..I dont really want to outlay a bunch more cash when the reason I bought the USP1 was for it's phono section.? I was looking at the umc1,but it doesn't have the phono section like the older discontinued processors have!!...grrrr Your input is highly valued One last thing... What would be a good quality mid level graphic equalizer to pair up with my system? Playing audio through I-TUNES Equalizer sounded better than regualr audio cd though dvd player directly connected to system? You could get a car audio Line Driver and hook it to a 12-14v power supply. There is also home units that are splitters, I don't know if they add voltage, or if they pass the same volts out. |
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Post by roadrunner on Aug 17, 2010 13:09:48 GMT -5
oregonkiwi
Is your Grado cartridge a MM or a MC design? What is its rated output? Do you have it routed to the USP-1's PHONO input? Do you have the switch set to the proper setting between MM or MC? Did you double check the turntable is properly setup? What tracking force are you utilitzing? What is the Grado's recommended tracking force? Is this a new Grado cartridge?
If you have everything properly set and still have exceptionally low volume you might want to take your TT/Cartridge to the dealer and have it checked and have them ensure the cartridge is installed correctly. Good luck.
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woodworker
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Post by woodworker on Aug 17, 2010 14:17:16 GMT -5
What cartridge are you using Oregonkiwi?
I am not certain what the input sensitivity for the phono section of the USP-1 is but it may in fact be that you need to bump your turntable's output up in order to match it (or meet the lower end of the range anyway).
I would suggest that you follow Roadrunner's advice as well as look up the spec on your Grado and then measure the actual output of your turntable while playing a relatively lively record (can you buy a vinyl copy of white or pink noise??). Anyway, that's what you need to focus on- the turntable/cartridge combo and its output. That needs to be high enough to meet the minimum input requirement of the phono section of the USP-1.
Does anyone know the input sensitivity on the USP-1/ the target mV output range that Oregonkiwi is shooting for? If you find that your output is too low you can easily remedy that with an external phono preamp that works in the mV range you are in.
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