Post by drmark on Oct 22, 2010 9:02:53 GMT -5
This is a review about the XPA-5 emotiva amp. This is a 5-channel, 200-RMS unit.
Equipment used in my system.
Denon 3808ci
Denon 3800BDCI Bluray RCA out, with Burr Brown PCM-1796 DACs
Monster AVS-2000 voltage stabilizer
XPA-5
Dali Ikon 7 mains
Dali Vokel 2 center
Dali onwall surround
SVS PB12 Ultra2
Cabling used, I have enjoyed music and home theater since the late 70’s and spent a ton on cables. Most of my cables were bought from companies in the late 80’s and early 90’s, which are out of business.
Suffice it to say, all cabling is at least 12 gage or better.
I hooked this beast up with the help of my lovely wife and had at it. Denon setting, stereo. For about 45 minutes of listening, I was concerned with the very harsh sound at the high end, mid range was overly warm. Playing with the settings of the receiver, I switched it to direct mode and this cleared up the problem.
I am not armed with meters, just my ears. This is not a review with sine curves, etc. Just my impression from before, then the addition of the XPA-5.
First disk up, Pink Floyd – Dark side of the moon. Original master recording, MFSL., Inc aad, 1973UDCD 517. This is a 24k gold master.
3 tracks listened to.
4. Time, The heart beat and then going into the clocks striking. In the past I had a Phase Linear 400b (bought in 1978) and a Bryston 4b (bought in 1991) amp. The pulse of the heart beat always seemed to give the phase linear and the Denon trouble. At the height of the pulse, the sound would lose some of the solid clarity and seem to distort. The Bryston was the only amp I owned that was able to render this with clarity. As it transitions to the clocks striking, the high pitch would inevitably turn to a shrill and all blend together. I don’t know why, but this transition from full mids/low to an abrupt high is a difficult transition for an amp. The pulse usually starts out strong, but the tail end of each, seem to trail and distort.
The XPA-5 changed that. Each pulse was solid and firm, no hint of distortion. Rather than lose control, the XPA held on to the sound with tight control and allowed it to complete with authority. As the music transitioned into the clocks, each strike was clear and held with clarity. I was able to hear each strike on its own and pick each out. Rather than all the clocks turning into the shrill blur as they chime together. Each one was distinct and rendered with subtlety.
5. The great gig in the sky. Clare Torry was front and center. No hint of distortion at the high end of her voice. Firm and full sounding. I was pleased that no harsh rendering of her voice was present.
6. Money, Nerdvanna. Pure adulterated pleasure. I found myself swaying and remembering the concert in the 80’s in Phoenix. Pink Floyd performed at an open air venue. This was truly one of the all time great concerts, I had ever been to. Prior to this, I would remember the sound as harsh and muddy. Each base note was clean, clear and complete.
Ludwig Van Beethoven Symphony No. 9. Telarc recording 1985 CD-80120
IV Presto
Bass recitative, and chorus, through Chorus:Prestissimo.
Robert Lloyd BASS, Janice Taylor Mezzo-Soprano and Carol Vaness Soprano.
I have yet found a “recording” of this I enjoy. This is the piece that got me hooked on classical. From the bass to the soprano, I have been stuck hearing a lot of sound, blended together. No real distinction between the instruments. I now hear distinction, as the voices travel; I hear violins, bass section, actual instruments used to make this a memorable listening session. As Carol hit the highs in the past, the note was blurry and meshed together with the string section. Not the case now. I hear her voice hit the highs and can still pick out the instruments.
If anyone has a recommendation for a better recording of this piece, share it please.
Mickey Hart: Planet Drum. Rykodisk aad, 1991 recording
7. Temple Caves. In this recording Mickey used a wide variety of instruments. The most noteworthy are rain stick, split bamboo, shakers and earth drum. The rain stick always seemed to be the most difficult to render. They always seem to blur and distort at the high end. When I first listened to this, I was fully expecting to be disappointed. I expected to hear nothing but shrill fuzz. This was not the case. The rain stick was tight, no distortion. While not able to pick each sound, the sound was not fuzzy. Each bass note was firm and tight. When the earth drum and rain stick are intertwined, I am used to hearing just a lot of distortion and blended noise. Not the case with this listening session.
Michael Murray recording of Bach Toccata & Fugue in D Minor. Telarc CD-80088 1983 DDD
I really enjoy this recording, each note is not killed fast, but a little linger is allowed. It reminds me of some cathedrals in Europe, where I have heard it played before. Some recordings do each note hard and fast. When the end of the note is complete, they kill it hard. I remember the light echo of some cathedrals that give the music life. This recording always brings me back to that point in my life. Unfortunately, poor quality equipment kept me at home and annoyed. No lingering sound, just a lot of noise and distortion.
The XPA-5 and my Dali Ikon7’s seem to be a match in heaven. Each note took my back 30 years to England and Germany. I remembered sitting, looking up at the murals. As each note was hit…. Well you get the point.
The initial problem was wondering if I was making a mistake going back to separates. I had been disappointed in the 70’s and 80’s with all the hiss and noise. Trying to get the perfect note/sound. All my separate gear was dumped in the mid 90’s and I went to a do-it-all receiver. While I never got the perfect sound, I knew one thing, I was listening to sound, not music. I now have a great combination that allows me to hear music.
This amp does what is says, power and stability. I never once clipped and I don’t remember hitting the wall of distortion.
What this does is point me in the upgrade direction
Phase 1. Dali Helicon 400 speakers
Phase 2. XPA-2
Phase 3. 7.1 processor to replace the 3808ci
I think I will be in nerd heaven then.
Now to see if CD’s have improved since my 1980’s purchases. Any recommendations?
Equipment used in my system.
Denon 3808ci
Denon 3800BDCI Bluray RCA out, with Burr Brown PCM-1796 DACs
Monster AVS-2000 voltage stabilizer
XPA-5
Dali Ikon 7 mains
Dali Vokel 2 center
Dali onwall surround
SVS PB12 Ultra2
Cabling used, I have enjoyed music and home theater since the late 70’s and spent a ton on cables. Most of my cables were bought from companies in the late 80’s and early 90’s, which are out of business.
Suffice it to say, all cabling is at least 12 gage or better.
I hooked this beast up with the help of my lovely wife and had at it. Denon setting, stereo. For about 45 minutes of listening, I was concerned with the very harsh sound at the high end, mid range was overly warm. Playing with the settings of the receiver, I switched it to direct mode and this cleared up the problem.
I am not armed with meters, just my ears. This is not a review with sine curves, etc. Just my impression from before, then the addition of the XPA-5.
First disk up, Pink Floyd – Dark side of the moon. Original master recording, MFSL., Inc aad, 1973UDCD 517. This is a 24k gold master.
3 tracks listened to.
4. Time, The heart beat and then going into the clocks striking. In the past I had a Phase Linear 400b (bought in 1978) and a Bryston 4b (bought in 1991) amp. The pulse of the heart beat always seemed to give the phase linear and the Denon trouble. At the height of the pulse, the sound would lose some of the solid clarity and seem to distort. The Bryston was the only amp I owned that was able to render this with clarity. As it transitions to the clocks striking, the high pitch would inevitably turn to a shrill and all blend together. I don’t know why, but this transition from full mids/low to an abrupt high is a difficult transition for an amp. The pulse usually starts out strong, but the tail end of each, seem to trail and distort.
The XPA-5 changed that. Each pulse was solid and firm, no hint of distortion. Rather than lose control, the XPA held on to the sound with tight control and allowed it to complete with authority. As the music transitioned into the clocks, each strike was clear and held with clarity. I was able to hear each strike on its own and pick each out. Rather than all the clocks turning into the shrill blur as they chime together. Each one was distinct and rendered with subtlety.
5. The great gig in the sky. Clare Torry was front and center. No hint of distortion at the high end of her voice. Firm and full sounding. I was pleased that no harsh rendering of her voice was present.
6. Money, Nerdvanna. Pure adulterated pleasure. I found myself swaying and remembering the concert in the 80’s in Phoenix. Pink Floyd performed at an open air venue. This was truly one of the all time great concerts, I had ever been to. Prior to this, I would remember the sound as harsh and muddy. Each base note was clean, clear and complete.
Ludwig Van Beethoven Symphony No. 9. Telarc recording 1985 CD-80120
IV Presto
Bass recitative, and chorus, through Chorus:Prestissimo.
Robert Lloyd BASS, Janice Taylor Mezzo-Soprano and Carol Vaness Soprano.
I have yet found a “recording” of this I enjoy. This is the piece that got me hooked on classical. From the bass to the soprano, I have been stuck hearing a lot of sound, blended together. No real distinction between the instruments. I now hear distinction, as the voices travel; I hear violins, bass section, actual instruments used to make this a memorable listening session. As Carol hit the highs in the past, the note was blurry and meshed together with the string section. Not the case now. I hear her voice hit the highs and can still pick out the instruments.
If anyone has a recommendation for a better recording of this piece, share it please.
Mickey Hart: Planet Drum. Rykodisk aad, 1991 recording
7. Temple Caves. In this recording Mickey used a wide variety of instruments. The most noteworthy are rain stick, split bamboo, shakers and earth drum. The rain stick always seemed to be the most difficult to render. They always seem to blur and distort at the high end. When I first listened to this, I was fully expecting to be disappointed. I expected to hear nothing but shrill fuzz. This was not the case. The rain stick was tight, no distortion. While not able to pick each sound, the sound was not fuzzy. Each bass note was firm and tight. When the earth drum and rain stick are intertwined, I am used to hearing just a lot of distortion and blended noise. Not the case with this listening session.
Michael Murray recording of Bach Toccata & Fugue in D Minor. Telarc CD-80088 1983 DDD
I really enjoy this recording, each note is not killed fast, but a little linger is allowed. It reminds me of some cathedrals in Europe, where I have heard it played before. Some recordings do each note hard and fast. When the end of the note is complete, they kill it hard. I remember the light echo of some cathedrals that give the music life. This recording always brings me back to that point in my life. Unfortunately, poor quality equipment kept me at home and annoyed. No lingering sound, just a lot of noise and distortion.
The XPA-5 and my Dali Ikon7’s seem to be a match in heaven. Each note took my back 30 years to England and Germany. I remembered sitting, looking up at the murals. As each note was hit…. Well you get the point.
The initial problem was wondering if I was making a mistake going back to separates. I had been disappointed in the 70’s and 80’s with all the hiss and noise. Trying to get the perfect note/sound. All my separate gear was dumped in the mid 90’s and I went to a do-it-all receiver. While I never got the perfect sound, I knew one thing, I was listening to sound, not music. I now have a great combination that allows me to hear music.
This amp does what is says, power and stability. I never once clipped and I don’t remember hitting the wall of distortion.
What this does is point me in the upgrade direction
Phase 1. Dali Helicon 400 speakers
Phase 2. XPA-2
Phase 3. 7.1 processor to replace the 3808ci
I think I will be in nerd heaven then.
Now to see if CD’s have improved since my 1980’s purchases. Any recommendations?
A friend of mine refered me to a Rega DAC.... Well there goes another grand. Should have it soon, can't wait to hook it up. 
