USP-1 now or XSP-1 later?

[eveningsky]

Folks, I have a question. If I asked this question before I cannot remember or understand the answer. So here is my question.

I want to purchase an Emotiva Preamp.
I am considering the model available now, on sale now, w headphone amp / output, and the pending product.

This is what I want to do with it. I want to hook up multiple audio devices from my home theater.

I want to output the analogue signal to 2 active near field monitor speakers, and a single powered subwoofer. The powered near field monitor speakers accept balanced and unbalanced inputs. I think that they prefer balanced signals. I do not know if it makes very much difference in my situation. It is nice to be able to attenuate the output signal of the preamp, to control the loudness of the speaker output, rather than turning a passive rheostat.

On occasion, especially in the summer (open windows), I also listen to sound with head phones. A headphone output is nice to have. I do not know if the headphone out of the USP1 is good; I see little mention of it in comments and reviews? I do not see a headphone output in the XSP1 pictures, so I assume that there will be none. I do not know how much I would need to spend on a headphone amp to get at decent quality of sound, should I buy the XSP1.

I do not know if both preamps have completely separate R and L channel circuitry. I do not know how their sound quality compares.

Advice???

Thank you,
ES

[EMO_tional]

I like the USP-1 headphone out better than my Little Dot I+ Tube Hybrid Headphone Amp.

USP-1 is not a "True Differential" design, meaning that technically, crosstalk between channels exists. (Although it's not audible in my unit)

The XSP-1 is supposed to offer a higher level of fidelity as compared to the USP-1, as well as more features.
(That's saying quite a bit as the USP-1 is no slouch and a real pleasure to listen to.)

The XSP-1 will be around twice the price of the USP-1

I own a USP-1, and while I think it sounds fantastic, I will be on the XSP-1 reserve list when it opens up.

[eveningsky]

Thank you Emo. Another question for you. If you replaced your USP1 w an XSP1, what solution would you choose for headphone listening?

[carlp336]

i just recently got the USP-1 as to break into 2ch listening. converting my HT into both. i added the erc and the xda as well as separating my FL&FR to dedicated amp with more headroom.

i think its going to be a solid step up, entry level maybe but id like to think more so. the usp may not be a feature heavy or sound as good as the XSP but its going to be a great deal better than my processor and bluray being used for music.

[eddieg07410]

My amp all use regular connections. Would going to the xsp-1 be overkill and not worth the additional cost over USP-1. Also, For analog sound I was fairly happy with what my MMC-1 could for 2channel analog stereo. Would adding the the USP-1 be a major step forward if I went with a umc-1 usp-1 combo. I listen to a lot of vinyl.

[EMO_tional]

Dec 16, 2010 12:14:02 GMT -5 eddieg07410 said:

My amp all use regular connections. Would going to the xsp-1 be overkill and not worth the additional cost over USP-1. Also, For analog sound I was fairly happy with what my MMC-1 could for 2channel analog stereo. Would adding the the USP-1 be a major step forward if I went with a umc-1 usp-1 combo. I listen to a lot of vinyl.

I have given up my main phono pre-amp (Cambridge 640) and am using the USP-1's phono stage, which is superior IMO.

I am a vinyl enthusiast (5 decks and counting), and while I'm happy with the USP-1, I will move on to the XSP for two big (for me) reasons.

1: On board processor loop - I have an EQ I like very much, this will allow me to switch it in and out at will.

2:Phono Stage, expected to be superior to the one in the USP-1, with adjustable loading.

[EMO_tional]

Dec 16, 2010 9:47:57 GMT -5 eveningsky said:

Thank you Emo. Another question for you. If you replaced your USP1 w an XSP1, what solution would you choose for headphone listening?

I suppose I'd go back to my Little Dot, which I did enjoy.. until I got the USP-1.

I'm hoping the final XSP-1 will keep the headphone out.

[aussie]

Lonnie stated that it will have headphone in reply #69 in the XSP-1 thread in the News/Updates ection of the forum.

[ocean2059]

That's good news. I have been looking for a good headphone amp for a while. Maybe I will just wait for the XSP-1 next year.

Cheers,

[roadrunner]

The USP-1 is an absolutely premium quality pre-amp that performs far above its price level. Its phono stage is better than most external phono stages selling for the same price as the USP-1; and the headphone amp is also excellent--again better than many of the external units. This is one of the best sounding preamps I have listened to. To get a thorough review of it click on the link below.

www.hometheaterhifi.com/preamplifiers/689-emotiva-usp-1-stereo-preamplifier.html

Last year Secrets of Home Theater and HiFi awarded the USP-1 a Product of the Year Award for preamplifiers. If this has the features you are wanting, it is one of the best bargains you will find. If you need additional features or a fully balanced signal path then wait for the XSP-1 that will ship next year. The XSP-1 will be an upgrade and is a "fully balanced, differential" design. If you have a "fully balanced" power amp, I would wait for the XSP-1. Otherwise, the USP-1 may well be the perfect unit for you.

[amiller]

I too am curious... if all my sources have unbalanced outputs, will there be much improvement to be had using the XSP-1 with unbalanced ins and balanced outs over the USP-1 which is unbalanced both in and out? (For me this would be feeding an XPA-2.)

And yes, I realize the specs are not published yet for us to _really_ know...