how will the xsp-1 be better?

[rclark]

this will be my first real preamp so I'm little fuzzy on how they work. How do we expect the xsp to be any better than the usp, in terms of sq?

[rclark]

I have the money to spend and hopefully somebody (Lonnie) can put together a few paragraphs on what will be the sonic attributes of the xsp-1. I understand that it will have lots of control (which I like), but how would this unit compare sonically to my other option, a battery powered tube buffer? Guesses will suffice as answers, I can pick though them. The tube buffer I'm considering is said to offer ridiculous sq.

What's so special about the xsp components?

[stuofsci02]

How can you compare a tube buffer to a preamp?

Are you calling a preamp with a tube output stage a tube buffer?

[rclark]

i don't know. It's the Dodd Tube buffer. It's basically a battery powered volume control with sub outs, super low impedance and it's supposed to just add incredible spatial dimension to the sound. And you can change tubes:

doddaudio.com/diy.aspx


That's what I would consider buying versus the XSP-1. I was told I don't necessarily need a preamp. Not sure exactly what the difference is between buffer and preamp since both do the same thing and the Dodd buffer has extremely low input impedance.

[roadrunner]

rclark

We really need to know what you are wanting a pre-amp for to begin with. You pick the "tool" that will best help you achieve your goals. If we know what you are wanting to do we will be in a position to focus our response. Something that will be important no matter your specific goals is having a very low noise floor. The XSP-1 has been designed from the ground up to be ultra quiet. The XSP-1 is a dual differential, fully balanced circuit design; and it incorporates a sophisticated, stepped-ladder resistor volume control having THD of -130dB.

The XSP-1 has a HT ByPass feature to allow you to share resources between your HT multi-channel system and your 2-channel stereo audio system; it has a robust analog bass management system; it has XLR and RCA input and output connections; it has Right, Left, and Summed sub woofer outputs (RCA & XLR which are always active); it has a superb phono stage with adjustable impedance settings to match your MM or MC cartridge; it has an external processor loop (commonly called a tape monitor loop); is has fine stepping in its tone control circuits that can be boosted or cut during play back; it offers 12dB or 24dB slope options for HP and LP filters; it has adjustable crossovers for Main speakers and sub woofers; it has input and output connections for IR and Trigger; it has multi-level dim switch; it has a high-end Headphone amp built-in; it uses high precision discrete components on all the circuit boards; and it has a significantly lower noise floor than the USP-1.

I believe in one of the recent Podcasts Lonnie said that the XSP-1 would have user changeable component mounts to give you the solid state equivalent of "tube rolling". Imagine the fun you will have with this feature.

Who know what other little enhancements Lonnie has designed into the XSP-1. It is my understanding that Emotiva has spent the last six months "fine tuning" the sound quality of the XSP-1. Emotiva's goal is to offer the optimal analog sonic experience. I can hardly wait to get my hands (and ears) on this "music box". Emotiva should send all of us who sign up on the Pre-Order List an Emotiva designed Bib. ;D ;D

[rclark]

OK, thanks for your response RoadRunner. I'm amazed, how do you know so much about the components?

Anyway, my needs are this: I need volume control and subwoofer outs. Not exactly sure how a preamp is supposed to make your system sound better as from what I understand it's supposed to be transparent and not color the sound.

I do understand that a preamp can help refine the sound somewhat. The Dodd buffer is supposed to do this really well.

If you look at the Dodd buffer kit it is all really nice parts. Reputable sources say it is an incredible unit that has an utter black quiet background noise level and achieves great seperation and soundstage. I don't think you can get less noisy than clean battery power provides.

I love that the XSP has all that control and I will have fun learning how to use it all. I hope they ship a hefty manual (provided I buy it).

I want this purchase to last a lifetime as I'm building this hifi for the long haul. I have two Emotiva components so far, my XDA and ERC, and I love them.

I do like the idea that it has a headphone amp too as I plan on adding headphones into the mix.

Okay, so my amps will be either ClassD audio kit or a HiFiDiyme tripath kit amp. Both supposed to be very hifi and high wattage. Do you think the buffer will do the job or do I need the XSP?

I have need for only pure 2.2 . I have a PS3 but I will run it into the XDA. I have two subwoofers.

Have you seen the page I referred to? The tube buffer is a gorgeous piece as well, and complete would be slightly over a grand.

I don't know, XSP with all the bells and whistles or battery powered tube goodness with a very charming look and a certain cache.

[roadrunner]

rclark,

To give you the type of information you are seeking, you need to identify all of the components you will be using. Would the Dodd tube buffer be able to handle switching all of the components you will have in your 2.2 system? Most people use a tube buffer for "coloring" the output to provide a warmer tube-like sound to solid state gear. It depends on your speakers, your room's acoustical properties, and the sound properties of your amplification gear. Dodd is noted for having an exceptional noise floor due to it being based on using DC voltage in lieu of AC. Dodd also makes tube pre-amps with more features than the tube buffer. How do you know which will best meet your needs? This is why I ask what gear you will be using... so you will get the "tool" that best fits your needs.

Do you already have a power amp? For the quality of sound you are looking for, I would not use a class D power amp. It is not "refined" enough to give you the sound quality you are seeking. To know which amps to consider, you start by lookiing at the speakers you will be using, the size of your listening room, your room's acoustical properties, your listening habits, etc. Then you go for a power amp that will provide for your NEEDS.

The Emotiva XDA, ERC. and XSP are going to be excellent together. The ERC-1 sending its output via a digital cable to the XDA-1 will provide superb fully balanced output thru its analog connection that you would hook up to the XSP-1's "balanced input" giving you a true fully balanced signal path all the way from the CD to your power amp; and if you have a trully balanced power amp you will continue having a fully balanced signal path all the way to your speakers. If your budget allows for it, the XPA-1s would be an ideal amplifier. If the XSP-1 has the sonic quality we are expecting it to have, that compilation of gear will give you a world-class 2.2 analog system that can last you a life-time.

I don't know if you plan on keeping a separate system for movies and multi-channel listening, but if you do the XSP's HT ByPass will allow you to use your current amps, front speakers, and sub woofers... without having to buy new pieces. This is more reason why I ask what your intended usage of all your gear is.

Since the XSP-1 has a true, fully balanced signal path its noise floor should rival that of the Dodd. The circuit design will cancel the noise generated in the two legs giving you ultra low noise. Whether you will prefer the sonic signature of the Dodd tube buffer or the XSP-1 is impossible to say. You would need to play them both in your home, using your gear to find out which appeals more to you. I think you will find both the Dodd and the XSP-1 will provide world-class sound quality. Will you be able to return the Dodd for a full refund if you don't like it? That is another factor you need to consider.

I have no idea what the price for the Dodd tube buffer kit is, but consider that the quietest mode of operation will be with using batteries. If you listen more than four to five hours/day the batteries have a short life cycle and can get to be very expensive to keep replacing. Just make sure the Dodd will do everything you need of it to meet your usage goals. Good luck and happy listening.

[rclark]

Yeah the batteries will not be a proble they might not need to be changed for a couple years, and they will provide unlimited listening as they will be kept on constant charge. Battery amps give you hours and hours and hours. A battery buffer would probably give you days of usage without a charge. But you can keep it on a charger so that problem is moot. Batteries are not expensive either.

The ClassD amps you speak of is the subject of a several dozen page thread on audiocircle provided by reputable audiophiles. The amps are compared favorably to multi-thousand dollar amps. I'm not worried about their capability. Notice I use capital letters. Not class d, which is a common, old technology commonly used in subwoofers, but ClassD, a new company that uses new technology. These amps are class d but have the power of class d with the accuracy of an A and the warmth of a tube amp. It's not me saying this, feel free to read the thread.

Is the ERC truly balanced? I remember reading that the balanced outputs on the ERC are phony somehow.

And regardless, I remember reading that balanced input/outputs are essentially useless unless you are running very long cable lengths.

I already have speakers under construction. DIY Jim Holtz Statement Monitors www.speakerdesignworks.com/Statements_Monitor.html

Huge, huge monitors with a ported midbass, open backed titanium mid (there's a tunnel behind the mid), and ribbon tweeter (neo 3.0).

My subwoofers are a pair of Adire Audio Brahma 15's that I am putting in partsexpress 3.0 cube sealed boxes with a couple GR Research sub amps.

The room will be treated with basstraps, etc.

[rclark]

BTW I truly appreciate your input and have been pondering what you've said. I really was kind of set in the beginning on not going with just one manufacturer but rather having one neat piece of gear each from a different source. Still, I imagine that if the preorder list for the XSP comes along soon I'll just probably go with that. Too many positives in its favor versus the Dodd I think. Far more functionality, and I enjoy the SQ of my ERC and XDA so I doubt I'll be disappointed in that regard with the preamp.

If there's anything else you can describe about the XSP-1, please do!

[rclark]

You really are an asset to this. I just read your very comprehensive pm and I will answer Tomorrow. I've been very weak today with an out of the blue flu that has just had me sleeping all day. My longsuffering fiance is at the desk right now writing a research paper and I am completely useless. Anyway, tommorrow.

I do believe I will have an xsp-1 as my preamplifier, thanks to you. Question to follow in pm.

[DC]

Hi, can someone explain the need of a 'pre-amp'. Mine understanding is if u have an array of equipments and u need to amplified the signal in order to transmit to the power amp so if I basically only uses 1) a CD source & 2) digital source internet radio . All channel to a Bel Canto 3.0 dac which has an attenuator, do u advise me to add a pre-amp like XSP-1?