is the xsp delay due to the XDA?

[rclark]

I notice the "we're fine tuning" line and "we want it to be special" and I can't stop thinking it's because the XDA is seemingly the first product that hasn't recieved universal acclaim.

I bought my ERC-1 because I could find nothing bad written about it, and if you go look at other Emotiva products, they are generally very well recieved. I bought the XDA-1 point blank at preorder time on that reputation. And I like mine alot. It's connected to the ERC-1 and it makes the ERC-1 (which sounded AWESOME) sound better. But its reputation so far is not the same as other Emotiva products, an OMG I can't believe they can give you this much for so low, rather it's pretty much just considered very good for the money. Are they putting extra effort into the XSP-1 so that it surely trounces its competition and not just matches it?

So far the only component I'm thinking of immediately upgrading after my full sytem build is the dac. And that's because, unlike other Emotiva products, there isn't the same level of appreciation for it/.

Again, it's a great dac, and it sounds awesome, but I think the audiophile elite were expecting the same uber miracle other products have achieved. DAC's within a few hundred dollars are considered comparable or superior. And this is unlike Emotiva's reputation, which is to outperform at several times the cost.

[roguemodel]

I suspect that they are tweaking the software and firmware. I think they should send out beta units for testing to those loyal EMO customers. Get the bugs worked in Beta testing. I had emailed asking about a new preamp that could handle the balanced inputs of the XPA-2 and was told by Vincent that the XPA-1 would be out later this year. What "later this year" means who knows. Could be May, could be August. I suspect that a $700-$800 unit is going to have to knock socks off the first time around and not have bugs.

[Deleted]

Correct me if im wrong but i thought the XPA-1 was already out

[flyhigh]

Who knows what the delay is. Emotiva has buzz right now with a host of products that generally prove to be superior to their nearest competitors. That's a good place to be in the audio world.

In the case of the XSP-1...we don't really need another $800-ish preamp that performs as we might expect an $800 preamp to perform.

Emo wants (I'm sure) a Giant-Killer. A pre that can go 15 rounds with the heaviest of hitters, and fight to a draw....in which case Emo wins.

That's what I would want.

I just worry what will happen when Emo DOES start KOing the multi-thousand dollar products. Remember that companies like Krell, and Levinson were relative newcomers at one time too. I'm afraid we might be in the golden days now, when we can get this Emo gear for a song.

It may not be the case later....

Let's let the XSP-1 develop.....and I'm certain we'll all agree that it was well worth the wait.

Happy Listening

[rclark]

I don't think Emotiva will become an expensive brand. Rather, expensive brands will cease to exist unless they are worth it.

[turbo]

Apr 10, 2011 21:51:58 GMT -5 rclark said:

I don't think Emotiva will become an expensive brand. Rather, expensive brands will cease to exist unless they are worth it.

I think they started out an expensive brand(dmc1, mmc1, mps in the beginning) and changed their philosophy to sell more at lower prices.