XPA-1's arriving today :D

[runnin17]

So after seeing me reading about the XPA-1 amps for awhile my wife finally started asking some questions about them. Low and behold after I kept pointing out when I saw some used XPA-1's for sale on audiogon, she finally caved and actually ordered a pair from emotiva herself. Yes, I have taught her well

They will be arriving today. Here is my current setup.

Amplifier: Emotiva UPA-5
Pre-pro: Anthem Statement D2v
Front main speakers: Martin Logan Spires
Center: Martin Logan Stage
Surrounds: Def Tech BP7006 (two of them)
Sub: SVS PC12-NSD
TV: Panny 58" VT25
Cables: Signal cable Ultra speaker cables and Analog two XLR IC's

Pictures






So I will be adding the XPA-1's to power the Spires obviously. Now I will be on the lookout for a couple of small speakers to finish out a 7.1 setup.

I am excited to see what the XPA-1's can do with the Spires. They already sound absolutely fantastic being driven by the UPA-5; however, at times I can tell there is a little too much brightness coming out of the UPA-5. The pre-amp in the Anthem D2v helped a lot, but I still notice it every now and then.

Needless to say I am pretty excited!!!!

P.S. Does anyone have any experience with using Signal cable silver speaker cables or interconnects with the XPA-1's. I know the XPA-1's are very detailed and revealing amps which is great, but I was thinking maybe some silver cables might take some brightness out of the presentation. I don't really buy into incredibly expensive cables and interconnects, but I figure a different cable material might make a small difference.

[geebo]

Welcome to the Lounge ans congrats on the purchase! We'll be looking for your thoughts on the amps.

[Porscheguy]

Awesome!!

[air1max]

Oct 13, 2011 9:52:02 GMT -5 runnin17 said:

So after seeing me reading about the XPA-1 amps for awhile my wife finally started asking some questions about them. Low and behold after I kept pointing out when I saw some used XPA-1's for sale on audiogon, she finally caved and actually ordered a pair from emotiva herself. Yes, I have taught her well

dude, you have an awesome wife!

[poidog]

If it were my choice, I would keep your speaker cables and consider upgrading to balanced interconnects. Talk to Frank,
his XLR is the same as the Analog II with the balanced connectors. Plus, if you don't need the Analog Ii's, they will sell on Audigon very quickly.

[mg]

You have one sweet set up. Your in for a treat with XPA-1's. I was using them to run a pair of vantages. I sold my Vantages and was looking to upgrade to the Spires which I probably will in a few months. I too have the stage. If money allows it I would suggest going with a third XPA-1 to run your center.

Congrats.

[generalkorrd]

Oct 13, 2011 9:52:02 GMT -5 runnin17 said:

.
P.S. Does anyone have any experience with using Signal cable silver speaker cables or interconnects with the XPA-1's. I know the XPA-1's are very detailed and revealing amps which is great, but I was thinking maybe some silver cables might take some brightness out of the presentation. I don't really buy into incredibly expensive cables and interconnects, but I figure a different cable material might make a small difference.

I don't want to start another cable war in this thread, but I need to say that you will not be able to change your sound by changing your speaker cables. If it's too bright, eq some treble out.

[briank]

Oct 13, 2011 15:52:58 GMT -5 generalkorrd said:

Oct 13, 2011 9:52:02 GMT -5 runnin17 said:

.
P.S. Does anyone have any experience with using Signal cable silver speaker cables or interconnects with the XPA-1's. I know the XPA-1's are very detailed and revealing amps which is great, but I was thinking maybe some silver cables might take some brightness out of the presentation. I don't really buy into incredibly expensive cables and interconnects, but I figure a different cable material might make a small difference.

I don't want to start another cable war in this thread, but I need to say that you will not be able to change your sound by changing your speaker cables. If it's too bright, eq some treble out.

Oh, it's On now!!! ;D ;D

Runnin17, Congrats on the XPA-1's.

[RadTech]

Oct 13, 2011 16:06:37 GMT -5 briank said:

Oct 13, 2011 15:52:58 GMT -5 generalkorrd said:

I don't want to start another cable war in this thread, but I need to say that you will not be able to change your sound by changing your speaker cables. If it's too bright, eq some treble out.

Oh, it's On now!!! ;D ;D

Runnin17, Congrats on the XPA-1's.

LOL! Congrats on the new amps and you have one special lady.

Now for some popcorn.

[generalkorrd]

BTW, yes congrats on the amps, I am very jealous!

[edoggrc51]

Congrats on the BIG monoblocks. You wil not be dissapointed.

[bulldozer]

you will love those xpa-1's. im happy for yall!

[runnin17]

Thanks guys. I emailed Frank over at signal cable. I think I am gonna go with some XLR interconnects and have Frank make some custom speaker cables so that they will fit the XPA-1's crazy wide terminals.

Either way, I can't wait to crank these babies up

[LCSeminole]

So have you started on the first of your herniated discs? Those XPA-1's weigh a ton! ;D On a serious note, I believe your Anthem Statement D2v has a true balanced input and output stage for at least two channel, so along with your XPA-1's you may just hear a difference. I am jealous, but for now I'd love to hear your impressions on at least the two channel performance.

[runnin17]

Got the XPA-1's hooked via some shotgunning of cables. They sound amazing right now. A little burn in and I imagine they will really come to life. First impression is that they reproduce very, very accurate sound. If a recording is high quality you can tell and if a recording is sub-par you can really tell

A lot of the classical music I have played through them so far is incredibly accurate. The soundstage is what I expect and lets the Spires really put instruments where they are supposed to be. So far so good.

I went ahead and ordered a pair of balanced interconnects from Frank at Signal cable as well as some custom speaker cables to incorporate the wide terminal width of the XPA-1's

[Deleted]

great to hear.. keep on sharing your thoughts. congrats again.

Oct 14, 2011 16:55:37 GMT -5 runnin17 said:

Got the XPA-1's hooked via some shotgunning of cables. They sound amazing right now. A little burn in and I imagine they will really come to life. First impression is that they reproduce very, very accurate sound. If a recording is high quality you can tell and if a recording is sub-par you can really tell

A lot of the classical music I have played through them so far is incredibly accurate. The soundstage is what I expect and lets the Spires really put instruments where they are supposed to be. So far so good.

I went ahead and ordered a pair of balanced interconnects from Frank at Signal cable as well as some custom speaker cables to incorporate the wide terminal width of the XPA-1's

[LCSeminole]

Looking forward to future impressions as you have a set of components I'm interested in.

[crusty]

runnin17,

First of all, Congrats on the XPA-1's. I think that you will find that they will drive your Martin Logans well.

"P.S. Does anyone have any experience with using Signal cable silver speaker cables or interconnects with the XPA-1's. I know the XPA-1's are very detailed and revealing amps which is great, but I was thinking maybe some silver cables might take some brightness out of the presentation. I don't really buy into incredibly expensive cables and interconnects, but I figure a different cable material might make a small difference. "

I know that some will not agree with me (that cables do matter) on this forum, but since you asked directly, I will stick my neck out and answer you directly. I am driving a pair of Martin Logan Vistas with a pair of XPA-1's. I am also using a pair of Signal Cable's bi-wired Silver Resolution Speaker Cables. I did compare them to their Ultra Speaker Cables when I had another amp. I found that the Ultras were "rounder" or "warmer" in the bass, but not as extended. The Ultras sounded veiled in my system. I have found that the Silvers are cleaner and clearer sounding, and more extended on both ends, but the biggest difference that was immediately noticeable was that the Silvers tend to propel the music forward much better than the Ultras. The silvers tend to compel you to anticipate the next phrase of the music. I guess others have called it "pace and rhythm". For me, it lends an emotional realism to the music that the Ultras did not achieve. It's kind of like how one singer moves you with the same song when another doesn't. I don't know why this is the case. I am guessing that the cables are capable of wider dynamics, coupled with its ability to sound clean and clear, letting through all the music. Also, please note that the Vistas are not internally amped in the bass section, so I am using the XPA-1's to drive the entire speaker, not just the panel, as in the Spires. I'm not familiar with the Anthem preamp so cannot tell you how the Silvers will interact with your system, but I am using a tubed preamp so I am getting both an extended and dynamic sound along with the advantages of a "tubed" sound. Anyway's, Frank will send you both cables if you want to try before you buy.

Again, I am not looking to start any cable wars, or debate as to the merits of solid state versus tubes, but just answering your question.

crusty

[poidog]

Have you received the XLR cables yet? Like to hear your thoughts.

[djoel]

Congrats on the amps, I hope you rewarded your wife with some you know what! What she's been begging for sometime now, you took your time( reached in some forgotten places), took charge and surprised her with your technic ( peel,pound,grind ) and brought to the peek of delightful bliss. I'm talking about cleaning the house, and a home cook dinner, what I married woman usually what's from her husband..

So take your head out the gutter guys.

Djoel