XPA-2 paired with Denon/Polk

[doogie]

I bought a used XPA-2 from a local audiophile store (It seems brand new to me - the ship date on it is Aug 2011).

I have had it for a few weeks now and it is paired with a Denon 2809CI pushing a pair of Polk RT150's

I hate to be vague as I don't consider myself an audiophile. I have dabbled in the realm and this hobby has gained momentum for sure. What I can say is that I am very happy with how this amp performs. Tremendous headroom, although it does seem to me that these particular Polk's crave tons of power and a set of XPA-1's might just make these things shine even more.

I don't think this amp is quite broken in yet (or the speakers for that matter ) I just recently paired this amp with these speakers because I didn't own anything powerful enough to push them.

I don't have a lot to compare to but I believe the Denon/Emotiva match up works very well. I now want the XPA-5 for my other speakers.

Thanks Emotiva Team

Cheers!

[doogie]

One thing I forgot to mention (well, I'm sure I'll remember more as time goes on) is that I believe Polk's can be a bit too bright and the raw power from this amp drove that point home with the RT150's. However, depending on the processor settings, in this case the "Restore" feature on the Denon allowed the brightness to be tamed. All is well though once a few adjustments are made with the Denon.

I have read a lot of reviews on various amps and have to say I agree with everything postive that has been said about this beast, and it is a beast...in many ways. Is it just me or is this thing one of the heaviest pieces of equipment you have ever put in your rack?

Looking forward to adding more weight to the rest of my system.

Peace!

[geebo]

Are your Polks RTi150s? If so they have a sensitivety rating of 91dB. The XPA-2 should have more than enough to drive them or just about any other speaker for that matter. The Polk speakers, in my experience, are a bit forward or bright sounding in general. XPA-1s will not change that. You might want to look at something different speakerwise.

[doogie]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, they are the RTi150's. I have thought for quite some time about switching speakers or changing all together. I'm not really sure what to try out. I think the Polk's do a good job for now and I have to say the RTi150s sound pretty awesome (to me anyway). I'm running all Polk's right now including the sub - DSW PRO 600, RTi150, RT1000i, RT800i, CSi400 with the XPA-2 and Denon2809ci. It all sounds awesome together, although I find myself wanting to hear other combinations of speakers.

I agree that the XPA-2 is enough power to push these - I was just curious what the XPA-1's would do for them. Besides, the XPA's would have a permanant home if I did change out speakers.

How do you like your speakers?

[Porscheguy]

Jeez, don't mention break in..... :-)

[geebo]

Feb 27, 2012 17:33:35 GMT -5 doogie said:

Thanks for the reply. Yes, they are the RTi150's. I have thought for quite some time about switching speakers or changing all together. I'm not really sure what to try out. I think the Polk's do a good job for now and I have to say the RTi150s sound pretty awesome (to me anyway). I'm running all Polk's right now including the sub - DSW PRO 600, RTi150, RT1000i, RT800i, CSi400 with the XPA-2 and Denon2809ci. It all sounds awesome together, although I find myself wanting to hear other combinations of speakers.

I agree that the XPA-2 is enough power to push these - I was just curious what the XPA-1's would do for them. Besides, the XPA's would have a permanant home if I did change out speakers.

How do you like your speakers?

I like the Emos very well. I came over from a set of RTi A7s up front and TSi500 in the rear with a CSi A6 center. The Emos are much smoother sounding especially in the high end and listener fatigue has gone down with them as well.

[doogie]

Sorry, new here....did I say break-in?....er, I meant longer trial/listening period.

[mbanole03]

Feb 27, 2012 17:42:03 GMT -5 Porscheguy said:

Jeez, don't mention break in..... :-)

;D

ROFLMAO!