Post by wpm on Apr 1, 2012 16:21:15 GMT -5
I finally got around to hooking up the UPA-1 monos and XDA-1 DAC/Pre to my Infinity Kappa 9 loudspeakers, this weekend, and took them for a very long test drive.
I am not going to mince words… simply put, this Emotiva combination is the finest sounding system I have ever owned. It begs comparison with far more expensive and exotic components, many of which I have either owned myself or used throughout the years. The Emotiva’s are nothing short of a revelation, as it has been very difficult to find musically satisfying components that are both synergistic and yet have sufficient power to (effectively) drive the Kappa 9’s. Contrary to popular belief, Kappa 9’s are not the amp killers most people presume them to be. They respond very well to as little as 60-watts per channel, as was the case when I drove them with a pair of Adcom GFA-535II amplifiers. However, they do like amplifiers with a fair amount of grunt to get those dual 12-inch woofers moving. This is where most amplifiers fall flat.
For example… use an amplifier that excels in the bass and it will likely detract from the superbly detailed mid-range and treble that the Kappa 9’s are capable of. I experienced this very trade-off with the Bryston 4B-NRB amplifier I previously owned. The 4B-NRB has the uncanny ability to extrapolate every last nuance of bass from a woofer. However, it came at the expense of a slightly diminished mid-range and treble purity. Don’t get me wrong, the mid-range and treble on the Bryston will satisfy all but the most discerning audiophile. However, those who own loudspeakers capable of hyper-detail and refinement may not (fully) realize the potential of their loudspeakers when using this amp.
Conversely, use an amplifier that has the ability to exploit the Kappa 9’s Polydome mid-range and ribbon tweeters, and it will likely not have the drive to fully take charge of the woofers. This is what I experienced when using the otherwise superb Conrad Johnson MF-2250A amplifier. The CJ has the most refined and liquid sounding mid-range and treble I have ever heard; however, it simply did not have the kind of grip on the Kappa 9’s woofers that they needed. As you can see, there is a bit of a double-edge sword when it comes to finding amplification that can satisfy all of the parameters; at least in something that retails for less than $5K.
Enter the UPA-1/XDA-1 combination...
During our initial audition, my wife and I sat in front of the loudspeakers and simply marveled at the wonderful sounds that poured forth. Any preconceived notions we had about the Emotiva's ability to effectively drive the Kappa 9's were quickly put to rest within the first few notes of music that played. The Emotiva's are a stunning culmination of every component I have ever used or needed. Everything we threw at them responded with an even-handed authority that was coherent from top to bottom. Nothing drew attention to itself, nor did it detract from songs that we knew intimately well. On the contrary, we were able to hear these familiar songs in an entirely new light, with increased depth and clarity we never knew existed.
The Emotiva's played with consummate authority, yet displayed even the most minute details that were embedded within each recording. Many components tend to have an editorializing effect on music, constantly shouting "here I am." Not so with the Emotiva's. They consistently rendered layer upon layer of music with a sweet and enervating foundation that gives one the sensation of "being there." Separation and tonality are first rate. Individual instruments have real body and texture. Plucked strings have real snap and decay, and notes on the piano shimmer and resonate with stunning transparency. Music simply seems more natural, not contrived; the way it was meant to be.
After about 5-hours into the session, my wife made the comment that she had not grown tired of listening. If that isn’t an endorsement for good sound, I don’t know what is.
Straight out of the box, the Emotiva combination sounded a little rough around the edges and slightly sibilant on a few recordings. However, that is always to be expected with new components until they reach their optimum working levels and the capacitors reform once again. After about two hours everything settled in and sounded superb.
The quality and workmanship of these components goes without saying. One simply cannot, will not, find comparable components in either build or, especially, sound quality, for anywhere near their asking price, if not double or triple that. How Emotiva does it, I do not know, but I am extremely thankful they have. The fact that these components can effectively drive the Kappa 9's is a testament in itself. That they can drive them with such authority and finesse is truly remarkable.
It goes without saying, I am simply enamored with these products, and I am proud to (finally) be a card-carrying member. Throw away my return authorization, these components won't be going anywhere.
Thank you Emotiva!
I am not going to mince words… simply put, this Emotiva combination is the finest sounding system I have ever owned. It begs comparison with far more expensive and exotic components, many of which I have either owned myself or used throughout the years. The Emotiva’s are nothing short of a revelation, as it has been very difficult to find musically satisfying components that are both synergistic and yet have sufficient power to (effectively) drive the Kappa 9’s. Contrary to popular belief, Kappa 9’s are not the amp killers most people presume them to be. They respond very well to as little as 60-watts per channel, as was the case when I drove them with a pair of Adcom GFA-535II amplifiers. However, they do like amplifiers with a fair amount of grunt to get those dual 12-inch woofers moving. This is where most amplifiers fall flat.
For example… use an amplifier that excels in the bass and it will likely detract from the superbly detailed mid-range and treble that the Kappa 9’s are capable of. I experienced this very trade-off with the Bryston 4B-NRB amplifier I previously owned. The 4B-NRB has the uncanny ability to extrapolate every last nuance of bass from a woofer. However, it came at the expense of a slightly diminished mid-range and treble purity. Don’t get me wrong, the mid-range and treble on the Bryston will satisfy all but the most discerning audiophile. However, those who own loudspeakers capable of hyper-detail and refinement may not (fully) realize the potential of their loudspeakers when using this amp.
Conversely, use an amplifier that has the ability to exploit the Kappa 9’s Polydome mid-range and ribbon tweeters, and it will likely not have the drive to fully take charge of the woofers. This is what I experienced when using the otherwise superb Conrad Johnson MF-2250A amplifier. The CJ has the most refined and liquid sounding mid-range and treble I have ever heard; however, it simply did not have the kind of grip on the Kappa 9’s woofers that they needed. As you can see, there is a bit of a double-edge sword when it comes to finding amplification that can satisfy all of the parameters; at least in something that retails for less than $5K.
Enter the UPA-1/XDA-1 combination...
During our initial audition, my wife and I sat in front of the loudspeakers and simply marveled at the wonderful sounds that poured forth. Any preconceived notions we had about the Emotiva's ability to effectively drive the Kappa 9's were quickly put to rest within the first few notes of music that played. The Emotiva's are a stunning culmination of every component I have ever used or needed. Everything we threw at them responded with an even-handed authority that was coherent from top to bottom. Nothing drew attention to itself, nor did it detract from songs that we knew intimately well. On the contrary, we were able to hear these familiar songs in an entirely new light, with increased depth and clarity we never knew existed.
The Emotiva's played with consummate authority, yet displayed even the most minute details that were embedded within each recording. Many components tend to have an editorializing effect on music, constantly shouting "here I am." Not so with the Emotiva's. They consistently rendered layer upon layer of music with a sweet and enervating foundation that gives one the sensation of "being there." Separation and tonality are first rate. Individual instruments have real body and texture. Plucked strings have real snap and decay, and notes on the piano shimmer and resonate with stunning transparency. Music simply seems more natural, not contrived; the way it was meant to be.
After about 5-hours into the session, my wife made the comment that she had not grown tired of listening. If that isn’t an endorsement for good sound, I don’t know what is.
Straight out of the box, the Emotiva combination sounded a little rough around the edges and slightly sibilant on a few recordings. However, that is always to be expected with new components until they reach their optimum working levels and the capacitors reform once again. After about two hours everything settled in and sounded superb.
The quality and workmanship of these components goes without saying. One simply cannot, will not, find comparable components in either build or, especially, sound quality, for anywhere near their asking price, if not double or triple that. How Emotiva does it, I do not know, but I am extremely thankful they have. The fact that these components can effectively drive the Kappa 9's is a testament in itself. That they can drive them with such authority and finesse is truly remarkable.
It goes without saying, I am simply enamored with these products, and I am proud to (finally) be a card-carrying member. Throw away my return authorization, these components won't be going anywhere.
Thank you Emotiva!
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