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Post by brubacca on Sept 2, 2012 9:52:40 GMT -5
Forgive my complete ignorance, but why do I need/want class A amps?
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stiehl11
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Post by stiehl11 on Sept 2, 2012 9:58:20 GMT -5
Class A, B, A/B deal with the amount if the sound wave that is amplified. What you want or need to hear of that sound wave is up to you.  |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Sept 2, 2012 10:07:13 GMT -5
Watts are watts. If it does 30 watts as Class A, then it does the first 30 watts regardless of the load.
Why do we want Class A? Because, in general, it sounds the best. All Class A/B amps operate as Class A for the first portion of their power output cycle. The more power an amplifier is capable of as pure Class A the better it is able to manage the thermal loads generated by the output devices.
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Post by sharkman on Sept 2, 2012 11:49:00 GMT -5
I wonder where they got the idea to run an amp in class A? I'll give you 2 guesses.
BTW, the model name, XPA-1-L, is a bit odd. Did they explain what was behind it?
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Post by sharkman on Sept 2, 2012 11:50:36 GMT -5
Maybe the XPR-1 ought to be president. ;D I'll add my 'sniping' remark that I think the XPR-1 would make a GREAT president! ;D |
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Sept 2, 2012 11:56:29 GMT -5
I wonder where they got the idea to run an amp in class A? I'll give you 2 guesses. Jim Sugden 1968.  Of course class A tubes went back much farther. |
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Post by sharkman on Sept 2, 2012 11:58:18 GMT -5
I think you know what I'm thinking, don't you!
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Post by sharkman on Sept 2, 2012 12:01:21 GMT -5
I'm talking about an amp that runs the first several watts in class a, then switches to A/B operation. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Sept 2, 2012 12:03:20 GMT -5
I'm talking about an amp that runs the first several watts in class a, then switches to A/B operation. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. All Class A/B amps operate like that. |
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Sept 2, 2012 12:26:02 GMT -5
I'm talking about an amp that runs the first several watts in class a, then switches to A/B operation. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The only difference is at what wattage they switch over. Most are only a few watts, those with beefier power supplies are higher. As my post suggests, with transistors based amps this has been going on since the 60s. No childish "see, they are copying someone else"  Everyone has "copied" this design because it is a basic amp design! Now what are the price differences. |
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Post by jlafrenz on Sept 2, 2012 12:27:56 GMT -5
I wonder where they got the idea to run an amp in class A? I'll give you 2 guesses. BTW, the model name, XPA-1-L, is a bit odd. Did they explain what was behind it? It is still a preproduction unit. The name is just a working tutle. |
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Post by sharkman on Sept 2, 2012 12:57:59 GMT -5
The only difference is at what wattage they switch over. Most are only a few watts, those with beefier power supplies are higher. As my post suggests, with transistors based amps this has been going on since the 60s. No childish "see, they are copying someone else" Everyone has "copied" this design because it is a basic amp design! Now what are the price differences. Okay, I have to admit to a little ignorance in this area. I didn't know that all A/B designs run the first several watts in class A. I guess that means that my XPA-3 runs in class A too. I still don't care for it though at any price! Too bright with my speakers. |
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harri009
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Post by harri009 on Sept 2, 2012 15:16:41 GMT -5
The only difference is at what wattage they switch over. Most are only a few watts, those with beefier power supplies are higher. As my post suggests, with transistors based amps this has been going on since the 60s. No childish "see, they are copying someone else" Everyone has "copied" this design because it is a basic amp design! Now what are the price differences. Okay, I have to admit to a little ignorance in this area. I didn't know that all A/B designs run the first several watts in class A. I guess that means that my XPA-3 runs in class A too. I still don't care for it though at any price! Too bright with my speakers. Were you trying to get us to say Nelson Pass? His X series looks like a prime target audience for emo to jump on. I have been trying to figure out how to get the money together for an X350.5. I think I may just have to pick up this little guy in its place for a while ;D Now HURRY UP and get us one shipping. |
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Post by garbulky on Sept 2, 2012 17:12:01 GMT -5
I can't get over what a great idea this is. 500 watts @ 4 ohms PER CHANNEL is a 1000 true watts stereo. Plus, a stereo setup costs just a bit more than a single xpa-1. They were right to spruce it up with 30 watts class A and keep it truly differential. This is their flagship amp for people that aren't going for broke ;D What a great mix. I can't wait to hear the reviews on this bad boy.
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Post by Dark Ranger on Sept 2, 2012 17:25:04 GMT -5
I agree, this should be a popular amp based on price and performance. Honestly, $699 seems like a bargain for this kind of quality...
I think aesthetics are a big plus here, too. Some folks might not have room for the larger XPA-1/XPR-1 amps, but still want top performance. Whoever came up with this idea should get a big fat bonus. I won't be surprised if this amp attracts new customers from other camps due to its Class A performance.
So how 'bout it, garbulky? You were interested in the XPA-100/200 amps. Has this announcement changed your mind? ;D
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Post by garbulky on Sept 2, 2012 17:40:27 GMT -5
I agree, this should be a popular amp based on price and performance. Honestly, $699 seems like a bargain for this kind of quality... I think aesthetics are a big plus here, too. Some folks might not have room for the larger XPA-1/XPR-1 amps, but still want top performance. Whoever came up with this idea should get a big fat bonus. I won't be surprised if this amp attracts new customers from other camps due to its Class A performance. So how 'bout it, garbulky? You were interested in the XPA-100/200 amps. Has this announcement changed your mind? ;D Darkranger, I wanted the xpa-100 or the xpa-200 because I thought they might have upgraded the performance and stuck in xlr connectors. Depending on my finances, they are still in consideration, but I always wanted the xpa-1 but worried about the cost. The xpa-1 L seems like a great idea to me. Lately, I've been considering the hypex ncores due to their stunning reviews against some really good stuff but their price is a lot more than I can handle. The xpa-1 L seems like it would really hold it's value till I can go for the ncores, so it's certainly no.1 or 2 on my list. It sounds like a killer product! My speakers are reccomended to take 400 watts per tower (but can handle 700) and they have some good efficiency. So I would love to get near that number to see how well they can really do. |
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Post by briank on Sept 2, 2012 18:32:38 GMT -5
I took pics of the back of the XPA-1L and will post them when I get back home tomorrow. Very impressive. Gain is 29 db. Amp does get hot to the touch so proper ventilation a must. This was Lonnie's pet project and his response to our requests in the lounge. We didn't get a chance to listen to it but Lonnie said it sounds awesome! Thanks Lonnie!!!  |
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stiehl11
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Post by stiehl11 on Sept 2, 2012 18:44:32 GMT -5
Just some things to add...
XPA-1 runs the first 10 watts in Class A
XPA-2 runs the first watt in Class A
All the other Emotiva amps run less than a watt in Class A
The XPA-1L runs in the first 30 watts until you exceed that or it gets too hot. There are temperature sensors on the heat sink and will draw down the Class A threshold as the amp gets hotter. There is also a switch on the back for those that don't care to listen in Class A.
*Per Lonnie
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Post by sharkman on Sept 2, 2012 18:52:26 GMT -5
That class A operation was more in line with what I had understood, and assumed for A/B amps in general. When a company designs an amp to stay in class A operation beyond the first watt or two, then you have something beyond the typical design, or so I'd thought.
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Post by vitruvian on Sept 2, 2012 20:03:12 GMT -5
This is an interesting amp - I look forward to watching this one get off the ground.
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