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Post by novisnick on Aug 30, 2014 17:15:41 GMT -5
Two channel, XSP-1 and a set of XPA-1Ls is the sweetest way to go. I say , do the side by side and you'll keep the MONOBLOCKS every time. Plus they are half the weight, I know that many super studs don't worry about moving their gear but with Gods Good Grace you too will age like a mortal man and will appreciate this point!!  My second system is a mixed bag as well, that said, I once had a set of the XPA-1Ls and I was sorry they left,,,,,,,so sorry in fact that I now have another set in the house and will never be so foolish again. Nick Unfortunately, I talked to the rep friday. I was just about to pull the trigger and buy the monoblocks and happened to mention that I have Polk SDA-2 speakers. The rep I talked to said that I couldn't use them with Polks since the 1Ls are not common ground. He said none of the monoblocks are common ground, and the SDAs need common ground amps. In fact the rep had SDA-1Cs at home. So I will have to stay with the XPA-2's. They are pretty awesome though I must admit. One other question - I am using the XSP-1 pre-amp, and I have my external headphone amp running in the RCA main output, but I don't have the ability to suppress the main output like that unless I unhook the amp from the pre-amp. Does anyone have any idea how I can run my external tube amp so I would have every source available ? I'm already using the processor output with my EQ going to my TEAC tape deck. Thanks for any responses. I'm not exactly sure what your trying to do here. The XSP-1 has a headphone jack, plugging in there should defeat the output at the RCA jacks. Also, I've never heard anything about the common ground problem. I'd seek a lot more advice on that point. Also, if they will not work together I would have to rethink my speakers, how audiophile can they be if you can't connect them to a set of MONOBLOCKS. Sorry, it just doesn't sound Koasher at this point to me.. Just my $2.00 opinion ya know! Nick |
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Post by fstachitus on Aug 30, 2014 21:21:06 GMT -5
Unfortunately, I talked to the rep friday. I was just about to pull the trigger and buy the monoblocks and happened to mention that I have Polk SDA-2 speakers. The rep I talked to said that I couldn't use them with Polks since the 1Ls are not common ground. He said none of the monoblocks are common ground, and the SDAs need common ground amps. In fact the rep had SDA-1Cs at home. So I will have to stay with the XPA-2's. They are pretty awesome though I must admit. One other question - I am using the XSP-1 pre-amp, and I have my external headphone amp running in the RCA main output, but I don't have the ability to suppress the main output like that unless I unhook the amp from the pre-amp. Does anyone have any idea how I can run my external tube amp so I would have every source available ? I'm already using the processor output with my EQ going to my TEAC tape deck. Thanks for any responses. I'm not exactly sure what your trying to do here. The XSP-1 has a headphone jack, plugging in there should defeat the output at the RCA jacks. Also, I've never heard anything about the common ground problem. I'd seek a lot more advice on that point. Also, if they will not work together I would have to rethink my speakers, how audiophile can they be if you can't connect them to a set of MONOBLOCKS. Sorry, it just doesn't sound Koasher at this point to me.. Just my $2.00 opinion ya know! Nick I want to use an external headphone amp. I can't use the processor loop because I'm running an EQ through that. If I run it through the the RCA main outputs on the XSP-1, Sound still comes through the speakers. I was just wondering how to use my external headphone amp that I paid 200 dollars for in the XSP-1. The Nakamichi CA-IIa had a second tape loop that I could use for it. As far as the 1-Ls and the Polks, they have to be common ground and the guy I talked to was an Emotiva tech, plus he has Polks. That's a known issue with vintage Polk SDS speakers. I would think the Emotiva guys would know if the monoblocks were common ground or not. As far as the Polks being "audiophile" I never said they were, but I still think they're pretty good. |
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Post by novisnick on Aug 30, 2014 22:18:46 GMT -5
fstachitus, I wasn't trying to diss you speakers! I'm so sorry if it sounded that way. I just now found the change you made to the post.
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Post by Gary Cook on Aug 30, 2014 23:47:26 GMT -5
I'm not exactly sure what your trying to do here. The XSP-1 has a headphone jack, plugging in there should defeat the output at the RCA jacks. Also, I've never heard anything about the common ground problem. I'd seek a lot more advice on that point. Also, if they will not work together I would have to rethink my speakers, how audiophile can they be if you can't connect them to a set of MONOBLOCKS. Sorry, it just doesn't sound Koasher at this point to me.. Just my $2.00 opinion ya know! Nick I want to use an external headphone amp. I can't use the processor loop because I'm running an EQ through that. If I run it through the the RCA main outputs on the XSP-1, Sound still comes through the speakers. I was just wondering how to use my external headphone amp that I paid 200 dollars for in the XSP-1. The Nakamichi CA-IIa had a second tape loop that I could use for it. As far as the 1-Ls and the Polks, they have to be common ground and the guy I talked to was an Emotiva tech, plus he has Polks. That's a known issue with vintage Polk SDS speakers. I would think the Emotiva guys would know if the monoblocks were common ground or not. As far as the Polks being "audiophile" I never said they were, but I still think they're pretty good. I think what was being suggested was to insert a dummy headphone jack into the XSP-1 at the same time as you insert the real headphone jack into the headphone amp. That would disable the output (to the power amp/s) from the XSP-1 while still allowing it to function as the source switching medium. As for the Polk's requirement for a common ground, it's a pretty simple rewire that any decent speaker shop should be able to do while you wait. Cheers Gary |
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Post by novisnick on Aug 31, 2014 0:00:03 GMT -5
I want to use an external headphone amp. I can't use the processor loop because I'm running an EQ through that. If I run it through the the RCA main outputs on the XSP-1, Sound still comes through the speakers. I was just wondering how to use my external headphone amp that I paid 200 dollars for in the XSP-1. The Nakamichi CA-IIa had a second tape loop that I could use for it. As far as the 1-Ls and the Polks, they have to be common ground and the guy I talked to was an Emotiva tech, plus he has Polks. That's a known issue with vintage Polk SDS speakers. I would think the Emotiva guys would know if the monoblocks were common ground or not. As far as the Polks being "audiophile" I never said they were, but I still think they're pretty good. I think what was being suggested was to insert a dummy headphone jack into the XSP-1 at the same time as you insert the real headphone jack into the headphone amp. That would disable the output (to the power amp/s) from the XSP-1 while still allowing it to function as the source switching medium. As for the Polk's requirement for a common ground, it's a pretty simple rewire that any decent speaker shop should be able to do while you wait. Cheers Gary Thanks Gary! Sanity to the rescue!! All so a quick rewire is well worth getting the MONOBLOCK vs multi-channel amp INHO |
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Post by garbulky on Aug 31, 2014 0:20:11 GMT -5
I'm confused. How exactly do you do this? If you have a headphone amp but basically want to not have to switch wires with the RCA output to the power amp every time it's used ?
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Post by fstachitus on Aug 31, 2014 1:19:47 GMT -5
That sounds kinda dicey to have to insert a dummy headphone jack every time you want to use the headphones. And I'm pretty sure rewiring the Polk SDA's to make it non-common ground would pretty much change the unique design of the Polk's SDA effect. Not sure I would want to do that. As someone else above said, there might be minimal advantage to the sound I would hear with monoblocks as compared to the XPA-2, which is pretty darn good already.
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Post by fstachitus on Aug 31, 2014 1:26:51 GMT -5
So if I have a balanced output going to the XPA-2 and I have the external headphone amp connected to the RCA unbalanced main outs, and then I insert the dummy headphone jack into the XSP-1 jack in the front, I would think it would suppress both the unbalanced RCA main out to the headphone amp and the balanced output to the XPA-2 at the same time. I can try it, but I think that is what would happen.
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Post by sahmen on Aug 31, 2014 1:38:52 GMT -5
So if I have a balanced output going to the XPA-2 and I have the external headphone amp connected to the RCA unbalanced main outs, and then I insert the dummy headphone jack into the XSP-1 jack in the front, I would think it would suppress both the unbalanced RCA main out to the headphone amp and the balanced output to the XPA-2 at the same time. I can try it, but I think that is what would happen. I am not sure how your system is set up, but a simpler way out might consist in being able to power on your XSP-1 without automatically powering on your XPA-2 via any trigger. If your XPA-2 is off, no sounds would come out of your speakers when you're using your XSP-1 and head phone amp. Of course, this is based on the assumption that your XPA-2 -triggering system can bypass the XSP-1... Can it? |
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Post by fstachitus on Aug 31, 2014 2:24:02 GMT -5
So I noticed there was a 2nd tape out on the equalizer that I hooked the external headphone amp to. It worked kind of, there's a switch on the EQ for the second tape loop, but I have to take the volume on the XSP-1 down to low levels. I noticed if I increase it to -108.5 db, I get full volume on the headphone amp or whatever I set the volume to on the headphone amp volume control, while of course -108.5 db has no audible signal level at the speakers. But if I decrease it to -110 db or mute it, I get no signal at the headphones. Kind of strange. But it works.
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Post by fstachitus on Aug 31, 2014 2:28:54 GMT -5
So if I have a balanced output going to the XPA-2 and I have the external headphone amp connected to the RCA unbalanced main outs, and then I insert the dummy headphone jack into the XSP-1 jack in the front, I would think it would suppress both the unbalanced RCA main out to the headphone amp and the balanced output to the XPA-2 at the same time. I can try it, but I think that is what would happen. I am not sure how your system is set up, but a simpler way out might consist in being able to power on your XSP-1 without automatically powering on your XPA-2 via any trigger. If your XPA-2 is off, no sounds would come out of your speakers when you're using your XSP-1 and head phone amp. Of course, this is based on the assumption that your XPA-2 -triggering system can bypass the XSP-1... Can it? I didn't think of that, but I can try it tomorrow. Gotta go bed now! It's 1:30 a.m. here in Colorado! |
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Post by Gary Cook on Aug 31, 2014 6:11:55 GMT -5
And I'm pretty sure rewiring the Polk SDA's to make it non-common ground would pretty much change the unique design of the Polk's SDA effect. Not sure I would want to do that. As someone else above said, there might be minimal advantage to the sound I would hear with monoblocks as compared to the XPA-2, which is pretty darn good already. The rewire is quite simple and would have no effect whatsoever on the Stereo Dimensional Array. I'm not a big fan of bi-amping as I've never really heard any benefit from it. Except when using a Class A amp for the highs and a Class AB amp for the lows, then I can honestly say I can hear an obvious improvement. So you might want to think about trying XPA-1L's for the highs and keeping the XPA-2's for the lows. Cheers Gary |
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Post by exarkun333 on Sept 13, 2014 15:01:58 GMT -5
Just received my pair of these amps! (Posted under 'Chris H' above prior to signing up on the forum)....will not be able to test them out until the rest of my stuff arrives from MN, as I just moved down to Charlotte. Took a look at them though, and they look fantastic! With the 20% off sale during July, how could you pass these up!? Stop talking like that!!!!! I've resisted up until now,,,,,,must not buy,,,,,,not buy,,,,,I'm sooooo weak!!  After needing to get one replaced (it worked for a few days and then would not come out of suspend/idle status) they are working AWESOME. Just love these amps and Emotiva service has been amazing as well. Highly recommend... |
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Post by novisnick on Sept 13, 2014 15:06:27 GMT -5
Stop talking like that!!!!! I've resisted up until now,,,,,,must not buy,,,,,,not buy,,,,,I'm sooooo weak!! After needing to get one replaced (it worked for a few days and then would not come out of suspend/idle status) they are working AWESOME. Just love these amps and Emotiva service has been amazing as well. Highly recommend... Yep! I'm busted and you caught me!,! I just couldn't resist!! "The force is Strong" with these amps. there back in the house!! |
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Post by yessurf on Oct 16, 2014 14:20:33 GMT -5
Hello everybody I just want to say that I have joined the XPA-1L club in combination with the XDA-2.
I love the three of them.
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Post by novisnick on Oct 16, 2014 15:20:55 GMT -5
Hello everybody I just want to say that I have joined the XPA-1L club in combination with the XDA-2. I love the three of them. Welcome the the MONOBLOCK Society, and application will not be denied to any mono block owner of any manufacturers that is in good standing on this forum. Stay tuned for further updates on membership. Congratulations on your membership application. MONOBLOCK SOCIETY CEO novisnick |
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Post by ncred02 on Oct 17, 2014 15:24:18 GMT -5
Even class D?
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butchgo
Emo VIPs 
The Dark Side rules
Posts: 570
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Post by butchgo on Oct 18, 2014 10:53:15 GMT -5
I have a question. I am considering purchasing 2 of the XPA-1L Gen 2 when they come out and I am kind of confused about the whole A/B switch thing. From what I have read if the switch is in the "A" position the amp will automatically switch to the "B" mode if the 35 watt threshold is meet. Then what is different when the switch is in the "A/B" position?  |
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Post by sct on Oct 18, 2014 11:15:22 GMT -5
"I'm not a big fan of bi-amping as I've never really heard any benefit from it. Except when using a Class A amp for the highs and a Class AB amp for the lows, then I can honestly say I can hear an obvious improvement. So you might want to think about trying XPA-1L's for the highs and keeping the XPA-2's for the lows."
My recommendation is to use the higher current amp for the low end, whichever amp that may be...
SCT
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Post by geebo on Oct 18, 2014 11:51:22 GMT -5
"I'm not a big fan of bi-amping as I've never really heard any benefit from it. Except when using a Class A amp for the highs and a Class AB amp for the lows, then I can honestly say I can hear an obvious improvement. So you might want to think about trying XPA-1L's for the highs and keeping the XPA-2's for the lows." My recommendation is to use the higher current amp for the low end, whichever amp that may be... SCT I'm not a fan either. I tried it with my XPA-2 and two unused channels of my XPA-5. I tried it with both the XPA-2 on the bottom and on the high end. I was disappointed and wound up using just the XPA-2 for the full range. Maybe it would have been different with two XPA-2s. |
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