poweredwire
Minor Hero
220, 221 whatever it takes...
Posts: 17
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Post by poweredwire on Sept 25, 2012 18:01:51 GMT -5
Ordered an XDA-1 a couple months ago, love the sound (or lack of any colorization that is…) I’ve been looking for a balanced input amp to match. The XPA-2 seemed a bit more power than I’d ever need (or is there no such thing as too much power?). The new XPA-200 seems to be a perfect fit, was just wondering if anyone had ordered and played with one yet before I pull the trigger. Thoughts, insight, snide remarks…
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Post by roadrunner on Sept 25, 2012 18:22:31 GMT -5
Your power requirements for an amplifier are dependent on the size of your listening room, the sensitivity of your speakers, the acoustic properties of your listening room, and your listening habits. Without this information, we cannot really advise you as to which power amps you should consider. The XPA-2 is an excellent 2-channel amp with superb sound quality and tremendous headroom and great dynamics. Your taste in music will also be a factor in determining how much power you need from your amp. The genre of your music may be one of the bigger factors you need to evaluate. You don't want to have an amp that cannot keep up with the demand during transients of dynamic music.
Provide us with as much detail as you can and we will be in a position to offer more focused advice.
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poweredwire
Minor Hero
220, 221 whatever it takes...
Posts: 17
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Post by poweredwire on Sept 25, 2012 18:56:57 GMT -5
First time post, and I did find a review on this board "XPA-200 has arrived!" I think he sold me... I have a pair of AR-90’s (87 db at 1 watt / 1 meter) that are 4 ohm. The listening room is about 12X11 with full front wall drapes, and acoustic foam panels on the side walls and behind the listening chair (yes I’m a bachelor, the ex would never allow a room like that). The musical taste is all over the place (Béla Flec to Genesis, Gershwin to Stevie Ray Vaughan) but let’s pick Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, APP, etc. for this thread. The speakers need power, but at 40 to 50 watts they perform well and the listening level is comfortable. I like the XPA-200 for 4 reasons, 90,000uF cap spec, dampening factor, power rating of 240 watts at 4 ohm and it has balanced inputs (not sure if they are differential). I’d think this amp would have ample head room in my environment. Digital source (most of) are ripped from half speed vinyl at 24bit/192Khz.
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Post by roadrunner on Sept 25, 2012 20:23:22 GMT -5
Based on your reply, the XPA-200 would be a good choice for your environment. Welcome to the Emotiva Lounge. Enjoy your new power amp. After you have had a chance to evaluate the new XPA-200 come back and write a owner's review of it. Enjoy.
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poweredwire
Minor Hero
220, 221 whatever it takes...
Posts: 17
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Post by poweredwire on Sept 26, 2012 7:14:31 GMT -5
Pulled the trigger, happy Birthday and Christmas to me !!! Will post once I get it...
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Post by garbulky on Sept 26, 2012 10:26:54 GMT -5
By the way, the XPA-200 isn't actually balanced. Thought you should know. It just has XLR inputs that work. The only balanced amp is the XPA-1.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 26, 2012 11:25:31 GMT -5
Congrats on the soon to arrive amp.
I noticed you mentioned vinyl ripped at half speed. How did you go about doing at and did it make a difference?
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poweredwire
Minor Hero
220, 221 whatever it takes...
Posts: 17
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Post by poweredwire on Sept 26, 2012 16:57:37 GMT -5
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Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 26, 2012 17:00:44 GMT -5
ah... yeah, that was the stuff I'd found. I didn't know whether you were running it at half speed, digitizing it and then applying the RIAA curve, etc.
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poweredwire
Minor Hero
220, 221 whatever it takes...
Posts: 17
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Post by poweredwire on Sept 26, 2012 17:01:56 GMT -5
As for the inputs not being balanced, that is uncool of Emotiva, they use the term "Balanced and unbalanced inputs" on the web page. If not I see a return in the future...
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Post by paintedklown on Sept 26, 2012 17:15:38 GMT -5
As for the inputs not being balanced, that is uncool of Emotiva, they use the term "Balanced and unbalanced inputs" on the web page. If not I see a return in the future... Nearly every manufacturer uses the term balanced to indicate XLR inputs or outputs. In fact, I can't think of any that do not use the term balanced. If you really need a differential design amplifier, look toward the XPA-1s, or the upcoming XPA-1L. In order to take full advantage of a differential design piece of gear, you need a fully balanced signal path from source to amps. In the case of Emotiva gear the chain would be the ERC-2 (source) into the XSP-1 (preamp) into the XPA-1 monos (amps). I hope that helps, and good luck with whatever you choose.  |
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poweredwire
Minor Hero
220, 221 whatever it takes...
Posts: 17
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Post by poweredwire on Sept 26, 2012 17:33:28 GMT -5
I'd hope that Emotiva uses the term "Balanced" to mean that both signal lines have the same equal impedance to ground. I get that they may not be using a differential op amp at the input to cancel any noise on the line. Thanks a lot for the info… new to the “Lounge” and to the Emotiva product. Amp was picked up by FedEx tonight, should be here in 2 days…
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Post by roadrunner on Sept 26, 2012 18:15:42 GMT -5
I'd hope that Emotiva uses the term "Balanced" to mean that both signal lines have the same equal impedance to ground. I get that they may not be using a differential op amp at the input to cancel any noise on the line. Thanks a lot for the info… new to the “Lounge” and to the Emotiva product. Amp was picked up by FedEx tonight, should be here in 2 days… You will be happy to learn that by your definition the XPA-200, and all of their power amps, are balanced. Enjoy your new amp and let us know what you think of it after you have had a chance to give it a good work out. Emotiva is acknowledged as having some of the finest power amps on the market -- at exceptionally affordable prices. Welcome to the Emotiva Lounge. |
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Post by john57 on Sept 26, 2012 18:33:59 GMT -5
According to the XPA -200 manual it states:
Fully balanced with a quad differential input stage and a discrete front end
As long pin 1 and pin2 on the right XLR and the left XLR do not share a ground with each other, it is balanced in my book. Pin1 and Pin2 have separate + and - signals that is not shared with the other side. If the amp is set for bridging it is a form of balanced operation with double output.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 26, 2012 19:06:32 GMT -5
Yeah, aren't there 3 different ways you can handle the balanced input.
1. Keep the + & - separate all the way through. Bridging two amps will do this, as would a fulling differential amp, like the XPA-1/1L, and it sounds like the XSP is also like this.
2. Convert the + & - into a signal actively (allowing for noise cancellation) and then amplify/process that signal. I'm assuming that is what the XPA-2/200 do (as I also assume is the case with the upcoming XMC, it be similar, convert to a single signal that is then run through an ADC and then back out to a balanced output with a DAC or two DACs
3. Ignore the - signal and only look at the + with respect to ground, basically convert from balanced to singled ended in a passive manner.
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Post by garbulky on Sept 26, 2012 20:35:32 GMT -5
According to the XPA -200 manual it states: Fully balanced with a quad differential input stage and a discrete front endAs long pin 1 and pin2 on the right XLR and the left XLR do not share a ground with each other, it is balanced in my book. Pin1 and Pin2 have separate + and - signals that is not shared with the other side. If the amp is set for bridging it is a form of balanced operation with double output. XPA-200 online manual does not say quad differential input stage. It says "Fully discrete, dual differential, high current, short signal path Class A/B." on page 13. Whatever that means. I'm still not sure what quad vs dual differential is... |
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Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 26, 2012 21:12:21 GMT -5
Dual differential sounds right.
One differential input stage for the right input and one for the left.
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poweredwire
Minor Hero
220, 221 whatever it takes...
Posts: 17
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Post by poweredwire on Sept 27, 2012 8:21:18 GMT -5
BTW: I also ordered the Emotiva X Series balanced interconnects (.5M) to connect the balanced output of the XDA-1 to the XPA-200, I'd hope this is the best way to interconnect the two devices. Given the XDA-1 is connected to the digital source PC via TosLink fiber, the only analog connection will be the .5M cables. Thanks for all the feedback, amp to be here tomorrow, looks like a work from home day !!!
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poweredwire
Minor Hero
220, 221 whatever it takes...
Posts: 17
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Post by poweredwire on Oct 20, 2012 6:42:35 GMT -5
After 3 weeks of listening, very happy  with the setup. I assume the engineers at Emotiva did the math, so that the impedance of the amp input matches the optimal output (equal to the resistance between emitter (or collector depending on config) and ground on output to make a perfect voltage divide circuit). I guess listening and noise is the real test, dead quiet and sounds great, plus using the balanced connector just looks cool, and that feeds the emotional side. Picture of balanced interconnects: www.sean21.com/phil/DSCN1070.JPG |
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with the setup. I assume the engineers at Emotiva did the math, so that the impedance of the amp input matches the optimal output (equal to the resistance between emitter (or collector depending on config) and ground on output to make a perfect voltage divide circuit). I guess listening and noise is the real test, dead quiet and sounds great, plus using the balanced connector just looks cool, and that feeds the emotional side.