Post by poweredwire on Sept 30, 2012 10:44:18 GMT -5
XPA-200 Review (System: Emotiva XDA-1 DAC, Acoustic Research AR-90’s, Adcom Power Conditioner ACE-515, PC with Optical Toslink Out)
The amp arrived at 1:24pm and was unboxed by 1:28pm (and yes, it has new amp smell, as stated by “Dark Ranger” in his review) . I also ordered a pair of the X Series balanced interconnects ($29.99 each, ouch, but got 10% off). Connected the balanced out of the XDA-1 to XPA-200 (cables come with like 9 different color bands so you can keep track of left and right on a 16.5 inch cable run, pretty sure I got it right the first time without looking at the color codes). Connected the speaker cables without issue, the binding posts are extremely solid. Overall design is well thought out, inputs are on the same side of the amp as the outputs of the XDA-1. Very clean setup, one TosLink in and two balanced analog cables out, 2 power cords, 2 speaker cables and one Trigger cable (allows me to use my XDA-1 remote to turn it off and on).
- So will it go to “11”
After letting the amp and my ears warm up, I put on some Dan, title track to Aja, ripped from vinyl (Mobile Fidelity original master recording) at 24bit/192Khz. I have listened to Steve Gadd’s work on that track for 33 years (stunning). In evaluating an Amp, I listen for its ability to stay in control, never suffer at the peaks and sound as transparent as possible. The area this amp shines in is control, the bass is tight, solid and true. Given this I could not wait to put on the Tony Banks arranged Los Endos with its 40Hz drops (source CD). I have always wanted to bi-amp my system due to the issues with interaction of low end frequencies, but with a damping factor of <500 there is no need. The mid/top end never suffers, and the bass is so solid, clean and un-colored it will run a quiver up the back of your neck… The kick drum on Comfortably Numb is extremely powerful and clean, it’s only there when it’s there, if you know what I mean (will need to listen to that 100 more times this year). The AR-90’s are not efficient, and the dual 10” acoustic suspension bass drivers per speaker deliver the cleanest, sharpest, non-emphasized sound with this amp I’ve ever heard from them. There is ample power, and it runs cool given the power output, well-constructed heat sinks and vent path. So far, happy !!!
A little about me:
I’m now 50… bought my first good amp in 1978, a Kenwood KA-6100. I have a degree in Electronic Eng, Technology, this helps me be DIY amp builder. I’m not a Tube guy, I like discrete transistor technology (with the cleanest, shortest path possible). With that said my last project was a LM3668 (Gainclone), amazing sound for what it is… I do not mix my 2 channel equipment with my home video entertainment system (separate rooms). I can still hear above 12.5Khz, but the vision has started to go. Thoughts, comments, snide remarks welcome…
The amp arrived at 1:24pm and was unboxed by 1:28pm (and yes, it has new amp smell, as stated by “Dark Ranger” in his review) . I also ordered a pair of the X Series balanced interconnects ($29.99 each, ouch, but got 10% off). Connected the balanced out of the XDA-1 to XPA-200 (cables come with like 9 different color bands so you can keep track of left and right on a 16.5 inch cable run, pretty sure I got it right the first time without looking at the color codes). Connected the speaker cables without issue, the binding posts are extremely solid. Overall design is well thought out, inputs are on the same side of the amp as the outputs of the XDA-1. Very clean setup, one TosLink in and two balanced analog cables out, 2 power cords, 2 speaker cables and one Trigger cable (allows me to use my XDA-1 remote to turn it off and on).
- So will it go to “11”
After letting the amp and my ears warm up, I put on some Dan, title track to Aja, ripped from vinyl (Mobile Fidelity original master recording) at 24bit/192Khz. I have listened to Steve Gadd’s work on that track for 33 years (stunning). In evaluating an Amp, I listen for its ability to stay in control, never suffer at the peaks and sound as transparent as possible. The area this amp shines in is control, the bass is tight, solid and true. Given this I could not wait to put on the Tony Banks arranged Los Endos with its 40Hz drops (source CD). I have always wanted to bi-amp my system due to the issues with interaction of low end frequencies, but with a damping factor of <500 there is no need. The mid/top end never suffers, and the bass is so solid, clean and un-colored it will run a quiver up the back of your neck… The kick drum on Comfortably Numb is extremely powerful and clean, it’s only there when it’s there, if you know what I mean (will need to listen to that 100 more times this year). The AR-90’s are not efficient, and the dual 10” acoustic suspension bass drivers per speaker deliver the cleanest, sharpest, non-emphasized sound with this amp I’ve ever heard from them. There is ample power, and it runs cool given the power output, well-constructed heat sinks and vent path. So far, happy !!!
A little about me:
I’m now 50… bought my first good amp in 1978, a Kenwood KA-6100. I have a degree in Electronic Eng, Technology, this helps me be DIY amp builder. I’m not a Tube guy, I like discrete transistor technology (with the cleanest, shortest path possible). With that said my last project was a LM3668 (Gainclone), amazing sound for what it is… I do not mix my 2 channel equipment with my home video entertainment system (separate rooms). I can still hear above 12.5Khz, but the vision has started to go. Thoughts, comments, snide remarks welcome…