klinemj
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Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,089
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Post by klinemj on Oct 15, 2012 9:08:27 GMT -5
This is just a start at a review, but I got my XSP-1 by ~8:30 this AM, and I had time to set it up and listen to 3 of my key "test songs".
Verdict: BIG improvement in clarity and soundstage. It was noticable in just these thre songs.
Also, LOVE the finer volume control. I am hearing details on my 3 test songs I have never heard, other than when I listened to the XSP at Emofest with those same songs.
I have to work for a couple hours, then I will listen a bit more before going back to work. After some more thorough listening, I'll post a more thorough review in this thread.
One caution...start out with the volume at some negative level...mine initially came with the volume set at ~0 to +2. As a CD loaded, I had no sound, so I increased the volume to +5-7 and still had no sound. Then, I realized that I didn't have the right input selected. I needed to select "Bal 1"...so I did. Let me just say that +7 is screamingly loud w/my system! -15 or so is about right. And, if you use the remote to go from +7 to -15...it takes a while with all those increments. (I jumped up and spun the volume down really quickly and all was fine).
Mark
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Post by paintedklown on Oct 15, 2012 9:11:56 GMT -5
Thanks for posting your initial thoughts Mark.  I assume you are comparing this to the USP-1? I will be looking forward to your continuing thoughts. |
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Post by garbulky on Oct 15, 2012 9:14:07 GMT -5
I saw this and it took me less than a second to click! So you managed to get it set up fully balanced? How great! Looking forward to your extended review.
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Post by pdaddy on Oct 15, 2012 9:23:08 GMT -5
And your test songs are.....
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 15, 2012 9:23:29 GMT -5
PK - yes, my comments are relative to my USP-1. And yes garbulky...it is set up fully balanced from ERC through XSP through my nCore amps.
More later!
One other thing of note...there were complaints with some versions of the older metal remotes for how hard it was to remove the screws to take the little battery blocker out from the "as delivered" condition. People said they were almost stripping the heads to get them out. And, some didn't know they even had to remove the battery blocker. But..on my XSP-1 remote, first - the remote is wrapped in protective covering, and it is clearly labelled with a note reminding people to take out the little battery blocker. And, the screws were really easy to remove. So, good work from Emotiva to address a past issue with other remotes!
Mark
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klinemj
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Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,089
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Post by klinemj on Oct 15, 2012 9:26:23 GMT -5
Andrew...test songs were PEter Frampton version of "Hideaway", The Ass Pony's version of "She's more to be pitied than scolded", and Radiohead's songs #1, 2, and 8 off "In Rainbows". (I lied...I actually listened to 5...forgot I did all 3 on Radiohead. All 5 of these songs have a LOT of hidden/subtle detail that gets masked with the USP. But it's there, clear as a bell with the XSP-1!
FYI, the hidden things that become heard were subtle finger work on guitar, subtle modulation of piano notes, backing vocals on "more to be pitied", and all those weird guitar and synthesize sounds on Radiohead...even the distorted guitar sounds became more "clear" if that makes sense. There's actually rhythm within the distorted sounds that come out instead of just sounding like noises.
Mark
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Post by paintedklown on Oct 15, 2012 9:31:36 GMT -5
Andrew...test songs were PEter Frampton version of "Hideaway", The Ass Pony's version of "She's more to be pitied than scolded", and Radiohead's songs #1, 2, and 8 off "In Rainbows". (I lied...I actually listened to 5...forgot I did all 3 on Radiohead. All 5 of these songs have a LOT of hidden/subtle detail that gets masked with the USP. But it's there, clear as a bell with the XSP-1! Mark Ah, yes. In Rainbows is an excellent record for auditioning gear and one I use myself. Tracks 3, 4, 8, and 9 being my "go to" tracks. I love the drum sounds on that record (very natural and warm sounding, they remind me of being in a well treated room with a 70s era Ludwig kit) in addition to all of the digital manipulation and sounds. Good stuff all the way around.  |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 15, 2012 9:36:27 GMT -5
Live listening update: Coldplay MyloXloto tracks 1 & 2...there are a LOT of notes I have never heard until now! Each one is distinct! Before, they blurred into a single mass of a sound. Amazing... Bass is nice and full also now that I can run my fronts in full range and have HT Bypass still work. It's nice to finally realize my Maggies' full potential instead of being limited to 50 hz by the USP-1 (yes...I know I could simply switch wiring on the USP-1, but that's a pain and defeats the HT Bypass purpose!)
Mark
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 15, 2012 9:46:58 GMT -5
Live listening update: Coldplay MyloXloto tracks #3 and 4...how have I missed the subtle handclapping and occasional single strike of the triangle on track 3 before? And the part of track 4 when the sounds start getting louder and more jumbled starting at ~2.5 minutes...lots more detail is being revealed instead of just sounding like a confusing mass of notes, including a lot of fine guitar work that was being lost in the mass of sound before.
And Rihanna's vocals come out much more on Princess of China. My daughter will be thrilled!
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Post by garbulky on Oct 15, 2012 9:50:55 GMT -5
When you get the chance, could you do some classical, acoustic and jazz music?
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 15, 2012 9:59:19 GMT -5
Live listening update, just for garbulky! Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue"...the opening bass lines in "So What" are revealing more subtle aspects of the finger work than I recall hearing before. And, at the ~1.5 minute mark when Miles comes in, there is a lot more depth to the notes than I recall. Same for the sax that comes in at ~3.5 minutes and the horn at ~5.5 minutes...WOW!
I'll get to some acoustic soon...
Mark
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Post by pdaddy on Oct 15, 2012 10:03:14 GMT -5
Love this live updating! Thanks Mark.
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Post by garbulky on Oct 15, 2012 10:12:16 GMT -5
Live listening update, just for garbulky! Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue"...the opening bass lines in "So What" are revealing more subtle aspects of the finger work than I recall hearing before. And, at the ~1.5 minute mark when Miles comes in, there is a lot more depth to the notes than I recall. Same for the sax that comes in at ~3.5 minutes and the horn at ~5.5 minutes...WOW! I'll get to some acoustic soon... Mark Thanks! I actually know the song too! Very helpful |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 15, 2012 10:15:35 GMT -5
Live listening update...acoustic...Eric Clapton's "Unplugged" is revealing more and more detail, just like all the other music. The best way I can decribe the difference overall between the USP and XSP is that for whatever clarity and depth for each individual sound/note played the USP had - the XSP adds more clarity and more depth. Subtle intonations in vocals (esp. that of singers when multiple are singing in close harmony) and guitar notes (esp. when multiple at once...) and percussion sounds...all more clear, more distinct, greater separation of individual sounds and subtle variations in sounds...
This is what I was looking for and Emotiva has delivered! THANK YOU LONNIE AND TEAM!!!
Mark
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klinemj
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Posts: 15,089
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Post by klinemj on Oct 15, 2012 10:19:15 GMT -5
Live listening update...acoustic...Eric Clapton's "Unplugged" again...HOLY COW...vocals of Eric and backup singers on Lonely Stranger are outstanding...same reasons as noted above. But...impressive!
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Post by paintedklown on Oct 15, 2012 10:19:33 GMT -5
This is very good news indeed.  You have a top notch audio chain all the way through (very revealing gear) so it's nice to see that the XSP-1 is "keeping up" with the NCores and 1.7s. How would you say the top end (high frequencies) compares to the USP-1, especially at high volumes? EDIT: I hope you realize this thread will grow to ten pages before tomorrow as you get comments and barraged with impression questions. ;D |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 10:21:32 GMT -5
Have you listened to the phono section yet |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 15, 2012 10:32:23 GMT -5
Far better...over the past few months, this is the area of focus for my whole system...to take out what I can best describe as "high end harshness". It started with the ERC2, then the Maggies, then the nCores, and now this final link in the chain...the XSP. Each has had an impact and I was wondering if the X would continue this line of improvement...and it has.
Also Matt...not yet with the phono, but I will be trying that. Maybe later tonight. I have to go into the office to get started renewing my passport and pack my cube up as I am moving to a new location at work on Thursday. So...I'll listen for another 15 minutes then I have to go "pay the bills"!
Mark
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Post by paintedklown on Oct 15, 2012 10:40:14 GMT -5
Far better...over the past few months, this is the area of focus for my whole system...to take out what I can best describe as "high end harshness". It started with the ERC2, then the Maggies, then the nCores, and now this final link in the chain...the XSP. Each has had an impact and I was wondering if the X would continue this line of improvement...and it has. Excellent! (in best Mr. Burns voice) Sibilance is my number one enemy, and one I can never seem to win the battle against. I am hoping that the addition of the XSP-1 will help, along with later upgrading my player to a fully balanced one (more than likely will end up being ERC-2 or a balanced DAC), and finally (this may be a very long way off) doing room treatments. I am trying to avoid the (costly) urge need to upgrade speakers.   |
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Post by kzone on Oct 15, 2012 10:45:35 GMT -5
Paintedklown, I used to fight the same sibilance battle when I was having the b&w803. Might be the aluminum tweeter being fussy.
Problem totally resolved when I change to penaudio speakers.
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