KlineMJ's XSP-1 Review

[Boomzilla]

Oct 24, 2012 21:12:13 GMT -5 klinemj said:

True...I would not. I tried and the difference was huge. I would not go back.

Thank you VERY much for the relative comparison. My buying decision just changed from a used USP-1 to a new XSP-1 based on your comparative opinion.

After all, there IS a free return to Emotiva should I strongly disagree. The price difference is insignificant over the decade that I intend to keep the component if there is an audible difference.

Having read the thread, I have some confidence in your ears and in your ability to logically (as opposed to emotionally) describe what you hear. I also have confidence that your audio experience is broad enough to accurately describe the "sound" of the component.

Thanks for taking the time to document your impressions of the new XSP-1. I've found value in your efforts.

Cordially - Boomzilla

[klinemj]

+1

[klinemj]

glad to help, boomzilla. I hope you like yours as well I like mine. It is a fine machine.

Mark

[Golden Ear]

Mark (klinemj) Once you break your enemy of image and illusion that hides his motives then the festivity starts. When someone ask you what is your style? You can call it the art of fighting without fighting.

[Golden Ear]

Oct 25, 2012 0:41:53 GMT -5 paintedklown said:

Oct 24, 2012 20:31:37 GMT -5 klinemj said:

As is, those who have not tried the XSP-1 or heard the ProDAC have an opinion do not have a valid opinion of either. Those of us who have...have more "skin in the game" and more valid opinions.

Well said Mark. This post states nothing but truth.

I find it very odd the Emotiva lounge has members who will talk negative about the performance of a piece of Emotiva gear with never having listened to it, and with zero plans to ever listen to it.

No need to disparage those who have dropped down their hard earned cash, and are enjoying their new gear.

I for one, am glad to see all of the positive word coming in from those who were lucky enough to be in on the first shipment.

Why would any member of the Emotiva lounge want to see their forum peers upset with their new gear purchases?

I do not understand why there is such a negative undercurrent, and nearly a "backlash" if anybody tries to say anything nice about their Emotiva products.

Haters gonna hate...

With do all respect, there is no audio brand that will satisfy every listener as we all have our own preference such as warm, cold and bright sound. I like emotiva with the right combination of other gear can produce outstanding sound. Their build quality for the price are outstanding. Thanks to Emotiva's direct factory sale that we all pay low price and performance above their price.

[klinemj]

When someone ask you what is your style?

I have a lot of styles...I use them in various ways.



Mark

[Golden Ear]

Klinemj,

Well, well, one more lovely review than the next. What'd you have in mind?

[klinemj]

I confess I have never seen the movie other than a clip here or there...sorry! Not a big martial arts movie fan...so, your references/implications are not really clear to me.

Mark

[Golden Ear]

We are all ready to win, just as we are born knowing only life. It is defeat that you must learn to prepare for. ;D

[Boomzilla]

Oct 25, 2012 20:07:59 GMT -5 Golden Ear said:

We are all ready to win, just as we are born knowing only life. It is defeat that you must learn to prepare for. ;D

Man, am I down with THAT! I'm a NEW ORLEANS SAINTS FAN ;D

[Golden Ear]

We all want everything in life and win in all situation but sometimes we try to achieve that we can't reach and this is why it is the defeat we must learn to prepare for. If we lost, it doesn't mean we are ignorant, it's just facts of life. We become strong and motivated when we face defeat. We also learn from our mistake and do well next time.

[Golden Ear]

Mark, when you have a chance or if you can recall, is there big difference in SQ between XSP and USP using single ended RCA only? I know USP dont have XLR but if side by side comparison if you can hear the difference between the two. Thanks!

[klinemj]

I have not yet tried that. I have been hoping to, but my personal schedule is crazy right now so I have been spending all time enjoying it as is and re-discovering some music.

I will try to do that this weekend, but I will be going through the XLR outs as my amps do not have RCA in's. But, I will run RCA outs from my ERC-2 to the XSP in's. Then I will be able to toggle inputs between RCA and balanced.

Mark

[chipbyrd]

FWIW, I really appreciate the reviews. I auditioned a USP with a pair of UPA's and didn't like them as well as my Cambridge 840a. I so liked the CA i bought their separates (840w & 840e). But this new pre and the new power amp monos with 30w class A have me stoked.

But I do have a question: the new pre and power are part of the x series not the r series. Is that right?

Again, thanks to those who shared their experience and knowledge.

[Golden Ear]

Mark, that will help if you can give us insight information on single ended RCA. I cant use XLR based since my amp dont have that connection so does my CD player. Even if they have it, chances are it wont be true balanced design. I'm leaning toward to the sound of USP vs XSP in single ended RCA only. I will wait on your review on this mark.

[klinemj]

So...here's what I was able to do...

I have an ERC-2 (which can output RCA or XLR), an XSP-1(which can input RCA or XLR...AND can output RCA or XLR), nCore monoblocks which can only take XLR.

So, I hooked up ERC-2 via both RCA and XLR to the XSP-1. And, I hooked up the XSP-1 to the nCores via the XSP-1's XLR outs.

I listened and toggled between the XSP's RCA in's and XLTR in's.

The difference was subtle...the XLR's sounded better - a litle quieter and clearer. But, it was not huge. I would say the XSP as I ran it sounded better, less harsh/more clear than the USP. But - the difference was smaller.

Of course, that's my opinion from a short listen.

Mark

[emovac]

Hello Mark, how was the build quality, fit and finish, and interior quality if you checked it? Thanks.

Thanks Mark.....

[klinemj]

I didn't lift the lid to see the inside, but everything feels like the typical Emotiva "built like a tank" quality...very hefty, good feel to the buttons, nice connectors, etc.

Mark

[roadrunner]

Don't drop dead from the shock, but I finally listened to the XSP-1 in my gear at home. Jerry (tchalk) my pain finally subsided enough that I was able to take advantage of your wonderful generosity. Where so little had been written about using the RCA connections of the XSP-1 that is where I started.

I had my ERC-2 hooked up to the XSP-1 via 1 meter Emotiva RCA cables and then RCA out of the XSP-1 to my XPA-5 power amp and 12 gauge speaker cable to my Emotiva ERM-6.3 speakers and my Infinity 12" sub woofer. I crossed at about 70 Hz for both HP/LP filters.

I used a variety of Reference Recordings HDCD albums, Barbra Streisand's Butterfly Album, Nora Jones's Come Away With ME, Diana Krall's Live in Paris, Thelma Houston and the Pressure Cookers, Alison Krauss and Union Station Every Time You Say Good Bye, Jean-Pierre Rampal Plays Scott Joplin, Rampal & Bolling Picnic Suite, Andre, Peterson & Bolling Toot Suite.

In the few hours I have listened thus far the XSP-1 has been superb in any matrice you wish to consider. Its noise floor is noticeably quieter than the USP-1; its mid-range and treble are silky smooth -- having more detail, better imaging and wider/deeper soundstage than the USP-1. The volume stepping on the XSP-1 is a delight, especially compared to the USP-1. Almost feels like you have infinite control over volume choices.

I have been one of the biggest champions of the USP-1 since the very beginning of its availability and I think it is still a very good pre-amp. However, if you are a music lover you will likely want to upgrade to the XSP-1. The only reason I did NOT say that you will absolutely want to upgrade is because you will need high-end sources, amplification and speakers to take full advantage of all that the XSP-1 has to offer. The XSP-1 is the best stereo pre-amp I have owned and to the best of my memory among the best sounding pre-amps I have ever auditioned.

I expected the XSP-1 was going to be very nice based on Emotiva's track record and my listening sessions at Emofest, but it is even better than I was expecting it to be. Now I have to wire it using balanced connections to see how much a difference it makes in the XSP-1 sound quality. I can tell you that based on RCA connections all the way thru, the XSP-1 is worth every penny. Even without having listened to it using balanced I/O I would heartily recommend it to any music lover/audiophile.

Great work, Emotiva. Lonnie and Ray deserve your highest accolades for what they managed to deliver to us for such a reasonable price. Emotiva's biggest triumph yet!

[paintedklown]

Ronny, first and foremost, I am glad to see that your pain has subsided and you are able to take some time to enjoy your new gear.

Thank you for your input, I know there are several members here interested in how the XSP compares to the USP when using RCA ICs as opposed to XLRs.

It's nice to see a direct comparison and confirmation of the performance differences between the two.

When my XSP arrives, I will be running my single ended cdp player into it via RCA cables and to my XPA-5 via XLRs. (my XPA-1s are still in storage right now...I hope to change that shortly after I get the XSP in hand, I just need to figure out where I am going to put them )

In your opinion, do you feel the highs are more "mellow" when running the XSP vs. running the USP? By mellow, I mean less forward sounding.

Thanks, and I will be looking forward to your listening impressions with the ERC-2 hooked up via XLR.