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Post by roadrunner on Oct 27, 2012 11:46:35 GMT -5
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.  I would have said that the XSP-1 was smoother and more detailed, but I assume that is my way of saying it is more mellow. ;D I think most of the "harshness" you heard with the USP-1 was directly attributable to the poor volume control stepping. With the XSP-1 your control of volume is absolute and completely repeatable. You are going to love the changes the XSP bring to the table. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 27, 2012 11:50:11 GMT -5
OK guys, another stupid question (may have been answered elsewhere & I just missed it) - What, if any, differences are there in the XSP-1's sound in balanced vs. unbalanced modes? The comments I've seen say that there is a clear improvement (over the USP-1's sound) when using the XSP-1 in balanced mode. Are those same improvements evident in unbalanced mode as well?
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Post by paintedklown on Oct 27, 2012 12:27:38 GMT -5
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. I would have said that the XSP-1 was smoother and more detailed, but I assume that is my way of saying it is more mellow. ;D I think most of the "harshness" you heard with the USP-1 was directly attributable to the poor volume control stepping. With the XSP-1 your control of volume is absolute and completely repeatable. You are going to love the changes the XSP bring to the table. Excellent! That is exactly what I was hoping for with the XSP-1. To be quite honest, the aggressive sound of the USP-1 was the only real issue I found with the USP-1 (for the short while I had one). Thanks for the clarification. What, if any, differences are there in the XSP-1's sound in balanced vs. unbalanced modes? The comments I've seen say that there is a clear improvement (over the USP-1's sound) when using the XSP-1 in balanced mode. Are those same improvements evident in unbalanced mode as well? Boom, in post #198, Roadrunner gives his impressions regarding the XSP-1 running it with single ended RCAs only. I believe he plans to follow up with his thoughts using XLR ICs from the ERC-2, and provide a comparison between the two. I believe that putting those two reviews together should answer your questions fully. I too am curious as to what his findings will be. |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 27, 2012 13:26:55 GMT -5
Also boomzilla - I compared it in balanced vs. single-ended (at least from ERC-2 to XSP-1, but I had go go balanced outs to my ncCores). See post 195, prior page...very similar results between the two with a slight edge to the balanced, and the single-ended still a big jump vs. the USP-1.
My description of the key differences vs. the USP-1 is very much in line w/Ronnie's...I would say that "less harsh", "more mellow", and "smoother, more detailed" all apply.
And like Ronnie - I really do like the USP-1. And, as I have noted - I will be keeping it, just for another use in my home.
Mark
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 27, 2012 13:27:50 GMT -5
PS to Ronnie - SO GLAD that your pain level has dropped AND that you got to give your long-awaited new toy a listen...
Mark
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Post by pedro on Oct 27, 2012 14:56:57 GMT -5
KlineMJ any full Pic XSP's inside please
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Oct 27, 2012 15:09:44 GMT -5
Sorry - no inside pix. Mine is snugly in the stand and it would be a lot of work to dig it out. Maybe someone else can do that with theirs (and there will be a lot more arriving in peoples' homes this week!).
Mark
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Post by pedro on Oct 27, 2012 15:19:35 GMT -5
Thanks Mark,Someone can take picture inside of beast please
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Post by roadrunner on Oct 27, 2012 15:37:00 GMT -5
PS to Ronnie - SO GLAD that your pain level has dropped AND that you got to give your long-awaited new toy a listen... Mark Thank you, Mark. I don't know which was better -- the declining pain or the sweet sounds from the XSP-1. ;D ;D ;D Your detailed descriptions of your experiences with the XSP-1 helped me cope with the severe pain, kept me drooling with anticipation, and motivated me to do a good job reporting what I discovered during my first day of listening. I listened to Norah Jones's Come Away With Me TWICE just for you. ;D The two albums that literally define sonic bliss were RACHMANINOFF -- SYMPHONY OF DANCES RR-96 and CONCORD CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY -- BY MICHAEL GANDOLFI, CHRIS BRUBECK, and LUCAS FOSS RR-122. If you want to experience what it is like to ride on cloud #9 while listening to music, just cue up these two albums, dim the lights, and sit back experiencing pure nirvana while listening to these two Reference Recordings albums. Lonnie and Ray must have had music like this in mind when they designed the XSP-1. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Oct 27, 2012 15:53:39 GMT -5
...in post #198, Roadrunner gives his impressions regarding the XSP-1 running it with single ended RCAs only. ...should answer your questions fully. DUH (slaps head) - I just missed that page. YES - It answered my questions completely. XSP-1, here I come! |
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Post by tchaik on Oct 27, 2012 19:34:11 GMT -5
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!  thanks for the initial comments roadrunner. exams are finished and returned. most students are continuing. only a few dropped out. i am definitely looking forward to the xsp-1. it will temporarily replace my umc as i send the umc in for updates. therefore i will be doing only music for a couple weeks which is just fine with me. my students will be playing their midterm recital next week and the xsp should be shipped by friday and i will need to clean my ears out with great performances and great sound. i expect the xsp will do the job. tchaik............................ |
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Post by entilzha on Oct 30, 2012 9:25:27 GMT -5
I'll see if I can take the lid off tonight. Already took some pictures when I unboxed it.
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Post by pedro on Oct 30, 2012 19:41:04 GMT -5
A+.....Thanks a lot entilzha we all appreciate your time
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Post by entilzha on Oct 30, 2012 23:10:00 GMT -5
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 3, 2012 4:15:51 GMT -5
I had a chance to compare my system (indirectly) to two other, radically different systems this week.
I am in Germany this week, so I got to spend time with my friends Peter and Thomas - each audio nuts.
Peter has B&W 802d's, with a T+A Network player going through a Rotel multichannel pre/pro to a Rotel amp (part of their 1500 series, but sorry, can't recall exact model #'s). Thomas has Sonus Faber Cremona's, powered by a Unison Research S6 tube amp (it's a nice one and can bake bread nicely, too!) and a new Moon 3.3 CD player. He also has an old Dual TT with a new Benz Ace SL cartridge. I can't recall which phono preamp he has, but it is a nice one!
I have always been impressed by Thomas' system. In fact, listening to his is what got me on the upgrade path I have been on the last few months that led to me getting a new CD player, preamp, amps, and speakers...net, a whole new 2-channel system - other than my TT/cart.
I am quite proud to report that my system is now on par with his! I would love to hear a side-by-side comparison, but it's a bit tough to carry all my stuff on a plane to Germany or vice-versa. I think if we did so, we'd find mine might be a bit better on detail clarity/soundstage. But, both systems sound excellent. His TT has me actually considering a new cartridge...goodness...does it sound nice.
My friend Peter's system has always sounded nice also - esp. on female voices and acoustic music, jazz, etc. But, it never seems to reproduce the more challenging recordings...it seems a bit throttled in the midrange. It seems as though his amp just can't drive the speakers sufficiently. I would love to hear his speakers with nCores. He is hoping Emotiva's European distribution gets going quickly as he would like to try the XPA-1's...I would like to hear those w/his 802d's also! I would also really like to pair his speakers w/my ERC/XSP/nCores...I bet the combo would be very good.
In any case - I think it's a testament to Emotiva that the ERC-2 and XSP-1 can be put together with my amps and speakers and shine to a level of my friends' very pricey systems. Emotiva truly represents a great value...great quality at a great price.
Mark
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Post by paintedklown on Nov 3, 2012 5:21:54 GMT -5
I had a chance to compare my system (indirectly) to two other, radically different systems this week. I am in Germany this week, so I got to spend time with my friends Peter and Thomas - each audio nuts. Peter has B&W 802d's, with a T+A Network player going through a Rotel multichannel pre/pro to a Rotel amp (part of their 1500 series, but sorry, can't recall exact model #'s). Thomas has Sonus Faber Cremona's, powered by a Unison Research S6 tube amp (it's a nice one and can bake bread nicely, too!) and a new Moon 3.3 CD player. He also has an old Dual TT with a new Benz Ace SL cartridge. I can't recall which phono preamp he has, but it is a nice one! I have always been impressed by Thomas' system. In fact, listening to his is what got me on the upgrade path I have been on the last few months that led to me getting a new CD player, preamp, amps, and speakers...net, a whole new 2-channel system - other than my TT/cart. I am quite proud to report that my system is now on par with his! I would love to hear a side-by-side comparison, but it's a bit tough to carry all my stuff on a plane to Germany or vice-versa. I think if we did so, we'd find mine might be a bit better on detail clarity/soundstage. But, both systems sound excellent. His TT has me actually considering a new cartridge...goodness...does it sound nice. My friend Peter's system has always sounded nice also - esp. on female voices and acoustic music, jazz, etc. But, it never seems to reproduce the more challenging recordings...it seems a bit throttled in the midrange. It seems as though his amp just can't drive the speakers sufficiently. I would love to hear his speakers with nCores. He is hoping Emotiva's European distribution gets going quickly as he would like to try the XPA-1's...I would like to hear those w/his 802d's also! I would also really like to pair his speakers w/my ERC/XSP/nCores...I bet the combo would be very good. In any case - I think it's a testament to Emotiva that the ERC-2 and XSP-1 can be put together with my amps and speakers and shine to a level of my friends' very pricey systems. Emotiva truly represents a great value...great quality at a great price. Mark Nice! I love that Emotiva components can hold their own, when compared directly with big $$$ gear. It's a testament to Lonnie's engineering prowess. ;D  Now....I must get an ERC-2...off to donate body parts.  |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 3, 2012 5:55:57 GMT -5
LOL! Don't donate any valuable ones...
Mark
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Post by roadrunner on Nov 3, 2012 15:12:19 GMT -5
Paintedklown -- "Now....I must get an ERC-2...off to donate body parts." I would donate my leg that RSD has taken up home in. ;D ;D ...but I don't think Emotiva would want it anymore than I do.   Seriously, the XSP/ERC combo is so good it could be the heart and soul of a serious music system -- product of the year class in the "Bang For the Buck" category. You got to listen to this combo to believe just how good it really is. |
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smokey
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Post by smokey on Sept 5, 2013 10:58:12 GMT -5
dose anyone have the ps audio pwd going through the XSP-1 preamp , how dose it sound ,or is it better without the XSP-1
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smokey
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by smokey on Sept 12, 2013 16:10:06 GMT -5
SMOKEY, I'm back , well I now have the XSP-1 for about 4 days in my system, PS AUDIO, PWT & PWD going to the XSP-1 by xlr balanced cables. To my 22 year old KRELL KST 100 AMP, also xlr cables to amp, that feeds my 22 year old speakers SPICA ANGELUS. The sound was great without the XSP-1 buuuuut !!!!! when I sat back closed my eyes ===there was a deeper sound stage and alittle more separation between instruments, but the HIGHs do sound a bit bright, I have not played with it"s filters as of yet, just enjoying the MUSIC |
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