Post by mikec92 on Oct 20, 2012 8:49:43 GMT -5
Hey all, I wanted to take a moment to review my XPA-2. In short, I am very impressed with the difference it has made in my system, especially the way that it has brought 2channel listening to life! Just a little background on my prior gear...I have always owned AV receivers, and this is my first foray into separates. With the exception of the first AV Stereo Receiver I purchased (An old Onkyo TX series bought with summer job money back in the early 90's and paired with CV VS series) I've been happy with the sound, but have not experienced that true "wow" factor with my music in years. Thanks to all of the members of the forum who have provided me with solid advice regarding this purchase over the past couple months. This is my first review of a product like this, so bear with me...I'm an amateur!
2channel listening - I'll start here since this is what I do 80% of the time. My LR fronts are Paradigm Monitor 7 v6 (94db). Due to the high efficiency of these speakers I was a little unsure of the amount of gain I would make by adding the amp. I had a number of people point me to a decibel calculator and based upon the results I almost thought the XPA-2 was too much amplifier! This turned out not to be the case at all. I've noticed a huge amount of increase in dynamics, both high and low, especially low. (And not just at high volumes). The bass reproduction with this amp hooked up is very impressive. An example of this would be Peter Gabriel's Secret World Live. This CD is extremely dynamic and includes a variety of instruments and sounds. The bass in this recording is very diverse and complex. Up until adding the XPA-2 I needed to incorporate my subwoofer to help out the mains. Prior to adding the XPA-2, the sound was almost muffled and muddy at the low end. I added the XPA-2....what a difference. The bass immediately tightened up. The low bass effects separated from the bass guitar - It sounded as if a wet towel had been removed from my speakers. Additionally, I'm hearing all sorts of nuance and clarity across the entire soundstage. Red Rain, Across the River, Steam...wow...I always thought this was a poorly engineered recording...I couldn't have been more wrong....my speakers were not being fed! No need for the subwoofer with this setup... I had no idea that my Paradigms were capable of this level of sound.
Stevie Ray Vaughan - I need to mention this one as an example of "things I never noticed"...In his version of Little Wing in the quieter sections of the song I can actually hear the hum of HIS guitar amplifier....No I don't have a ground loop in my system. As will all tracks demoed this one sounds great in 2.0 pure direct mode (no sub, no processing, no tone controls used).
Some acoustic stuff - Rodrigo y Gabriela's version of Stairway to Heaven. What can I say about this recording. I actually felt like I was in the room with them. Everything was crystal clear, but not harsh. When the song kicks in and Gabriela is hitting the body of the guitar the result is most impressive...such a natural unprocessed/authentic sound.
HT - So I've messed around with this a little (20%). The opening scene of the Dark Knight is an example of gains I've experienced (in 5.1 DTS-MA). The soundtrack (effects...background music) are harder hitting overall. Plus I've noticed obvious gains in SQ and I guess "level" from the center and rears. I think my Yamaha is relieved to only be reproducing center and SL SR material!
Gotta run....I hope this review helps!
Mike
2channel listening - I'll start here since this is what I do 80% of the time. My LR fronts are Paradigm Monitor 7 v6 (94db). Due to the high efficiency of these speakers I was a little unsure of the amount of gain I would make by adding the amp. I had a number of people point me to a decibel calculator and based upon the results I almost thought the XPA-2 was too much amplifier! This turned out not to be the case at all. I've noticed a huge amount of increase in dynamics, both high and low, especially low. (And not just at high volumes). The bass reproduction with this amp hooked up is very impressive. An example of this would be Peter Gabriel's Secret World Live. This CD is extremely dynamic and includes a variety of instruments and sounds. The bass in this recording is very diverse and complex. Up until adding the XPA-2 I needed to incorporate my subwoofer to help out the mains. Prior to adding the XPA-2, the sound was almost muffled and muddy at the low end. I added the XPA-2....what a difference. The bass immediately tightened up. The low bass effects separated from the bass guitar - It sounded as if a wet towel had been removed from my speakers. Additionally, I'm hearing all sorts of nuance and clarity across the entire soundstage. Red Rain, Across the River, Steam...wow...I always thought this was a poorly engineered recording...I couldn't have been more wrong....my speakers were not being fed! No need for the subwoofer with this setup... I had no idea that my Paradigms were capable of this level of sound.
Stevie Ray Vaughan - I need to mention this one as an example of "things I never noticed"...In his version of Little Wing in the quieter sections of the song I can actually hear the hum of HIS guitar amplifier....No I don't have a ground loop in my system. As will all tracks demoed this one sounds great in 2.0 pure direct mode (no sub, no processing, no tone controls used).
Some acoustic stuff - Rodrigo y Gabriela's version of Stairway to Heaven. What can I say about this recording. I actually felt like I was in the room with them. Everything was crystal clear, but not harsh. When the song kicks in and Gabriela is hitting the body of the guitar the result is most impressive...such a natural unprocessed/authentic sound.
HT - So I've messed around with this a little (20%). The opening scene of the Dark Knight is an example of gains I've experienced (in 5.1 DTS-MA). The soundtrack (effects...background music) are harder hitting overall. Plus I've noticed obvious gains in SQ and I guess "level" from the center and rears. I think my Yamaha is relieved to only be reproducing center and SL SR material!
Gotta run....I hope this review helps!
Mike
