Any News on the XPS-1 Phono Pre-Amp?

[ÈlTwo]

Look at the picture I posted 7 posts above yours, there is a place for an adapter to a wall wart that is labeled "Power."

[ronjr]

Ordered a XPS-1. Do you guys think it would be safe to use this: Pyramid PS3KX 3-Amp 12-Volt Power Supply? I currently have one and use it for my TCC TC750LC phono preamp and it works fine. Thanks, Ron

[audiobill]

Mine just arrived, looks very nice!

Now for the listening.......

[Dark Ranger]

Dec 27, 2013 12:44:07 GMT -5 audiobill said:

Mine just arrived, looks very nice!

Now for the listening.......

What were you using before the XPS-1? I forget now...

[audiobill]

The phono section of my BAT VK-31SE, before I sold it.

Then, just the ART phono plus into the DC1.

[movietunes]

I got my XPS-1 today and it sounds really really clean, enjoying it!

The only negative is the power supply connector doesn't seat all the way. I have a call into Emo asking them about it, waiting for a call back...

[ÈlTwo]

What are the specs on the power supply?

[KeithL]

As long as it puts out the correct voltage and the correct polarity it should work just fine.
(Although don't bet on its changing the way the XPS-1 sounds when compared to the original power supply.)

Dec 26, 2013 23:00:32 GMT -5 ronjr said:

Ordered a XPS-1. Do you guys think it would be safe to use this: Pyramid PS3KX 3-Amp 12-Volt Power Supply? I currently have one and use it for my TCC TC750LC phono preamp and it works fine. Thanks, Ron

[ronjr]

Thanks Keith. Was not anticipating an improvement, but glad to know it will be safe if I use it.

[ÈlTwo]

I'm glad we have an answer to this question:

[autiger]

Dec 27, 2013 21:35:31 GMT -5 ÈlTwo said:

I'm glad we have an answer to this question:

AWESOME MOVIE - Marathon Man

[wizardofoz]

I got a message when I ordered 2 of them... its 115VAC ONLY wall wart...so no point to get the wall wart shipped if you live in a 230VAC country and its 9VDC out I was told too not 12V so a single 12V battery is out too I guess.

Here is the part on the voltage... "The XPS-1 phono preamplifiers use a wall wart power supply which coverts the AC signal to 9V DC. The one that is provided with the phono preamplifier is designed for use with 115V North American outlets only. You would be responsible for providing your necessary wall wart that connects to an outlet in your region."

so the next question to be answered is is the centre pin + or - (the centre + is more common) and the current needs...I guess 1A should be ample. Can anyone post a picture of the specs label on the wall wart seeing as Emotiva staff can't seem to manage to do this? Pulling teeth is pretty spot on.

Also noted was pricing is while stock lasts or until 5th Jan which ever is first so I can only assume that means the sale ends then???

[ÈlTwo]

Either Keith, or someone with the wall wart can give us this info (it has to be on the wall wart).

[KeithL]

I kind of thought it was 12V, but I could be wrong (I'll check on Monday).

As for batteries, if it IS 9V, it's simple enough to add a precision regulator to drop 12V to 9V (they cost about $2)

Dec 28, 2013 13:35:26 GMT -5 ÈlTwo said:

Either Keith, or someone with the wall wart can give us this info (it has to be on the wall wart).

[bootbox]

Hi all, just got my XPS-1 in yesterday, have been following the threads closely and waiting for my account to be approved so I could post.



I'm happy to report there is zero power supply hum. I have a Pyramid regulated 12V PS I had planned to use in place of the wall wart but I don't think I'm going to bother at this point.

I haven't done a ton of listening yet as I didn't get it installed until very late last night, but side one of my Anaologue Productions pressing of J.J. Cale - Troubadour sounded incredible. Very precise, zero noise floor from the pre. Quiet passages, the deadwax between tracks etc, are very, very quiet. This album does not really have bass so much, so I'll reserve my judgement on the bass performance until later however J.J.'s voice and guitar were incredibly crystal clear, did not break up or distort at all, were transparent and lively, and they were super super detailed. I haven't done enough listening yet to comment on too much else, so I'll reserve judgement on soundstage/image etc for now.

The rest of my system:

Amp: Pioneer SA-9500 - Fully recapped/restored
Turntable: Pioneer PL-630
Cartridge: Audio Technica AT150Ea w/ATN150MLX stylus
Speakers: Pioneer HPM-60

[KeithL]

XPS-1 PHONO MODULE POWER REQUIREMENTS


(Thanks for the picture.)

I opened up a current shipping unit and checked.....

The power pack (wall wart) for the XPS-1 puts out 12 VDC.

And it accepts 50/60 Hz at anywhere between 100 - 240 VAC.
(So you CAN use the same wall wart pretty well anywhere in the world.)

(Note for would-be DIYers: You should be able to run the XPS-1 off a battery, but I wouldn't bet on any improvement in sound; the power supply in the wall wart is quite good, and there are switching level-shifters in the XPS-1 itself which clean the power even further anyway. A battery may actually perform less well if it cannot put out as tightly regulated a voltage as the wall wart. If you try a battery, DO NOT use a battery which puts out over 12 VDC; many "12V" lead-acid batteries output 13.6 volts at full charge, and that MAY exceed the safe operating point on the XPS-1 and damage it.)


Incidentally, when fully inserted, the power connector from the wall wart going into the XPS-1 does leave a small amount of metal showing. This is perfectly normal, and the connector itself is quite tight and secure.

Dec 28, 2013 15:20:48 GMT -5 KeithL said:

I kind of thought it was 12V, but I could be wrong (I'll check on Monday).

As for batteries, if it IS 9V, it's simple enough to add a precision regulator to drop 12V to 9V (they cost about $2)

Dec 28, 2013 13:35:26 GMT -5 ÈlTwo said:

Either Keith, or someone with the wall wart can give us this info (it has to be on the wall wart).

[Dark Ranger]

Hi guys,

I've jumped on the bandwagon and just ordered a XPS-1!

The TT will be purchased soon, hopefully within the next 1-2 months. I couldn't pass up the deal on the XPS-1 and I've been anticipating this product since it was announced.

[nesnith]

How does this compared to the built-in phono stages in the USP-1 and the XSP-1?

[roadrunner]

Dec 30, 2013 20:42:50 GMT -5 nesnith said:

How does this compared to the built-in phono stages in the USP-1 and the XSP-1?

The XPS-1 uses the same circuitry as the XSP-1. Both the USP-1 and the XSP-1 have excellent phono stages in them. Read some of the Pro Reviews and you will find that the reviewers were extremely pleased with the sonic quality of the phono stages of both stereo preamps. Every review that I read gave "rave reviews" of their phono stages.

Many Lounge members, over the past few years, have also submitted exceptionally positive reviews on the phono stages of their personal Emotiva preamps. Emotiva's reputation was built on the exceptional sound and build quality of their preamps and power amps -- having unrivaled Bang for the Buck.

[Chris]

Dec 30, 2013 22:49:26 GMT -5 roadrunner said:

Dec 30, 2013 20:42:50 GMT -5 nesnith said:

Many Lounge members, over the past few years, have also submitted exceptionally positive reviews on the phono stages of their personal Emotiva preamps. Emotiva's reputation was built on the exceptional sound and build quality of their preamps and power amps -- having unrivaled Bang for the Buck.

One oddity I have encountered so far is that the XPS-1 has significantly less total output level than my Ray Samuels Nighthawk phono preamp? I am running the output into a CI Audio PLC-1 Passive preamp. Could this be an impedance issue? The XPS-1 and the Nighthawk both spec 40 db gain for MM which is what I am using (AT 150 MLX cartridge). I would have thought their gain levels would be fairly close or the XPS-1 greater since it is AC powered?

-CB