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Post by gcoulson on Dec 17, 2012 16:28:37 GMT -5
Hi all, I'm new to the site...so hopefully I'm posting this in the right place!!
Over the years, I've noticed I've been using the ol' CD-player less and less and using my computer more and more for listening to music. The pure convenience of having everything in one place certainly appeals to me. Currently, I'm using a relatively cheap setup that I'm too embarrassed to mention and am looking to upgrade as a treat to myself.
What I'd like to do is run my PC iTunes >>> DAC >>> Amp >>> speakers (2.0).
The DAC, I think I have pretty much decided on the XDA-1. The only think I'm undecided about is the amp. I was originally in a two-way tie between the Rotel RA-985BX integrated (100WPC) and the NAD C352BEE (50WPC). The Rotel has more juice, but the NAD has received exceptional reviews online. However, while reading up on amps, I stumbled across Emotiva on AVSForums. Decided to check this unknown-to-me brand out and lo, there's a massive following for this brand and some seriously good reviews. While browsing the website, I discovered the Mini-X (50WPC).
Now, I'm confused. For a simple 2.0 setup in a study, I suspect 50WPC will be plenty enough to drive some 88dB 8-ohm speakers to ear-splitting levels. So my question is (full well knowing this is an Emotiva fan-base), which would be a better decision between the NAD and the Emotiva. The Emotiva is cheaper and seems be made pretty solidly. The NAD is more expensive ($250), but it is a full integrated amp with tons of inputs if I decide to use them later. Right now, I just need a single input for the PC though. I also "feel" based on the reviews that the NAD is a stellar performer that has much more headroom than the 50WPC on the back. I'm not sure about the mini-X though since there are fewer reviews.
Guess I'm just looking for input as to whether its a toss-up between these amps, or if there is a clear winner in the group? Obviously at $179 the Mini-X is superbly appealing, but I don't mind spending the extra bucks on the NAD or Rotel if they're that much better.
Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
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bootman
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Typing useless posts on internet forums....
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Post by bootman on Dec 17, 2012 16:43:25 GMT -5
If you don't need the extra inputs, then save your money for more music purchases. If you do need the extra inputs then go with the NAD. The differences between 50 and 100W only accounts for a 3db increase in loudness. Not much at all and in a small room, not too cost effective.
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Post by gcoulson on Dec 17, 2012 16:55:37 GMT -5
Would the sound quality between the two be equivalent? Guess the idea of moving from a full integrated to a mini makes me a little nervous, like im going to be losing sound quality in addition to the inputs. Its a size thing
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Post by garbulky on Dec 17, 2012 18:06:39 GMT -5
You haven't told us your speakers or the size of your room. Iif you've never done an audiophile setup, let me tell you right now that with emotive every dollar you spend is super worth it. It sounds steep now but good golly gosh the sound benefits are GREAT and the amount of time you will spend listening to the thing is going to make the extra money spent really worth it. But before all this: the mini-x is a good performer. Some people have reported a channel imbalance on the volume pot at low volumes. They have used an RCA line level voltage attenuator to allow the attenuator to be used at the higher range of the dial to overcome this. Not all have had this issue. Just very few on this forum.
If I were you, I would buy an xda-2 and a UPA-200 and call it a night. It's fully worth it. You can connect pretty much anything to it. Your playstation, your blu-ray player, your cd player, plus you have a high quality headphone out for most medium to low impedance headphones. If you are okay with the lossy digital volume control on the xda-1, then ignore what I said about the xda-2 and get an xda-1 on the cheap. I have an xda-1 and it sounds great. But I really think purchasing a UPA-200 would be a really good idea.
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Post by jlafrenz on Dec 17, 2012 18:43:03 GMT -5
If you don't need the extra inputs, then save your money for more music purchases. If you do need the extra inputs then go with the NAD. The differences between 50 and 100W only accounts for a 3db increase in loudness. Not much at all and in a small room, not too cost effective. ^ This. And the Emotiva has a smaller footprint so it will fit on a computer desk more easily.
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kt10r
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Post by kt10r on Dec 17, 2012 18:51:53 GMT -5
Depends on your budget for the dac too. I really like that the nad comes with a remote if you need to start off with a simple cheap dac.
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Post by copperpipe on Dec 17, 2012 19:31:26 GMT -5
I own 2 of the mini-x's now, definitely can't go wrong with these amps and I love them. I also have a marantz receiver (sr5004), I'll take the emo's any day over the marantz (if you're stuck on buying receivers, you can always buy my marantz? ;D)
The volume is more than enough for any normal sized room in a normal sized house. At one point I was driving 2 paradigm towers with each amp (2 monitor 9's on the one, 2 monitor 7's on the other). Volume level never went much past half way and that was quite loud though I didn't measure it, definitely higher than I normally listen.
I can't speak for the NAD or Rotel etc, I'm sure they're excellent as well. Just don't be afraid of the "mini" in the "mini-x", it's a great amp.
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Post by gcoulson on Dec 17, 2012 21:52:36 GMT -5
You haven't told us your speakers or the size of your room. Speakers I'm undecided on....depending on what kind of deal I can get, it will either be PSB Alpha B1s, Paradigm Atoms, NHT Absolute Zeros or Monitor Audio BR1s. The study is pretty small, 12' x 15'. I HAD considered the XDA-1/UPA-200 route...but from what I've read, you can't really use the XDA-1 to control volume, since you start losing bits at lower volumes. Since it won't be blasting all the time, not sure I would be able to keep it at the recommended 80 setting without my wife killing me. Hence my idea of XDA-1 and mini-X...since then I can use the Mini-X's volume controller. Does the XDA-2 have the same issue, or have they managed to keep volume independent of bits?
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Pauly
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Post by Pauly on Dec 17, 2012 22:00:49 GMT -5
The XDA-2 uses a digitally controlled analog resistor ladder, so there is no loss in sound quality throughout the volume range. Therefore, it can serve as an excellent digital preamp.
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KeithL
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Post by KeithL on Dec 18, 2012 10:39:49 GMT -5
I'll throw another option in the mix..... If you're going to consider a DAC with a volume control (like our XDA-2), then another option would be to go with a pair of GOOD powered speakers - like our Airmotiv 5s. www.emotivapro.com/products/powered_monitors/airmotiv5.php(You'll LOVE the mini-x if you decide to go that way, but, with powered speakers, you don't need to find space for an amp at all - and the fives are fully bi-amped, sound really good, and have lots of power. Since they're designed as near-field monitors, they also sound especially good close in, which not all speakers do.) The XDA-2 uses a digitally controlled analog resistor ladder, so there is no loss in sound quality throughout the volume range. Therefore, it can serve as an excellent digital preamp.
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Post by gcoulson on Dec 18, 2012 12:08:16 GMT -5
Hmm, not considered power speakers. Probably (incorrectly) always saw them as lesser alternates to passive speakers + amp. Don't see too many powered speakers being reviewed by the main stereophile websites, so they've not been in my immediate awareness much.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Dec 18, 2012 13:37:07 GMT -5
One of the nice things about powered speakers is that the manufacturer can tailor the amp, crossover, and speaker combination for you; I have a pair of airmotive5's as studio monitors and they do a very nice job.
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Post by garbulky on Dec 18, 2012 17:11:26 GMT -5
Well going the unpowered route allows you to jump into separates a little faster so I would rather prefer that. It looks like you are spending more money on your electronics than your speakers. In a way, this is allright because you are setting yourself up for some better components down the line while holding onto at least your DAC. But the best bang for the buck stuff IS your speakers so I would advice spending a bit more if possible. The tekton 65t and 81t comes to mind both handmade with good bass response and high efficiency drivers. Also has different finishes available. If you are okay with point source single driver speakers that do well at lower volumes their open baffle dual driver OB45 is a nice option though it won't kick you with SPL's. www.tektondesign.com/products.html
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Post by hostility on Dec 18, 2012 18:43:42 GMT -5
im using pc-xda2-minix-paradigm mini monitor v7, and its a great setup, fills the room up more then enough and sounds very clean!
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