riscy
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Post by riscy on Jan 2, 2013 23:36:19 GMT -5
We decided that the Holiday Sale was too good to pass up. The new goodies arrived today: This is obviously a less-than-optimal setup, but the gear is temporarily set up in the living room while I finish building the dedicated theater. The actual components are listed in my signature. But the new additions are dual XPR-1s for the L/R main channels, and a XPR-5 for the center (and the eventual surround channels). Until now, I have been using the AVR-4300ci's internal amps, which are woefully under-powered for the MLs. Speaking with Emotiva sales, the strongly recommended the XPR-1s for the challenging loads presented by the the MLs. I am so glad I took their advice! I assumed that upgrading from the Denon's internal amps would make a noticeable difference. Denon, of course, touts the amplifier section of this receiver as being fairly high-end. Given what we paid for the thing when it first came out, I assumed (wanted to believe) they were right. I was totally unprepared for the dramatic difference the XPRs made. Simply staggering. I cannot believe how quickly the Denon's amplifiers were distorting. The volume - clear volume - capable with the XRPs is simply staggering. The soundstage opened significantly. The power reserves did amazing things for the dynamics. There is a point with these XPRs where I am able to achieve an SPL where the MLs and the room interact to recreate actual guitar amplifier sounds. Several times while listening I was sure I was listening to a live guitar rig right in my living room. This is just an initial impression. The room is VERY challenging. In fact, I was getting phase errors from Audessey during setup, presumably from the dipole MLs being too close to the rear walls. As a result, Audessey is over-correcting (IMO), particularly in the midbass frequencies, and I am currently bypassing it, preferring the unprocessed sound. The combination of the electrostats and the XPRs is actually a bit overwhelming in the higher frequencies, but I believe that the the sound proofing I plan to install the theater (and the XMC-1 I plan to add ) will help tame this. To summarize, the sound is simply breathtaking, right out of the box. A few things to note... One of the XPR-1s was DoA out of the box. This was not surprising given the gut-wrenching experience of watching the FedEx guy - literally - drop my amplifiers out of the back of his truck. A note to Emotiva: I think you have crossed a weight threshold where the delivery people are simply not willing to to even try to be delicate. Anyway, after speaking to Emo tech support, I decided to open the access panel on the underside of the chassis. A tiny cable had come unplugged from the daughter board. Plugging it in solved the issue. Another to thing to point out involves electrical power. I have seen much debate on the boards concerning the electrical draw of these XPR amps. I have all three of these amps as well as the AVR-4311ci, the Oppo, a TiVo, and several other items all plugged into the same (60-year-old) 20-amp circuit. To be fair, I am only using a single channel on the XPR-5, but I have had all three amps running at 2/3 - 3/4 capacity (based on the highly-scientific blue-light analysis) and have yet to trip a breaker. Of course, each amp will be connected to a dedicated 20-amp circuit in the dedicated theater! Sorry for the long post. Just excited about the new toys.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Jan 2, 2013 23:51:43 GMT -5
riscy So jealous!!! Looks sweet! Congrats.
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riscy
Minor Hero
Posts: 28
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Post by riscy on Jan 2, 2013 23:58:20 GMT -5
LOL - thanks! A wife who digs audiophile-grade components is a big help. Merry Christmas to us
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Post by mg on Jan 3, 2013 0:23:34 GMT -5
Stunning! Riscy
Believe it or not that's almost the exact same set up i had in mind. I say almost because the only difference would the Summits which I will pick up in a month or two. I currently have XPR-5, ML Stage, XPR-1's coming in by the end of next week and of course the Summits unless you can swing me of to the Montis or Ethos. The Vantages which I also have will do the surround duties.
Hahaha! Have you showed of your new toys in other forums, I'm sure they will try and get you back to the wagon of the mac's, krell's, blablablah. Having own previous emos and Logan's I can tell you won't be dissapointed.
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Post by Dark Ranger on Jan 3, 2013 1:24:32 GMT -5
SWEET!! ;D
Awesome setup, riscy. Thanks for sharing with us. I know it sounds wonderful.
Enjoy!
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Erwin.BE
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It's the room, stupid!
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Post by Erwin.BE on Jan 3, 2013 8:36:25 GMT -5
This is obviously a less-than-optimal setup, but the gear is temporarily set up in the living room while I finish building the dedicated theater. The combination of the electrostats and the XPRs is actually a bit overwhelming in the higher frequencies, but I believe that the the sound proofing I plan to install the theater (and the XMC-1 I plan to add ) will help tame this. 1/ Sounds familiar! 2/ Nah, your brain will adapt quickly to the "new" sound. And you mean sound absorption (and diffusion), not sound proofing? Indeed, treating the room is doubtlessly the best thing one can do to improve their audio. Those amps sure look cool...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2013 10:38:56 GMT -5
I get so tired of the power amp overkill and ear bleeding level comments at the Lounge. It is great to read your feedback! Yes, your ML's are not Klipsch but gee Riscy they are 91dB's sensitivity! They say a max of 500 watts. What? Are you nuts? You're going to blow out the neighborhood with the XPR-1's with 1750 watts (or really 2000 watts). Well, at least now you can say you live in a no clipping zone.
More feedback and photos as you have time, please.
Congratulations on a great system! ;D ;D ;D
PS: I see Stereophile rated the Montis at 88.7dB's. Well, there goes about 750 watts, poof! ;D ;D ;D
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Jan 3, 2013 10:46:21 GMT -5
Very cool!
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Bruce
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Post by Bruce on Jan 3, 2013 11:01:29 GMT -5
Fantastic set up!!! Good luck with your Theater Build
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riscy
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Posts: 28
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Post by riscy on Jan 3, 2013 11:34:17 GMT -5
Stunning! Riscy Believe it or not that's almost the exact same set up i had in mind. I say almost because the only difference would the Summits which I will pick up in a month or two. I currently have XPR-5, ML Stage, XPR-1's coming in by the end of next week and of course the Summits unless you can swing me of to the Montis or Ethos. The Vantages which I also have will do the surround duties. Hahaha! Have you showed of your new toys in other forums, I'm sure they will try and get you back to the wagon of the mac's, krell's, blablablah. Having own previous emos and Logan's I can tell you won't be dissapointed. mg, I am experiencing a decided lack of impact in the bass, particularly mid-bass, with the Montis. I am hoping that will improve when I am on my concrete/cork floor in the theater (and add the subs), but if I had to do it over again (and had the ca$h) I would definitely go with the Summits. The Montis do not appear to "hit", but the dual-servo Summits are definitely the way to go, IMHO. Assuming that's how you like your bass, of course! The "200 watt" bass amp in the Montis just don't seem to keep up with the XPRs, somehow...
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Post by audiofile on Jan 3, 2013 11:35:20 GMT -5
Dang those are nice. Congrats!!!
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riscy
Minor Hero
Posts: 28
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Post by riscy on Jan 3, 2013 11:42:32 GMT -5
This is obviously a less-than-optimal setup, but the gear is temporarily set up in the living room while I finish building the dedicated theater. The combination of the electrostats and the XPRs is actually a bit overwhelming in the higher frequencies, but I believe that the the sound proofing I plan to install the theater (and the XMC-1 I plan to add ) will help tame this. 1/ Sounds familiar! 2/ Nah, your brain will adapt quickly to the "new" sound. And you mean sound absorption (and diffusion), not sound proofing? Indeed, treating the room is doubtlessly the best thing one can do to improve their audio. Those amps sure look cool... Erwin.be, Thank you for pointing out my misnomer. Or at least, partial misnomer. My intent is to spray-foam the heck out of as much of the wall and ceiling cavities as possible, and cover the plaster-over-CMU walls with QuietRock, and finish the whole thing with a coat of this: www.hytechsales.com/prod150.html - it's probably snake oil, but I'll give them credit for talking a good game. I've already replaced the windows with glass block and walled over them. The whole idea is to tighten the room down and remove as much vibration/reverberation as possible. And if I can keep some sound from bleeding out of the room then that is an added bonus. I know sound proofing and absorption are often different (or even competing) endeavors, but the main goal is absorption. I just like a "dead" room.
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riscy
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Post by riscy on Jan 3, 2013 11:58:05 GMT -5
I get so tired of the power amp overkill and ear bleeding level comments at the Lounge. It is great to read your feedback! Yes, your ML's are not Klipsch but gee Riscy they are 91dB's sensitivity! They say a max of 500 watts. What? Are you nuts? You're going to blow out the neighborhood with the XPR-1's with 1750 watts (or really 2000 watts). Well, at least now you can say you live in a no clipping zone. More feedback and photos as you have time, please. Congratulations on a great system! ;D ;D ;D PS: I see Stereophile rated the Montis at 88.7dB's. Well, there goes about 750 watts, poof! ;D ;D ;D chuckienut, LOL!! Well, it would seem that the MLs present quite an interesting load profile, particularly at the higher frequencies. I have seen pretty consistent recommendations to go for as much reserve power / amp quality as possible. I can tell you, they completely annihilated the AVR-4311ci!!! It's far from scientific, I know, but I am shocked at how many LEDs I'm lighting up on these amps. In other threads I read people saying they barely get them to come on. Again, it's not scientific, but I am running the Denon, without Audessey, pretty much at unity gain and the XPRs are showing 2/3 - 3/4 of their lights when I'm really hitting it. I do like it LOUD, but, anecdotally, it would appear that they are "using" more than their rated 500 watts... At least, that's my story - gotta justify that outlay of cash, you know? Did I mention LOUD?
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Pauly
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Post by Pauly on Jan 3, 2013 14:04:30 GMT -5
Wow, that is awesome! Congrats!
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Post by briank on Jan 3, 2013 15:50:38 GMT -5
I really like the style of the XPR amps. They look really slick and modern while the old amps looked like 1980's styling. I may have to pony up for a pair of XPR-1's and the new matching Pre amp when it comes out. . Plus maybe the new ERC-3 if it will have the styling and SQ to match. Add some gorgeous wood veneer new Emo Reference speakers, say three ways, folded ribbon tweeter or Raal, maybe an Scan Speak illuminator mid and woofer or two. Mmmmm. Sorry, I started day dreaming.
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Post by Porscheguy on Jan 3, 2013 16:37:18 GMT -5
lookin good!
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Post by edoggrc51 on Jan 3, 2013 17:11:49 GMT -5
SWEET setup!
Any chance I can get you to compare the XPR-1's to the XPR-5??
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riscy
Minor Hero
Posts: 28
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Post by riscy on Jan 3, 2013 18:02:52 GMT -5
I really like the style of the XPR amps. They look really slick and modern while the old amps looked like 1980's styling. I may have to pony up for a pair of XPR-1's and the new matching Pre amp when it comes out. . Plus maybe the new ERC-3 if it will have the styling and SQ to match. Add some gorgeous wood veneer new Emo Reference speakers, say three ways, folded ribbon tweeter or Raal, maybe an Scan Speak illuminator mid and woofer or two. Mmmmm. Sorry, I started day dreaming. Heh - love the dreaming! I've been doing it for a while myself. I don't really mind the styling of the XPA amps. The XPRs do look good, but you can definitely tell that this is where they make up some of the $10k that you'd pay someone else for a comparable device. I'm not saying they look cheap by any means, but they are definitely "low frill" compared to some alternatives out there. Although the effects lighting is damned sexy. Actually, if there was something I'd change cosmetically about the XPR amps it would be the giant logo. For me, it's a little too much. I think they need to start using just a stylized "E", rather than spelling out the entire name all the time. Whatever - they are gorgeous and I am happy
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riscy
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Posts: 28
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Post by riscy on Jan 3, 2013 18:12:26 GMT -5
SWEET setup! Any chance I can get you to compare the XPR-1's to the XPR-5?? Actually, I did listen to just the XPR-5 for a few days before the 1s showed up. I must say, the 5 is very impressive! I didn't exactly do some critical A/B listening, but off the cuff I would say that the XPR-5 is very tight. It's closer to a digital sound than the XPR-1. The 1 is warmer, and I definitely noticed a more expressive, deeper sound stage. But the XPR-5 is a fantastic unit all by itself. Something interesting... the evolution of the packaging. The XPR-5 came with random bits bits of foam around it. The XPR-1s came packed in custom-molded styrofoam complete with Emotiva logo embossment and stenciled fabric cover (no cover on the 5). Hope that helps...
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riscy
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Post by riscy on Jan 3, 2013 18:17:35 GMT -5
Oh, one other, odd, thing... I am using Emo RCA patch for now, until I get my XMC-1 and can go with balanced connections. Something strange is that the RCA connectors fit much less snugly on the XPR-1 inputs than they did on the XPR-5. I actually had to crimp them down a bit to get them to grip the XPR input connector. Odd.
But, man, those output binding posts. Wow!!
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