Just ordered XPA-5

[buggs1a]

Got the amp. But not sure how to connect the RCA cables to my Integra dtr40.3. Nothing shows left, center, right etc.

[Lonnie]

Jan 16, 2013 21:28:38 GMT -5 buggs1a said:

Got the amp. But not sure how to connect the RCA cables to my Integra dtr40.3. Nothing shows left, center, right etc.

All the channels are the same. So you can connect the RCA cables to any of the, and then just match up the speaker wires.

Lonnie

[buggs1a]

Ok.
I don't notice a difference in sound. I'm watching tv hearing the center only and I can't tell a difference at all.

[chaosrv]

Tv isn't very dynamic....try a better source such as a good blu ray or some high quality music. You'll hear it. I had to pick my jaw off the floor when I first hooked up my XPA-2.

[creimes]

You should have these RCA pre outs......connect to those

Attachments:

[creimes]

Hows this for artistic touch......lol


You are talking about the Integra right hahaah...oh well I had fun never the less

Attachments:

[buggs1a]

Thanks.
I'm watching cliffhanger. Directv channel 561 HD 5.1 Dolby digital.
I connected to the pre outs. I thought they would be different signal but I guess they're all the same? Don't get it.
I hear sound.
Disconnected the Integra 3 front cables. Connected the 3 front speakers back to the receiver. Then back to amp.
Only difference is vol. receiver at 48. Louder when using the amp. Less vol on receiver.

That's about the only difference I can tell so far.

Am I missing something?

[buggs1a]

I'm playing a cd now. No difference except vol so I'm sending it back.

Edit:
Ok, I've disconnected the amp for now. I'm upset and extremely disapointed. All I hear is louder at the same vol.

I remember having a Harman Kardon 7550HD that sounded the best of any receiver I've heard. This was a couple years ago. The center channel S sounded much calmer not as harsh. The sound in general was nice.

I tried this year I think, Marantz SR7005.
This sounded different then my Yamaha RXA3000. The 7005 has a very unique sound. I don't know how to describe it. The S sound in the center wasn't as good as the HK receiver, but close. However the rest of the sound was mouth opening. My first reaction was, wow, so this is what audiophile sounds like. I'm not getting this at all from the XPA-5 amp. I would have kept the 7005 if it did not forget what sound to output all the time.

I tried the Arcam AVR360. This had good sound as well, but no features hardly and it wouldn't let me change the sound output when I tried the receiver. I couldn't figure it out in one area. The sound was good and possibly the best overall of anything I tried except the center channel from the HK was slightly better. However I don't remember if I really thought the Arcam sounded the best overall. That may have been the Marantz SR7005.

My options now were to try the XPA-5 amp, try the new Marantz SR7007 and try again the Arcam AVR360 to compare them all. However my impression of the XPA-5 right now is the only difference I notice is that it is louder at the same setting as my Integra. I don't care about vol level, but I care about the sound and I can't tell anything.

I tried Cliffhanger in Dolby Digital HD 5.1 sound. Then I tried one of my music cds in 2 channel. Again I could only tell that it was louder using the XPA-5.

Now what I'm noticing now is that I'm nervous even a McIntosh won't sound much different or better. I'd like to think all amps sound different, but I'm learnoing that just isn't true. At least to my ears.

I'm willing to give the amp another try, but I'm so disappointed right now that I don't think anything could change my mind or ears. I am open though.

[Deleted]

I copied my post from AVS:

sorry to hear you don't hear a difference...that must be disappointing. I know for me the difference was my avr was under powered for my listening levels and that having all channels driven with the same power made a huge difference! since your levels arent that high for spl there is where you wont notice a big difference if at all. I am not sure you were a candidate for a high powered extrenal amp in the first place.

don't be disappointed though...loving and lost is better than not loving at all....basically now you know and dont have to play the what-if game....and in the grand scheme of things only cost you a very small amount of money to try it. I WOULD recommend trying just a few more source material at higher levels just to see if you really dont need it before lugging that monster to the PO

[buggs1a]

Thanks bmoney.
I'm for sure sending it back.

[geebo]

If you're unhappy with the sound you're getting, maybe you should look at other things in your system.

[creimes]

Yeah seems odd your not noticing any improvements at all, my first jump into seperates with my UPA-1's I found the depth and soundstage improved dramatically over my Yamaha, maybe try some high resolution sources like a concert Blu-ray or like Geebo said to check your other equip and cables to see if anything can be improved on.

[chaosrv]

I can certainly understand your frustrations. That said, listen to it more. Watch a "real" movie. I am not making fun of Cliffhanger here but rather Directv. Even though it is 5.1, it is still heavily compressed.

What you hear is going to be heavily dependent on a number of things. 1. The source 2. processor. 3. Amp 4. Speakers (yes, there are room treatments too but let's start with the basics.)

We discussed the source already.
I think your system would be better suited for a speaker upgrade than an amp (or preferably both)

I used to have non-name brand speakers, they were at best usable. I upgraded to Deftech BP7002's...I nearly wept. They were efficient and didn't need a great deal of power. Then came my ML Vista's. The sound was even better but they craved more and more power (as is typical of electrostatics) Then came the XPA-2. One of the best purchases I ever made. Before the XPA-2 the vistas were humming along now they're singing opera. Eventually I will go to either XPA-1s or XPR-1s and then they'll rival a choir of angels.

I don't think I would have had such a profound experience if I still had the BP7002's. A good one yes, but not as significant.

While your M&Ks are great speakers and THX certified they are on the smaller side and have a peak power rating of 150 watts at 4 ohms. The XPA-5 is capable of double that (and probably more)

I don't know what your room is like maybe room treatments would be the best way to go. Still, I would suggest looking at speakers. Even if you don't have the space (or *ahem* approval) for big floor standers, there are some great bookshelf speakers out there that could open your eyes and ears more than the LCR-750's.

[buggs1a]

Ya. Speakers to me will cost upwards of $8k for me to prefer them to my M&Ks. The 750s are 200 watts and 4ohms.
I heard the McIntosh XR100 with McIntosh mc48 maybe? Pre Amp. Then it had the mc452 amp. 450 watts x 2. These speakers rocked.

I defiantly want to upgrade my speakers. Just sad thinking I would have to spend upwards of $6k plus easy. I can have any speaker really. I like the Martin Logan ESL I think. They're $2200 pair. Meaning they look awesome. I think they sound ok.

I would love to sell my M&K speakers but don't have enough to cover the differnce to upgrade. I wouldn't buy speakers without being able to hear them so Internet is out.

[Deleted]

ChaosRv makes some very good points. To often on these fora (IMHO, of course), folks extoll the virtues and sound-quality improvements to be gained by throwing a monster amp into a system. A monster amp will only shine if your speakers *need* to have the additional power to achive satisfactory sound pressure levels (SPLs) in your environment.

The three best arbiters of overall sound-quality in ANY system are the source materials, the speakers, and the speaker/room interaction. Good source materials will make ANY system sound better, plain and simple. The same can be said of speakers and the speaker/room interaction. Providing, of course, that the speakers are properly setup to work well in your room.

Additionally, it is a revelation to some how much sound-quality can be improved by simply finding the *right* placement of the speakers. And this tweak doesn't cost you a dime, just a little time and effort.

Buggs, I would recommend that you play around with speaker placement and/or "treating" your room. And this does not necessarily mean slapping some panels up on the walls and some bass traps in the corners - although these can be very good things if done properly.

Simple things like getting the speakers out in front of any obstructions between them - like a cabinet or TV and such can make a noticeable improvement. Also, if you have a reflective surface between you and the main speakers - such as a big coffee table or hardwood/tile flooring that could be a problem. Try covering the coffee table with a thick blanket or removing it altogether. If you have hard-surface flooring, try placing a fluffy rug or such on the floor between you and the speakers.

Also, experiment with toe-in on your speakers. You might be surprised how much improvement can be had by simply turning the speakers in a bit so that they do not bounce sound off the walls between you and the speakers. Do not be in a rush to try and fix basic problems by throwing equipment at them. In many cases a system's sound-quality can be dramatically improved for little or no cost...

-RW-

[buggs1a]

Thanks so much guys. Lot to think about.
Would this system be good? Specially compared to my M&K?

www.martinlogan.com/electromotion/index.php

[chaosrv]

What are your listening preferences? Movies vs Music. What type of music. Is the THX certification important for you? The electromotions are about as far away from a similar design to your M&Ks as you can get.

I haven't heard the electromotions but I'm sure they are very capable.
I absolutely love my Vistas and will sing the praises of Martin Logan all day long.


That said, they work for me. I don't know if they will work for you. You said in a previous post the electromotions looked great but sounded ok. For me anyway, ok has never been good enough. Electrostatics are also VERY particular about placement & positioning. If you don't have the space to play around with them, I wouldn't recommend them.

I would recommend going to a dealer (or dealers) and auditioning various brands/types of speakers. Bring your own source material - movies/music - something you're familiar with. Some dealers will allow in-home trials. (most big box stores won't)

There are some great internet direct brands also including emotiva. They almost all offer 30 day in-home trials.

[buggs1a]

I watch tv/movies mostly. Sometimes game and music. Thx means nothing to me. Electronic and dance music mostly.
I said the ESL sounded ok because I don't remember. I heard them over 2 years ago while a josh grobin concert was on the tv. Sounded very nice I do remember. I'd love to have Martin Logan speakers by their looks. Meaning I love their look. I know sound comes first.

There's only best buy magnolia and definitive audio around here that I know of. Been to both B&W is the better sound that I've heard. I only heard the cm line and I own cm1. Want to sell them. Heard the McIntosh XR100 connected to the mc452 and c48 I think. Pre amp. Awesome !!!!

[jt357]

buggs1a,

Sorry to hear you're unhappy with the new amp. I watch a ton of TV and movies also. When I added the LPA-1 to my M&K-750THX LCR's, I was very satisfied with the results. I do however tend to push my system to theater levels. ;D

If you do not play your sound at those levels, I'm sure you don't need the XPA-5.

Also, not trying to insult you here but, you did remember to calibrate after adding the amp, right?

As others have stated, proper speaker placement is everything. I traded a few emails with MR. Kreisel about this. Ken was very adamant about two things:

1. The proper height for 750's are when your ear is relative to the space between the tweeter and the woofer.

2. All speakers should be pointed (toe-in) directly to the main listener's ears. He even went as far to suggest using a laser pointer to do so, for complete accuracy.

Again, I'm just sharing what I did to get the best sound possible. And I am very happy the results. Hope you get to your sonic bliss!

[garbulky]

Hey sorry to hear but it is possible it's your integra settings.
Most important make sure that dynamic range control or limiting is set to OFF.
Your integra may call it night time mode or DYNAMIC VOLUME or something like that. Basically you want as much dynamic range as you can have. Sometimes the setting can be confusing which one is correct so experiment with both. One of them will make you turn the volume higher and at times the sound will be quiet and during loud periods the sound will be VERY LOUD. If you don't do this all the volume will sound the same and not very impressive.

Then re-run the speaker setup calibration. But before you do that make sure you position your speakers correctly:
Away from the walls and the back walls. Enough space between them. Enough space between you and them. Pull them forward away from the plane of your tv. Play with speaker toe in a loooooooot. It makes a huge difference. Also to improve your soundstage get anything in between you and the speakers. Don't run to send these things back. They are some of the best amps I've heard, give it a little time to make sure it's not something on your end that's holding them back. But after a week if it's not making a difference send it back.

So short story:
Turn off any kind of dynamic range control on your integra.
Turn off your room correction first.
Position your speakers properly by ear with all the tips I gave.
Re-run your room correction setup.
Make adjustments as you need to.