How's the Mini-X?

[Boomzilla]

Has anyone tried this puppy? It looks like a gift from Heaven for those of us with sensitive loudspeakers. I will say that my Klipsch La Scalas seem to prefer tubes, but I'll also say that every tube amp I've bought has needed repair, and that trend probably won't abate.

That being the case, while I help my repairman meet his boat payments, I thought I might scope out a Mini-X. The price is affordable, the size is attractive, and the power, for my system, is generous.

The question I then have is "Does the Mini-X share the fabulous 'Emotiva House Sound' with the rest of the X-series amps?" If so, then this is a true no-brainer.

[Deleted]

I've owned the "X" for awhile now. Sounds great on both of my systems. My 103db Tylers sound just as good hooked up to this as my XPA-1's.

Two things i've noticed. There is some volume issues at low volume levels. One channel will have a signal then as you turn it up a little more both will have a signal.

Also there is some channel bleed or crosstalk. I heard this by just playing a left channel signal. The right channel still had a signal but it's a very low signal.

[pallpoul]

I use my Mini X-100 to power a pair of KEF IQ90 . It does an amazing job. The sound is as good as with my upa-2.
I'd say go for it, do not hesitate. Don't be fooled by the size or the rated power.
I love the volume control on the amp.

[RightinLA]

I think it is a great little amp for an office or small room. My biggest complaint is the orientation of the amp. I wished it was wide and not so deep. This makes bookshelf placement difficult unless you want to place it sideways.

The output RCA's are pass through and not controlled by the built in volume control, so it isn't useful to connect a subwoofer.
A switch to allow the output to be controlled by the volume control would have been a nice touch.

There are other mini amps available in that price range that you might consider.

[garbulky]

Other than being cheaper and less powerful, I don't know it will be what you are looking for if you didn't like the xpa-2 on your Klipsch. There were a few reports of channel imbalance at lower volumes

[Deleted]

I would like to mention that the "volume control" is just an Alps potentiometer (similar brand possible).

So there is no gain stage on this amp. If you're input signals voltage is too low, you might not get the volume levels you want but if you feed it with a line level from a CD or ipod, you'd be just fine.

[Deleted]

Feb 4, 2013 9:11:17 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Other than being cheaper and less powerful, I don't know it will be what you are looking for if you didn't like the xpa-2 on your Klipsch. There were a few reports of channel imbalance at lower volumes

The difference between the XPA-2 and "X" would be 8db.

Those 8db would cost $580

[drtrey3]

This is in the pipeline for me as my daughter's college amp. My best friend picked one up to drive the XRM 4.1s and the amp does so with considerable aplomb! It reminds me a bit of my NAD 2040.

Trey

[Dark Ranger]

I've got a mini-X a-100 in my bedroom system and I agree with the comments posted here so far. It's a great little amp, and in my opinion, offers the same general "house" sound as my other amps.

I tend to echo garbulky's thought about the XPA-2. You've already tried an Emo amp on your La Scalas, but it's certainly cheap enough to try out if you're feeling adventurous. It does have lower gain than the XPA-2.

[jackhanoka]

I have a Mini X and I have no channel imbalance at the lowest level I can achieve and still hear sound from my speakers!!

Jack

[Dark Ranger]

Feb 4, 2013 14:03:25 GMT -5 jackhanoka said:

I have a Mini X and I have no channel imbalance at the lowest level I can achieve and still hear sound from my speakers!!

Just curious, what position would that be on the dial (in o'clock)?

From past experience, I definitely ran into channel imbalance of several dB with the volume indicator below 9 o'clock. Anything above 9 o'clock is fine.

[creimes]

Feb 4, 2013 9:13:45 GMT -5 @kraemerkid2119 said:

I would like to mention that the "volume control" is just an Alps potentiometer (similar brand possible).

Is the Alps volume a good quality volume stage, I notice it's used in the RSP-2 as well which is waiting at the border for me to pick up...., I just ask as I wasn't super excited with the touchy volume of the USP-1

[DYohn]

Alps attenuators are among the best available.

[Deleted]

Feb 4, 2013 14:13:20 GMT -5 creimes said:

Feb 4, 2013 9:13:45 GMT -5 @kraemerkid2119 said:

I would like to mention that the "volume control" is just an Alps potentiometer (similar brand possible).

Is the Alps volume a good quality volume stage, I notice it's used in the RSP-2 as well which is waiting at the border for me to pick up...., I just ask as I wasn't super excited with the touchy volume of the USP-1

As Dyohn said, they are some of the best around. I have a few laying around that i wired up to a LM3886 amp, which essentially made it a Mini-X lol

[jackhanoka]

Just curious, what position would that be on the dial (in o'clock)?

From past experience, I definitely ran into channel imbalance of several dB with the volume indicator below 9 o'clock. Anything above 9 o'clock is fine.

7-8 on the Dial --very low overall volume -- but no imbalance at all--

Jack

[Boomzilla]

In my case, the volume controls on the Mini-X would be academic. I'd leave the volume "full up" and attenuate with the XSP-1 that I use.

Also with Klipsch La Scalas (104 dB @ 1 watt @ 1 meter), the Mini-X would be more power than I'd ever use. Therefore, the crux of my question is:

Used within its limitations, does the Mini-X sound as good as the XPA-1, the XPA-2, etc.? Mr. Kraemer Designs has already stated that it does, in his opinion. Has anyone else done the comparison?

Also, assuming I'll spring for a power amp in this price range, who (if anyone) makes the competition? Same price range only, please. Thanks!

[carlp336]

i have it in the garage with the UOM's and its awesome! running it with a 30pin connector and splitter to my tv

[hostility]

I use my mini in my pc setup, and have been loving it since the day i unpacked it. If its perfect on my shelf and powers my paradigm mini monitor v7 speakers very well and it gets more then loud enough for me. I was very pleased on how much bass comes out of these that i dont even need a sub with this amp. Volume control works perfect for me also. Will have this thing for many years to come, and would buy it again if i had some where to put a 2nd one lol

[RightinLA]

Feb 4, 2013 14:43:35 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

In my case, the volume controls on the Mini-X would be academic. I'd leave the volume "full up" and attenuate with the XSP-1 that I use.

Also with Klipsch La Scalas (104 dB @ 1 watt @ 1 meter), the Mini-X would be more power than I'd ever use. Therefore, the crux of my question is:

Used within its limitations, does the Mini-X sound as good as the XPA-1, the XPA-2, etc.? Mr. Kraemer Designs has already stated that it does, in his opinion. Has anyone else done the comparison?

Also, assuming I'll spring for a power amp in this price range, who (if anyone) makes the competition? Same price range only, please. Thanks!

I've powered a number of speakers (Polk LSi7's, RTi8's, Monitor 60's, Emotiva XRM4's, Def. Tech. bookshelf's and floorstander's etc.) with the Mini-X amp and it sounds fine, but I didn't do any critical listening to assess whether the sound was on par with other Emotiva amps and I don't have the Klipsch speakers. It just didn't sound bad is all I can say.

My suggestion is to do the 30 day trial and return it if it isn't to your satisfaction.

My other suggestion is to consider some different amps.

For example, I really like the Qinpu - A-6000 MKII, integrated Amp.



www.amazon.com/Qinpu-A-6000-Integrated-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0057OI448/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A3PE1JPJEVOPM6

I use this little tube hybrid amp all the time and I've used it with a variety of bookshelf speakers including Polk LSi7's, Polk RTiA1's, Def. Tech Monitor 350's, Mirage OMD5's etc. It has some extra inputs that the Mini X doesn't have and it can be wired to a subwoofer with volume control using the headphone output with an RCA adapter. Right now I'm using a KEF Kube 1 with it.

[Lonnie]

Feb 4, 2013 19:53:42 GMT -5 RightinLA said:

Feb 4, 2013 14:43:35 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

In my case, the volume controls on the Mini-X would be academic. I'd leave the volume "full up" and attenuate with the XSP-1 that I use.

Also with Klipsch La Scalas (104 dB @ 1 watt @ 1 meter), the Mini-X would be more power than I'd ever use. Therefore, the crux of my question is:

Used within its limitations, does the Mini-X sound as good as the XPA-1, the XPA-2, etc.? Mr. Kraemer Designs has already stated that it does, in his opinion. Has anyone else done the comparison?

Also, assuming I'll spring for a power amp in this price range, who (if anyone) makes the competition? Same price range only, please. Thanks!

I've powered a number of speakers (Polk LSi7's, RTi8's, Monitor 60's, Emotiva XRM4's, Def. Tech. bookshelf's and floorstander's etc.) with the Mini-X amp and it sounds fine, but I didn't do any critical listening to assess whether the sound was on par with other Emotiva amps and I don't have the Klipsch speakers. It just didn't sound bad is all I can say.

My suggestion is to do the 30 day trial and return it if it isn't to your satisfaction.

My other suggestion is to consider some different amps.

For example, I really like the Qinpu - A-6000 MKII, integrated Amp.



www.amazon.com/Qinpu-A-6000-Integrated-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0057OI448/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A3PE1JPJEVOPM6

I use this little tube hybrid amp all the time and I've used it with a variety of bookshelf speakers including Polk LSi7's, Polk RTiA1's, Def. Tech Monitor 350's, Mirage OMD5's etc. It has some extra inputs that the Mini X doesn't have and it can be wired to a subwoofer with volume control using the headphone output with an RCA adapter. Right now I'm using a KEF Kube 1 with it.

That is a nice looking piece.

Lonnie