Thinking about returning the XPR-2

[benzo]

No, plan A it is. For sure. Maybe...

[Deleted]

Nothing like being decisive...

-RW-

[cwt]

It would always niggle the back of your mind possibly that the better isolation of monoblocks is a factor benzo ; something to consider if you believe hi fi mags -

There was an interesting article by Alan Sircom about this in the latest issue (#81) of the UK magazine hi-fi +. The editor conducted an experiment with the traditional "American" equipment and cable arrangement vs. the "British" layout, using different sets of amps and preamps. The American layout involves long interconnects and short speaker cables, whilst the usual British layout is the reverse. He found that all the equipment used performed better with the American layout, with the only exception when Linn brand equipment was used. The Linn equipment performed better with the British layout. One is tempted to think that putting the equipment rack between between the speakers and keeping both inteconnects and speaker cables short would be best. From an electrical connection and performance point of view, I'm sure that's right. But conventional wisdom says that anything bulky or large between the speakers will interfere with optimum imaging and soundstaging. So, I've opted for longer but still reasonable interconnects in my listening room, and short cable lengths from my monoblock power amps sitting closely behind to my speakers. I recommend reading the article, and getting the detailed description of sonics results to reassure you of your choices.

forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/length-better-to-have-shorter-speaker-cable-vs-ic.260987/

[jheyau1]

benzo, so did you return the XPR-2 and order a pair of XPR-1? I've just recently been looking at the Emotiva line and I'm extremely interested in the XPR-2. I'm glad to learn that quite a few people like yourself are comparing the XPRs very favorably with well-known brands costing much more. Just as I was getting ready to pull the trigger, I discovered the XPA-1L with selectable class A and AB modes, and my decision is further distracted in finding out that there will soon be a tube Emotiva.....

[harri009]

I vote XPA-1L

[harri009]

Just noticed the date. So what did you end up doing?

[klinemj]

I would return the XPR-2 for 4 XPR-1's and bi-amp the speakers. Just because...

(Kidding...)

Mark

[Lsc]

Mar 25, 2013 15:09:58 GMT -5 jheyau1 said:

benzo, so did you return the XPR-2 and order a pair of XPR-1? I've just recently been looking at the Emotiva line and I'm extremely interested in the XPR-2. I'm glad to learn that quite a few people like yourself are comparing the XPRs very favorably with well-known brands costing much more. Just as I was getting ready to pull the trigger, I discovered the XPA-1L with selectable class A and AB modes, and my decision is further distracted in finding out that there will soon be a tube Emotiva.....

2 x XPA-1L vs XPR-2... I'd take the XPR-2. Different levels here.

[Jim]

Mar 25, 2013 16:24:27 GMT -5 harri009 said:

Just noticed the date. So what did you end up doing?

Yeah, this is an old thread. I'm guessing the OP already decided??

[ocezam]

Mar 25, 2013 20:00:02 GMT -5 Lsc said:

2 x XPA-1L vs XPR-2... I'd take the XPR-2. Different levels here.

Different levels of what?

They're basically the same price. I'd take the class A monoblocks. Oh wait... That's what I did!

...

[Lsc]

Mar 26, 2013 7:51:01 GMT -5 ocezam said:

Mar 25, 2013 20:00:02 GMT -5 Lsc said:

2 x XPA-1L vs XPR-2... I'd take the XPR-2. Different levels here.

Different levels of what?

They're basically the same price. I'd take the class A monoblocks. Oh wait... That's what I did!

...

Different levels of power. Different levels of build quality.

To call the XPA-1L 'class A monoblocks' is silly. Class A for the 1st 35 watts then A/B. Maybe they are Krell replacements, I'm just not convinced yet.

I'm sure they are still very good amps as are most of the Emotiva amps.

I will find out on 4/13 at the Emofest on the road in Naperville.

[benzo]

Well, I kept the XPR-2. It's magnificent. No sonic regrets of any kind. Perhaps the best audio bargain I've encountered in the 40 years I've been passionate about this hobby. I prefer it ,sonically, to my Bryston 4BST and it's less expensive and much more powerful. I loved it right out of the box. Two monoblocks would have offered easier placement though.
Will save my hobby money for the real decision, wait for the new XMC-1 preamp with Tact processing, stick with my Audio Research SP10, which has been a beautiful preamp for 20 years, or try the XSP-1. I must confess that I would prefer the styling of the reference series and hope that Emotiva comes out with a matching pre. Maybe the pending tube announcement?

[audiophill]

To each his own but i don't think isc heard the xpa-1l's to make his comment that he would prefer a xpr-2. I have a xpr-5 and love it but the short time i had the xpa-1l's i prefer the xpa-1l's! Just my opinion of course. And no disrespect to isc just a mater of preference. Sound quality wise they may be close but the xpa-1l's edge the xpr, where the xpr pushes more watts if that's what you need.

[Lsc]

Mar 26, 2013 11:16:02 GMT -5 audiophill said:

To each his own but i don't think isc heard the xpa-1l's to make his comment that he would prefer a xpr-2. I have a xpr-5 and love it but the short time i had the xpa-1l's i prefer the xpa-1l's! Just my opinion of course. And no disrespect to isc just a mater of preference. Sound quality wise they may be close but the xpa-1l's edge the xpr, where the xpr pushes more watts if that's what you need.

Your opinion is much more valid than mine.

[benzo]

Jheyau1, as far as making a decision is concerned, there is little to worry about, especially if you live in the USA. I live in beautiful Vancouver, Canada and It would have cost me close to 400 dollars with shipping and possibly lost taxes and duties to return it. Not concerned about it now!
As far as tubes vs transistor amps go, I love tube amps and own a couple. My Audio Research Classic 60 has been a perfect sonic match with my tastes for a very long time. However, this new amp is a bit of a game changer for me. I will keep the Audio Research, but have no desire to change back to it. That's a first.
One consistent thing that I find about Emotiva is that the only people who don't like the brand are the people who haven't tried it. I have been a brand name snob for a long time so it was a leap of faith for me to give it a go. However the XPR-2 s is something special and gives me a lot of faith in the company.

[arthurz]

Sure, the XPA-1L is the hot new thing, so we're all very excited. However, unless you have really efficient speakers, or a small room, or only listen at moderate levels, I don't think the need for power has suddenly disappeared.

This article makes a good case: www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/manufacture/0907/

With the XPR-2's 600 W, 2 speakers at 12 ft. with 90 dB efficiency, you get 110 dB SPL with zero headroom. Subtracting a 20 dB crest factor, this is equal to 90 dB SPL RMS, which isn't unreasonable, and that's still with zero headroom. Playing into a half-space (i.e. speakers closer to the wall) gets you another 3 dB.

I guess the counter-argument is that the power difference between the XPA-1L and the XPR-2 is only good for about 4 dB, which is why I like the idea of XPR-1 .

[audiophill]

I would love a pair of xpr-1's but need the extra money for the xmc-1 whenever that may be. Also good read, now i really want 2 xpr-1's for my klipsch speakers! LOL

[jheyau1]

I have high efficiency 4 ohm Danley Synergy horns, I often play symphonic power music at quite high levels and I sit about 13 ft from the speakers. I never had a chance to experience driving my speakers with really high power amps; that's why I was so excited when I found out about the XPR-2 which can deliver 1000W into 4 ohms. I will most likely get it when Emo comes to Chicago on its roadshow, especially if they offer a special price on it. The holiday price of less than $1500 back in December was so incredibly attractive but I wasn't thinking about spending anymore money on my hobby then.

[ocezam]

Mar 26, 2013 8:15:37 GMT -5 Lsc said:

Different levels of power. Different levels of build quality.

To call the XPA-1L 'class A monoblocks' is silly. Class A for the 1st 35 watts then A/B. Maybe they are Krell replacements, I'm just not convinced yet.

What an incredibly condescending tone. "Silly"? Yeah, OK.

Lets see...
They are fully balanced which I didn't even mention.
They are monoblocks.
They are class A. Yes everyone knows "only" the first 35 watts. Along the lines of Parasound amps, and Pass amps among others.

So what part of my statement is "silly"?

Let me re-post a small portion of an interview with John Curl that sheepdog02 posted in another thread. Let me know what part of it you find "silly", would you?

Q: All the power amplifiers you have designed for Parasound run pure Class A bias at low-to-moderate signal levels. How important is Class A bias?

JC: All else being equal the more Class A you have the better. We don’t need a full Class A amplifier, because people don’t listen to full power levels all the time. They really need only 10 Watts or so because that is where most of our listening is done. However, getting that 10 Watts of Class A is really quite a feat considering of the all other constraints of having 200 Watts Class AB in reserve. The Class A portion is always smoother and better, while the Class AB is always a bit rougher because it is against the law of physics. It breaks the music into positive and negative cycles and then splices them back together. Only one side is working while the other side isn’t... it’s the nature of the beast. You can sometimes see the transition on a scope; it may not be very much but it will be there. It will also generate more high order harmonics. By definition, Class AB is not as linear as Class A, but it is certainly much more efficient. So it’s better and easier to run as much Class A as possible.

[Lsc]

"Class A monoblocks" - and it's Emotiva's marketing on this particular piece that you happen to pass on that I found silly.

Yes, literally they are mono-blocks albeit at 35 lbs. and partially class A. Little class A and a lot of class A/B is more accurate. So, I think they s/b referred to as "baby partial class A monoblocks".

And I don't doubt that they sound great. I really should not presume but i still would go with the beast xpr-2 for the same or similar price. But someone who has both like audiophil has spoken so given the various opinions, his would be the first i would consider. Like i said, I'll find out 4/13 at Emofest on the road in Naperville.

One size does not fit all and I don't understand why you have to defend the XPA-1L so passionately. Don't you think that its silly to do so? it's just one person's opinion big fella.

John Curl is legendary and I found nothing silly about that interview nor did I find it interesting. My passion is in speakers, less in amps.

And I also own a XPA-5 (thats currently broke) so we have one thing partially in common. I think it's silly that I felt compelled to mention this.