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Post by Gary Cook on Apr 22, 2013 18:34:37 GMT -5
Up until a few years ago I ran a 25 wpc pure Class A stereo amp and I never found it wanting for volume. The speakers I used back then were slightly more efficient (~2db) than what I have now, but I have absolutely no doubt that a pair of XPA-1L's at 35 wpc would never get out of Class A for music listening even at party volumes. The automatic change over Class AB might get triggered for movies occasionally, but I'm not even convinced that that would be necessary.
The XPA-5 that I am currently using barely gets warm even after back to back action movies last Sunday night at neighbour revenge volume (he started leaf blowing at 7 am, it was pay back time). So I seriously doubt that heat is going to be an issue.
Cheers
Gary
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Apr 22, 2013 19:10:19 GMT -5
I agree the XPA-5 I had barely got warm too and it's a good amp in its own right. But the XPR-5 has me ducking for cover...parts of movies actually sound real. So that whole well it's double the power so you get 3dB more output, hence it's not needed argument I disagree with. If that was the whole story, I'd still have the XPA-5. I just think people need to experience for themselves. I'm an XPR prophet.  |
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Post by milt99 on Apr 22, 2013 19:16:17 GMT -5
If you are looking at two channel and want to stay near the cost of the 2 XPA-1Ls then the choice is obvious -XPR-2. You won't believe how crazy good your studio2s will sound. Man, that's a big amp! Well, just to make sure you may want to hook up that BAT. Is that as powerful as the XPR-2? No, 200wpc. Yes it is a very large amp, 19"W x 10.5"H x 23"D. The chassis is unique in that it is more vent slots than metal but the metal is thick. Very dynamic amp. |
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Post by milt99 on Apr 22, 2013 19:19:49 GMT -5
I just looked at the test reports for the XPA-1L. 350W into 8 ohms and 550W into 4 ohms. Maybe I have been underestimating this amp all along. This is pretty close XPR-5 although in 2 channels it does 500W into 8 ohms and 750W into 4 ohms. I just never liked them calling it a "class A monoblock" so maybe I was biased. (no pun intended) Actually the spec is 250 watts into 8 ohms, FWIW. I still have the original XPA-1Ls and at idle they are very warm, but not hot. The fixed ones will be warmer at idle. |
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Post by Gary Cook on Apr 22, 2013 20:01:59 GMT -5
I agree the XPA-5 I had barely got warm too and it's a good amp in its own right. But the XPR-5 has me ducking for cover...parts of movies actually sound real. So that whole well it's double the power so you get 3dB more output, hence it's not needed argument I disagree with. If that was the whole story, I'd still have the XPA-5. I just think people need to experience for themselves. I'm an XPR prophet. Long story made short, a few years back I had a 25 wpc pure class A stereo amp, then an 80 wpc AVR (really about 50 wpc 5 channels driven), then a 110 wpc AVR (about 90 wpc 5 channels), then a XPA2/3 combo with 200/300 wpc (conservative) and now an XPA-5 with 200 wpc (also conservative). What I have found is that each step up in power sounds better even at similar volumes. Although I can't pick the difference between the XPA2/3 combo and the XPA-5, law of diminishing returns perhaps. Or maybe it's the UMC-200 with XPA-5 versus the UMC-1 with XPA2/3. Last weekend I came home and I found the family listening to a movie at unprecedented volumes, where they would have told me to "turn it down" they were quite happy listening. This is what I consider the "clean sound effect", no strain listening at higher volumes. This lack of listener fatigue encourages higher volumes, subconsciously. They weren't even aware of how loud it really was. So I noted the UMC-200 volume setting and then later on grabbed my trusty spl meter and compared those volume settings (test tones) with what I had previously considered normal listening levels. There was a ~4 db difference. Is this, more (cleaner) volume the reason for their comment, "sounds great, best ever system" ? So the question, have you compared the spl levels at your listening volumes between the XPA-5 and the XPR-5? Is it possible that the extra 3db of "clean" sound from the XPR-5 has subconsciously moved you to listening at a higher volume? Cheers Gary |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Apr 22, 2013 22:00:57 GMT -5
So the question, have you compared the spl levels at your listening volumes between the XPA-5 and the XPR-5? Is it possible that the extra 3db of "clean" sound from the XPR-5 has subconsciously moved you to listening at a higher volume? Cheers Gary They were level matched yes. The differences I'm talking about are not subtle. The dynamics are unbelievable. It's sound much more effortless. I usually watch movies at -10 and sometimes -5.5 during some scenes. Same for bth amps. |
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Post by Gary Cook on Apr 22, 2013 22:17:36 GMT -5
So the question, have you compared the spl levels at your listening volumes between the XPA-5 and the XPR-5? Is it possible that the extra 3db of "clean" sound from the XPR-5 has subconsciously moved you to listening at a higher volume? They were level matched yes. The differences I'm talking about are not subtle. The dynamics are unbelievable. It's sound much more effortless. I usually watch movies at -10 and sometimes -5.5 during some scenes. Same for bth amps. The XPR-5 has 29 db gain and the XPA-5 has 32 db gain, so I'm not sure what effect having the processor volume at the same position has? I did my level matching with an SPL meter, so the effect of any difference in the gain of the amp was eliminated. Cheers Gary |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Apr 22, 2013 23:04:11 GMT -5
They were level matched yes. The differences I'm talking about are not subtle. The dynamics are unbelievable. It's sound much more effortless. I usually watch movies at -10 and sometimes -5.5 during some scenes. Same for bth amps. The XPR-5 has 29 db gain and the XPA-5 has 32 db gain, so I'm not sure what effect having the processor volume at the same position has? I did my level matching with an SPL meter, so the effect of any difference in the gain of the amp was eliminated. Cheers Gary Hi Gary! I do know about the gain difference. In fact, I contemplated explaining that I used Audyssey to calibrate. So, -10 relative reference is the same level. As a matter of fact, it sounds louder with the XPR-5. Just by looking at the gain, you would think its the opposite. So, your argument is backwards to begin with. Is it not? I think people just need to experience for themselves. Even my wife can spot the difference bc it's not close and she couldn't careless about this stuff. |
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Post by Golden Ear on Apr 22, 2013 23:08:08 GMT -5
Benzo, if you want to hear big improvement don't replace your amp but replace your speaker. Speaker and acoustic has the biggest profound in sound. Try listen to those B&W 800 diamond speakers with your XPR-2.
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benzo
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Post by benzo on Apr 23, 2013 11:28:40 GMT -5
Golden Eye, while I agree that a speaker changes makes the most audible difference, amplifiers can be really important. I have Paradigm Signature 6 speakers, which just sound right to me. For sure there are better speakers but the Paradigms are pretty darned good. Whatever changes I make, for now, it won't be to these speakers. The Emotiva XPR2 works really well with them, especially in my new listening room... I was lucky in a way. I bought the XPR2 because I wanted to save money after my home reno exploded in cost. I'm keeping it because it sounds great. Will focus on other upgrades, hopefully a new turntable.
Probably will wait to see if any products will show up from the new Carver/Emotiva union. Maybe a new preamp with the XPR styling and tubes? Call me shallow if you must, but I love the looks of the XPR series!
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Apr 23, 2013 22:04:06 GMT -5
Neither speakers nor amps Benzo. Time to just enjoy the music. |
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