Post by EmoBlue (Jack) on Jan 1, 2009 17:21:08 GMT -5
It’s funny how presupposition is. No matter what a person thinks an outcome will be, no matter how much research is done, no matter how many times a person hears the same things over and over, the truth wins out. And sometimes it’s just so damn inconvenient!
This story begins months back. I had lurked on the Emotiva forum all late Spring and early Summer, looking at the MPS-2. Drooling over it, really. I had a Soundcraftsmen MA5002 at the time. I loved that amp. It was a class H amp from 1978. I ran my mains with it – 375 wpc into 4 ohms and 2 ohm stable. What’s not to like?
But I wanted that amp times 4 for my theater. All the options I found were way too expensive. I didn’t want to shell out big bucks for three more MA5002s, they were just too old; problems would almost certainly ensue. Besides, I wanted something a bit more refined than the ancient, but great, pro amp. Enter the wonderful MPS-2. The problem was, (at the time) I just could not reconcile spending $1700 on an amplifier, no matter how good it was and how well it was made.
As it turned out, happenstance worked in my favor. Along came Doug917’s fine IPS-1, for sale in the Emporium. The IPS-1 was a “baby” MPS-2, and a fine audiophile amplifier. I loved it from the very beginning.
As I upgraded all of my speakers to electrostats, though, I found that the 200 wpc into 4 OHMS just wasn’t enough. The sound was unbelievably clear and distinct on my MartinLogan Quest Zs and my Magnepans, but the MLs, especially, demanded more power. After annoying several fellow emo-ites, especially those with electrostats, I couldn’t decide between the RPA-2 and the XPA series. Getting more votes for the XPAs, I figured the XPA-2 was the ticket my Quest Zs were looking for. But, ever the equivocator, I still wanted to try the RPA-2. Consequently, I got on the preorder list. When maddog07 dropped his price on his XPA-2 that he’d been offering since the end of November, I grabbed my chance and purchased it.
So, finally resigned to the fact that the IPS-1 would not deliver the power my MartinLogans demanded, I reticently sold my wonderful amplifier in the Emporium (wideawake will love this when he gets it!). So, here I was, awaiting delivery of my XPA-2 and on the RPA-2 preorder list, without an Emo amplifier and a stable of 4 OHM speakers. I pulled out my old standby amplifier (by this time, I had sold my Soundcraftsmen on Ebay), an Onkyo Integra M-506RS. Have you ever seen the huge VU meter amps Onkyo built in the ‘80s? Well, this amp is beautiful!
I hadn’t heard it for months, but was satisfied that it would impress me as it had always done before. Man, was I wrong! The Onk delivered muddy, formless music to my ‘stats. I was shocked. I immediately deduced that only an Emo could bring me back to respectability (at least, without emptying my bank account). Since I had the XPA-2 on the way, I figured I’d pick up an XPA-5 and my life would be good. So, Saturday morning, the 27th, I put in my order for the XPA-5. I also dropped my preorder for the RPA-2.
As I readied the IPS-1 for shipping that day, fate stepped in the way. Cgroppi decided to sell his RPA-1. I saw the lonely post nearly an hour after he posted it. What - no takers – what’s wrong with these people? Actually, I pretty well figured that Christmastime, in conjunction with the unbelievably generous Emotiva holiday sale, had already stretched most of their pocketbooks thin. I knew the RPA-1 was a class H amp like the MPS and IPS and, already going through the interminable pain of the M-506RS, I was already missing the sweet sound of the IPS-1. I realized what a prize the RPA-1 was, gave in to temptation, and I bought it, too. As fate would have it, cgroppi lived less than 2 miles away from me (sometimes, you just gotta love that fate)! So I drove over and picked it up. Chris is a great guy. He even let me listen to his RPA-1 replacements, dual XPA-1s with “Prototype” badges where the serial numbers were supposed to go. His Gallo speakers sung with clarity and gusto. Those amps are scary!
When I got back, I urgently yanked the offending Onkyo Integra from it’s resting place and replaced it with the RPA-1. When the subtle amber “E” changed to that amazing blue and the VU meters (really more of design element than an effective VU meter) came to life, I was ecstatic! I cued up my Best of Diana Krall compression-free wav file on my HTPC and listened for the IPS sound I had come to love. It was back. But it was back with a vengeance! The RPA-1 is rated at 350 wpc into the 4OHMS my MartinLogans demand, not the 200 wpc the IPS-1 commanded. The sound was similar, but the panel was more vibrant, the bass, more authoritative. Diana’s dulcet tones floated in mid air as the piano and string bass charged out of the ESLs as if the musicians were in the room with me. Finally, the Quest Zs’ woofers were strong and the midrange (handled across both cone and mylar) was delivered smoothly with nary an uncomfortable break over the crossover point. Now that’s what I’m talking about!
But, now, I knew that the RPA-1, as wonderfully transparent and ephemeral as it was, would have its work cut out for it to defeat the venerable XPA-2 that was to arrive in a couple of days. The XPA-2 would be pushing 500 watts to each Quest Z, and I just couldn’t see how the RPA-1 could ever hold up to that!
So, I started PM’ing the usual suspects – letting them know that the clash of the titans was just around the corner. There was an air of excitement in the air. On Monday morning, I called Emotiva and asked Jennifer to put a hold on my XPA-5 order. I let her know that the onslaught of the century would be taking place in Tucson today and that, on the outside chance that the RPA-1 won (yeah, right), I may have to cancel the order. Jennifer was unimpressed by my news flash. She kindly and professionally said, “No problem!” and made no mention of the titanic battle that was about to ensue. Later that day, the XPA-2 arrived. My wife, Julie, insisted the FedEX man bring the 90 lb. package into the house rather than leave it on the porch. I’m sure he appreciated it.
When I got home, I nonchalantly noted the package as if I had no excitement whatsoever. Julie didn’t buy it. After she insisted, I set the two amps side-by-side and readied the interconnects and banana plugs for swapping. I let the XPA-2 set for a while to make sure it adjusted to the heat of the house. The RPA-1 sat diminutively next to the huge XPA-2, quivering in its long shadow.
My hands shook like a new daddy in the delivery room, as the moment arrived. I started with the self-same Krall recording, playing it once more on the RPA-1 to ensure I had the high and low points locked to memory. Yep, the RPA-1 was the IPS-1 on steroids.
Then I switched to the XPA-2. I lowered the volume to adjust for the XPA’s higher gain. The woofers in the MartinLogans came alive, driving an amazingly full low end. “Yowsa”, I emoted, as I quickly turned the volume down further. I listened carefully to the guitar, piano and Diana as they sprang from the 6 foot speakers. Wait…where is that separation? Where is that perfect pitch and definition, that “in-the-room” presentation?
I was shocked. I figured that I must have hooked the amp up wrong somehow. After ensuring that cables, preamp and speakers were, indeed, connected properly, I continued listening to the song, grimacing at the lack of definition that I love so much. To be fair, the XPA-2 sounded good. Heck, it sounded great. It put the dog-housed Onkyo Integra to shame. It just didn’t match to my MartinLogans as well as the RPA-1 did. Actually, the RPA-1 made love to the Quest Zs. The XPA-2 couldn’t get to second base. The more powerful XPA pushed them hard. It piped power to spare to the panels. It just didn’t match them with the perfection of the RPA-1.
I continued to A/B them on different cuts. I played Tracy Chapman’s eponymous first album – the RPA-1 won, hands down. I played Pink Floyd’s The Wall, starting with the XPA-2. Comfortably Numb was unbelievably inspired and robust. “Aha!”, I said. Now we’re talkin’! I switched to the RPA-1. Better…yes. Oh, my God. Separation was phenomenal. The bass, though overshadowed by the XPA’s power, was perfectly balanced and smooth, its dynamism, unquestionable.
I switched the mains from the behemoths from Lawrence, Kansas to the flat panels from White Bear Lake, Minnesota. My Magnepan 1c’s presented the XPA-2’s output much better than the MLs did. The classic pair from 1984 sung with the added power and the full-breadth frequency push of the A/B amp. When I switched to the RPA-1, tears came to my eyes. I had never heard them sound so good! The music beamed like a sharp knife with soft edges, clarity beyond my wildest dreams.
Sure, but what about theater sounds? I dropped a Blu Ray into the HTPC. Iron Man, of course.
With the movies (I tried several), the XPA-2 won hands down --- with sound effects. The RPA-1 defeated it in dialogue, broken glass, detailed sounds like rain and thunder. It matched it with moderate dynamics, even with orchestral crescendos. But when the explosions started – the XPA-2 stood alone!
Fortunately for me, I'm a music junkie who has always searched for perfect delineation. I’m so pathetically so, I enjoy the movie soundtracks more than the pyrotechnics. Because of who and what I am, the RPA fits me like the proverbial glove.
It was a valiant battle. The warriors were ready and able. One had to rise above. On Tuesday, I called Jennifer and asked her to cancel my XPA-5 order and to be put back on the RPA-2 preorder list.
For me, the winner and still champion is the RPA-1. I will soon have three more (two RPA-1s and two RPA-2s would be awesome – we’ll see).
The XPA-2 had immense power, no doubt. It woke up the panels and woof like nothing before. It shook my Maggies and my house.
Between the delicacy of the electrostats, though, and my affinity for clarity, the RPA was just a cut above. Pianos sung, guitars sounded as if they were being played before me by those gifted musicians. The XPA presented the music cleanly, authoritatively, but with more of a woven harmonic fusion, in a wall of sound. On my ‘stats, the XPA-2 was beautiful, but fingers sliding against strings were obscured or missing, the saxophone sounded "recorded", not live.
To be fair, and as an interesting subtext, I switched the two amps over to drive my bedroom speakers, Polk Audio Monitor 70s. The RPA-1 made them soar, no doubt. But the XPA-2 took them to another level. I could see its beauty, then. I never realized my Polks could sound so good, especially with rock. It was the best I ever had heard the 70s, tightly thumping and screaming without a hint of boomyness or shrillness. In my house, anyway, the XPA-2 loves the cones.
It just goes to show you: expectations aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. I can see what others can hear in the XPAs, especially if they don’t own electrostats. They are amazingly powerful, unbelievably capable amplifiers. But if you have a pair or more of electrostats, especially MartinLogans, do yourself a favor and give the RPA-1 or RPA-2 a listen. It may just surprise you as much as it did me.
This story begins months back. I had lurked on the Emotiva forum all late Spring and early Summer, looking at the MPS-2. Drooling over it, really. I had a Soundcraftsmen MA5002 at the time. I loved that amp. It was a class H amp from 1978. I ran my mains with it – 375 wpc into 4 ohms and 2 ohm stable. What’s not to like?
But I wanted that amp times 4 for my theater. All the options I found were way too expensive. I didn’t want to shell out big bucks for three more MA5002s, they were just too old; problems would almost certainly ensue. Besides, I wanted something a bit more refined than the ancient, but great, pro amp. Enter the wonderful MPS-2. The problem was, (at the time) I just could not reconcile spending $1700 on an amplifier, no matter how good it was and how well it was made.
As it turned out, happenstance worked in my favor. Along came Doug917’s fine IPS-1, for sale in the Emporium. The IPS-1 was a “baby” MPS-2, and a fine audiophile amplifier. I loved it from the very beginning.
As I upgraded all of my speakers to electrostats, though, I found that the 200 wpc into 4 OHMS just wasn’t enough. The sound was unbelievably clear and distinct on my MartinLogan Quest Zs and my Magnepans, but the MLs, especially, demanded more power. After annoying several fellow emo-ites, especially those with electrostats, I couldn’t decide between the RPA-2 and the XPA series. Getting more votes for the XPAs, I figured the XPA-2 was the ticket my Quest Zs were looking for. But, ever the equivocator, I still wanted to try the RPA-2. Consequently, I got on the preorder list. When maddog07 dropped his price on his XPA-2 that he’d been offering since the end of November, I grabbed my chance and purchased it.
So, finally resigned to the fact that the IPS-1 would not deliver the power my MartinLogans demanded, I reticently sold my wonderful amplifier in the Emporium (wideawake will love this when he gets it!). So, here I was, awaiting delivery of my XPA-2 and on the RPA-2 preorder list, without an Emo amplifier and a stable of 4 OHM speakers. I pulled out my old standby amplifier (by this time, I had sold my Soundcraftsmen on Ebay), an Onkyo Integra M-506RS. Have you ever seen the huge VU meter amps Onkyo built in the ‘80s? Well, this amp is beautiful!
I hadn’t heard it for months, but was satisfied that it would impress me as it had always done before. Man, was I wrong! The Onk delivered muddy, formless music to my ‘stats. I was shocked. I immediately deduced that only an Emo could bring me back to respectability (at least, without emptying my bank account). Since I had the XPA-2 on the way, I figured I’d pick up an XPA-5 and my life would be good. So, Saturday morning, the 27th, I put in my order for the XPA-5. I also dropped my preorder for the RPA-2.
As I readied the IPS-1 for shipping that day, fate stepped in the way. Cgroppi decided to sell his RPA-1. I saw the lonely post nearly an hour after he posted it. What - no takers – what’s wrong with these people? Actually, I pretty well figured that Christmastime, in conjunction with the unbelievably generous Emotiva holiday sale, had already stretched most of their pocketbooks thin. I knew the RPA-1 was a class H amp like the MPS and IPS and, already going through the interminable pain of the M-506RS, I was already missing the sweet sound of the IPS-1. I realized what a prize the RPA-1 was, gave in to temptation, and I bought it, too. As fate would have it, cgroppi lived less than 2 miles away from me (sometimes, you just gotta love that fate)! So I drove over and picked it up. Chris is a great guy. He even let me listen to his RPA-1 replacements, dual XPA-1s with “Prototype” badges where the serial numbers were supposed to go. His Gallo speakers sung with clarity and gusto. Those amps are scary!
When I got back, I urgently yanked the offending Onkyo Integra from it’s resting place and replaced it with the RPA-1. When the subtle amber “E” changed to that amazing blue and the VU meters (really more of design element than an effective VU meter) came to life, I was ecstatic! I cued up my Best of Diana Krall compression-free wav file on my HTPC and listened for the IPS sound I had come to love. It was back. But it was back with a vengeance! The RPA-1 is rated at 350 wpc into the 4OHMS my MartinLogans demand, not the 200 wpc the IPS-1 commanded. The sound was similar, but the panel was more vibrant, the bass, more authoritative. Diana’s dulcet tones floated in mid air as the piano and string bass charged out of the ESLs as if the musicians were in the room with me. Finally, the Quest Zs’ woofers were strong and the midrange (handled across both cone and mylar) was delivered smoothly with nary an uncomfortable break over the crossover point. Now that’s what I’m talking about!
But, now, I knew that the RPA-1, as wonderfully transparent and ephemeral as it was, would have its work cut out for it to defeat the venerable XPA-2 that was to arrive in a couple of days. The XPA-2 would be pushing 500 watts to each Quest Z, and I just couldn’t see how the RPA-1 could ever hold up to that!
So, I started PM’ing the usual suspects – letting them know that the clash of the titans was just around the corner. There was an air of excitement in the air. On Monday morning, I called Emotiva and asked Jennifer to put a hold on my XPA-5 order. I let her know that the onslaught of the century would be taking place in Tucson today and that, on the outside chance that the RPA-1 won (yeah, right), I may have to cancel the order. Jennifer was unimpressed by my news flash. She kindly and professionally said, “No problem!” and made no mention of the titanic battle that was about to ensue. Later that day, the XPA-2 arrived. My wife, Julie, insisted the FedEX man bring the 90 lb. package into the house rather than leave it on the porch. I’m sure he appreciated it.
When I got home, I nonchalantly noted the package as if I had no excitement whatsoever. Julie didn’t buy it. After she insisted, I set the two amps side-by-side and readied the interconnects and banana plugs for swapping. I let the XPA-2 set for a while to make sure it adjusted to the heat of the house. The RPA-1 sat diminutively next to the huge XPA-2, quivering in its long shadow.
My hands shook like a new daddy in the delivery room, as the moment arrived. I started with the self-same Krall recording, playing it once more on the RPA-1 to ensure I had the high and low points locked to memory. Yep, the RPA-1 was the IPS-1 on steroids.
Then I switched to the XPA-2. I lowered the volume to adjust for the XPA’s higher gain. The woofers in the MartinLogans came alive, driving an amazingly full low end. “Yowsa”, I emoted, as I quickly turned the volume down further. I listened carefully to the guitar, piano and Diana as they sprang from the 6 foot speakers. Wait…where is that separation? Where is that perfect pitch and definition, that “in-the-room” presentation?
I was shocked. I figured that I must have hooked the amp up wrong somehow. After ensuring that cables, preamp and speakers were, indeed, connected properly, I continued listening to the song, grimacing at the lack of definition that I love so much. To be fair, the XPA-2 sounded good. Heck, it sounded great. It put the dog-housed Onkyo Integra to shame. It just didn’t match to my MartinLogans as well as the RPA-1 did. Actually, the RPA-1 made love to the Quest Zs. The XPA-2 couldn’t get to second base. The more powerful XPA pushed them hard. It piped power to spare to the panels. It just didn’t match them with the perfection of the RPA-1.
I continued to A/B them on different cuts. I played Tracy Chapman’s eponymous first album – the RPA-1 won, hands down. I played Pink Floyd’s The Wall, starting with the XPA-2. Comfortably Numb was unbelievably inspired and robust. “Aha!”, I said. Now we’re talkin’! I switched to the RPA-1. Better…yes. Oh, my God. Separation was phenomenal. The bass, though overshadowed by the XPA’s power, was perfectly balanced and smooth, its dynamism, unquestionable.
I switched the mains from the behemoths from Lawrence, Kansas to the flat panels from White Bear Lake, Minnesota. My Magnepan 1c’s presented the XPA-2’s output much better than the MLs did. The classic pair from 1984 sung with the added power and the full-breadth frequency push of the A/B amp. When I switched to the RPA-1, tears came to my eyes. I had never heard them sound so good! The music beamed like a sharp knife with soft edges, clarity beyond my wildest dreams.
Sure, but what about theater sounds? I dropped a Blu Ray into the HTPC. Iron Man, of course.
With the movies (I tried several), the XPA-2 won hands down --- with sound effects. The RPA-1 defeated it in dialogue, broken glass, detailed sounds like rain and thunder. It matched it with moderate dynamics, even with orchestral crescendos. But when the explosions started – the XPA-2 stood alone!
Fortunately for me, I'm a music junkie who has always searched for perfect delineation. I’m so pathetically so, I enjoy the movie soundtracks more than the pyrotechnics. Because of who and what I am, the RPA fits me like the proverbial glove.
It was a valiant battle. The warriors were ready and able. One had to rise above. On Tuesday, I called Jennifer and asked her to cancel my XPA-5 order and to be put back on the RPA-2 preorder list.
For me, the winner and still champion is the RPA-1. I will soon have three more (two RPA-1s and two RPA-2s would be awesome – we’ll see).
The XPA-2 had immense power, no doubt. It woke up the panels and woof like nothing before. It shook my Maggies and my house.
Between the delicacy of the electrostats, though, and my affinity for clarity, the RPA was just a cut above. Pianos sung, guitars sounded as if they were being played before me by those gifted musicians. The XPA presented the music cleanly, authoritatively, but with more of a woven harmonic fusion, in a wall of sound. On my ‘stats, the XPA-2 was beautiful, but fingers sliding against strings were obscured or missing, the saxophone sounded "recorded", not live.
To be fair, and as an interesting subtext, I switched the two amps over to drive my bedroom speakers, Polk Audio Monitor 70s. The RPA-1 made them soar, no doubt. But the XPA-2 took them to another level. I could see its beauty, then. I never realized my Polks could sound so good, especially with rock. It was the best I ever had heard the 70s, tightly thumping and screaming without a hint of boomyness or shrillness. In my house, anyway, the XPA-2 loves the cones.
It just goes to show you: expectations aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. I can see what others can hear in the XPAs, especially if they don’t own electrostats. They are amazingly powerful, unbelievably capable amplifiers. But if you have a pair or more of electrostats, especially MartinLogans, do yourself a favor and give the RPA-1 or RPA-2 a listen. It may just surprise you as much as it did me.
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