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Post by powxpa on Oct 16, 2013 11:09:54 GMT -5
I'm trying to decide whether to get a pair of xpa 100s or xpa 1Ls. I want to get pair of xpa 1Ls but the price of xpa 100s are half of xpa 1Ls. Are xpa 1Ls worth paying prenium over xpa 100s? Help?  ?? |
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Post by creimes on Oct 16, 2013 11:23:07 GMT -5
I was looking at that as well when I first seen the sale prices but I have been lusting over the 1L's since they were announced and really I'm for sure never selling them if I get them unless it comes down to food on the table for the family or sweet sounding music for me  Chad |
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Post by Dark Ranger on Oct 16, 2013 13:10:44 GMT -5
Hi powxpa, What amplifier(s) do you have now? The XPA-100 sale price is incredible. Anyone wanting to jump on the mono-block bandwagon should be very happy. Although I have not personally heard this amplifier, I've been using its stereo sibling (XPA-200) for the last 13 months. It's a great amp! The XPA-100 is basically a "Gen 2" UPA-1 with some tweaks, including a slightly increased power supply and better connector hardware. The UPA-1 was a legend and one of Emotiva's best-loved amplifiers. I remember lusting after a pair of UPA-1s back in the day.  What the XPA-1L brings to the table is (IMO) refinement. It's a fully-balanced, Differential Reference design just like the larger XPA-1. The power supply is more robust and can handle more current. Plus, the 1L offers a high-bias operating mode for Class A up to 35 watts. However, the XPA-100 offers one feature not available on the 1L: an additional set of binding posts for optional bi-wire. You can still do bi-wire on the 1L, but it gets more difficult with a single set of terminals if you're using thick wire. I think the XPA-100 will give you a very large portion of what the 1L delivers. The 100s also weigh less, cost less, and will run cooler. Honestly, I could be very happy with the XPA-100s if they're anything like my XPA-200. Actually, I would have bought a pair of 100s if Emotiva hadn't released the 1L, which is (as I've mentioned before) my perfect amplifier. The 1L ticked all the right boxes for me. It wouldn't matter if I couldn't hear any difference between the XPA-100 and XPA-1L in a DBT.  |
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Post by Dark Ranger on Oct 16, 2013 13:27:48 GMT -5
As a follow-up to my post, I'd like to ask what other equipment you have. What make/model are your left/right speakers? What preamp/processor are you using? What are your typical listening levels at the MLP? How far away from the speakers is the MLP? Answers to these questions might help narrow down the better choice. I'd also like to mention upgrade-itis. If the XPA-100s appeal to you because of the price, but you think you'll probably end up with XPA-1Ls down the road anyway, then I'd say skip the 100s and go straight for the 1Ls. Seriously.  |
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Post by garbulky on Oct 16, 2013 13:30:10 GMT -5
I would reccomend the XPA-1 L's. For these main reasons.
1. Class A performance.
2. Fully balanced monoblocks. They are an XPA-1 cut in half. The fully balanced is good because as you upgrade your system Emotiva has a range of fully balanced gear. So you would be adding on to your components in a positive way. Most times (Outlaw being an exception) one has to spend several thousands to get a fully balanced system and with the XPA-1 L's and Emotiva's other products you get it at a significantly lower price.
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Post by powxpa on Oct 16, 2013 20:41:41 GMT -5
As a follow-up to my post, I'd like to ask what other equipment you have. What make/model are your left/right speakers? What preamp/processor are you using? What are your typical listening levels at the MLP? How far away from the speakers is the MLP? Answers to these questions might help narrow down the better choice. I'd also like to mention upgrade-itis. If the XPA-100s appeal to you because of the price, but you think you'll probably end up with XPA-1Ls down the road anyway, then I'd say skip the 100s and go straight for the 1Ls. Seriously. I have XPA 2 to drive Mirage OMD 28s, and I use UMC 1 for movies and 2 channel as well. Just normal volume, not too crazy loud. |
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Post by garbulky on Oct 16, 2013 21:15:35 GMT -5
As a follow-up to my post, I'd like to ask what other equipment you have. What make/model are your left/right speakers? What preamp/processor are you using? What are your typical listening levels at the MLP? How far away from the speakers is the MLP? Answers to these questions might help narrow down the better choice. I'd also like to mention upgrade-itis. If the XPA-100s appeal to you because of the price, but you think you'll probably end up with XPA-1Ls down the road anyway, then I'd say skip the 100s and go straight for the 1Ls. Seriously. I have XPA 2 to drive Mirage OMD 28s, and I use UMC 1 for movies and 2 channel as well. Just normal volume, not too crazy loud. You already have the XPA-2? I compared the XPA-2 with the UPA-1 (which is the rebadged XPA-100). The UPA-1 shares more sonic similarities with the UPA-2 than the XPA-2. I think with the XPA-100 you will be doing a sideways (or probably a slight tiny downgrade) move depending on your flavor that you like. The XPA-2 is quicker. I haven't heard the XPA-1 L's but with the XPA-2 I think it should be XPA-1 gen 2 for upgrades because of the cost upgrade. |
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Post by powxpa on Oct 16, 2013 23:12:04 GMT -5
I have XPA 2 to drive Mirage OMD 28s, and I use UMC 1 for movies and 2 channel as well. Just normal volume, not too crazy loud. You already have the XPA-2? I compared the XPA-2 with the UPA-1 (which is the rebadged XPA-100). The UPA-1 shares more sonic similarities with the UPA-2 than the XPA-2. I think with the XPA-100 you will be doing a sideways (or probably a slight tiny downgrade) move depending on your flavor that you like. The XPA-2 is quicker. I haven't heard the XPA-1 L's but with the XPA-2 I think it should be XPA-1 gen 2 for upgrades because of the cost upgrade. Thanks for your feedback. I guess I'm not buying anything this year, but DC-1 is catching my eyes. But I really need save up money for xmc-1 though. |
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Post by Dark Ranger on Oct 17, 2013 0:27:36 GMT -5
I agree with garbulky here. You've got an XPA-2, so I think the XPA-100 monos would be a sideways move and actually a slight downgrade. So in this case, the XPA-1L monos would be the better choice instead of the XPA-100s. I would actually recommend keeping the XPA-2 for now unless you really want monoblocks and the XPA-1L feature set. Then again, the price on the 1Ls is really good. You probably won't see them this low again. |
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Post by ocezam on Oct 20, 2013 12:55:25 GMT -5
You already have the XPA-2? I think with the XPA-100 you will be doing a sideways (or probably a slight tiny downgrade) move depending on your flavor that you like. Agreed. I've had both the XPA-2 and the XPA-100's. I believe the XPA-2 to be the superior amp. More punch and dynamics. I thought the XPA-100's were rather flat. |
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