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Post by Mijuki on Jan 1, 2014 19:39:28 GMT -5
Hi all,
I am very interested in purchasing a pair of mono blocks to run my focal Electra 1038be II But i cant decide which one to go for.
Is there a different in SQ between the 2? I probably won't be needing that excess power of the XPR1 but considering the XPR series uses more superior part to the XPA range, would the XPR-1 sound better for the first 30watts while both being still class A? Any help would be kindly appreciated.
Cheers
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Post by novisnick on Jan 1, 2014 20:37:03 GMT -5
Hi and welcome to the forum,
I have been down this road. I reviewed the XPA-1Ls for a month, very nice and smooth. One day my smaller dedicated TT 2 channel room will have these amps once again.
But I did return them and purchased the XPR-1 s. To me and my ears in my room with my gear, Emotiva will not ever get these back.
The dynamics sound stage alone are enough to call them keepers! But it dosnt stop there. My very effeciant Klipsch have transformed into speakers that I don't recognize at there price point. They are now playing well above there grade. Crisp highs, rock solid lows, sharp response! This is but a few of the verbs I can use.
I'm not a righter but I Do know what I like,,,,,and I love the Big Dogs as Deltadube calls them.
If you have any specific questions just ask.
Peace,
Nick
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Post by doc1963 on Jan 1, 2014 20:39:30 GMT -5
Why are you not considering the "middle ground".....? The XPA-1 is likely more amp than you'll ever require and, better yet, the new XPA-1 "Gen 2" delivers the first 60 watts in pure Class A. All of Emotiva's amps are built to a standard of excellence. So, I wouldn't necessarily get caught up in the "Reference" moniker as a sole indicator of superiority. Yes, they are Emotiva's "no holds barred" amps and are a bit more refined (well… maybe not so much over the XPA "Gen 2's") and obviously deliver the power of a small nuclear reactor, but do you really need to pay that premium price to achieve your particular goal? The XPA line of amplifiers are OUTSTANDING products and have been Emotiva's "meat and potatoes" product line from their beginning and will likely remain that way. I own a pair of first generation XPA-1's and cannot see myself ever "needing" to upgrade them to XPR's. Therefore, I would highly recommend a pair of the newer Gen twos to you.....  |
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Post by garbulky on Jan 1, 2014 20:46:58 GMT -5
I too would reccomend the XPA-1's. 60 watts of class A. Just the best of both worlds imo
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Post by Miyuki on Jan 1, 2014 23:26:27 GMT -5
In term of SQ would the XPA-1 Gen 2 beat the XPR-1?
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Post by novisnick on Jan 1, 2014 23:33:19 GMT -5
I don't think that comparison has been done yet.
Are you volunteering? He,,,,,,,He,,,,,,,
It would be interesting to do an A/B but cost is prohibitive.
Peace,
Nick
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stiehl11
Emo VIPs 
Give me available light!
Posts: 7,269
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Post by stiehl11 on Jan 1, 2014 23:42:11 GMT -5
Sound Quality is mostly a subjective reference rather than a objective one. All of Emotiva's amps are going to sound very similar to each other and if you don't have the two amps playing side by side to evaluate their sound you likely wouldn't be able to tell much of a difference. Others will tell you there is a major difference between grades of amps, but in reality, it is so slight that more members of the Lounge than not will tell you that there's no difference. The XPR line is Emotiva's reference line (take no prisoners approach) and showcases the best of what they can bring to the table in an amplifier. Based only on that it would be safe to assume that the XPR-1 would have better SQ than the XPA-1. However, would you be able to hear a difference and therefore justify the cost? Well, the only person that can answer that is you. I would recommend buying a set of each and keeping the winner similar to what Nick mentioned above. You could save a lot of money depending on what you hear.
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Post by doc1963 on Jan 1, 2014 23:49:03 GMT -5
Emotiva designs all of their amplifiers to be sonically "neutral". In other words, they have no "sound" of their own. So, tonality differences between the two amplifiers in question (XPA-1 Gen 2 and the XPR-1) is a virtual non-issue. The main differences would fall into the realm of deliverable power (dynamics) and aesthetics. IMO, between these two amps, if you have absolutely no use for the additional power and could look beyond the "fine jewelry finish" of a Reference Series amp, the XPA-1 Gen 2 is a shoe-in. There's a very nice video (with Lonnie himself) on the XPA-1 product page. To me, it kinda shows in Lonnie's voice how "close to the heart" the XPA-1 really was (and is) to him….. |
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Post by mg on Jan 2, 2014 0:20:40 GMT -5
I don't think that comparison has been done yet. Are you volunteering? He,,,,,,,He,,,,,,, It would be interesting to do an A/B but cost is prohibitive. Peace, Nick |
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Post by knucklehead on Jan 2, 2014 2:42:41 GMT -5
Hi all, I am very interested in purchasing a pair of mono blocks to run my focal Electra 1038be II But i cant decide which one to go for. Is there a different in SQ between the 2? I probably won't be needing that excess power of the XPR1 but considering the XPR series uses more superior part to the XPA range, would the XPR-1 sound better for the first 30watts while both being still class A? Any help would be kindly appreciated. Cheers Your Focal speakers are 93db efficient. A single XPA-2 or XPA-200 will drive them just fine in anything less than warehouse size listening space. More than likely the UPA-200 would do a very decent job. But don't worry - the "you can never have too much power/headroom" ( I can never keep up with the 'flavor of the day') squad will always recommend the most powerful amps you can't afford! The difference between the XPA-200 and a pair of XPR-1 amps is a few db. Examine how loud you listen - your space size etc. The difference between amps when it comes to sound is near zero as long as the competing amps are working as designed. Don't believe me? Read this link. And this one. I have to laugh at that one - who knew a lowly Behringer A500 could compete with the upper crust amps and stuff? |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2014 8:31:45 GMT -5
Awesome Thread Guys!. Really good read.
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Logan
Minor Hero
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Post by Logan on Jan 4, 2014 13:18:17 GMT -5
FYI; I upgraded from the XPA-1s to the XPR-1s and the impact was "awesome"! For $50 in return freight, buy them both and A-B them. Here's my 2 cents worth. IF you listen at conservative volumes and your room is "live" (not highly damped as mine is), then the Class A mode would be sufficient. The minute you start demanding gobs of power, you'll be above the Class A and the XPR-1s will win hands down. Remember, it's not about power "need" but rather about "head room" and in my experience, you can't have too much head room (Layman's dfn: "head room" - reserve power that prevents clipping and strains & then mushes the sound). Recall, I moved from 500W Monoblocks to 1000W monoblocks and never look back! I now hear a new layer of music that was not present with my old amps. My speakers are the KEF 205.2s that are 35-60K Hz and 90 db sensitivity.
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Post by leonski on Feb 20, 2014 22:06:37 GMT -5
500 to 1000 SOUNDS like a huge upgrade, but is really only 3db.
For MY nickel? If the Focals could be biamped, a PAIR of the 1L per speaker would work wonders. And you'd have the additional advantage of REALLY short speaker wires while you could take advantage, with the right preamp, of the ability of Balanced lines to drive
longer distance.
For 93db sensitive speakers you could probably get away with 29 watts RMS with 200 watt peaks….and be reasonably content. Unless you REALLY liked to crank it up or maybe had, like Logan, above, a larger, softer room….
I've heard those KEF and they are nice…..
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Post by creimes on Feb 20, 2014 23:56:53 GMT -5
From all the Emotiva amps I have owned there are subtle differences to me(remember me in my room and gear), buy what you can afford and not what you can't, if money is no object the XPR line is right up your alley, I can honestly say one of the times my system has sounded really good was a USP-1 preamp connected to a UPA-500.....no word of a lie. You can't go wrong with any of their amps.
Chad
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Post by Darksky on Feb 21, 2014 2:54:41 GMT -5
I have the XPR-1 amps driving my Focals. I upgraded from the XPA-2. That upgrade was enormous. The authority that the woofers strike with is so much more apparent with the XPR amps over my previous.
You are driving phenomenal speakers. If you have the dollars at your disposal, I would recommend the XPR amps. I will not be parting with mine. I don't know of anyone who has a pair of these amps that is not thrilled.
Some people will tell you that with efficient speakers like your 1038beII the extra power is not needed. I hear the difference in the attack during transients in my music as opposed to the three hundred WPC of my XPA-2. Those three big woofers (and the mid) will love that power. Maybe you could call Audio Plus Services and ask their thoughts, Francois in service is knowledgable and a really nice man.
If you buy the XPR -1 amps it removes the "what if" factor. Whatever you pick, please post your thoughts.
Just my .02 cents. -Bradley
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Post by chicagorspec on Feb 21, 2014 8:11:53 GMT -5
I have the XPR-1 amps driving my Focals. I upgraded from the XPA-2. That upgrade was enormous. The authority that the woofers strike with is so much more apparent with the XPR amps over my previous. You are driving phenomenal speakers. If you have the dollars at your disposal, I would recommend the XPR amps. I will not be parting with mine. I don't know of anyone who has a pair of these amps that is not thrilled. Some people will tell you that with efficient speakers like your 1038beII the extra power is not needed. I hear the difference in the attack during transients in my music as opposed to the three hundred WPC of my XPA-2. Those three big woofers (and the mid) will love that power. Maybe you could call Audio Plus Services and ask their thoughts, Francois in service is knowledgable and a really nice man. If you buy the XPR -1 amps it removes the "what if" factor. Whatever you pick, please post your thoughts. Just my .02 cents. -Bradley +1. Count me thrilled with my XPR-1s over previous XPA-1s (Gen1). |
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 21, 2014 8:20:16 GMT -5
I've got the XPR-2. I've heard the XPA-1L in my system (Thanks to RightinLA for the audition). I find insufficient difference in the two to bother. If the XPA-1L has sufficient wattage for your speakers, then GO FOR IT! If you need the extra watts, then either the XPA-1 or the XPR-1 should be fine. The R series sounds more refined & detailed, but the X series has better dynamics per my experience (others will certainly disagree). Your money, your choice.
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Post by Porscheguy on Feb 21, 2014 8:42:52 GMT -5
I love these threads.  Get what you like. They all make Plenty O' Power and sound great. If the XPR is in your budget, get them. It's Emo's statement piece (for now)... |
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Post by novisnick on Feb 21, 2014 8:46:28 GMT -5
I love these threads. Get what you like. They all make Plenty O' Power and sound great. If the XPR is in your budget, get them. It's Emo's statement piece (for now)... XPR s,,,,,," To Infinity and Beyound ! ! " he,,,,,,,,,he,,,,,,,,,he,,,,,,,,,, |
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 21, 2014 8:57:56 GMT -5
Well, even the XPA-100s have enough power to launch my high-efficiency Klipsch Heresys into orbit - more is just overkill. Nonetheless, my Heresys soldier onward with the XPR-2 without complaint, so why should I cut in on this dance?  |
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