Post by bluemeanies on Jan 25, 2014 12:28:07 GMT -5
Before I start please note I did not allow any brake in time for the XPA's or the Legenad Audio cables. Strictly speaking this is out of the box
playing.
First up on my listening agenda for a brief review of the XPA1's with new speaker cables from Legend Audio using the B&W804S speakers is TOMMY by "The Who". Strictly by accident I began listening to this CD. The source is the Sony 777 multi disc player that I used to house most of my cd collection. Also in use, the Outlaw 990 processor in 2channel stereo mode using the Bryston BDA1 DAC.
"We are alone cousins" from cousin Kevin. The vocals never sounded this good before the XPA1 was in the mix. The vocals sounded so clear and vibrant. With a reference point of minus 10 on the Outlaw 990 and the volume level at minus 8 I still can feel that I have ample headroom. Pete Townsend's guitar plucking on the intro sounded amazing and full of life. It was close to havering him playing in my room. The guitar solo is haunting. It brings back a lot of memories from the concert era of the past. The "Underture" was so well put to gather every cymbal crashing was so distinct. Much more than I had heard before. It just was not there everything seemed to be a mish mash of instruments.
I was never a BIG fan of the song "Pinball Wizard" however re-listening it today has changed my mind, the vocals and guitars playing leads had all tight and neatly wrapped. See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me was clearly heard during Pete's highly energetic guitar playing and had me singing..."what is happening in his head". Bravo! The harmony in "Tommy can you hear me" were clear and distinctive. Not the hodgepodge I remember sounding before the XPA's. Smashing the mirror sounded authentic...real...alive.
Next up Lee Ritenour's "6 String Treory" but this time the source is the Oppo 93 and the Bryston BDA1.1
Nice tight bass on "Lay it Down" with John Scofield and Lee alternating playing lead. Again very clean and distinct. A live presentation with heavy bass that did not crack or was muddled.
Soundstage was presented everywhere as it should be but until the XPA's I was a bit disappointed with what the 804S speakers were delivering. These amps are delivering some power! Cueing up "LP for Les Paul" and these speakers never sounded this good. Tight clean and the soundstage is amazing. I think I will keep these babies for a bit. Haha.
"Give me some Reason" from Joe Bonamassa and Robert Cray well let's just say when I close my eyes it's believe able that they are making a guest appearance in my my humble Theater. Robert Crays voice is clean and easy to listen to. No strain whatsoever in his voice or in the 804's. Sweet.
The dynamics with these amps is noticeable even at lower volumes. High hats and cymbals are life like. These amps are pushing the 804's that crave power. It's good knowing that there is plenty of power to spare.
"My one and only love" by George Benson is like having a one on one show. His guitar playing is elegant and sounds effortless.
I have been listening to the XPA's now for about five hours in the A/B mode and they are almost cool to the touch. No worries about any heating issues although there is a slight smell and I am assuming this will disparate after some time with them being in use.
Shhh...can you hear it it's BB King playing "Why I sing the Blues". Nice constant tight bass.
Well that's all for me I have a lot of listening do. In the end I am very pleased with these amps. I am no means a person to write reviews of such quality precision equipment. I only wrote what I have heard over the past few hours. For me theXPA's are a keeper along with my B&W 804S speakers.
Thanks Emotiva
