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XPA3
Apr 21, 2014 20:38:46 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Jim on Apr 21, 2014 20:38:46 GMT -5
Clearly they have not heard a system with real headroom. Headroom is what having big amps is all about; not playing as loud is you can stand it! I'm thinking about doing a tech article on this very subject. I'd like to show how a typical "brand X" receiver behaves in a real world situation with typical speakers in an average listen room. You will be amazed to see how quickly you can run out of gas. I can drive an XPA-5 into mild clip quite easily with the right type of program material, so imagine what a receiver that makes less than half of its rated power with all channels drive will do. Headroom is all about clarity, resolution and maintaining dynamics. You will be amazed at how much more you can hear when your system is not pushed to it's dynamic limits. power wise. Stand by... In the meantime, have fun kids! Cheers, Big Dan I've experienced way too many debates about headroom. Time and time again people seem to think it's just not that important. Totally disregarding power needed for short term peaks / transients. It's the dynamic range that really matters for making things sound great. The more debates I read the more convinced I am that you can talk numbers and physics all day - but some people won't believe you until they hear it for themselves. Most people probably don't know how often their receivers are running out of steam. It's hard to go back once you've heard what a dedicated amp can do. I blame my trusty UPA-7 for opening my eyes  . |
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XPA3
May 2, 2014 15:53:30 GMT -5
Post by asharris7 on May 2, 2014 15:53:30 GMT -5
All SPL's are not created equal. That's what they don't understand.
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XPA3
Jul 16, 2014 9:58:32 GMT -5
Post by Walter Mitty on Jul 16, 2014 9:58:32 GMT -5
Starting to prepare for my XMC-1 and looking into new power for LRC. Q 1: How would swapping the Mono-Blocks for the XPA-3 effect sound quality/performance with my existing UMC-1?  Q 2: What is the advantage of "balanced" vs "un-balanced"? Please be gentle, I'm not an audiophile tech-no-weenie, but do enjoy quality sound...  |
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XPA3
Jul 16, 2014 11:21:01 GMT -5
Post by repeetavx on Jul 16, 2014 11:21:01 GMT -5
Hi Walter,
I have an XPA-3 and love it.
Your MA-700s are rated at the same power as the XPA-3, 200 watts. If you hear any difference, it would be because of the differences in circuitry design and power supply capacity. Your MA-700s have 230 watt power supplies in each one. All three together give you a total of 690 Volt/Amps of power, as opposed to 850 Volt/Amps of power available to you with the XPA-3.
If you have your monoblocks placed close to your speakers, then you are reaping the benefits of short speaker wires. If, on the other hand, your monoblocks are in your rack, then using the same length speaker cables with the XPA-3 might give you better results.
As far as balanced connections, yes I use them. Have I heard a difference? A very slight one. Since neither the XPA-3 nor the MA-700s are balanced differential internally, that wouldn't make any difference.
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XPA3
Jul 16, 2014 17:20:48 GMT -5
Post by garbulky on Jul 16, 2014 17:20:48 GMT -5
Starting to prepare for my XMC-1 and looking into new power for LRC. Q 1: How would swapping the Mono-Blocks for the XPA-3 effect sound quality/performance with my existing UMC-1? View AttachmentQ 2: What is the advantage of "balanced" vs "un-balanced"? Please be gentle, I'm not an audiophile tech-no-weenie, but do enjoy quality sound... A true balanced design has noise cancellation properties that cancel a certain type of distortion. But... the XPA-3 is not a true balanced design - but it does have XLR inputs. Having said that quite a few people have mentioned on the forum have mentioend that they couldn't hear the difference between the true balanced designs anyway. I haven't any personal experience with it so I can't comment. I echo what the previous poster said. I don't know if your path and component choice is the kind of upgrade you would want to be looking for especially considering your current gear. |
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XPA3
Jul 16, 2014 19:13:14 GMT -5
Post by Walter Mitty on Jul 16, 2014 19:13:14 GMT -5
Hi Walter, I have an XPA-3 and love it. Your MA-700s are rated at the same power as the XPA-3, 200 watts. If you hear any difference, it would be because of the differences in circuitry design and power supply capacity. Your MA-700s have 230 watt power supplies in each one. All three together give you a total of 690 Volt/Amps of power, as opposed to 850 Volt/Amps of power available to you with the XPA-3. If you have your monoblocks placed close to your speakers, then you are reaping the benefits of short speaker wires. If, on the other hand, your monoblocks are in your rack, then using the same length speaker cables with the XPA-3 might give you better results. As far as balanced connections, yes I use them. Have I heard a difference? A very slight one. Since neither the XPA-3 nor the MA-700s are balanced differential internally, that wouldn't make any difference. Thank you for the input...I did not know that the XPA3 was not balanced internally. My speakers are connected via 8' Transparent Cables. I'm beginning to think my weakest link are the interconnects and speakers... |
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XPA3
Jul 16, 2014 19:20:12 GMT -5
Post by Walter Mitty on Jul 16, 2014 19:20:12 GMT -5
Starting to prepare for my XMC-1 and looking into new power for LRC. Q 1: How would swapping the Mono-Blocks for the XPA-3 effect sound quality/performance with my existing UMC-1? View AttachmentQ 2: What is the advantage of "balanced" vs "un-balanced"? Please be gentle, I'm not an audiophile tech-no-weenie, but do enjoy quality sound... A true balanced design has noise cancellation properties that cancel a certain type of distortion. But... the XPA-3 is not a true balanced design - but it does have XLR inputs. Having said that quite a few people have mentioned on the forum have mentioend that they couldn't hear the difference between the true balanced designs anyway. I haven't any personal experience with it so I can't comment. I echo what the previous poster said. I don't know if your path and component choice is the kind of upgrade you would want to be looking for especially considering your current gear. "current gear" is the magic phrase...While I'd really like the XPA3, maybe the best thing would be to re-valuate my speakers after the XMC and interconnect upgrades. The Definitive Tech BP-10's have served me well, but.... Thanks for the input. |
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XPA3
Jul 16, 2014 20:13:46 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by repeetavx on Jul 16, 2014 20:13:46 GMT -5
BP-10s!!!
One sure thing that I've discovered with my BP-30s is, that the more power you feed them, the better they sound.
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XPA3
Jul 17, 2014 10:32:11 GMT -5
Post by Walter Mitty on Jul 17, 2014 10:32:11 GMT -5
BP-10s!!! One sure thing that I've discovered with my BP-30s is, that the more power you feed them, the better they sound. I've experienced the same thing with the BP10's. However, I do not feel the same way about the C-1 (center channel). Muted vocals...been messing with UMC settings to no avail....time for new?! |
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XPA3
Jul 17, 2014 10:54:33 GMT -5
Post by repeetavx on Jul 17, 2014 10:54:33 GMT -5
I've experienced the same thing with the BP10's. However, I do not feel the same way about the C-1 (center channel). Muted vocals...been messing with UMC settings to no avail....time for new?! Yeah, if you can find one, you'll probably get a better match from a C/L/R 2002. Or if you can afford it a C/L/R 2500. |
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