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Post by Andrew Robinson on Jan 28, 2014 14:42:14 GMT -5
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Post by pedrocols on Jan 28, 2014 14:55:30 GMT -5
It looks like there are going to be quite a few XSP-1 for sale soon...
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Post by audiobill on Jan 28, 2014 15:00:53 GMT -5
Nicely done!
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Post by Bonzo on Jan 28, 2014 15:02:27 GMT -5
I was looking at the product page just a few minutes back, and when I first turned it on, the XSP-1 was non-existent. It was gone. I was like WTF? But then my screen did a blibbidy blurp and boing up it popped, the new Gen 2 Model. SURPRISE!!!! Since we can't hear it yet, for now we'll have to trust you on the sound. That's a discussion to follow more later once people have these in their hands.  But, what I can physically see right now is the new Gen 2 look. We've all known about the black trim, but I think the black volume knob is the first we're seeing it, no? So is this the look we can expect from this pre-amps upcoming long awaited brother? Edit: and one more thing, are the little buttons and the power button what they call "black chrome?" It's a little hard to tell for 100% certain from the pictures. It appears they are black also with a slight sheen, but I'm not 100% sure. |
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Post by boomzilla on Jan 28, 2014 15:08:59 GMT -5
So if my amplifier is NOT fully balanced, is there any advantage to using a fully-balanced preamp?
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Post by audiobill on Jan 28, 2014 15:17:01 GMT -5
Yes, lower distortion and noise within the preamp.
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Post by Jim on Jan 28, 2014 15:26:18 GMT -5
Other than SMT and possibly a lower noise floor, does anybody know how it differs from the Gen 1?
It sounds like the improvements are good, but relatively minor?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2014 15:29:04 GMT -5
If the xmc-1 looks like this then holy crap!!! I'm in love!!!
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bootman
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Typing useless posts on internet forums....
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Post by bootman on Jan 28, 2014 15:30:42 GMT -5
I know what they forgot. 1) Balanced headphone outputs. Many highend cans allow you to wire the left and right with separate jacks just to keep a differential signal all the way out to your ears. 2)Dual independent sub inputs and outputs. The XMC-1's Dirac room correction (as well as some of the competition) will handle two independent subs. Mating this unit with the XMC and dual subs will be tricky if you want to independently EQ them. Maybe in the gen 3 version.  |
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Post by Bonzo on Jan 28, 2014 15:37:31 GMT -5
If the xmc-1 looks like this then holy crap!!! I'm in love!!! That's what I was basically asking above. Me, ah, um? I'm on the fence. Right off the bat I like the old look better. New look may grow on me, but I think I'll always like the black & silver vs black on black. I think it's a bit like discussing Republican vs Democrat. I'll bet if we did a pole it would come out almost 50/50. I hate black cars with black wheels, so go figure. Heck, I don't like black wheels on any car...  |
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Post by pedrocols on Jan 28, 2014 16:39:10 GMT -5
What I would like to see is a dedicated 2 channel preamp. No HT bypas. No trim controls. No bass management. Just strictly 2 channel performance.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jan 28, 2014 20:07:02 GMT -5
Glad to hear the XSP-1 is back...and reportedly better. And by the way, I am really liking the videos for new product launches. Very nice touch.
Mark
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Post by PGT on Jan 28, 2014 21:38:46 GMT -5
you guys need sound dampening in that room...or close mic or something. - Sometimes the terseness of my reply can't be blamed on my phone.  |
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Post by djoel on Jan 28, 2014 22:28:39 GMT -5
One of the cleanest and beautiful lay outs I've seen in side a robust preamp.
Would love to get a listen.
Djoel
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Post by Golden Ear on Jan 28, 2014 22:54:06 GMT -5
Yes, lower distortion and noise within the preamp. I have USP-1 and I can turn the volume all the way up and put my ear next to the speaker and hear no distortion or noise. How much more clarity a balanced device can produce? |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Jan 28, 2014 22:59:13 GMT -5
It does look very nice and the video is very well done.
The only thing that would have made it nicer is the OLED display that's coming with the XMC-1.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jan 28, 2014 23:00:59 GMT -5
Yes, lower distortion and noise within the preamp. I have USP-1 and I can turn the volume all the way up and put my ear next to the speaker and hear no distortion or noise. How much more clarity a balanced device can produce? In your system possibly none, but all systems, configurations, and environments aren't the same. In some situations balanced devices are audibly better (and this is probably measurable). |
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Post by audibility on Jan 29, 2014 2:30:10 GMT -5
I bought my XSP-1 when it was last on sale for $769.00 - and I am glad I bought it then. It is an expensive looking piece of equipment and a a shame to hide in a rack against the wall with all that gold plating on the back. Am I going to sell it, so I can buy the Gen 2 for $130.00 more, not likely. I do not think I would hear any difference. When I put my XSP-1 in the chain between my XDA-2 (which I was using as a preamp)and my UPA-200 stereo amp, I did not hear any improvement (or degradation) of the sound. I was a little disappointed but then I remembered that a pre-amp is not supposed to add or take anything away from the signal (except maybe tone control) and should sound transparent. I think that was accomplished very nicely and I am happy with it. I do not know why I expected a great sound improvement. The most dramatic audio improvement in my 2 channel set-up was realized when I upgraded to their discontinued 6.2 towers and purchased the UPA-200 upgrading from a 90's mid-fi system. I would imagine that someone who is currently using a lesser Pre-amp, and I am not referring to their USP-1, but to other brands, is going to realize the most improvement. I actually use RCA cables from the XSP-1 to my mono xpa-100's because XLR connections provided too great a signal for the gain in the amp - extra growl but not sound improvement.
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Post by garbulky on Jan 29, 2014 2:39:01 GMT -5
Yes, lower distortion and noise within the preamp. I have USP-1 and I can turn the volume all the way up and put my ear next to the speaker and hear no distortion or noise. How much more clarity a balanced device can produce? I guess I never understood the thing with a silent background that I see most reviewers talk about. I have entry level gear that cost $500 total for all electronics. And I have never been bothered by a hiss or anything. I don't think how silent something can be is a BIG indicator of how much better sounding it is. For me it's been if there is a hiss loud enough to bother me, then it's time for some better gear as it doesn't take a lot to get there. I am more interested in how the thing sounds. The USP-1 sounded significantly different than the XDA-1 direct to the amp and in some ways it had really nice dynamics. Only thing is I didn't feel it was as transparent compared to the XDA-1. |
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Post by audiobill on Jan 29, 2014 6:48:55 GMT -5
The "silent thing" is to lower the noise floor so much that even the most subtle details, harmonics and overtones come through over it.....IIRC.....
And internal balanced design gets this done.
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