Help choosing the correct Amp or Amps

[Ctuna]

I received a rather large bonus from work and am looking to make my two channel listening more enjoyble. I currently own a UPA-5 amp and its great for movies and music but feel I may be missing something by not using mono amps for a good 2 channel system.

I am looking to spend no more than a grand so I would like to get the XPA-100s or maybe an XPA 2 ?

I know that the monos run a little more price wise but was wondering if the XPA 2 would give me as much channel seperation as the XPA-100s.

What would you guys choose or what would you advise for me to purchase.

I have older paradigm Model 11sas speakers but love the sound of them. I also have a 10 inch emotiva sub. My room size is about 12 foot wide by 24 feet in length.

[Andrew Robinson]

Feb 28, 2014 16:24:06 GMT -5 Ctuna said:

I received a rather large bonus from work and am looking to make my two channel listening more enjoyble. I currently own a UPA-5 amp and its great for movies and music but feel I may be missing something by not using mono amps for a good 2 channel system.

I am looking to spend no more than a grand so I would like to get the XPA-100s or maybe an XPA 2 ?

I know that the monos run a little more price wise but was wondering if the XPA 2 would give me as much channel seperation as the XPA-100s.

What would you guys choose or what would you advise for me to purchase.

I have older paradigm Model 11sas speakers but love the sound of them. I also have a 10 inch emotiva sub. My room size is about 12 foot wide by 24 feet in length.

An XPA-2 would serve you just fine. Wouldn't stress the mono thing. 

[garbulky]

Based on my experience of the two, I would reccomend the XPA-2's as I found it the "faster" amp. It's also very solidly built.
The XPA-100's were based on the old ultra series UPA-1. I found them very similar in sound signature to my UPA-2 which I really like. Honestly it's a preference thing what kind of sound you like. I give the vote to the XPA-2. There is nothing wrong with the XPA-100 though.
If you really wanted monoblocks, the XPA-1 L is what you want. It brings a LOT to the table. Class A power. Fully differential good capacitance, 29db gain etc. etc.
Of course, it costs $$.

[Ctuna]

Thanks for the help, looks like so far it's the XPA -2.

[garbulky]

Actually the bigger upgrade for me than upgrading from a UPA-2 to an XPA-2 was actually simply using a DC-1 to the UPA-2. The sound was simply better (for me). The XPA-2 was really good too. But I found the DC-1 was more worth it in terms of sound quality. (I've used the XDA-1 and 2 as well). Also a really nice upgrade (bigger than the amp) was these ats room panels. MAN were they nice! You could get even one and make a difference though 3 or more is better. They come disguised as paintings too if you want them that way for the wife.
www.atsacoustics.com/item--ATS-Acoustic-Panel-24-x-48-x-2--1001.html

[Ctuna]

I pulled the trigger on the XPA-2, should be on its way today ! I did not sweat the mono thing because the GEN 2 can be switched into mono mode if I ever feel free to upgrade.

[garbulky]

Mar 5, 2014 15:23:01 GMT -5 Ctuna said:

I pulled the trigger on the XPA-2, should be on its way today ! I did not sweat the mono thing because the GEN 2 can be switched into mono mode if I ever feel free to upgrade.

Congratulations! FYI, the mono mode is only for 8 ohm speakers.

[Deleted]

Nice lets us know how you like it when it's set up. I have UPA-1 monoblocks and love those amps
I will never give them up. I went with the XPA-2 well cause before I had the monoblocks driving M70 Polks
an 8 ohm speaker which they did a nice job of driving them. Then upgraded to the LSi-15,s power hungry speaker
4 ohms, the XPA-2 took control of the drivers not a night and day thing but better low end and yes faster amp
and lots more headroom can never have to much power in my book I am sure you will enjoy your XPA-2. Like you I will get me one more
to do monoblocks with them or a XPR-5. This is a great hobby to be in.

Mike

[Deleted]

garbulky, thanks for the headsup on the monoblock thing "8"ohms with the XPA-2

[Ctuna]

Mar 5, 2014 16:31:06 GMT -5 @cmw said:

Nice lets us know how you like it when it's set up. I have UPA-1 monoblocks and love those amps
I will never give them up. I went with the XPA-2 well cause before I had the monoblocks driving M70 Polks
an 8 ohm speaker which they did a nice job of driving them. Then upgraded to the LSi-15,s power hungry speaker
4 ohms, the XPA-2 took control of the drivers not a night and day thing but better low end and yes faster amp
and lots more headroom can never have to much power in my book I am sure you will enjoy your XPA-2. Like you I will get me one more
to do monoblocks with them or a XPR-5. This is a great hobby to be in.

Mike

Mike

I am sure I will love the amp, really have been happy with my UPA-5 for movies and music. I hope this amp is better than my UPA-5 in two channel mode.

Is been awhile since I have been able to afford any new gear, but the kids are all grown up and now and its time for me and the wife to enjoy life. I am sure I will need to upgrade speakers soon because I know this will probably give me the biggest improvement in sound quality.

Think I have my bases covered on the amp side of things now since I am not much into movies.

Will not have much time this week or next with the amp or the wife since I am heading to Fairbanks Alaska for a trip for work. But will let you know soon how I like the amp.

This is a great hobby, but until I discovered Emotiva I had lost a lot of interest in the hobby just hearing how bad most receivers sounded versus separates.

It was tough to sit on the sidelines and watch everyone getting new gear the past few years. But hopefully the wait was worth it !

[frenchyfranky]

I'm sure that your Paradigm model 11s will appreciate the extra power, control and transient of the XPA-2, you'll love it too.

Happy listening, you deserve it.