Real Maximus
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I now have a dedicated Salamander monoblock stand for my XPA2. Very sexy! :)
Posts: 35 
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Post by Real Maximus on Mar 11, 2014 1:42:05 GMT -5
I am running Marantz AV8801 preamp, and the Marantz MM8077, seven channel amp (7x150). It sounds excellent, but has no power to drive the bass drivers in my tower speakers. I was recently running QSC USA 1310 (375 watts into 8 ohms). The powerful QSC amps have amazing bass response over my dual 8" bass drivers in my towers. The Marantz amp can't touch the QSC for tactile bass response, however, the QSC is lacking, as it is not delicate or musical in the upper registers. I am tired of trade offs.... enter EMOTIVA! So here is the million dollar question. Do I drop the cash for the XPA2 Gen2 for my mains, or save up and hold out for the XPR2? I contacted Emotiva and was told that I can run the XPR2 on my 15amp circuit, even though 20amp is preferred. I imagine the quality and power the XPA2 offers, is sufficient to give me that low end attack and finesse that the QSC offers, while maintaining the musical and delicate nuance capabilities of my Marantz amp. If someone can explain to me that the XPR2 is not just more powerful, but also a superior specimen in its sonic and musical presentation, then I just may be willing to hold out longer, and risk hurting my back just that much more, because it weighs more! Thank you for your feedback folks!  |
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Post by Boomzilla on Mar 11, 2014 3:56:33 GMT -5
I've owned both (although my XPA-2 was a generation one). Here are the differences I hear:
The XPA-2 is a more dynamic amplifier. It's "jump factor" is better. It runs cooler.
The XPR-2 is smoother and more detailed. The "class-A operation" envelope is wider. It runs as hot as a tube amp.
Both amps have absolute bass control. Both amps drive any speaker. The warranty is identical (5 years). The imaging is the same.
If you want a difference, I think that considering mono blocks might give some.
I run my XPR-2 on a 15 amp circuit. Since my speakers are so efficient, I don't need more. Were I driving low-efficiency or low-impedance speakers, I'd go with a 20-amp instead.
I'm keeping my XPR-2 for now, but having a hundred-pound amp that I can't move by myself would give me pause were I to make the choice over again. I've heard a pair of XPA-1Ls in my system, and although they sounded differently than the XPR-2, I could have lived with them as well.
Happy Shopping!
Boom
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Post by garbulky on Mar 11, 2014 4:05:45 GMT -5
In B'zilla's system with the XPR-2, Oppo 105 and Deftech Sm65, I heard a dimensionality in an instrumental (orchestral like) piece that I'd never heard before. The dimensionality of it was different from depth (of which there was too). What I mean is that there was this 3d like presentation of a drum that was struck off to the side. It was large, big, and had this body that I'd never quite heard. It's hard to understand without experiencing. But it's not easy to reproduce it. It needs to produce resonances in the instrument and all that where you can hear the size of the instrument which included the depth of the body. A 3d feel to it.
The more I keep going in this hobby, the more I am amazed as what can be recorded and reproduced using current technology.
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Post by Boomzilla on Mar 11, 2014 4:10:10 GMT -5
...What I mean is that there was this 3d like presentation of a drum that was struck off to the side. It was large, big, and had this body that I'd never quite heard... And you should HEAR the same with the subwoofer in the corner! |
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Ctuna
Sensei
You can tune a piano, but you cant tunafish.
Posts: 712
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Post by Ctuna on Mar 11, 2014 22:07:00 GMT -5
Just purchased the XPA-2 Gen 2 amp last week, I only was able to listen to it a few days but I noticed much more bass than with my UPA-5 and much greater detail in clarity noticing little musical instruments in the overall soundstage that I have not heard before.
I will keep saying this however, if you have any bad recordings it will sound terrrible as this amp as with most Emotiva gear will expose this. Its amazing how many bad recordings there are out there.
But I can insure you this, if its a good recording be prepaired to hear parts of music you never heard before and a awesome sound stage. In fact, this amp makes me want to upgarde my speakers because I think this amp would drive some full range speakers perfectly to take full advantage of the low end it produces.
I was using all sources through my XDA-2 connected directly to my amp.
Love this amp !
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Mar 12, 2014 21:26:19 GMT -5
Just purchased the XPA-2 Gen 2 amp last week, I only was able to listen to it a few days but I noticed much more bass than with my UPA-5 and much greater detail in clarity noticing little musical instruments in the overall soundstage that I have not heard before. I will keep saying this however, if you have any bad recordings it will sound terrrible as this amp as with most Emotiva gear will expose this. Its amazing how many bad recordings there are out there. But I can insure you this, if its a good recording be prepaired to hear parts of music you never heard before and a awesome sound stage. In fact, this amp makes me want to upgarde my speakers because I think this amp would drive some full range speakers perfectly to take full advantage of the low end it produces. I was using all sources through my XDA-2 connected directly to my amp. Love this amp ! Nice! I should be getting mine in a couple of days. Not the same comparison as XPR-2 but I'll be able to state the difference, btw the XPA-2 and the XPR-5. I have quality recordings and pretty revealing speakers. |
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Real Maximus
Minor Hero
I now have a dedicated Salamander monoblock stand for my XPA2. Very sexy! :)
Posts: 35
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Post by Real Maximus on Mar 14, 2014 13:31:40 GMT -5
Lac, yes we are most curious to hear your feedback and get some comparisons between those two amps you have. Take some notes for us. |
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Ctuna
Sensei
You can tune a piano, but you cant tunafish.
Posts: 712
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Post by Ctuna on Mar 18, 2014 13:05:59 GMT -5
Well, I ended up hooking my XDA 2s output through my UMC-1 so I could take advantage of tweaking the bass and treble to my liking. This Amp is still killer good. There was just something missy in the overall clarity from the bass when hooked directly through the XDA-2.
This probabaly is telling me I could use some really good full range speakers but sounds great now that I have my small sub in the mix.
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Mar 18, 2014 13:28:36 GMT -5
Lac, yes we are most curious to hear your feedback and get some comparisons between those two amps you have. Take some notes for us. Based on what I heard last night, the XPR-5 is clearly superior to the XPA-2 Gen2. I'd expect the XPR-2 to be that much better still. XPR-5 sounds much more refined, effortless and smoother in the way that McIntosh amps perform. XPA-2 Gen2 is still a very nice amp but there is less control and it's a bit bright sounding. So, it'll be fine for what I got it for but if you are investing $3k+ on speakers, then the XPR is probably the way you should go. Lesser speakers, I think the XPA-2 Gen2 will be a good match...especially in the value category. The XPA-2, I gotta check out again for bass because there appeared to be more bass from the XPA-2 gen2. |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Mar 18, 2014 13:29:25 GMT -5
Well, I ended up hooking my XDA 2s output through my UMC-1 so I could take advantage of tweaking the bass and treble to my liking. This Amp is still killer good. There was just something missy in the overall clarity from the bass when hooked directly through the XDA-2. This probabaly is telling me I could use some really good full range speakers but sounds great now that I have my small sub in the mix. No, this is the problem with the XDA-2...I have it running thru my UMC-200, even in direct for that reason. NO BASS! |
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Real Maximus
Minor Hero
I now have a dedicated Salamander monoblock stand for my XPA2. Very sexy! :)
Posts: 35
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Post by Real Maximus on Mar 30, 2014 0:14:35 GMT -5
Boom, what do you mean by "jump factor"? Are you referring to dynamics?
Lsc, any further updates?
I was looking into mono blocks, but I have really nice speaker wires that I LOVE, and wouldn't be able to use them, due to the terminals being way too far apart. That is a serious Emo flaw. So, I am back to a stereo amp, and due to cost and weight, and Boom's response, I am probably going to jump on an XPA2G2. I can always do what you are doing Lsc, by getting an XPR2 down the road, and keep the amp I prefer.
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Post by moko on Mar 30, 2014 1:12:36 GMT -5
maximus,
i believe there are always trade offs. boom has been experimenting with a lot of gears in his thread and i got the impression that there are always compromises. for low to medium sensitivity speakers i think more dynamics amp will be better matching although usually sound more bright and revealing. you can try one of those amps for 30 days and see if they match with your speakers.
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stiehl11
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Give me available light!
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Post by stiehl11 on Mar 30, 2014 1:35:49 GMT -5
Boom, what do you mean by "jump factor"? Are you referring to dynamics? Lsc, any further updates? I was looking into mono blocks, but I have really nice speaker wires that I LOVE, and wouldn't be able to use them, due to the terminals being way too far apart. That is a serious Emo flaw. So, I am back to a stereo amp, and due to cost and weight, and Boom's response, I am probably going to jump on an XPA2G2. I can always do what you are doing Lsc, by getting an XPR2 down the road, and keep the amp I prefer. Depending on the cables that you have you may be able to go in from the sides of the terminals. This is the way Emotiva recommends using the cable they sell with the XPA-1. |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Mar 30, 2014 12:31:53 GMT -5
Boom, what do you mean by "jump factor"? Are you referring to dynamics? Lsc, any further updates? I was looking into mono blocks, but I have really nice speaker wires that I LOVE, and wouldn't be able to use them, due to the terminals being way too far apart. That is a serious Emo flaw. So, I am back to a stereo amp, and due to cost and weight, and Boom's response, I am probably going to jump on an XPA2G2. I can always do what you are doing Lsc, by getting an XPR2 down the road, and keep the amp I prefer. I just had it running my surround until I saw this. I decided do a double blind test involving my wife. She said the XPR-5 was clearly better and she knew it right away. Having said that the XPA-2 sounded pretty darn good and if I just had the XPA-2, I would be fine as it sounds great. Also, I don't think this is the best time to buy the XPR anyway as it's not on sale. I called Emotiva to see if they had any XPA-2 left from the secret warehouse sale and snatched it up. I have yet to pay "full price" for anything besides my ipad 2 . In comparing the XPR to the XPA is similar to the Revel Ultima2 to Performa3 (I obviously have the performa3)...the Ultima2 BETTER be superior and they are. My point is don't expect the lower line to be better than the higher line...it's only wishful thinking. Just enjoy your sound system within your budget / room limitations. The XPR amps are special amps...I know the recent price increase killed the buzz a bit but no worries, they'll be on sale. If Emotiva was smart, they'd have a "spring break" sale....lots of folks get bonuses or tax returns they can use. Summer is vacation w the family for me so I never buy anything then...last thing I worry about in the summer is my system. |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Mar 30, 2014 14:17:50 GMT -5
One more thing I'd like to add is that the XDA-2 direct to the amp is terrible. I don't think the volume on the XDA-2 works too well....where is the bass?
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Post by garbulky on Mar 30, 2014 14:31:27 GMT -5
One more thing I'd like to add is that the XDA-2 direct to the amp is terrible. I don't think the volume on the XDA-2 works too well....where is the bass? Get you that DC-1. The pre-amp on it is honestly more or less on the par with the XDA-2, but the quality is better and there is a bit more "thump". |
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Post by aud on Mar 30, 2014 17:13:49 GMT -5
One more thing I'd like to add is that the XDA-2 direct to the amp is terrible. I don't think the volume on the XDA-2 works too well....where is the bass? Funny thing audio, my XDA-2 into two UPA-1s has excellent bass to me. I love the volume control. This system is in my family room where I sit closer to the back wall than the system in my living room. I also realize the UPA-1s have higher gain. I got lucky on all parameters that add up to great sound, room acoustics and listening position being the biggest. |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Mar 30, 2014 18:23:48 GMT -5
One more thing I'd like to add is that the XDA-2 direct to the amp is terrible. I don't think the volume on the XDA-2 works too well....where is the bass? Get you that DC-1. The pre-amp on it is honestly more or less on the par with the XDA-2, but the quality is better and there is a bit more "thump". That's good advice thanks!...but XDA-2 to UMC-200 is good enough for me. The XDA-2's volume is set to 0 dB and that's where it needs to be at IMHO. The bass is great with this setup and I'll be fine until XMC-1 in 4/2016. |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Mar 30, 2014 18:31:36 GMT -5
One more thing I'd like to add is that the XDA-2 direct to the amp is terrible. I don't think the volume on the XDA-2 works too well....where is the bass? Funny thing audio, my XDA-2 into two UPA-1s has excellent bass to me. I love the volume control. This system is in my family room where I sit closer to the back wall than the system in my living room. I also realize the UPA-1s have higher gain. I got lucky on all parameters that add up to great sound, room acoustics and listening position being the biggest. Looks like you got a good setup where everything fell in place. I get much better results using my UMC-200 and XDA-2 combo. And yes, the bass is thundering with this setup. I am actually running it without the sub bc the bass is so good. I just don't like XDA-2 to XPR-5... I don't think your UPA-1's gain matters FYI. |
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Post by aud on Mar 30, 2014 18:47:38 GMT -5
Funny thing audio, my XDA-2 into two UPA-1s has excellent bass to me. I love the volume control. This system is in my family room where I sit closer to the back wall than the system in my living room. I also realize the UPA-1s have higher gain. I got lucky on all parameters that add up to great sound, room acoustics and listening position being the biggest. Looks like you got a good setup where everything fell in place. I get much better results using my UMC-200 and XDA-2 combo. And yes, the bass is thundering with this setup. I am actually running it without the sub bc the bass is so good. I just don't like XDA-2 to XPR-5... I don't think your UPA-1's gain matters FYI. I agree about the gain, it's insignificant , maybe a little more tweeter hiss compared to my other amps but never noticeable at the listening chair. |
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