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Post by atcjrk on Apr 11, 2014 14:56:46 GMT -5
In the past year I have upgraded my system to an xpa2 for the fronts and an xpa3 for the center and rears. I have also added the umc 200 and 2 x-ref 10's. I never thought listening to music could be so enjoyable. My Dire Straits Live CD truly comes alive. T for Texas by Lynyrd Skynyrd and Only one way to the top if you wanna rock-n-roll by AC/DC are unbelievable. I did not think Clapton could sound better, but, he does!! MY question is: will 2 xpa1 gen 2 give me the same increase in quality
as when I switched from my Onkyo 809 to the xpa2 and umc 200? Or will I see a bigger improvement upgrading from my Sony CD player to the ERC-3? Or both? My speakers are Kef XQ5's.
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hemster
Global Moderator 
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,920
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Post by hemster on Apr 11, 2014 15:12:53 GMT -5
Dual XPA-1s will give you entry to the monoblock society. However I'm not sure of you'll gain the same increase in quality as going from the Onkyo to the XPA-2. The ERC-3 is an amazing player and has a better DAC than the UMC-200 IMHO.
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Post by cd on Apr 11, 2014 15:13:03 GMT -5
I guess the answer to your question depends upon which Sony player you have. Personally, I would buy an Oppo BDP-95 (used, about $750) or BDP-103 (new, $495) before getting an ERC-3. Not only will you get an outstanding CD player, you'll also open the door to DVD-Audio, SACD, Bluray, and internet streaming services. DVD-A, SACD, and Bluray discs flat out kill regular CDs and you can also enjoy the benefits of multi-channel sound. IMHO, well done multi-channel sounds worlds better than stereo...
PS: Upgrading your amp will not provide nearly the same sonic improvements. The XPA-2 is a very good amp and going to an XPA-1 Gen 2 will not give you much bang for the buck.
CD
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Post by deltadube on Apr 11, 2014 17:15:30 GMT -5
In the past year I have upgraded my system to an xpa2 for the fronts and an xpa3 for the center and rears. I have also added the umc 200 and 2 x-ref 10's. I never thought listening to music could be so enjoyable. My Dire Straits Live CD truly comes alive. T for Texas by Lynyrd Skynyrd and Only one way to the top if you wanna rock-n-roll by AC/DC are unbelievable. I did not think Clapton could sound better, but, he does!! MY question is: will 2 xpa1 gen 2 give me the same increase in quality as when I switched from my Onkyo 809 to the xpa2 and umc 200? Or will I see a bigger improvement upgrading from my Sony CD player to the ERC-3? Or both? My speakers are Kef XQ5's. going from my denon to an xpa 3 was a great jump going from my xpa 3 to the xpa 1 was a more refined jump and more subtle improvements.. adding the xsp 1 analog pre amp took it up another level.. for 2 channel.. for movies I don't think it matters as much.. mono block society... see nick for details... lol goo for both... cheers |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223 
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Post by novisnick on Apr 11, 2014 18:09:13 GMT -5
In the past year I have upgraded my system to an xpa2 for the fronts and an xpa3 for the center and rears. I have also added the umc 200 and 2 x-ref 10's. I never thought listening to music could be so enjoyable. My Dire Straits Live CD truly comes alive. T for Texas by Lynyrd Skynyrd and Only one way to the top if you wanna rock-n-roll by AC/DC are unbelievable. I did not think Clapton could sound better, but, he does!! MY question is: will 2 xpa1 gen 2 give me the same increase in quality as when I switched from my Onkyo 809 to the xpa2 and umc 200? Or will I see a bigger improvement upgrading from my Sony CD player to the ERC-3? Or both? My speakers are Kef XQ5's. going from my denon to an xpa 3 was a great jump going from my xpa 3 to the xpa 1 was a more refined jump and more subtle improvements.. adding the xsp 1 analog pre amp took it up another level.. for 2 channel.. for movies I don't think it matters as much mono block society... see nick for details... lol goo for both... cheers The Society has decided that MONOBLOCKS are not of as great of importance for HT, but for 2 Channel the consensus is that they are a must. Nick CEO |
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Post by boomzilla on Apr 11, 2014 18:11:55 GMT -5
IMHO, atcjrk -
You're at the point of diminishing returns. You can spend more & more to get less & less improvement. If you really LIKE the sound you have now, don't rock the boat.
I LIKE my Oppo BDP-105. Until it breaks, I don't plan to change it.
I LIKE my XPR-2. Until it breaks, I don't plan to change it.
Speakers, I'm still sorting...
But when you hit a mix that sounds great, leave well enough alone.
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Post by Gary Cook on Apr 11, 2014 18:26:21 GMT -5
I've posted this a lot, to me using analogue outputs an ERC-3 sounds noticeably better than on Oppo 103 for stereo music. There's not a lot of difference between a 105 and an ERC-3 for stereo music. The 103 sounded much the same analogue (ie; using the 103 DAC) as it did digital to a UMC-200. The ERC-3 and 105 both sounded better analogue (ie; using their DAC's) to the UMC-200 than using digital (ie; the UMC-200 DAC).
My choice of the ERC-3 was based on the cost comparison to the Oppo 105 and the fact that I listen to way more stereo CD's than SACD's and I'm finding it increasing harder to buy new SACD's that I like. The ERC-3 was the best sound and the best value for money.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by deltadube on Apr 11, 2014 21:34:06 GMT -5
IMHO, atcjrk - You're at the point of diminishing returns. You can spend more & more to get less & less improvement. If you really LIKE the sound you have now, don't rock the boat. I LIKE my Oppo BDP-105. Until it breaks, I don't plan to change it. I LIKE my XPR-2. Until it breaks, I don't plan to change it. Speakers, I'm still sorting... But when you hit a mix that sounds great, leave well enough alone. now boomer you know you cant get into the mono block society with that kind of attitude!!!! see ceo nick for details.. cheers |
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