Post by Bonzo on Jul 13, 2014 17:02:44 GMT -5
I don't usually go to a public forum to ask questions like this, but I've been mulling it over so long I can't make up my mind, and I was wondering if anyone could give their rationals on why I should or shouldn't do what I'm thinking about, or even come up with other ideas I haven't thought of. I'm also looking for some advice about selling or trading in. This is bad timing with all the XMC talk going on right now, but perhaps this could be a break in the action for some.
I currently run an XPA-2 for my main speakers, which have a sensitivity rating of 92. When I moved from the amp in my Denon receiver to the XPA-2, I could not hear any sound quality difference. But I stuck with the XPA-2 because I know it's a better piece of equipment, I've got more power available when needed, I have more piece of mind I'm not missing something, and I have male bragging rights. I know that last one is stupid, but it is what it is, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has that same issue.
I think it's probably just about every audiophile's dream to have mono-blocks. Ever since I became acquainted with Emotiva, I've had my heart set on a pair of XPA-1s. Do I need them? Nope? Do I expect to hear any sound quality difference? Nope. Will it pretty much be a waste of money? Probably. Could I spend money on other more important stuff? Absolutely. Do I still want them? You bet cha. Wants and needs are 2 different things.
I am nearing the end of my new TV and equipment rack cabinets build, which has got me back on thinking about the upgrade again. I made the TV cabinet planning to house 2 XPA-1s, one on the right and one on the left. This unit is centered on the end wall with the TV on top. The plan is to put my XPA-5 in the bottom of the equipment rack, which is on the same wall, but way over in the right corner.
If I get the XPA-1's now I can:
- Install them once and be done with it all for quite some time. No moving things out at later date etc.
- Only have 1 run of long RCA cables to the amps (pre-amp is in the rack)
- Can have 2 very short speaker wire runs (and bi-wire direct since the XPA-1s are made for that)
- The TV stand will be balanced out both in looks and in weight
- Can install the XPA-5 right where I planned in the rack, next to the wall, which will allow for short RCA runs to the pre-amp (with cables I already have) and short speaker wire runs to the wall plug (for the surrounds)
If I stick with what I have I will have 2 options with the amp set up.
1. Put the XPA-2 in the TV stand alone. This helps with wires and allows for a more simple swap out if I ever get the XPA-1s in the future. But, I will want to compensate the TV stand balance issue, so I would need to add weights (I can get metal bars from work) to add to the other side. I could make a nice looking black box, and behind the perfed metal doors would probably look "okay." I woul still need to use my current speaker wires, which are about 9-10 feet long.
2. Put both the XPA-2 and the XPA-5 in the TV stand. Positively this fixes the weight and looks balance issue, and gives me more room in the equipment rack for other stuff. Negatively, if I ever upgrade it's going to be much more work with moving stuff around. It makes the wiring much more cumbersome, because I would have to run 5 RCA cables from the pre-amp to the XPA-5 amp (wire I don't have an would have to buy), then run 4 more speaker wires right back over to the corner where the wall connection is for the surrounds.
With this new Emotiva Club thing going on, I now have a few options regarding what I do with the old XPA-2. It still has 3 years of warranty on it, so I could sell it. But, it has (1) bent RCA jack plug on the back. Still works, but it is bent. That could hamper a sale. So:
- My first idea was to send it to Emotiva and fix the RCA jack. They will fix it for free, but I have to pay freight both ways, which will probably be what, at least $50 if not more each way. Then either the buyer or me would have to pay for freight again, so now we are talking over $150 just in shipping. So let's say I sell it for $500. $100 freight for me will knock that income down to at least $400, and perhaps $350 if the buyer won't pay freight. That also doesn't include Paypal fees.
- Second thought was to sell the unit, have me pay the freight to Emotiva, Emotiva fixes it, then have the buyer pay the freight from Emotiva to them. This would save a freight charge. Or course this is a bit harder to work out, and I'd have to explain it to Emotiva. Could be done I'm sure. So if I sell it for $500, I would get to pocket about $450, minus Paypal fees.
- My third thought now is to just trade it in to Emotiva. Trade in's are only done during an upgrade, which is exactly what I would be doing, so at no other time could I do this with the XPA-2. During this month's special, they will pay for the return freight, and wave the trade in processing fee. They are giving $350 for the unit. $350 simple and done.
- Lastly, I could try and sell it local via Craig's list, but unless I could sell it fast, to someone who is willing to have a bent (probably considered broken by many) RCA plug, this idea is not good sure thing.
With the club in effect, and this months special of 20%
- I could get the $2200 worth of amps for $1808.40 ($1099 x 2 = $2200 x .80 = $1758.40 + $50 club charge = $1808.40). Subtract the trade in of $350, and I'm looking at $1458.40. Sell it and maybe get another $100 off tops, or $1358.40. Roughly $1400 for $2200 worth of amps. Knowing this, this is a good time to buy.
- Could always wait and buy used Gen 1 XPA-1's and save some coin. But I like new stuff, and Gen 2 has the class A and even more power. I'd rather have Gen 2 if I'm going to do this.
I know, that was a lot of long windedness for a bunch of crap basically saying nothing. Sorry.
But I'm seriously torn here on what to do. I can usually be fairly rational when it comes to spending $1500, but for these bad boys, I'm really having a hard time with it. I have already spent a TON of money in the last year on the new TV, cabinets, 20 amp fuse install, 2 more surround speakers wiring, and wall paint. But, it just seems like if I'm going to do it, this would be a good time to do so.
Thanks for any input you all can offer. I'm so confused.
Cheers ---- Bonzo
I currently run an XPA-2 for my main speakers, which have a sensitivity rating of 92. When I moved from the amp in my Denon receiver to the XPA-2, I could not hear any sound quality difference. But I stuck with the XPA-2 because I know it's a better piece of equipment, I've got more power available when needed, I have more piece of mind I'm not missing something, and I have male bragging rights. I know that last one is stupid, but it is what it is, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who has that same issue.
I think it's probably just about every audiophile's dream to have mono-blocks. Ever since I became acquainted with Emotiva, I've had my heart set on a pair of XPA-1s. Do I need them? Nope? Do I expect to hear any sound quality difference? Nope. Will it pretty much be a waste of money? Probably. Could I spend money on other more important stuff? Absolutely. Do I still want them? You bet cha. Wants and needs are 2 different things.
I am nearing the end of my new TV and equipment rack cabinets build, which has got me back on thinking about the upgrade again. I made the TV cabinet planning to house 2 XPA-1s, one on the right and one on the left. This unit is centered on the end wall with the TV on top. The plan is to put my XPA-5 in the bottom of the equipment rack, which is on the same wall, but way over in the right corner.
If I get the XPA-1's now I can:
- Install them once and be done with it all for quite some time. No moving things out at later date etc.
- Only have 1 run of long RCA cables to the amps (pre-amp is in the rack)
- Can have 2 very short speaker wire runs (and bi-wire direct since the XPA-1s are made for that)
- The TV stand will be balanced out both in looks and in weight
- Can install the XPA-5 right where I planned in the rack, next to the wall, which will allow for short RCA runs to the pre-amp (with cables I already have) and short speaker wire runs to the wall plug (for the surrounds)
If I stick with what I have I will have 2 options with the amp set up.
1. Put the XPA-2 in the TV stand alone. This helps with wires and allows for a more simple swap out if I ever get the XPA-1s in the future. But, I will want to compensate the TV stand balance issue, so I would need to add weights (I can get metal bars from work) to add to the other side. I could make a nice looking black box, and behind the perfed metal doors would probably look "okay." I woul still need to use my current speaker wires, which are about 9-10 feet long.
2. Put both the XPA-2 and the XPA-5 in the TV stand. Positively this fixes the weight and looks balance issue, and gives me more room in the equipment rack for other stuff. Negatively, if I ever upgrade it's going to be much more work with moving stuff around. It makes the wiring much more cumbersome, because I would have to run 5 RCA cables from the pre-amp to the XPA-5 amp (wire I don't have an would have to buy), then run 4 more speaker wires right back over to the corner where the wall connection is for the surrounds.
With this new Emotiva Club thing going on, I now have a few options regarding what I do with the old XPA-2. It still has 3 years of warranty on it, so I could sell it. But, it has (1) bent RCA jack plug on the back. Still works, but it is bent. That could hamper a sale. So:
- My first idea was to send it to Emotiva and fix the RCA jack. They will fix it for free, but I have to pay freight both ways, which will probably be what, at least $50 if not more each way. Then either the buyer or me would have to pay for freight again, so now we are talking over $150 just in shipping. So let's say I sell it for $500. $100 freight for me will knock that income down to at least $400, and perhaps $350 if the buyer won't pay freight. That also doesn't include Paypal fees.
- Second thought was to sell the unit, have me pay the freight to Emotiva, Emotiva fixes it, then have the buyer pay the freight from Emotiva to them. This would save a freight charge. Or course this is a bit harder to work out, and I'd have to explain it to Emotiva. Could be done I'm sure. So if I sell it for $500, I would get to pocket about $450, minus Paypal fees.
- My third thought now is to just trade it in to Emotiva. Trade in's are only done during an upgrade, which is exactly what I would be doing, so at no other time could I do this with the XPA-2. During this month's special, they will pay for the return freight, and wave the trade in processing fee. They are giving $350 for the unit. $350 simple and done.
- Lastly, I could try and sell it local via Craig's list, but unless I could sell it fast, to someone who is willing to have a bent (probably considered broken by many) RCA plug, this idea is not good sure thing.
With the club in effect, and this months special of 20%
- I could get the $2200 worth of amps for $1808.40 ($1099 x 2 = $2200 x .80 = $1758.40 + $50 club charge = $1808.40). Subtract the trade in of $350, and I'm looking at $1458.40. Sell it and maybe get another $100 off tops, or $1358.40. Roughly $1400 for $2200 worth of amps. Knowing this, this is a good time to buy.
- Could always wait and buy used Gen 1 XPA-1's and save some coin. But I like new stuff, and Gen 2 has the class A and even more power. I'd rather have Gen 2 if I'm going to do this.
I know, that was a lot of long windedness for a bunch of crap basically saying nothing. Sorry.
But I'm seriously torn here on what to do. I can usually be fairly rational when it comes to spending $1500, but for these bad boys, I'm really having a hard time with it. I have already spent a TON of money in the last year on the new TV, cabinets, 20 amp fuse install, 2 more surround speakers wiring, and wall paint. But, it just seems like if I'm going to do it, this would be a good time to do so.
Thanks for any input you all can offer. I'm so confused.
Cheers ---- Bonzo
? That would be the way to crank some Zep. 
Putting more hair brained money spending ideas in my head. Man, don't do that, I'm bad enough already. 
