XSP-1 Gen 2 owner opinion wanted

[novisnick]

Aug 6, 2014 18:20:30 GMT -5 jutta said:

I have an original USP-1 and ERC-1.
Seriously looking to upgrade to the XSP-1/ERC-3 combo and likely some XPA-1L amps on clearance prices (plus e-club)
Shipping is a hit to Australia but it is what it is.
Main point, am I going to hear a reasonable step up in sound quality going to that rig?
I'm thinking yes but would love to hear it from those who been there before me.
Cheers from down under.

I have your answer,,,,almost. Wish I knew what else you had. I have run the Oppo 103 to my DC-1 ( same DAC as the ERC-3 , just different configuration and two chips instead of one ) but basically the same sound. Then run balanced out to the XSP-1 gen 2 to a pair of XPA-1Ls and the setup is heaven brother from another!!!

I don't think you can miss. But if you do any PC music and have other inputs, such as a transport I would think about getting the DC-1 instead. Like I said, wish your sig was listed.
through thenDC-1 you can run all kinds of gear. Transport, PC audio, Cable, analog, it's very versatile.
let us know what you do or if you have more questions.

Nick

[novisnick]

Aug 5, 2014 18:59:41 GMT -5 DavidR said:

Thanks for the links.
I'm going to wait and see what they come out with for tube pre amps.
Very interesting thou.

I recently asked about tubes and passive speakers, I was told that their way back on the back burner, so don't hold your breath.
sorry, I wanted some glass as well but desided that the -1L price just couldn't be beat? I have a friend that will eventually buy them,,,,,he just doesn't know yet,,,,,he,,,,,he,,,,,,, his introduction to HiFi has been through my gear. He IS HOOKED for sure.

[jutta]

Aug 6, 2014 23:33:00 GMT -5 novisnick said:

Aug 6, 2014 18:20:30 GMT -5 jutta said:

I have an original USP-1 and ERC-1.
Seriously looking to upgrade to the XSP-1/ERC-3 combo and likely some XPA-1L amps on clearance prices (plus e-club)
Shipping is a hit to Australia but it is what it is.
Main point, am I going to hear a reasonable step up in sound quality going to that rig?
I'm thinking yes but would love to hear it from those who been there before me.
Cheers from down under.

I have your answer,,,,almost. Wish I knew what else you had. I have run the Oppo 103 to my DC-1 ( same DAC as the ERC-3 , just different configuration and two chips instead of one ) but basically the same sound. Then run balanced out to the XSP-1 gen 2 to a pair of XPA-1Ls and the setup is heaven brother from another!!!

I don't think you can miss. But if you do any PC music and have other inputs, such as a transport I would think about getting the DC-1 instead. Like I said, wish your sig was listed.
through thenDC-1 you can run all kinds of gear. Transport, PC audio, Cable, analog, it's very versatile.
let us know what you do or if you have more questions.

Nick

Updated the sig
If I wanted to use the Oppo as a CD transport I'd have just went the 105 I think.
I'd prefer the ERC-3/XSP-1 combo and match them with the XPA-1L's (I think).
Just trying to justify spending the $2000 to purchase the goods against the improvement in sound. Not to mention it looks great too!

Just heading home with my twin XS30's to hook up.
Moved my SVS PB12 Plus on last week to go to twins.

And building a house with a dedicated HT room - 140" scope screen and JVC PJ
Not big on streaming music from the PC. I'm a bit old school with my CD's still!!

[m8o]

Aug 3, 2014 10:15:47 GMT -5 DavidR said:

I was disappointed to see only one set of main outs. I don't need sub outs. Does anyone know if the sub main out can be configured as a main out for a 2nd amp. (I don't want to use splitter cables)

Can't the crossover be bypassed via switches on the back, and both sets of XLR OUT be configured to run an 'unmolested' full audio spectrum?

I'll jump on top of this and ask a question I then have: is there a 2nd output trim option? I do not believe so, but wanted to ask.

Also, by what technique is unbalanced input introduced to the differential circuit? I am looking to buy one. I plan to use balanced in and out. But also have a Perreaux TC2 tone control I plan to use via the processor loop ( big reason I would want this preamp ). So I'm curious by what type of circuitry is the now unbalanced signal reintroduced to the differential circuit.

Thanks for the informed replies.

[KeithL]

Both the main and sub outputs on the XSP-1 can be individually set to either "bass managed" or "full range" - so you can use them as two full range outputs.
(Note that there are independent settings for the LPF and HPF crossover frequencies on those outputs when they're set to be bass managed, but they do NOT have level trims.)

Starting with an unbalanced signal coming in an unbalanced input....
The signal is passed directly to the differential circuitry to make the "+ side" of the balanced signal.
And it is also passed through a unity gain inverting buffer to make the "- side" of the balanced signal.

Nov 1, 2016 11:32:05 GMT -5 m8o said:

Aug 3, 2014 10:15:47 GMT -5 DavidR said:

I was disappointed to see only one set of main outs. I don't need sub outs. Does anyone know if the sub main out can be configured as a main out for a 2nd amp. (I don't want to use splitter cables)

Can't the crossover be bypassed via switches on the back, and both sets of XLR OUT be configured to run an 'unmolested' full audio spectrum?

I'll jump on top of this and ask a question I then have: is there a 2nd output trim option? I do not believe so, but wanted to ask.

Also, by what technique is unbalanced input introduced to the differential circuit? I am looking to buy one. I plan to use balanced in and out. But also have a Perreaux TC2 tone control I plan to use via the processor loop ( big reason I would want this preamp ). So I'm curious by what type of circuitry is the now unbalanced signal reintroduced to the differential circuit.

Thanks for the informed replies.

[boomzilla]

Hi willcycle -

Having owned the XSP-1 multiple times (both generations one and two), I've compared the preamp to the sound of the system without the preamp again and again. My conclusion: NO difference.

Now that's a very good thing in one way - You get LOTS of switching, flexibility, tone controls, bass management, etc. without losing sound quality. This is EXACTLY what a good preamp should do (and what so many don't). But the XSP-1's strength is maybe also its biggest weakness - If you need none of the additional features, and you have but one source (as do I), then why do you need the preamp at all?

So IF you need the features of a preamp, you won't find a less expensive or more accurate option than the XSP-1 in my humble opinion. To buy anything more transparent, you'll have to spend 5x or more the price. And even then, the difference is so small that I probably couldn't hear it in the mythical "double-blind test." So my advice (worth, as always, every penny you're paying for it) is "buy with confidence."

Boomzilla

PS: Note that I have NOT heard the very-well-rated Parasound & Rotel preamps, which sell for close to the price of the XSP-1.

PPS: And don't discount (pun intended) the mighty Emotiva TP-100. It's 99% as good (but with fewer features) as the XSP-1 for a pittance of a price. In fact, if you don't need the bass management or the balanced circuitry, I'd say the TP is every bit as good sounding as the XSP. The ONLY reason I returned mine is because I decided that ultimately, I just didn't need it. But I often wish I'd kept it...

[roadster]

It's been several years since I've last posted on this forum. I love my XSP-1 Gen II, was one of the first to receive this second generation version. After a few years of use, I have only two quibbles to mention:

1) That HT bypass doesn't enable a pass-through with the unit in stanby mode.
2) That a seperate dim function (from the other inputs) isn't available in HT bypass. Since I'm not using the unit in this mode, I should be able to get the highest dimming set available to cut the glare in a dark room.

As for performance and flexability...I've yet to come accross a comparable unit that didn't cost at least twice as much or even more. After a long discussion with my local long term retailer, by invitation, I brought my unit in and we compared it in a reference system against a Bryston BP-17 and a McIntosh C48. A single word came out to describe how the XSP-1's signature compared to the two other units: WOW! We both concluded that the difference in total transparency, mid-range detail, low end definition and high end resolution was so small that the return on investment was extremely small. While the The Bryston was slightly more transparent and the McIntosh added a touch of warmth, the Emotiva sat somewhere in the middle.

Hats off to Lonnie and your team!