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Post by mhm2526 on Jul 31, 2014 20:48:33 GMT -5
If you are, like I was, considering a pair of XPA-1s but worried that you would not be able to discern "substantial" improvements, rest easy. The improvements are there - and they are substantial. My "old" system: USP-1, XPA-200, HK CD changer and Maggie 1.7s. I listen to a mix of styles from smooth jazz (Fourplay, Diana Krall), some classical, standards (Jane Monheit, Steve Tyrell) and adult contemporary, rock, country, you name it, all at moderate levels (70-80ish db). Ordered a pair of the 1s with the e-club 20% discount and they arrived unharmed on Thursday (more about that later). Everything in my old system remains the same except for the 1s. Hooked them up, turned the system on, enjoyed watching the two behemoths time in and then put on some CDs I had just been listening to while unpacking the new amps. I do not have the credentials or experience of some of you long-time audiophiles, but I do know change when I can hear it, and the changes were all very noticeable; almost dramatic. The "chills up your spine" kind. I don't know if the improvements were because of the Class "A" or the abundant power available or a combination of the two, but my Maggies were singing like never before. Overall, the sound seemed warmer - I'm guessing because of seemingly fuller bass and more present midrange. Highs were definitely better: delicate glissando/shimmer (not sure I'm describing this correctly) on cymbals on Fourplay's "X" in quieter passages that I had never noticed before now. I've read you guys here saying the 1s' sound is "effortless." I second that opinion. Keep in mind this is compared to the XPA-200 with "only" 240 watts. Really a big difference (the XPA-200 is no slouch, but this is definitely in a different league entirely). Bottomline to you folks considering the XPA1s is that I doubt very much you will be disappointed - especially if you are moving up from a significantly less powerful amp. If I had known how sweet these are I would not have wrung my hands for several months reading all I could about the XPR-2, the XPA-1L the XPA-2 and the 1s. No regrets here. None at all.
Advice regarding delivery: Emotiva shipped via UPS with two separate shipments and tracking numbers. They verify shipment to you by two emails - one for each shipment. Don't mistakenly conclude, as I did, that both amps were in one shipment (I thought the "extra" email was a duplicate and never checked the tracking number) . Since I was not going to be at home on the date of delivery I called UPS to arrange pickup at UPS. You can see what's coming, right? UPS happily obliged. Of course I only told them about one tracking number. When I went to pick up my prizes I was more than a little surprised when the lady wheeled out only one. While I was still in shock and trying to figure out how to get stereo out of a single-channel amp, the UPS lady suggested there might be another tracking number, Yep. The other amp was waiting at home outside the garage. Lesson learned. Blood pressure receded to normal levels. The rest was fun.
Beautiful amps. Wonderful sound. |
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Post by deltadube on Jul 31, 2014 21:03:49 GMT -5
welcome to the forum... I love my xpa 1s too!
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Post by paintedklown on Jul 31, 2014 21:18:18 GMT -5
I have Gen 1 XPA-1s and love them to death! Excellent choice, and welcome to the forum.  |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223 
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Post by novisnick on Jul 31, 2014 21:32:22 GMT -5
So glad you found the nut house,,,,he,,,he,,,,he,,,,,
Great bunch of people here!!
I've made a lot of great friends here, there's a lot of open hearts and minds.
Nick
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Post by audiofile on Aug 1, 2014 19:43:43 GMT -5
My XPA-1's opened up my music to new levels and they've never let me down. I thoroughly enjoy them and I hope you enjoy yours as well for years to come.
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Post by deltadube on Aug 1, 2014 20:02:05 GMT -5
My XPA-1's opened up my music to new levels and they've never let me down. I thoroughly enjoy them and I hope you enjoy yours as well for years to come. my xpa 1s gen 1s did the same.. and then adding the xsp 1 took it up another notch too!!!! cheers |
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Post by jackpine on Aug 1, 2014 20:42:24 GMT -5
I know someone who recently got some some XPA1's and a XSP1 for his 20.1 Maggies. Sounded really good, extremely close to to the much more expensive pre and monoblocks he was running. He commented to me that he prefers the sound running them class A on good recordings and class AB typical recordings.
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kse
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Hello me, meet the real me.
Posts: 1,947
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Post by kse on Aug 1, 2014 21:18:35 GMT -5
Man, after reading this thread I'd like to buy a set myself! No seriously, if they weren't so damn big and heavy, I'd have a pair........maybe. |
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Post by deltadube on Aug 1, 2014 22:12:53 GMT -5
Man, after reading this thread I'd like to buy a set myself! No seriously, if they weren't so damn big and heavy, I'd have a pair........maybe. just do it.. added bonus free membership in the mono block society... see nick for details.. cheers |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Aug 1, 2014 22:18:45 GMT -5
A set of MONOBLOCKS will set your speakers FREE!!!!!
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Post by deltadube on Aug 1, 2014 22:24:27 GMT -5
A set of MONOBLOCKS will set your speakers FREE!!!!! I couldn't find my free speakers...? |
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kse
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Post by kse on Aug 1, 2014 22:33:59 GMT -5
Man, after reading this thread I'd like to buy a set myself! No seriously, if they weren't so damn big and heavy, I'd have a pair........maybe. just do it.. added bonus free membership in the mono block society... see nick for details.. cheers Hey, I thought I was in the club...?  |
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Post by wizardofoz on Aug 1, 2014 22:39:29 GMT -5
I had 5 of them at one point now down to 1 just for the centre...a XPA-5G2's drives the left and right (one per channel with 4 active channels direct to each of the driver ranges) yes that 8 X 300 in to 4Ohms 4 for the left and 4 for the right. www.linkwitzlab.com/LX521/Description.htm and 2 left over XPA-5 channels do surround for 5.0 (no sub required - just for MC music/ BR concert disks Still have 4 UPA-1's they're great too and I use those for the other speaker pairs I have (ERM-1's and Yamaha NS1000M's) The Maggies love a bit of GRUNT when it comes to amps I told...so GOOD CALL |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223
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Post by novisnick on Aug 1, 2014 22:55:11 GMT -5
A set of MONOBLOCKS will set your speakers FREE!!!!! I couldn't find my free speakers...? You must have left the window open,,,,he,,,,he,,,,he,,,,  |
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Post by wizardofoz on Aug 2, 2014 5:01:39 GMT -5
if they come back they are yours to keep |
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cgolf
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Post by cgolf on Aug 2, 2014 7:17:03 GMT -5
just do it.. added bonus free membership in the mono block society... see nick for details.. cheers Hey, I thought I was in the club...? |
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Post by mhm2526 on Aug 2, 2014 7:20:00 GMT -5
Thanks for all the comments, folks. I am enjoying the amps with my Maggies - have not tried A/B yet, but will today. Hey, KSE, don't let the size/weight stop you; I set mine on small rolling loading carts ($33 each from Harbor Tools). Works great - I can roll them in and out of position with no sweat or liniment at all; also easier to get to the backside to hook 'em up. Of course getting them upstairs into the house and unpacking them was a chore, but once on the carts it was easy to roll them wherever I needed(the carts keep the amps off the carpeted floor, too). XSP-1 next, but please don't encourage me.
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Post by vcautokid on Aug 2, 2014 7:27:48 GMT -5
Congrats to your XPA-1 purchase. They are a remarkable amplifier product. Allot of musical performance for allot less than everyone else wants, that is for sure.
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kse
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Post by kse on Aug 2, 2014 9:49:12 GMT -5
XSP-1 next, but please don't encourage me. The XSP-1 is fantastic! You need one.... You want to be a part of that club too, don't you?  |
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Post by deltadube on Aug 2, 2014 11:14:42 GMT -5
just do it.. added bonus free membership in the mono block society... see nick for details.. cheers Hey, I thought I was in the club...? sorry about that! |
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