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Post by vcautokid on Nov 12, 2014 14:11:36 GMT -5
If room is a factor the XPA-7 is a great solution. Otherwise I would use the RMB-1077 for your center, ans surrounds, The XPA-2 and XPA-3 for your BI amp solution. If it were me. The Rotel is a good amp. I'd keep it in your system in some capacity at least.
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Post by garbulky on Nov 12, 2014 18:36:50 GMT -5
Would your wife object to putting up some paintings? Because those room panels can come printed with artwork/photographs etc. See my link. There are two priorities and they don't usually mix - aesthetics and good sound. Sometimes they do...if you are lucky. But add in a third factor - keeping to a budget - and then the three become very hard to reconcile! So if one box is stopping you, then one box stops you. No way around it. For pure two channel: $1400 is a fair price. But honestly, I think it may be possible to talk him down to $1200 because it's local and he doesn't have to convince somebody else to pay for shipping. Either way those XPA-1's are pretty incredible. Add those XPA-1's, an XSP-1 and the oppo. I think you can get some nice sound. Your Classe will also integrate very nicely with the XSP-1. The oppo by itself lacks dynamics. The XSP-1 helps out in that area. The XPA-1 L's are also very nice
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Post by frenchyfranky on Nov 12, 2014 18:56:45 GMT -5
Budget? I'd like to keep it around $2K but I'd rather not spend more than I need to. The majority of the time we are watching directv but I do want to have the ability for real solid two channel listening. I'd rather not be a watt-hog driving up my electric bill for no reason either I have been offered a used pair of Gen 2 XPA-1's delivered for $1400. Does that seem reasonable? Does the warranty period go by the serial number I assume? When did the Gen 2's get introduced?I am not sure the wife would go for room treatments or removing the coffee table. Regarding behind the couch, that's a bay window with a full drawn full length pleated shade so that helps with the glass. I was pretty fortunate that the house and all the furnishing were mine as I've been a bachelor for the past 47 years. I am fortunate to have this room stay the way it is without any complaints The XPA-1L seems like a great choice too. Has anyone heard both the XPA-1 versus the XPA1-L? Any difference? I was thinking to eliminate the pre-amp all together and use just the Oppo as I really only use that for steraming/cd/dvds/netflix and I could plug my DirectTV receiver right into it. I am really quite pleased with that Oppo, the ESS Dac's are really nice which is why I don't really need the latest pre/pro either. The XPA-1s gen 2 was introduced this year or not more then before last christmas if my memory is good, so it must remain at least 4 years of waranty and at this price it's a good deal I think. Plus with this beast, you can drive the speakers you want.
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,222
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Post by novisnick on Nov 12, 2014 19:34:48 GMT -5
I'd like to parrot a lot of what has been said, SWEET ( all of it , I'd love to have your interior designer over for a dinner and makeover!! ) The XPA-1 gen 2 are a good deal and would be enough power IMHO,,,,, BUT as CEO of the MONOBLOCK SOCIETY ID love to beg you to place a set of these on either side of your speakers on a nice matching stand. Insert speakers here!! 8)
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fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
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Post by fmzip on Nov 12, 2014 21:17:33 GMT -5
Missed out on the used XPA-1's on Audiogon while setting up the Classe Pretty pleased with the first impressions of the Classe though. Will need to let it rip tomorrow when the wife is at work. Thanks on the compliments again on the room. I actually designed it, I came up with the concept for the center speaker stand and created the concept of the fireplace mantle. Had a wood worker friend build it all for me. The color scheme, rugs and artwork, I came up with it too, wife blessed it of f:) Our home has come a LONG way from when I first bought it
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Post by dally on Nov 12, 2014 21:49:11 GMT -5
Even if you remove the CD player, will XPA-1's fit in your rack? It looks like it might be a tight squeeze! You may need to go with 2 ru mono's like the XPA-100, or XPA-1L.
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fmzip
Minor Hero
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Post by fmzip on Nov 13, 2014 8:26:01 GMT -5
The XPA-1's will not fit on the rak for sure but they can fit in the closet right behind it. A bit bummed on the Classe I just bought, the sub signal doesn't work sending it back today I don't understand the XSP-1, how would one utilize that without AD conversion inputs? I'd really like to get a silky smooth preamp, suggestions?? I don't need any video switching hdmi inputs etc.
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Post by garbulky on Nov 13, 2014 12:18:31 GMT -5
The XPA-1's will not fit on the rak for sure but they can fit in the closet right behind it. A bit bummed on the Classe I just bought, the sub signal doesn't work sending it back today I don't understand the XSP-1, how would one utilize that without AD conversion inputs? I'd really like to get a silky smooth preamp, suggestions?? I don't need any video switching hdmi inputs etc. Gotcha. So you're question is where is the digital stuff. Answer - there is none. The XSP-1 has no "processing" for video or decoding digital audio. No DAC's whatsoever. It's not a classe. It's purely a 2 channel analog volume control, subwoofer control, and switcher. What it allows you to do is two big things 1. Even though it doesn't seem to make sense, it's supposed to make your two channel performance better. Provide a better output in general - vs say a DAC (digital to analog converter) connected directly to an amp. So for instance when you turn the volume up, it will get louder and more enjoyable vs louder and maybe a little harsher or more congested. On some (but not all) DAC's, like the oppo I found the dynamics direct to amp were a little lackluster. The XSP-1 simply took the signal by the b*lls and pushed it out to the amp. A lot more lively dynamic sound. Now keep in mind that's my opinion, some people can't believe the sound can actually improve over the source. 2. Keep the systems separate (2 channel and Home theater) and switch instantly with a push of a button. So this way if you have a high quality 2 channel stereo dac, then it is electrically isolated from a (presumably) lower performing multichannel processor. The high quality two channel signal does not have to travel through the home theater processor to get to you. Instead both connect separately to the XSP-1. And it stays isolated. You switch between the two instantly by selecting inputs. Minor note: 3. The XSP-1 is fully balanced. if you have a fully balanced signal it will stay fully balanced on its journey to your XPA-1's (which are also fully balanced). This cuts down on a certain type of distortion. How it integrates is - your multichannel processor - connects to the HT bypass. And your 2 channel system (in this case the oppo 105) connects to the XLR balanced input on the XSP-1. When you are listening to movies, you simply press HT bypass and control the volume on your classe. When you want to listen to two channel only, you press the input assigned to your oppo.
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fmzip
Minor Hero
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Post by fmzip on Nov 13, 2014 13:42:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the explanation.... So how exactly would I hook this up to my Anthem AVM-20 instead? Maybe this would be the solution to my two channel needs. Right now I have the 5.1 Analog coming out of the Oppo into the AVM-20. I also have the balanced out from the Oppo going to AVM-20. I understand that gets connected to the XSP-1 instead. Can you expand by input as to what/how "your multichannel processor - connects to the HT bypass" please? Here's the pdf on the connections to the back of my AVM: www.anthemav.com/downloads/AVM20_v2_1_Manual.pdfDoes the Analog out from the AVM go into the XSP-1 and then out of the XSP into the amp/amps?
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Post by garbulky on Nov 13, 2014 13:59:00 GMT -5
Gotcha. Okay looks like you kind of got things backwards. The point of a processor IS to decode multichannel audio from say an HDMI cable and sending it outputs. If it's not decoding multichannel, I'm not sure why you have it. Is it for some bass management or room correction or soemthing? Because currently it looks like the Oppo is decoding the multichannel and sending it to the AVM for a reason I don't understand. Anyway, disregarding that. Here's how you do it. The XLR balanced from the oppo goes into the XLR inputs (Balanced 1) via XLR. Now you have to make a decision. Pick 1 or 2. 1. If you want to keep the AVM in the loop: Then whatever 5.1 outputs come out of the AVM go into the place where it says Home theater on XSP-1. So if you look at the XSP-1 figure it has HT inputs for the front left and right. And also input for the 0.1 (subwoofer channel) of the HT. Connect only those to the XSP-1. Then the reamining outputs goes to your rotel. 2. if you want to keep the AVM out of the loop: Then whatever 5.1 outputs come out of the Oppo go into the place where it says Home theater. So if you look at the XSP-1 figure it has HT inputs for the front left and right. And also input for the 0.1 (subwoofer channel) of the HT. Connect only those to the XSP-1. Then the reamining outputs goes to your rotel. When you are watching a movie: click on the HT bypass button on the remote of the XSP-1. Then control the volume like you usually would using your Oppo or AVM (Depending on if the AVM is in the loop or not. If you kept the avm, then use the AVM to control the volume). So in HT bypass mode - the XSP-1 PASSES THROUGH THE SIGNAL AND DOESN"T CONTROL THE VOLUME. This is how it integrates the home theater with two channel mode. When you are listening to stereo click input 1 on the XSP-1 and control the volume from the XSP-1. Now the XSP-1 no longer just passes the signal but actively controls the volume. Meanwhile the XSP-1 will connect to your front two channels on your rotel (or whatever amp you get) AND to your subwoofer. And the other channels in the 5.1 that are not connected to the XSP-1 will connect like they usually do to your amp. Hope that makes sense.
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fmzip
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Post by fmzip on Nov 13, 2014 14:30:35 GMT -5
Thank you Garbulky....
Just to clarify:
"1. If you want to keep the AVM in the loop: Then whatever 5.1 outputs come out of the AVM go into the place where it says Home theater on XSP-1. So if you look at the XSP-1 figure it has HT inputs for the front left and right. And also input for the 0.1 (subwoofer channel) of the HT. Connect only those to the XSP-1. Then the reamining outputs goes to your rotel. "
So it's not 5.1 coming out of the AVM, it's just 2.1 left right and sub that get connected to the XSP-1?. I'd adjust the crossover accordingly on the back of the unit which would then play 2.1? When I bypass, the Rotel takes over?
Do the center and surround outputs from the AVM simply stay connected to the AMP as they are now?
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Post by garbulky on Nov 13, 2014 14:38:17 GMT -5
Thank you Garbulky.... Just to clarify: "1. If you want to keep the AVM in the loop: Then whatever 5.1 outputs come out of the AVM go into the place where it says Home theater on XSP-1. So if you look at the XSP-1 figure it has HT inputs for the front left and right. And also input for the 0.1 (subwoofer channel) of the HT. Connect only those to the XSP-1. Then the reamining outputs goes to your rotel. " So it's not 5.1 coming out of the AVM, it's just 2.1 left right and sub that get connected to the XSP-1?. I'd adjust the crossover accordingly on the back of the unit which would then play 2.1? When I bypass, the Rotel takes over?
Do the center and surround outputs from the AVM simply stay connected to the AMP as they are now? Yes. the 2.1 OUT of the 5.1 cables. The others (center and surround goes from the AVM to the rotel.). All the connections will eventually go to the Rotel. Think of it like the XSP-1 acts as an inbetween for the 2.1 between your AVM and the Rotel. And also an inbetween between the Oppo and Rotel. As for subwoofer cross over do the crossover however you like on the AVM. However eventually the XSP-1 will be the eventual crossover deicider (your Subwoofer will ONLY connect to the XSP-1's subwoofer output).
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Post by ncred02 on Nov 13, 2014 17:27:40 GMT -5
Prepare yourself for a lot of different answers on this and Wow what a awesome looking room ! agree, what a room. BTW what are you watching? I likey
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fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
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Post by fmzip on Nov 13, 2014 20:19:27 GMT -5
Gotcha. Okay looks like you kind of got things backwards. The point of a processor IS to decode multichannel audio from say an HDMI cable and sending it outputs. If it's not decoding multichannel, I'm not sure why you have it. Is it for some bass management or room correction or soemthing? Because currently it looks like the Oppo is decoding the multichannel and sending it to the AVM for a reason I don't understand. Just to clarify. The processor currently handles the digital out of the Oppo (coax), Directv (toslink), Duneplayer (toslink) & 400disc DVD Changer (Coax). I also have the 5.1 analog out of Oppo connected to the AVM since I thought the Oppo's analog section was better than the AVM. Does that make sense?
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fmzip
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Post by fmzip on Nov 13, 2014 21:13:55 GMT -5
Are there any specific Amps that supposedly work better with the XSP-1 ? Like my Anthem pro has balanced outputs but my Rotel does not have balanced inputs. I assume it's not necessary to go balanced all the way?
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Post by garbulky on Nov 13, 2014 21:36:04 GMT -5
Gotcha. Okay looks like you kind of got things backwards. The point of a processor IS to decode multichannel audio from say an HDMI cable and sending it outputs. If it's not decoding multichannel, I'm not sure why you have it. Is it for some bass management or room correction or soemthing? Because currently it looks like the Oppo is decoding the multichannel and sending it to the AVM for a reason I don't understand. Just to clarify. The processor currently handles the digital out of the Oppo (coax), Directv (toslink), Duneplayer (toslink) & 400disc DVD Changer (Coax). I also have the 5.1 analog out of Oppo connected to the AVM since I thought the Oppo's analog section was better than the AVM. Does that make sense? Ah okay that's why you were using the avm because you have other sources. That makes sense. Leave that in the loop then. No it's not necessary to buy a new amp JUST to go fully balanced. That shouldn't be the deciding factor. However, the XPA-1's are fully balanced Also the XPA-3 accept XLR inputs Fully balanced does cut down on distortion the whole path. But it's not esential. Some people can't hear a difference. Just desirable. I don't think the oppo is fully balanced though it does have XLR outputs.
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Post by jking on Nov 13, 2014 22:56:55 GMT -5
NICE space, I so want my own place one day, very clean and beautiful color scheme! Oh amps, I think your B&W's would be happy with solid 200 wpc. I use to own the 802N HTMS Center, 805N and the XPA-5 was plenty power for my 20 X 14 X 9.5 height ceiling! Good luck Dan I would buy the biggest amps you can afford. B&W speakers love power , I went from 150 real RMS power to 450 RMS and what a difference it made first on the XT4s and now on the 804s which I have bi amped. Your never know when you might want to buy new speakers or go up a step on the B&W line like I did , buying the biggest now can save you from having to do it later. Nice setup. BTW you do not pay for electric unless you use it. A 450 watt amp will use no more power then a 150 watt amp unless you drive it harder. I have a meter on my coffee table that reads total power being used at any time and you can see it go up when you really crank up the volume but it also drops as soon as you lower the volume. My Plasma TV uses more KW over the evening then my 7-450 amp.
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fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
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Post by fmzip on Nov 14, 2014 8:21:38 GMT -5
Thanks for the explanation Garbulky...
JKing, what amp/amps are you using to power your B&W's?
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Post by bluemeanies on Nov 14, 2014 8:28:50 GMT -5
Gotcha. Okay looks like you kind of got things backwards. The point of a processor IS to decode multichannel audio from say an HDMI cable and sending it outputs. If it's not decoding multichannel, I'm not sure why you have it. Is it for some bass management or room correction or soemthing? Because currently it looks like the Oppo is decoding the multichannel and sending it to the AVM for a reason I don't understand. Anyway, disregarding that. Here's how you do it. The XLR balanced from the oppo goes into the XLR inputs (Balanced 1) via XLR. Now you have to make a decision. Pick 1 or 2. 1. If you want to keep the AVM in the loop: Then whatever 5.1 outputs come out of the AVM go into the place where it says Home theater on XSP-1. So if you look at the XSP-1 figure it has HT inputs for the front left and right. And also input for the 0.1 (subwoofer channel) of the HT. Connect only those to the XSP-1. Then the reamining outputs goes to your rotel. 2. if you want to keep the AVM out of the loop: Then whatever 5.1 outputs come out of the Oppo go into the place where it says Home theater. So if you look at the XSP-1 figure it has HT inputs for the front left and right. And also input for the 0.1 (subwoofer channel) of the HT. Connect only those to the XSP-1. Then the reamining outputs goes to your rotel. When you are watching a movie: click on the HT bypass button on the remote of the XSP-1. Then control the volume like you usually would using your Oppo or AVM (Depending on if the AVM is in the loop or not. If you kept the avm, then use the AVM to control the volume). So in HT bypass mode - the XSP-1 PASSES THROUGH THE SIGNAL AND DOESN"T CONTROL THE VOLUME. This is how it integrates the home theater with two channel mode. When you are listening to stereo click input 1 on the XSP-1 and control the volume from the XSP-1. Now the XSP-1 no longer just passes the signal but actively controls the volume. Meanwhile the XSP-1 will connect to your front two channels on your rotel (or whatever amp you get) AND to your subwoofer. And the other channels in the 5.1 that are not connected to the XSP-1 will connect like they usually do to your amp. Hope that makes sense. garbulky....just had to drop a line to you after helping said forum member with his system. I think you are a very knowledgeable person and one hell of a nice guy to take the time to help like you are doing in this post. I personnelly like doing things the hard way. LOL Reading the manual..at least the first two pages and then jumping right in with the hands on method. Glad there people like yourself to lend a helping hand and are generous with their time. Good job garbulky!
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Post by garbulky on Nov 14, 2014 9:36:41 GMT -5
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