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Post by eurorom on Nov 14, 2014 23:16:23 GMT -5
I am in the market for a new amplifier and like the XPA 3 to power my front speakers, they are Niles Soudstage 2780 model they are rated at 90db's and 200watts at 6ohms. However would the XPA3 be as musical, soundstage as the XPA2? It seems also that the XPA 2 might be more detail oriented and more powerfull. I do have my main speakers crossed over at 80hz with a big SUV Sub 13.
I mainly watch movies at reference levels, but when I lessen to music I like to have the details, soundstage and accuracy of a 2 channel system.Should I save my pennies and get the MONO blocks with their 60 watts of class A! You thoughts!
Thank you1
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Post by deltadube on Nov 14, 2014 23:21:41 GMT -5
you could start off with the xpa 3 which will be a be jump in sq over an avr.. then save up for a nice set of xpa 1s.. which is another jump in sq but not as big..
funny that's what I did lol..
cheers..
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Post by repeetavx on Nov 15, 2014 0:07:06 GMT -5
For those interested in the XPA-3 breakdown, here it is: ----------------------------------------------------------- 8 ohm rating: 3 channels - 8 ohm = 200 watts per channel 2 channels - 8 ohm = 250 watts per channel 1 channels - 8 ohm = 300 watts per channel 4 ohm rating: 3 channels - 4 ohm = 300 watts per channel 2 channels - 4 ohm = 400 watts per channel 1 channels - 4 ohm = 500 watts per channel ----------------------------------------------------------- Source (it takes a few seconds to load) The xpa-2 has 12 output devices per channel (total 24 in amp) compared to 6 per channel of the xpa-5's (XPA-3). afaik, with more output devices per channel in parallel configuration will produce lower output impedance. lower output impedance means greater damping factor or the ability to control speakers cone movements better. that's why some people called the xpa-2 a faster amp or more dynamic amp. it's the same reason people said that solid state amps are more dynamic compared to tube amps although the quantity of power also plays a major role here. although i have an xpa-2 and biased about this, i would recommend an xpa-5 IF you're going to go for 5 channel. the bigger damping factor won't be useful if you put high pass filter to your speakers and the sub handling the low frequency. you can also choose bigger (less AWG) and shorter speaker cables to increase the damping factor. I had an XPA-2 for stereo music (and used in combo with an XPA-3 for HT) and I now have an XPA-5. I can honestly say I haven't noticed any difference for stereo music listening between the XPA-2 and the XPA-5. Cheers Gary You've already said that you'll be using a high pass filter with a sub woofer so you probably won't need the extra muscle of the XPA-2. Whether the XPA-2 would render better detail and a bigger sound stage with your speakers, in your room, is unpredictable. You'll have to use the 30 day trial period to find out. Or do what the rest of us do. Start with the smart affordable choice, and then realize that for just a little bit more, your could have done "better". From the Niles 2870 Manual website: So maybe an XPA-5 would work "better"  |
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Post by creimes on Nov 15, 2014 0:27:03 GMT -5
I have owned both a XPA-2 and XPA-5 gen 1 and with my speakers in my room could never tell a difference between them without using a sub, if you have everything under 80hz going to your sub than the XPA-3 is plenty IMO, you would benefit from better dynamics in your center channel as well, and like others have mentioned you coul grab a XPA-2 or some monos down the road and have the XPA-3 power the center and rears or just buy the XPA-5 and be done, the XPA-5 powered my system with ease and I like it loud at times, lets just say I could throw on the Nine Inch Nails blu-ray and crank it really loud drivin a Monitor Audio RX system without a hint of strain  Chad |
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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 15, 2014 5:37:02 GMT -5
I've never owned an XPA-3, but I found the XPA-5 just as impressive as the XPA-2. Both amps sounded amazing in my room, and I doubt that (particularly with a sub handling the <80 Hz. frequencies) I could tell any difference. So, in short, my experience is the same as Mr. Reimes.
Happy shopping!
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cawgijoe
Emo VIPs 
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 5,033
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Post by cawgijoe on Nov 15, 2014 7:47:34 GMT -5
I own the XPA-5 and a friend has the XPA-3. We both have Thiel speakers which require good power. Both amps are up to the task and sound wonderful.
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Post by eurorom on Nov 15, 2014 11:47:05 GMT -5
Wow! plenty of food for thought! Thank you all!
Since I have the great Niles Soundstage speakers all around in my home theater I think the Emo amplifiers will do my system good!
My reference level for movies is peaks at 105 db at the listening seat, I am presently using an old Outlaw Audio with Adcom gfa 555 on mains and Carver 1.0 on center and rear and another Carver on the surrounds! I like my system but is time to upgrade my amplifiers.
I am interested in the xp2, xp3 and the xp1l mono amplifier, I am interested in the xp1 mono because of the 35watts on class A and beacause hopefully I can get a better soundstage with details then the xp2 or xp3.
I am very close in making a decision and I like the prices and discounts going on right now!
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Post by repeetavx on Nov 15, 2014 12:49:49 GMT -5
Since your using those excellent speakers, I like the idea that your thinking about fully differential amplifiers with a usable class "A" range. Here's some more fact (opinion) for you to ponder from the thread " XPA-1L as fast as XPA-2, what about XPA-3" This caught my eye. From my understanding of amplifier designs, I do not believe that comparing the XPA-2's 12 output devices to the XPA-1L's 16 output devices (per channel) is a fair comparison. The reason being, on a "fully" differential design like the XPA-1L with a total of 16 output devices, 8 output devices are used for the positive output stage while 8 output devices are used for the negative output stage, the signals, 180 degrees out of phase from each other. ... In summation, the XPA-1L, XPA-1, and XPR-1 are quad differential (fully balanced) designs while the XPA-2 (and the XPA3/5) is a dual differential (single ended) design. As said, comparing the number of "total" output devices (per channel) from a quad differential design to a dual differential design, I don't believe is a fair comparison. As I stated in the summation of that thread: And if your interested in class "A" operation. The XPA-3 and XPA-5 have almost no class "A" operation, interestingly like the XPR-1. The XPA-2 has something like three to five watts of class "A" operation. The XPA-1L has 35 Watts while the new XPA-1 has 60 watts of class "A" operation. Most (not all) of the people here here, say that they have trouble hearing any difference between the class "A" and class "A/B" operation of these amplifiers. |
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Post by creimes on Nov 15, 2014 12:50:52 GMT -5
Wow! plenty of food for thought! Thank you all! Since I have the great Niles Soundstage speakers all around in my home theater I think the Emo amplifiers will do my system good! My reference level for movies is peaks at 105 db at the listening seat, I am presently using an old Outlaw Audio with Adcom gfa 555 on mains and Carver 1.0 on center and rear and another Carver on the surrounds! I like my system but is time to upgrade my amplifiers. I am interested in the xp2, xp3 and the xp1l mono amplifier, I am interested in the xp1 mono because of the 35watts on class A and beacause hopefully I can get a better soundstage with details then the xp2 or xp3. I am very close in making a decision and I like the prices and discounts going on right now! For me in my room with my gear and my ears I could never tell a difference switching my 1L's between Class A and Class A/B, my room is treated with acoustic panels and I did have very decent speakers with my MA RX6 towers, if I was to do it over again I would more than likely just use an XPA-5 for the HT setup or if money was more free flowing the XPR-5 would be awesome  , really it comes down to how much you want to spend to get close to or the same sound I know a guy that lives 2 hours from me that I purchased an XPA-2 gen1 from and he went from the Gen1 XPA-2 and XPA-5 to an XPR-2 and XPR-5 and really enjoys the upgrade, he runs Wilson Sofia Towers though haha. Chad |
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Post by Boomzilla on Nov 15, 2014 13:00:51 GMT -5
I now have the XPA-1L pair, which replaced my XPA-5. I think I hear a difference, but it's a vanishingly small one. As to the Class A/AB question on the 1Ls, I sometimes think I can hear a difference, but not consistently. To my ears, that's how close the amps are.
Boom
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stiehl11
Emo VIPs
Give me available light!
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Post by stiehl11 on Nov 15, 2014 13:17:28 GMT -5
For me, using my PC-9 full range, The XPA-2 provided a much better sound stage with more detail than the XPA-5 I was using when playing music (2-channel and multi-channel). The bass was tighter and more controlled while the high-end had more detail. Now, was it earth-shattering, oh-my-god, I've never heard anything like this? No. It wasn't on every disc, either. I found no difference in movies at all. Before someone brings up the "psycho-acoustical" argument; no, I didn't get the XPA-2 because I thought it would be some magnificent, awe-inspiring amp. I think if I did, I would have been disappointed. I only got it to move from 5-channel to 7. While a UPA-2 would have done the trick, I wanted to use as a 2-channel amp and did not want to use the UPA-2 as my 2-channel and my XPA-5 as my surround amp. It seemed counter intuitive. I asked Lonnie about the differences in sonic signature between the XPA-5 and XPA-2 back at Emofest in 2011 and he said that he felt that the XPA-2 had the most unique sonic signature of all the amps (at that time) with exception to the XPA-1. As with all things, YMMV. With your speakers crossed at 80Hz, mostly movies, and without knowledge of what genre of music you listen to (certain genres excel on the XPA-2, others not so much) I feel confident that you'll likely not hear a difference between the 2 amps.
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Post by garbulky on Nov 15, 2014 13:56:08 GMT -5
The XPA-2 s a darn good amp! It's fast.
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bcr
Minor Hero
added a XPR-5
Posts: 33 
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Post by bcr on Jan 9, 2015 21:19:50 GMT -5
If I had it all to do over again, I would go with the xpr for the 2 channel, and the xpa for the rest. don't get me wrong the xpa-3 and xpa-5 I have a very nice, but sometimes I like to crank 2 channel, and the clean power of the xpr would be just that little bit better. I am currently in the quandary of needing 11 channels. I have the top of the line Yamaha AVR {RX3040BL} it has 9.2 channels of amp power (which I don't use), but I do use the front height and front wide channels so 11 total channels. I am wondering if I should get the xpr-2 and use 2 channels of the Yamaha, or just get a xpa-2 {or xpa-3}. for the price difference it makes sense to get the xpa-3, so now I will have 2 of them. which is not a bad thing. but 20/20 I would have spent the extra to begin with and go all xpr. 2 xpr-5's and a xpr-2 and not use 1 channel (future proof). the new sound decode over atmos {9.1} will be the Arrau 11.1 But the few SACD's I have are great with the XPA's I have now, can crank them louder than I can handle, with no static absolutely 0 static, at around 107db. I keep a lock on the AVR so it will not go louder. {but could - I've never tried to go as loud as it could go, that's why the lock. (I'm serious) what would u fellows do?  I have a oppo bdp-103, but I'm selling it, to get the darbee version, as well a new sony xbr 65" 4K tv. already have a 120" & 92 screen for projector. but like the idea of 4k. thoughts please......... |
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Post by novisnick on Jan 9, 2015 21:42:27 GMT -5
(rofl)Please look at my sig!  Dont on waist your time,,,,,,,go straight for a set of XPR-1 MONOBLOCKS, an XPA-5 for center and surrounds and the Yamaha for the hights! DONE!!Perfect two channel and extremely great SACD, of course it'll only be perfect with your dream speakers,
but we all know That!
IMHO |
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bcr
Minor Hero
added a XPR-5
Posts: 33
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Post by bcr on Jan 9, 2015 22:21:48 GMT -5
not a bad idea, thanks for the thought.. I forgot the 3040 Yamaha has 11.2 preouts.. I will be using them all, that's the only difference between the 2040 {9.1)} other than the useless power (somethink like 25 or 50 watts per channel difference, not a big deal..
I had thought about monoblocks, but in the long haul I was more interested in the xpr-2. ideally I would just get 6 xpr-2's or 5 and a monoblock.
but remember I do have the xpa's currently, I can't just not use them... I have 1 xpa-5 and 1 xpa-3. I am thinking I will get 1 xpr-2 use the xpa's so that's that's 9 channels, so I just use 2 channels (zone2, or 3) for the presence channels (height) with least info sent to them so little power is needed. I think the wide channels get more info. or I could scrap the 3040 and get the elite sc89.. its just a thought, the RX3040 is being sent from Yamaha (as I type) I purchased earlier this afternoon, they did not stock them, so they (it) will be sent from factory. $2,000.00 but I have no issues with getting the sc89 (but no 11 channels) and its 3,000.00 (but runs cooler) and is in stock.
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bcr
Minor Hero
added a XPR-5
Posts: 33
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Post by bcr on Jan 10, 2015 0:57:20 GMT -5
Cant stand it no more, I am getting a XPR-2 and will be happy with it. will use it for mains, and the other channels I will use 7 of them using just 2 of the Yamahas 2 presence (wide) amps for the little that they will need to do, since most stuff is not in Dolby Atmos yet anyway. Granted I have like 30 of the 50 movies made with Atmos. the other movies I don't want.
Buying now. will say when the XPR-2 gets here.. looks like a back breaker.
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bcr
Minor Hero
added a XPR-5
Posts: 33
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Post by bcr on Jan 10, 2015 14:53:28 GMT -5
I changed my mind, I will get the XPR-5 so I have extra channels. but will have to add a 30 amp breaker, so I can use it for the other amps also.
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bcr
Minor Hero
added a XPR-5
Posts: 33
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Post by bcr on Jan 15, 2015 17:56:33 GMT -5
Dit it got the XPR-5
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Post by novisnick on Jan 15, 2015 18:01:00 GMT -5
Please let me know how " The Monster " sounds compared to the XPA-5 . I'm so jealous and happy for you. wish I had the cash and balls to buy one!!,,,,,,,,or should I tell y'all how I really feel!!   ,,,,he,,,he,,,,he,,, |
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Post by garbulky on Jan 15, 2015 18:01:04 GMT -5
I changed my mind, I will get the XPR-5 so I have extra channels. but will have to add a 30 amp breaker, so I can use it for the other amps also. Just so you know...you don't HAVE to add a 30 amp breaker for real world use. Unless you are playing at insane volumes, likely your circuit will handle it. |
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, really it comes down to how much you want to spend to get close to or the same sound 
I have a oppo bdp-103, but I'm selling it, to get the darbee version, as well a new sony xbr 65" 4K tv. already have a 120" & 92 screen for projector. but like the idea of 4k.
