Post by doctorcarl on Dec 1, 2014 20:04:09 GMT -5
Hi,
I have had my XPA-200 now for five days. I have it doing front L+R duty for NAD AVR which does a very nice job on its own in stereo but starts to run out of steam on 5.1, so I thought I'd get my feet wet and add some extra power to the front and see what happened.
I am very happy I have to say. The power amp has really set the whole rig free in a sense, since the AVR can direct its power into 3 channels now.
Right out of the box differences in SQ were subtle but the power gain was obvious immediately - not louder really just better and with more authority. In some cases e.g. Jack White with the Raconteurs (LOUD) there was a bit of harshness in the high end.
By yesterday the sound was warmer and starting to settle in nicely - of course I had to tweak many things in the DSP to get the best sound but overall the XPA-200 fitted in like it was always meant to be part of the setup.
Now stereo (really 2.`1) is really pumping and so far everything I have played sounds better than it used to, and anything I know to be well recorded it just more fun to be with. I have now listened to an eclectic range of music (rock, jazz, classical, folk, ambient....no metal or hip-hop) in all possible non-DSD formats up to 24/192 material and It's smiles all around.
Right now Beethoven Symphony No 6. played on period instruments is just magic - I feel like I'm listening to the music much more than hearing the gear that makes the music.
5.1 Channel music is wonderful this way. I tried out my Pink Floyd DSOTM SACD, The Beatles "Love" DVD-A, Talking Heads "Speaking in Tongues" DVD-A, King Crimson "Discipline" DVD-A, U2 Vertigo Tour DVD, all of them sound great, with none of the booming in the bass I used to have, just nice and tight thumps.
Movies so far: Prometheus BD, Apocalypse Now DVD - both excellent in dynamics and clarity and in immersion of the soundscape.
Well done Emotiva! Best value in terms of musical pleasure/$ I have ever encountered!
I have had my XPA-200 now for five days. I have it doing front L+R duty for NAD AVR which does a very nice job on its own in stereo but starts to run out of steam on 5.1, so I thought I'd get my feet wet and add some extra power to the front and see what happened.
I am very happy I have to say. The power amp has really set the whole rig free in a sense, since the AVR can direct its power into 3 channels now.
Right out of the box differences in SQ were subtle but the power gain was obvious immediately - not louder really just better and with more authority. In some cases e.g. Jack White with the Raconteurs (LOUD) there was a bit of harshness in the high end.
By yesterday the sound was warmer and starting to settle in nicely - of course I had to tweak many things in the DSP to get the best sound but overall the XPA-200 fitted in like it was always meant to be part of the setup.
Now stereo (really 2.`1) is really pumping and so far everything I have played sounds better than it used to, and anything I know to be well recorded it just more fun to be with. I have now listened to an eclectic range of music (rock, jazz, classical, folk, ambient....no metal or hip-hop) in all possible non-DSD formats up to 24/192 material and It's smiles all around.
Right now Beethoven Symphony No 6. played on period instruments is just magic - I feel like I'm listening to the music much more than hearing the gear that makes the music.
5.1 Channel music is wonderful this way. I tried out my Pink Floyd DSOTM SACD, The Beatles "Love" DVD-A, Talking Heads "Speaking in Tongues" DVD-A, King Crimson "Discipline" DVD-A, U2 Vertigo Tour DVD, all of them sound great, with none of the booming in the bass I used to have, just nice and tight thumps.
Movies so far: Prometheus BD, Apocalypse Now DVD - both excellent in dynamics and clarity and in immersion of the soundscape.
Well done Emotiva! Best value in terms of musical pleasure/$ I have ever encountered!
, so nice to see another one reaping the benefits.