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Post by brutiarti on Dec 16, 2014 23:49:51 GMT -5
Folks, I recently replaced a Parasound A23 with an XPA-2 to drive my Dali Helicons 300 4ohm and 86db sensitivity. I liked the A23 very much at low volumes but after cranking the volume up a little bit the A23 was all over the place. I was looking to get the A21 but I decide to give the emotiva a chance and Im quite impressed with the XPA-2. I got control over the bass and better definition with higher volumes but I feel than I could get a little better clarity and instrument separation. I know that I can get that for more money but I wonder if the XPR-2 will do the trick. Please help me with some feedback
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Post by Gary Cook on Dec 17, 2014 0:11:24 GMT -5
My suggestion would be a pair of XPA-1L's, located as close to the speakers as possible using short speaker cables. Connect the XPA-1L to the Parasound P3 using a pair of suitable length XLR's.
Cheers Gary
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Post by brutiarti on Dec 17, 2014 0:24:32 GMT -5
My suggestion would be a pair of XPA-1L's, located as close to the speakers as possible using short speaker cables. Connect the XPA-1L to the Parasound P3 using a pair of suitable length XLR's. Cheers Gary Thanks Gary, I thought about the monoblocks but I really don't want to change speaker wires and I found that both XPA-1 and 1L have the speaker terminals far apart. Any opinions on the XPR-2?
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Dec 17, 2014 0:24:42 GMT -5
Folks, I recently replaced a Parasound A23 with an XPA-2 to drive my Dali Helicons 300 4ohm and 86db sensitivity. I liked the A23 very much at low volumes but after cranking the volume up a little bit the A23 was all over the place. I was looking to get the A21 but I decide to give the emotiva a chance and Im quite impressed with the XPA-2. I got control over the bass and better definition with higher volumes but I feel than I could get a little better clarity and instrument separation. I know that I can get that for more money but I wonder if the XPR-2 will do the trick. Please help me with some feedback Absolute controll is how I describe what the XPR-1s do for all of the speakers I've ever played with them. Tight tweeters and a strangle hold bass! Controll the drivers like a rag doll. Total domination of each driver, getting the a salute best out of each one. I think you would have to spend a ton more dollars to reach this level of perfection in an amp that also looks this good!! As you have already guessed, I'm not a fan of stereo amps, MONOBLOCKS are the way to go for any two channel system in my house. Even with all the promise of Emotivas newest amp I just couldn't beli in it. It's a two channel amp and sure is good looking but in my mind ,can not begin to rival the XPR-1s. Not even close,,,,,but what do I know? We we all have our own thoughts and opinions and the ultimate decision will be yours. In closing, I don't believe sensitivity or room size has any bearing on just how great these amps are. IMHO!
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Dec 17, 2014 0:28:22 GMT -5
Cabling is a poor excuse for not at least hearing MONOBLOCKs. Just my two cents I've heard that the XPR-2'is an admirable amp. Wait for Boomzilla to weigh in, he's owned both XPA-1Ls and a XPR-2, never a XPR-1 set though, unless I'm mistaken.
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Post by brutiarti on Dec 17, 2014 0:29:28 GMT -5
Folks, I recently replaced a Parasound A23 with an XPA-2 to drive my Dali Helicons 300 4ohm and 86db sensitivity. I liked the A23 very much at low volumes but after cranking the volume up a little bit the A23 was all over the place. I was looking to get the A21 but I decide to give the emotiva a chance and Im quite impressed with the XPA-2. I got control over the bass and better definition with higher volumes but I feel than I could get a little better clarity and instrument separation. I know that I can get that for more money but I wonder if the XPR-2 will do the trick. Please help me with some feedback Absolute controll is how I describe what the XPR-1s do for all of the speakers I've ever played with them. Tight tweeters and a strangle hold bass! Controll the drivers like a rag doll. Total domination of each driver, getting the a salute best out of each one. I think you would have to spend a ton more dollars to reach this level of perfection in an amp that also looks this good!! As you have already guessed, I'm not a fan of stereo amps, MONOBLOCKS are the way to go for any two channel system in my house. Even with all the promise of Emotivas newest amp I just couldn't beli in it. It's a two channel amp and sure is good looking but in my mind ,can not begin to rival the XPR-1s. Not even close,,,,,but what do I know? We we all have our own thoughts and opinions and the ultimate decision will be yours. In closing, I don't believe sensitivity or room size has any bearing on just how great these amps are. IMHO! Thanks novisnick! Actually the XPR-1 have the speaker terminals closer so if they are like you are saying probably is worth the extra expense
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Dec 17, 2014 0:39:02 GMT -5
Absolute controll is how I describe what the XPR-1s do for all of the speakers I've ever played with them. Tight tweeters and a strangle hold bass! Controll the drivers like a rag doll. Total domination of each driver, getting the a salute best out of each one. I think you would have to spend a ton more dollars to reach this level of perfection in an amp that also looks this good!! As you have already guessed, I'm not a fan of stereo amps, MONOBLOCKS are the way to go for any two channel system in my house. Even with all the promise of Emotivas newest amp I just couldn't beli in it. It's a two channel amp and sure is good looking but in my mind ,can not begin to rival the XPR-1s. Not even close,,,,,but what do I know? We we all have our own thoughts and opinions and the ultimate decision will be yours. In closing, I don't believe sensitivity or room size has any bearing on just how great these amps are. IMHO! Thanks novisnick! Actually the XPR-1 have the speaker terminals closer so if they are like you are saying probably is worth the extra expense My friend, I've owned a few amps and to me they are worth every last penny, these were a burden to me to purchase and I've never owned the best of anything until now. That's how much these amps mean to me and in such high regard I hold them. Edit; they look so much better in person than any picture could ever do for them! Artwork is what comes to my mind, a true testament to Lonnie , Big Dan and the Emo team!
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Post by garbulky on Dec 17, 2014 0:50:38 GMT -5
I've heard the XPA-1 L's and though they are fantastic, I'm not sure if that's necessary the route I would go. The XPR-2 adds a slight bit of laid back feel to the sound. If you ever heard an XPA-200 or a UPA-2 or 1 then that's the sound signature it has - just a bit better. It's a bit warmer in the mid-range and has a slightly laid back treble. It has a 3d like sound to it and a certain ease of power behind it. Basically instruments have a bit better of a 3 dimensional body to it. Now I won't lie, the best sound I have ever heard is this: an oppo 105 connected to an XSP-1 to an XPR-2 to an axiom m80 V4 with a PSA XV15 subwoofer. I've also heard it with the XPA-1 L's subsitituted and have also heard the XPA-2 connected to axiom m80's before. Now there is a sound signature difference between the XPR-2 and the XPA-2, but it's not necessarily going to be the kind of large difference you are likely looking for/expecting to. Neither is the XPA-1 L and the XPR-2 that huge of a difference. How I would classify it is as two different flavors. But not as a winner and loser. Sort of asking do you like strawberry or vanilla. Now..... in terms of electronics what makes a difference: Your DAC! Absolutely. The ERC-2 can be bettered. Just so you know. If there was a bottleneck it would be the ERC-2. But you dont have to get rid of it. You can use it as a capable transport to a nice DAC. Of the DAC's I've tried (note there has been a bit of controversy in my impressions that members have commented on. But nevertheless these are my honest impressions: The Oppo 105 has produced the best sound I have heard - but ONLY when coupled to a capable pre-amp and not direct to a large power amp. It has a whole lot of capability in producing an open very dynamic sound. I couldn't identify any fault to this fantastic unit other than it needed an XSP-1 to wake up. The DC-1 sounds really good - in my system. It had a significantly less impressive showing in large room. Though I haven't tried a third room, I would recommend it but not for systems that are in large rooms. It's strength is a 3d like body to instruments and a nice left to right soundstage. However it's not as open and airy sounding as the oppo 105 having a slight veil to treble freqencies (though it has nice clarity to it). I think either of these units will be an upgrade to the ERC-2. The ERC-2 has similar internals to the XDA-1. Which though used to be a nice dac (I have one) is now supplaneted by the dacs I mentioned. These dacs have more presence, better soundstage integration and less treble glare. Pre-amp: A pre-amp can make clarity feel just a bit "squashed sounding/compressed". For instance a USP-1 to an XPA-2 sounded very dynamic, but it had a slight electronic-ish feel to it. Something about the tone was off, and the mid range seemed "agressive" or squashed together. It still felt clear but it just felt that it was just not as relaxed as it should have been. It's possible that your parasound p5 may be affecting the tone of your system in this way. The XSP-1 has really good balance between treble, midrange and bass. It has a slight laid back nature in the treble but only slightly. It expands the soundstage compared to dac direct to amp (which is a good thing) and has a very nice solid feel to the sound with all kinds of details. It was part of a system that easily took the best sound I have heard award and it was an integral part of providing it. I guess what I'm saying is that if you want to experiment: try out an oppo 105 and an XSP-1 on a 30 day trial to see if that would help any. BUT..... Having said that. That's usually not the issues that will fix things as much as these. 1. Room treatment. If you haven't done this already, you owe it to yourself. Throwing money at better stuff will not cause reflections to go away. They will hang around muddying up the brilliant sound of your gear like a leech. A leech of enjoyment! Even ONE acoustic panel placed behind your couch can help. It sure helped my room! (More is better). You don't have to be an expert! Just sticking it where you can helps! I promise! Different colors, comes as paintings if you want to spend the money etc. www.atsacoustics.com/item--ATS-Acoustic-Panel-24-x-48-x-2--1001.htmlNot even joking here. Get you some panels! Also....got wood floors? GET CARPET. Area rugs. Whatever! Cover it up however you are able to. Got large glass windows? Heavy drapes. And last of all - speaker positioning. AND couch positioning. A couch right against the rear wall will result in lackluster flat sound. Speakers pushed all the way back to the wall or obstructed by side couches coffee tables will also have muddied up sound. Toe in probably makes a bigger difference than anything I've mentioned. So let me mention that again. Experiment a LOT with toe in! Experiment with spreading your speakers farther apart. (Toe in goes hand to hand with spreading them far apart). Etc. The non-electronic stuff is MUCH cheaper to implement and also MUCH more effective even though it sounds boring and unlikely to succeed. Also....want a bit more depth. Invest in a nice subwoofer if you don't already have it. Solid bass extension (with authority) even at low volumes produces a better feeling of clarity, depth and leaves things feeling not as scratchy sounding. I've heard the PSA XV15 and it's pretty insane. there's probably other subs as good as it from SVS subwoofers. But the XV15 sounded fantastic.
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Post by brutiarti on Dec 17, 2014 0:50:37 GMT -5
Novisnick, how you deal with the 20amp outlets, do you have a dedicated circuit?
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Post by garbulky on Dec 17, 2014 0:53:33 GMT -5
To add to what I said: no a 20 amp circuit is not needed. Use an adapter. Works like a charm and is unofficially sanctioned as approrpiate by bigdan CEO
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Post by brutiarti on Dec 17, 2014 0:58:37 GMT -5
Garbulky, really good points to go over. Thanks for the input and actually I always curious about the oppo
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Post by brutiarti on Dec 17, 2014 1:00:52 GMT -5
Maybe I can switch my P3 for a 2channel version of the XMC-1 you know, with Dirac maybe?
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Dec 17, 2014 1:04:26 GMT -5
Novisnick, how you deal with the 20amp outlets, do you have a dedicated circuit? 20 amp circuit is a non issue. I use a CMX-2 for the MONOBLOCKS and the bedroom and everything else on the cave circuit without any problems. I use a Watt-A-Meter and I have never been above 400 watts running both amps.thats where all of the control and finesse comes from.
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Post by Gary Cook on Dec 17, 2014 2:53:28 GMT -5
I'm currently using an Emotiva speaker cable on an XPA-1L that I have for service/set up, no problem just insert the banana plugs from the side.
Cheers Gary
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Dec 17, 2014 7:57:15 GMT -5
I'm currently using an Emotiva speaker cable on an XPA-1L that I have for service/set up, no problem just insert the banana plugs from the side. Cheers Gary +1
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Post by uthiker on Dec 17, 2014 8:22:26 GMT -5
I'm currently using an Emotiva speaker cable on an XPA-1L that I have for service/set up, no problem just insert the banana plugs from the side. Cheers Gary 1+ works great
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Post by brutiarti on Dec 17, 2014 9:19:02 GMT -5
To add to what I said: no a 20 amp circuit is not needed. Use an adapter. Works like a charm and is unofficially sanctioned as approrpiate by bigdan CEO Thanks guys! Garbulky, what do you think of the DAC from the ERC-3 (i know that is way less than the Oppo) but in terms of the DC-1???
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Post by garbulky on Dec 17, 2014 9:32:11 GMT -5
To add to what I said: no a 20 amp circuit is not needed. Use an adapter. Works like a charm and is unofficially sanctioned as approrpiate by bigdan CEO Thanks guys! Garbulky, what do you think of the DAC from the ERC-3 (i know that is way less than the Oppo) but in terms of the DC-1??? I haven't heard it. Several people have reported a loud spinning mechanism on it. The DC-1 has two DAC chips operating in mono to produce the left and right. The ERC-3 has one. The ERC-3 shares the analog stage of the DC-1. Schiit audio has a gugnir dual mono dac that should be quite nice and costs less than the oppo. Audio Gd produces a ton of DACs at competitive prices with outstanding build quality.
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Post by brutiarti on Dec 17, 2014 9:46:32 GMT -5
Thanks guys! Garbulky, what do you think of the DAC from the ERC-3 (i know that is way less than the Oppo) but in terms of the DC-1??? I haven't heard it. Several people have reported a loud spinning mechanism on it. The DC-1 has two DAC chips operating in mono to produce the left and right. The ERC-3 has one. The ERC-3 shares the analog stage of the DC-1. Schiit audio has a gugnir dual mono dac that should be quite nice and costs less than the oppo. Audio Gd produces a ton of DACs at competitive prices with outstanding build quality. Yeah, i read that too about the spinning noise of the ERC-3. So if i get a DAC to test it out, should i use the RCA's from the ERC-2 or use the optical output?
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Post by garbulky on Dec 17, 2014 10:04:08 GMT -5
I haven't heard it. Several people have reported a loud spinning mechanism on it. The DC-1 has two DAC chips operating in mono to produce the left and right. The ERC-3 has one. The ERC-3 shares the analog stage of the DC-1. Schiit audio has a gugnir dual mono dac that should be quite nice and costs less than the oppo. Audio Gd produces a ton of DACs at competitive prices with outstanding build quality. Yeah, i read that too about the spinning noise of the ERC-3. So if i get a DAC to test it out, should i use the RCA's from the ERC-2 or use the optical output? I don't think it matters a whole lot but I would use the RCA digital output.
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