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Post by mdenari on Jan 5, 2015 11:16:20 GMT -5
Hi All,
My name is Martin, I live in Houston Texas. I am planning on getting some XPxx-yy equipment. Hopefully, with your help and knowledge I will be able to replace the xx by A or R and the y by 1 or 2.
My current set up is Martin Logan ESL + Dynamo 500 connected to a Pioneer Elite sc81. I have all my music in Losses format on my Mac Mini, connected to the SC81 via optical link .
I am trying to figure out if I should get a pair of XPA-1s or an XPR-2. I cannot rule out upgrading my speakers to some larger ML in the the future....
ANy advise is well received!!
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Post by geebo on Jan 5, 2015 11:26:48 GMT -5
Hi All, My name is Martin, I live in Houston Texas. I am planning on getting some XPxx-yy equipment. Hopefully, with your help and knowledge I will be able to replace the xx by A or R and the y by 1 or 2. My current set up is Martin Logan ESL + Dynamo 500 connected to a Pioneer Elite sc81. I have all my music in Losses format on my Mac Mini, connected to the SC81 via optical link . I am trying to figure out if I should get a pair of XPA-1s or an XPR-2. I cannot rule out upgrading my speakers to some larger ML in the the future.... ANy advise is well received!! Welcome to the Lounge. I used to live out in the Alief area from 1976 -1982. You'll probably get differing on opinions here. Either option is a good one and maybe you want to decide based on space availability. If I had my way, I'd go for the monoblocks. Don't forget the pure class A operation up to 60watts for the XPA-1s. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 5, 2015 11:37:01 GMT -5
Hi mdenari - Welcome to the Lounge! Mr. Geebo IS RIGHT - You'll get lots of differing opinions here. I've owned the XPA-1L mono amps, the XPR-2 stereo amp, and several other XPA amplifiers. The root of the answer, IMHO, is in how loudly you play your MLs and how large a room you want to fill. Louder or larger = more power needed. Again, Mr. Geebo is probably right in that mono amps are a "purer" option (and to be preferred if you have the $$ to spare), but excellent results can be had from stereo amps also. If you want to be absolutely future-proof, then the XPR-1s are the "dreadnaught" solution. However, unless you live in a cathedral-sized room and/or listen at head-banger levels, then the XPA series is probably more than sufficient. I run a variety of speakers (currently Axiom M80s) using my XPA-1Ls and am happy as a clam with them. Happy shopping & don't be a stranger! Boomzilla |
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Jan 5, 2015 11:48:13 GMT -5
Welcome to the Lounge!
The XPA-1s will serve you well and save a bit on funds that can be used towards those speaker upgrades.
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Post by mdenari on Jan 5, 2015 11:52:56 GMT -5
hi guys, thanks for the answers, I am ruling out the XPR-1 because of $$$. I need to set a limit. I don't listen at crazy levels, and the room where I have my system is not that big, nor it is a dedicated audio room. I love to sit down at the couch and listen to every detail...if this makes sence to you guys
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Jan 5, 2015 12:03:29 GMT -5
hi guys, thanks for the answers, I am ruling out the XPR-1 because of $$$. I need to set a limit. I don't listen at crazy levels, and the room where I have my system is not that big, nor it is a dedicated audio room. I love to sit down at the couch and listen to every detail...if this makes sence to you guys That makes for a strong case for the XPA-1L. Don't let its small size fool you. It is a real 500W amp into 4ohms. |
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Post by novisnick on Jan 5, 2015 12:49:00 GMT -5
hi guys, thanks for the answers, I am ruling out the XPR-1 because of $$$. I need to set a limit. I don't listen at crazy levels, and the room where I have my system is not that big, nor it is a dedicated audio room. I love to sit down at the couch and listen to every detail...if this makes sence to you guys That makes for a strong case for the XPA-1L. Don't let its small size fool you. It is a real 500W amp into 4ohms. I agree with you bootman, BUT! wanting to " sit down at the couch and listen to every detail " is the only reason to purchase a set of XPR-1s!!!! That is a fact!!, Now, that being said and money being an issue, Yes!!! I completely agree with bootman!!!  . Edit; I have to disagree with boomzilla on the point about the XPR-1s and needing a huge room or plAging music extremely load. The XP,,A-1L,,,,A-1,,, and R-1 are all great choices, and I would stick with MONOBLOCKS but, to have complete control and domination over the drivers themselves you want the R series. Detail is more refined with these amps. |
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Post by deltadube on Jan 5, 2015 12:56:07 GMT -5
Hi Martin.. don't forget when you get mono blocks .. you get free membership into the mono block society see novisnick ceo for details
xsp 1 pre pro is a great unit for the 2 channel as well..
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Post by Axis on Jan 5, 2015 12:59:03 GMT -5
That makes for a strong case for the XPA-1L. Don't let its small size fool you. It is a real 500W amp into 4ohms. I agree with you bootman, BUT! wanting to " sit down at the couch and listen to every detail " is the only reason to purchase a set of XPR-1s!!!! That is a fact!!, Now, that being said and money being an issue, Yes!!! I completely agree with bootman!!! Nick, with you it is always going to be "Take two XPR-1's and call me in the morning"  |
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Post by mdenari on Jan 5, 2015 14:26:03 GMT -5
Bootman & gang, what would be the real difference between the XPA1 and the XPA1L ? Power wise, if I later on upgrade my ML I will need more than the 250W the 1l is providing....
BTW, my average listening level is around 80db meassured at the "listening place"
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Post by audiobill on Jan 5, 2015 15:01:30 GMT -5
Go to Crown's site and look up their amplifier power calculator.
It will be very useful in answering your questions.
I'd get the XPA 1Ls, as Boomzilla suggests.
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Post by geebo on Jan 5, 2015 15:04:09 GMT -5
Bootman & gang, what would be the real difference between the XPA1 and the XPA1L ? Power wise, if I later on upgrade my ML I will need more than the 250W the 1l is providing.... BTW, my average listening level is around 80db meassured at the "listening place" XPA-1L has less power than the XPA-1 which mounts to about 3dB more headroom with the 1s. They also provide 60 watts class A versus 30 watts class A with the Ls (also 3dB more headroom in class A). The Ls are half the height and weaight of the 1s. They are both fully balanced and quad differential amplifiers. Both are splendid performers. |
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Post by mdenari on Jan 5, 2015 15:25:02 GMT -5
dear all, I thanks you for your very valuable input. Here my conclusions:
1-Monoblock seems to be the way to go.
options are xpa1, xpa1l, xp1r.
Xpr1 is out for budgertay reasons,
xpa1l would be the perfect candidate, however, it i do upgrade my speakers, it will be on the ML line and those are power hungry so I am afraid the 1ls will fall short.
In essence and by discarding options I fell the xpa1s are the way to go.
did I got this right?
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Post by deltadube on Jan 5, 2015 15:25:06 GMT -5
Bootman & gang, what would be the real difference between the XPA1 and the XPA1L ? Power wise, if I later on upgrade my ML I will need more than the 250W the 1l is providing.... BTW, my average listening level is around 80db meassured at the "listening place" XPA-1L has less power than the XPA-1 which mounts to about 3dB more headroom with the 1s. They also provide 60 watts class A versus 30 watts class A with the Ls (also 3dB more headroom in class A). The Ls are half the height and weaight of the 1s. They are both fully balanced and quad differential amplifiers. Both are splendid performers. you can never have enough head room eh!!! |
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Post by vneal on Jan 5, 2015 15:30:46 GMT -5
I live in the Houston area and although I do not use a Emotiva amp my brother in law has one with the same speakers and we have compared the sound Vs my times 3X cost McIntosh. They sound VERY CLOSE. I would suggest the mono amps first for 2 channel next the XPA2 but personally I would really recommend the XPA 5 or XPA 7 for any 5 or 7 channel media. I am 80% 2.1 channel but the surround is there for movies when needed. I am an audiophile first and video second. My question to you also is do you have an EXTERNAL DAC? If not you have not really heard your music via computer. I am a member of Houston Audio Society HAS--Google it if interested.
IMHO you cannot have too much power. A big mono Emotiva amp sounds that much better. Your ML ESLs are fairly efficiant at 91db but the independence is 6 ohms which takes a little more power than a 91db 8 ohm speaker.
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Post by mdenari on Jan 5, 2015 15:40:08 GMT -5
I live in the Houston area and although I do not use a Emotiva amp my brother in law has one with the same speakers and we have compared the sound Vs my times 3X cost McIntosh. They sound VERY CLOSE. I would suggest the mono amps first for 2 channel next the XPA2 but personally I would really recommend the XPA 5 or XPA 7 for any 5 or 7 channel media. I am 80% 2.1 channel but the surround is there for movies when needed. I am an audiophile first and video second. My question to you also is do you have an EXTERNAL DAC? If not you have not really heard your music via computer. I am a member of Houston Audio Society HAS--Google it if interested. IMHO you cannot have too much power. A big mono Emotiva amp sounds that much better. Your ML ESLs are fairly efficiant at 91db but the independence is 6 ohms which takes a little more power than a 91db 8 ohm speaker. Hi Vneal, "I have all my music in Losses format on my Mac Mini, connected to the SC81 via optical link ." No Need for DAC, however, given that I only use digital inputs, I was considering buying a XDA-2 @240 cant beat that |
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Post by audiobill on Jan 5, 2015 15:46:52 GMT -5
An external dac, maybe the DC1 will be a big, audible upgrade.
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Post by mdenari on Jan 5, 2015 15:55:08 GMT -5
An external dac, maybe the DC1 will be a big, audible upgrade. that part is beyond my understanding, I thought that coming out from my mac using the Fiber optic link into the optical input of my SC81 was the best I could think of? |
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Post by vneal on Jan 5, 2015 15:56:42 GMT -5
Borrow a good BlueRAy player play a CD on it. I bet it sounds better than your computer system unless you are downloading Hi DEF files. There are several under $200 DACs that would bring your computer audio to life.
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Post by audiobill on Jan 5, 2015 16:01:50 GMT -5
IMO, dacs are as important as speakers or amps for SQ.
The dac in the mini (I have one) isn't as capable as a good external......
After much experimentation, I ended on the Grace m920, that costs 3 times my mini, but the Emotiva DC1 is embarrisingly close at 1/4 the cost.
Try one on a thirty day trial, and I'm sure you'll agree.
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