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Post by NotTheHerbie on Jan 6, 2015 8:55:04 GMT -5
So ... I really want to buy an XPA-7 for my new home theater (while they are on sale). Before I get concurrence from my wife to spend that much coin, I'd like to hear from some actual owners. Unfortunately, reviews of the XPA-7 seem to be non-existent. Is this because the XPA-7 sounds so good that their owner's haven't stopped listening long enough to log on and record their impressions? Or is the price keeping buyers away? I personally think it's a great price and love the fact that running two channels provides so much additional headroom. I am looking for a solution that will serve up both home theater and two channel auditory goodness.
BTW - I LOVE the sound of my XMC-1. I think I had the same sh** eating grin the first time I listened to my XMC-1 that I had from listening to my first DC-1. All I can say is Wow!
Anyway back to the XPA-7. I currently own two XPA-3's and love how they sound. The little that I have found in the forums seems to imply that the XPA-7 design differs somewhat from the other multichannel XPA's. How does the XPA-7 compare to the other multichannel amps in the series? Anyone having any problems with the amp? With all that power packed into a single chassis, does it run significantly warmer than the others?
I know I have the 30 day trial, but with what this beast weighs, return shipping costs would make that option cost prohibitive.
Thanks in advance for helping me spend my money,
Mike
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Post by thomasd92 on Jan 8, 2015 7:37:51 GMT -5
I have an XPA-7 and I really like it. It really sounds great in 2 channel . I have a Marantz 7702 for multichannel and use a Wyred 4 Sound stp-se pre-amp for 2 channel. I use an UPA500 for my Dolby Atmos ceiling speakers. This XPA-7 is really powerful in two channel . If you do a lot of 2 channel listening like I do you get mono block power in this amp. The XPA-7 is great in multichannel mode also. When I have it in 2 channel mode and turn the volume up all the way with no source playing my speakers are dead quit . There is no hiss or hum. The amp gets a little warm on the top so it should have ventilation on the top. I have it sitting out in the open.
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bootman
Emo VIPs 
Typing useless posts on internet forums....
Posts: 9,358
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Post by bootman on Jan 8, 2015 9:16:57 GMT -5
Unless you need to consolidate space, I know I would not be able to tell much difference between two XPA-3s and a XPA-7 with my eyes closed. This is not a knock against the XPA-7. It is one of those amps you buy and keep for life (assuming you have no amps currently).  |
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 8, 2015 18:16:49 GMT -5
Simple maths  XPA-3 + XPA-3 = 6 channels XPA-7 = 7 channels More simple maths  XPA-3 2 channels driven = 225 wpc (from memory) XPA-7 2 channels driven = 520 wpc So the questions are  1. Do you need the extra channel? 2. Will your L & R speakers benefit from the extra watts? Cheers Gary |
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Post by NotTheHerbie on Jan 8, 2015 20:08:44 GMT -5
thomasd92, Thanks for your reply. That's what I was hoping to hear. My XPA-3's are also dead silent. The XPA-3 in my living room used to sit out in the open and ran surprisingly cool. I recently had a custom AV cabinet built and the amp does get a little warmer in there, but I've added forced air ventilation and will be updating the fans to be temperature controlled to tame the heat and the fan noise. bootman, Gary Cook, Thanks for your replies as well. I guess I was a little ambiguous in my post. One of my XPA-3's is in my Pub and the other is in my living room, which is becoming an awesome home theater. If I buy the XPA-7, the living room amp will move to the master bedroom where I have a second UMC-1 and an unused pair of XRT-5.2's waiting for some muscle. I guess it's time to cozy up to the wife and explain to her the sonic benefits of moving up to the XPA-7. I don't expect too much push back. She's already approved my buying an 80" flat screen for the home theater. (If only I could decide which TV to buy.  ) Thanks again, Mike |
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Post by NotTheHerbie on Jan 13, 2015 9:54:59 GMT -5
Well. I pulled the trigger on the last day of the holiday sale. Hopefully, shipping isn't queued up too deep. I guess I better get serious about finding some good in ceiling surround speakers. I need something that is aimable to overcome some room geometry constraints. Anyone own or have experience with Speakercraft AIM series speakers?
- Mike
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Post by cwmcobra on Jan 13, 2015 10:05:56 GMT -5
You might want to consider Emo's UAC-8.2 in-ceiling speakers. They are aimable up to 30 degrees in any direction. Don't know how they would match with your mains and surrounds, if that is a concern.
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Post by jcam2881 on Jan 13, 2015 10:33:38 GMT -5
Well. I pulled the trigger on the last day of the holiday sale. Hopefully, shipping isn't queued up too deep. I guess I better get serious about finding some good in ceiling surround speakers. I need something that is aimable to overcome some room geometry constraints. Anyone own or have experience with Speakercraft AIM series speakers? - Mike Great! let us know how it performs.. I only had 1 day w. the XPA - 5 - so far its great! and the little lady has tolerated the "blue monster" on the floor  BTW - What are you doing w. all the Raspberry Pis? |
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Post by NotTheHerbie on Jan 13, 2015 14:44:54 GMT -5
cwmcobra, I had considered the UAC-8.2. If I'm not mistaken, the tweeter on the UAC-8.2 is adjustable +/- 15 degrees in any direction. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) Depending on the model, the Speakercraft AIM series has the ability to adjust the woofer +/- 15 degrees and the tweeter, which is supported by the woofer assembly, an additional +/- 15 degrees. I'm looking for the maximum amount of "aimability" to overcome my vaulted ceiling and actually point the speakers back towards the incline. The AIM series provides the largest range of adjustment that I have been able to find so far. If anyone knows of another in ceiling speaker that might meet my needs, I'm all ears. (Pun intended.  ) jcam2881, Just in case you're not familiar with it, the Raspberry Pi is a small, single board computer that sells for $35. While its' onboard audio capability is pretty mediocre, when combined with a high quality sound card made for the Pi you have the ability to play up to 192KHz/24bit audio files. I use the Wolfson Audio Card ($35) which includes SPDIF In/Out, Line In/Out, Headphones out, and more. The Raspberry Pi supports multiple open source OS's. I'm using a distribution called SqueezePlug which includes a version of Linux and a couple of different media players and servers. I use the SqueezeLite media player. I also have a Synology File Server running the Logitech Media Server (formerly SlimServer, SqueezeCenter and Squeezebox Server) on my home network. Using this setup, I'm able to stream synchronized or unique audio content to six differnet locations throughout my house. While I have had good success using the line outs on the Wolfson card, I'm currently using the SPDIF outs to either an XMC-1, DC-1(x2), UMC-1(x2) or XDA-2. Five of the six Pi's are connected wirelessly to the server and one is hardwired through a switch. I can reliably stream synchronized 96KHz/24bit content to all six Pi's. It's great being able to walk through nearly every room in my house and out the to pool, listening to the same music, completely in sync. - Mike |
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Post by jcam2881 on Jan 13, 2015 15:15:19 GMT -5
cwmcobra, I had considered the UAC-8.2. If I'm not mistaken, the tweeter on the UAC-8.2 is adjustable +/- 15 degrees in any direction. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) Depending on the model, the Speakercraft AIM series has the ability to adjust the woofer +/- 15 degrees and the tweeter, which is supported by the woofer assembly, an additional +/- 15 degrees. I'm looking for the maximum amount of "aimability" to overcome my vaulted ceiling and actually point the speakers back towards the incline. The AIM series provides the largest range of adjustment that I have been able to find so far. If anyone knows of another in ceiling speaker that might meet my needs, I'm all ears. (Pun intended. ) jcam2881, Just in case you're not familiar with it, the Raspberry Pi is a small, single board computer that sells for $35. While its' onboard audio capability is pretty mediocre, when combined with a high quality sound card made for the Pi you have the ability to play up to 192KHz/24bit audio files. I use the Wolfson Audio Card ($35) which includes SPDIF In/Out, Line In/Out, Headphones out, and more. The Raspberry Pi supports multiple open source OS's. I'm using a distribution called SqueezePlug which includes a version of Linux and a couple of different media players and servers. I use the SqueezeLite media player. I also have a Synology File Server running the Logitech Media Server (formerly SlimServer, SqueezeCenter and Squeezebox Server) on my home network. Using this setup, I'm able to stream synchronized or unique audio content to six differnet locations throughout my house. While I have had good success using the line outs on the Wolfson card, I'm currently using the SPDIF outs to either an XMC-1, DC-1(x2), UMC-1(x2) or XDA-2. Five of the six Pi's are connected wirelessly to the server and one is hardwired through a switch. I can reliably stream synchronized 96KHz/24bit content to all six Pi's. It's great being able to walk through nearly every room in my house and out the to pool, listening to the same music, completely in sync. - Mike thanks for the info - sounds like a lot of effort went into the setup. nice to be able to have that flex . Coming back from being in Asia for the last 6 plus years I now am back looking for another home and given the new space will save this post for ideas down the line. I am a huge gardener/mini farm lol and wold def want speakers outside in the hoophouse and pool house. now I just need to find a house with a pool, bar, few acres etc lol! imagine all the emo gear I could pack in there Joe |
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