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Post by mhm2526 on Jan 20, 2015 14:47:14 GMT -5
This applies to non-bridged amps also, but in particular to the XPA-2 because of its unusual speaker connections in the bridged mode. Got my second XPA-2 Gen 2 (boxing damaged beyond further use - thanks, UPS, but the unit is fine) last week. Set it up, bridged it, connected the speakers and sat back to enjoy some sounds. Uhh.......MAKE SURE to not connect the speaker leads out of phase. What you get sound-wise will not be pretty. I suspect this is what Toshio did in operating his XPA-2 (if he is real and not just a troll - see Toshio's thread in this forum). As for me, I'm not admitting anything, but now my vintage Carvers sound great. Happy listening to all.
Mike
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Post by splash51 on Jan 23, 2015 12:26:56 GMT -5
RTFM my friend :-) I recently purchased 2 XPA-2s for the same purpose. I was a bit confused when I saw the lines for bridge mode on the back of the amp. It is fundamentally wrong in my mind to hook up a + to a - terminal so I read the mono sections 2 or 3 times to make sure what I was comprehending from the text was correct. I am using Golden Ear Triton 1's and they sound fantastic with these amps!!!!!
For others who might read this prior to connecting in bridge mode: On the back of the amp there are lines that depict the signal path for the bridge mode. It is described in 3 separate places in the manual, pages 10, 11, 12. read one of them before you hook up in bridge mode, it is DIFFERENT!!
Enjoy!!!
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Post by mhm2526 on Jan 23, 2015 23:14:02 GMT -5
Yep, Splash, I RTFM 3 or 4 times as you recommend. I would make the same recommendation as hooking up in bridge mode is not as you might expect (I started to say confusing, but it's not confusing, just different). I just made the rookie error of hooking up my right channel speaker wires backwards. Old eyes. Anyway, easily corrected and the system now sounds better than ever.
Mike
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Post by wilogic on Jan 25, 2015 22:30:48 GMT -5
Would like to experiment XPA-2's bridging mode feature (because I can. I know.. kinda obnoxious reason). I'm concerned if my speaker can handle XPA-2's bridge mode massive power output capability; The impedance specs for my speakers: 8 ohm nominal and 4 ohm minimum. Can anyone or Emotiva Engineer comment on this one since there's not much documentation documenting XPA-2's bridge capability. Thanks.
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Post by novisnick on Jan 25, 2015 22:37:37 GMT -5
Distortion kills!! That's what you need to remember!! 8)
I drove a set of very efficient Klipsch towers with a set of XPR-1s, not a problem at all, never got close to the amps capacity because you can't stand the dbs!! Clean power, no distortion at all,,,,,,,that's the ticket bro!
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Post by mhm2526 on Jan 26, 2015 11:39:36 GMT -5
Agree with Novisnick - If you drive an amp into distortion that's what will kill your speakers, not good clean power. You'll have to work pretty hard to drive one XPA-2 into distortion enough to hurt your speakers (long after your ears are bleeding!). I ran my vintage Carver Amazing Platinums (8 Ohms nominal) with a Carver amp for twenty plus years. One XPA-2 opened them up and two bridged is even better. As long as you're not hurting your ears you'll be fine. Turn 'em up and enjoy!
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KeithL
Administrator
Posts: 10,255
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Post by KeithL on Jan 26, 2015 12:28:34 GMT -5
The XPA-2 is rated for 8 ohms (and not 4 ohms) in bridged mode. (Speakers that are rated "8 ohms nominal" should be just fine... Note that an 8 ohm speaker that drops to a 4 ohm minimum in a few spots isn't especially unusual - and shouldn't be a problem.) Would like to experiment XPA-2's bridging mode feature (because I can. I know.. kinda obnoxious reason). I'm concerned if my speaker can handle XPA-2's bridge mode massive power output capability; The impedance specs for my speakers: 8 ohm nominal and 4 ohm minimum. Can anyone or Emotiva Engineer comment on this one since there's not much documentation documenting XPA-2's bridge capability. Thanks.
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Post by splash51 on Jan 29, 2015 18:40:42 GMT -5
Hi all, I recently added a second XPA-2 to run in bridge mode. I am driving GoldenEar Triton 1's in this configuration. I can tell you the entire audible spectrum is more defined, has more punch and the sound stage has expanded is all directions. I use my ears as a meter. If it's uncomfortable to listen to. it's too loud. I have turned it up to levels I could only listen to for a few seconds. Clear as a bell no distortion and speakers are fine.
Enjoy!
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Post by novisnick on Jan 29, 2015 18:58:58 GMT -5
Hi all, I recently added a second XPA-2 to run in bridge mode. I am driving GoldenEar Triton 1's in this configuration. I can tell you the entire audible spectrum is more defined, has more punch and the sound stage has expanded is all directions. I use my ears as a meter. If it's uncomfortable to listen to. it's too loud. I have turned it up to levels I could only listen to for a few seconds. Clear as a bell no distortion and speakers are fine. Enjoy! And that my friend is why good clean power wins the day every time!! Distortion kills speakers!!! 8) Enjoy!!
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Post by splash51 on Mar 3, 2015 1:39:30 GMT -5
Hi all, has anyone seen a sequence report on the XPA-2 gen 2 in bridge mode?? I would like to see it's characteristics in this configuration.
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Post by ceptorman on Apr 2, 2015 19:40:29 GMT -5
The XPA-2 is rated for 8 ohms (and not 4 ohms) in bridged mode. (Speakers that are rated "8 ohms nominal" should be just fine... Note that an 8 ohm speaker that drops to a 4 ohm minimum in a few spots isn't especially unusual - and shouldn't be a problem.) What about speakers that are 4 ohm? I have an XPA-2 and I am considering buying another and run them in mono block mode to two Klipsch 4 ohm speakers.
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Post by captbob on Jun 30, 2015 18:00:25 GMT -5
Hello. Just placed order for 2 XPA-2 amps!! ?. I am trying to find out the Furman part number for the adapter for 120v to a 220v plug. That is what the XPA-2 has isn't it? I must convert it to fit my 120v outlets?
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Post by beevil on Sept 28, 2015 11:21:18 GMT -5
Agree with Novisnick - If you drive an amp into distortion that's what will kill your speakers, not good clean power. You'll have to work pretty hard to drive one XPA-2 into distortion enough to hurt your speakers (long after your ears are bleeding!). I ran my vintage Carver Amazing Platinums (8 Ohms nominal) with a Carver amp for twenty plus years. One XPA-2 opened them up and two bridged is even better. As long as you're not hurting your ears you'll be fine. Turn 'em up and enjoy! I'm using Carver Amazing Silvers with 2 XPA-2 Gen 2 Amps bridged and I have to agree with you. The Carvers really opened up. Can't believe the Emotivas out performed my much more expensive amps. That's amazing!!
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Post by mhm2526 on Sept 28, 2015 14:55:31 GMT -5
Yep, Beevil, in fact I may keep my Carvers another 25 years they sound so good. Enjoy!
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Post by PoloOle on Apr 26, 2016 21:40:54 GMT -5
I am running two XPA-2 Gen 1 in bridge mode with a set of Martin Logan Ethos without any problems. Yes I know that the ML's have a 0.8 Ohm load @ 20Khz but the XPA-2 doesn't mind.....
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Post by leonski on Apr 29, 2016 19:28:25 GMT -5
I am running two XPA-2 Gen 1 in bridge mode with a set of Martin Logan Ethos without any problems. Yes I know that the ML's have a 0.8 Ohm load @ 20Khz but the XPA-2 doesn't mind..... That 0.8 LOOKS like 0.4 to your bridged amp. If the speakers REALLY are that low an impedance, and the HUGE phase angle which 'stats have at high frequencies, it's only a matter of TIME before you have an event. The sensitivity of 92db is usefully high and helps your amp longevity.
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Post by bellyfuz on May 11, 2016 1:20:28 GMT -5
IT sure would be great to get some concrete info regarding mono blocking these amps. I am considering getting another that has come up for sale and would like to do this, however my speakers are nominal 4 ohms. Running one XPA2 Gen 1 it has never shut down on me yet. I run fairly hard but not really crazy at times. I guess I could try one amp high freq and the other the dual woofers on each speaker, but then maybe a Class H amp would be better? Some claim these H amps are noisy but the new lines seem better? Help? Should I pass on this idea all together?
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Post by leonski on May 11, 2016 2:24:51 GMT -5
IT sure would be great to get some concrete info regarding mono blocking these amps. I am considering getting another that has come up for sale and would like to do this, however my speakers are nominal 4 ohms. Running one XPA2 Gen 1 it has never shut down on me yet. I run fairly hard but not really crazy at times. I guess I could try one amp high freq and the other the dual woofers on each speaker, but then maybe a Class H amp would be better? Some claim these H amps are noisy but the new lines seem better? Help? Should I pass on this idea all together? Belly, Class 'H' is an amplifier POWER SUPPLY reference, not an amplifier type. Most 'h' amps continue to have an A-A/B output. Nominal 4 ohm speakers will 'look like' a nominal 2 ohms to the BRIDGED amp. IF you mean Biamp? That's a decent idea. That's what I'm doing, but went into it with a LONG TERM plan to delete the speakers crossover and go to a line-level solution between the preamp and power amp. That strategy, depending on the crossover frequency could yield as much as 3db more 'apparent' power. This happens since when you go to a speaker level biamp, each amp CONTINUES to amplfy the entire bandwidth. When you go to a line-level crossover, the amp suddenly has LOTS more power to devote to ONLY those frequencies it is being called upon to amplify. With around 300 a side @8 and much more @4ohms, do you REALLY need more power? My 84db sensitive panels will get annoyingly loud with 'only' 400 per side. Being Magnepan, they are a fairly benign load so I get the 'most' out of my amplifier watt. If you are REALLY running some kind of Very Low sensitivity speaker OR one with huge phase problems, you MIGHT consider a pair of XPA-1 and a 20 amp circuit.
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