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Post by chevykevy on Nov 14, 2015 17:24:50 GMT -5
Guys,
I'm just curious as to what preamp was offered first from Emotiva? I searched everywhere and the only real differences I can see is that the RSP doesn't have the HT bypass. It does have XLR connections for the main inputs though. The USP doesn't have XLR connections for the main inputs, but it has the HT bypass. The RSP has tone controls as well.
Which was considered the better preamp and which was more expensive MSRP wise?
These would be mating with a pair of UPA-1 mono blocks. The USP-1 is the 'matching' preamp I believe but it appears the RSP might have been a 'better' unit?
Can anyone shed some light?
Thanks,
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Post by garbulky on Nov 14, 2015 18:11:08 GMT -5
RSP-2 was first.
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Post by creimes on Nov 14, 2015 18:13:13 GMT -5
Go for the USP-1 or if you can spring it the XSP-1 is a good step up
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Post by chevykevy on Nov 15, 2015 8:18:02 GMT -5
Go for the USP-1 or if you can spring it the XSP-1 is a good step up I'd like to jump to the XSP-1 but my budget won't allow it for the time being. I've heard great things about the USP-1 so I'll probably go that route. I just saw the RSP-2 pop up for sale and did a brief search and it had me intrigued. I just don't understand why an older preamp (RSP-2) would offer main XLR inputs and the 'new and improved' USP-1 doesn't? I know it's probably not a huge deal, but I was planning on running XLR interconnects on everything since the UPA-1 mono blocks allow it. |
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Post by creimes on Nov 15, 2015 11:18:36 GMT -5
Go for the USP-1 or if you can spring it the XSP-1 is a good step up I'd like to jump to the XSP-1 but my budget won't allow it for the time being. I've heard great things about the USP-1 so I'll probably go that route. I just saw the RSP-2 pop up for sale and did a brief search and it had me intrigued. I just don't understand why an older preamp (RSP-2) would offer main XLR inputs and the 'new and improved' USP-1 doesn't? I know it's probably not a huge deal, but I was planning on running XLR interconnects on everything since the UPA-1 mono blocks allow it. I have owned both and personally I would grab the USP-1, while I never directly compared them they both sounded good, the RSP-2 and UPA-1's are not fully balanced from input to output anyhow so you will never notice a difference in SQ, unless you have really long cable lengths from the preamp to the amps balanced cables will make zero difference 90% of the time, I myself use XLR cables but I have the XMC-1 and amps that allow it as well and they are a nice connection and look way cooler haha. Chad |
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stiehl11
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Post by stiehl11 on Nov 15, 2015 11:23:46 GMT -5
The RSP-2 replaced the RSP-1; both were their reference pre-amps before the XPS-1. Other than the HT bypass (used for integrating a dedicated 2-channel setup with a HT setup) the RSP-2 is superior in sound.
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Post by chevykevy on Nov 15, 2015 12:36:05 GMT -5
The RSP-2 replaced the RSP-1; both were their reference pre-amps before the XPS-1. Other than the HT bypass (used for integrating a dedicated 2-channel setup with a HT setup) the RSP-2 is superior in sound. With that being said, and not concerned about having the HT bypass feature....you'd still say the RSP-2 over the USP-1 even though it was an 'older' unit? What was the point of the USP-1 since it wasn't a reference preamp? The HT bypass on the USP-1 won't come in handy like I originally thought it would because when using the HT bypass feature you can only run it in 'high pass' output. Since the preamp is being used in primarily 2 channel setup, I have a nice set of JBL L150 speakers I'm using. I don't want to be forced to run a separate subwoofer when the HT bypass is engaged. Therefore, it's kind of useless. |
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Post by creimes on Nov 15, 2015 12:39:29 GMT -5
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stiehl11
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Post by stiehl11 on Nov 15, 2015 12:58:00 GMT -5
The RSP-2 replaced the RSP-1; both were their reference pre-amps before the XPS-1. Other than the HT bypass (used for integrating a dedicated 2-channel setup with a HT setup) the RSP-2 is superior in sound. With that being said, and not concerned about having the HT bypass feature....you'd still say the RSP-2 over the USP-1 even though it was an 'older' unit? What was the point of the USP-1 since it wasn't a reference preamp? The USP-1 was the "value" or entry level pre-amp, much like the UPA series was the "value"/entry level amplifiers compared to the XPA series. The RSP-2 was not immediately replaced by the XSP-1 just as there hasn't been an immediate replacement for the UMC-200. The USP-1, when it came out, was half the price of the RSP-2 and thus the entry level or "value" pre-amp to get customers into the brand. I will say that the XSP-1 is superior in sound to the USP-1 and likely better than the RSP-2 (I haven't not heard the RSP-2 in the same room as an XSP-1), IMO. |
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Post by garbulky on Nov 15, 2015 12:59:45 GMT -5
^^What stiehl said. The U series was the affordable line. The RSP-2 was significantly pricier.
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Post by chevykevy on Nov 15, 2015 13:34:48 GMT -5
^^What stiehl said. The U series was the affordable line. The RSP-2 was significantly pricier. Do you know what the MSRP was on the RSP-2? I think I read in a review that the MSRP on the USP-1 was $499, but then marked down to $399 when they were closing them out. |
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stiehl11
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Post by stiehl11 on Nov 15, 2015 15:21:36 GMT -5
^^What stiehl said. The U series was the affordable line. The RSP-2 was significantly pricier. Do you know what the MSRP was on the RSP-2? I think I read in a review that the MSRP on the USP-1 was $499, but then marked down to $399 when they were closing them out. The RSP-2 was $699 in 2007. The USP-1 was released in 2009 for >$400. |
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Post by chevykevy on Nov 15, 2015 18:06:55 GMT -5
Ok thanks. It looks like the RSP-2 was the better preamp I'd assume. I think I'll go that route instead of the USP-1.
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Post by vcautokid on Nov 15, 2015 18:50:14 GMT -5
The RSP was a great Preamplifier. The USP-1 a very good one, and for the are serious, only that much for a decent sounding Preamplifier? The RSP was superior. I think the XSP-1 on sale now for less than $800.00, is the best buy. For what you would pay used for someone else's with no warranty, or pay allot more for new, the XSP-1 Gen 2 makes allot of sense. Just my Nickel. Adjusting for inflation.
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Post by chevykevy on Nov 16, 2015 13:16:55 GMT -5
Thanks for all the help. I ended up going with a RSP-2 from a board member. It seemed like the better value preamp with the features I'm looking for and the original MSRP compared to the USP-1. Cheers!
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Post by garbulky on Nov 16, 2015 13:58:58 GMT -5
Yeah he was selling that RSP-2 for a song. I was very tempted to jump for it!
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Post by cheapthryl on Nov 16, 2015 14:42:23 GMT -5
You and I both Gar. And I already have one.
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