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Post by garbulky on Dec 18, 2015 11:28:45 GMT -5
Ah well that's been a bit of struggle. Not for lack of material. But wayyyy too much material. Even for me. I'm trying to make it something somebody would want to read.
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 20, 2015 17:30:35 GMT -5
Well... I had the opportunity to visit garbulky this afternoon and hear his system. The system is one I'm familiar with, having heard it in several iterations: Pre-DC-1 DAC with his previous amp (UPA-2?) DC-1 with the UPA-2 DC-1 with the XPA-1s (generation two) The constants in the system are his digital music server and his Axiom M80 speakers (version 3). The history is important in order to understand how the XPA-1 amplifiers have changed the system. My original impression of the (pre-XPA-1) system was summed up by the word "delicate." The soundstage had incredible depth, but not much width. There wasn't much bass, not very deep bass, nor very focused bass. The DC-1 didn't change any of that much. The DC-1 did improve midrange and treble dynamics (in his system, not in mine) but the bass problems remained. I had concluded that the lack of bass was either an artifact of his speakers and / or of his room. Today, with only the amplifiers changed, the XPA-1 pair turned the previous experience on its head. The system sounded as if subwoofers had been added. The bass extension was significantly improved, and the bass focus was not only spot on, but also sounded as if it were cut from the same cloth as the rest of the soundstage. Additionally, the soundstage width increased significantly, while retaining its exceptional depth. I have a 2.2 system, with GOOD subs, but in my room, my system still can't provide the bass focus and cleanliness that garbulky's speakers do with the XPA-1s. The improvement in bass alone was well worth the price of the XPA-1 amplifiers by itself. But the midrange and treble dynamics also improved with the new amps. The "jump factor," particularly with vocalists, is wonderful. The treble is better than with the previous amps, but still lacks the last bit of realism. I don't blame the DAC or the amplifiers for this, but rather the Axiom tweeters. Axiom has since begun using an improved tweeter that has better extension and dynamics. But for the version of the Axiom speakers that Garbulky has, the treble is now the best I've heard. I fling the word "synergy" about often enough, but the XPA-1 + Axiom M80 combination is a shining example of the term. Together, the whole is definitely more than the sum of the parts. Will the XPA-1, generation two amplifiers make similar improvements on other speakers and in other rooms? I couldn't say, but for Garbulky's room - WOW. Boomzilla |
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Post by novisnick on Dec 20, 2015 17:44:35 GMT -5
Well... I had the opportunity to visit garbulky this afternoon and hear his system. The system is one I'm familiar with, having heard it in several iterations: Pre-DC-1 DAC with his previous amp (UPA-2?) DC-1 with the UPA-2 DC-1 with the XPA-1s (generation two) The constants in the system are his digital music server and his Axiom M80 speakers (version 3). The history is important in order to understand how the XPA-1 amplifiers have changed the system. My original impression of the (pre-XPA-1) system was summed up by the word "delicate." The soundstage had incredible depth, but not much width. There wasn't much bass, not very deep bass, nor very focused bass. The DC-1 didn't change any of that much. The DC-1 did improve midrange and treble dynamics (in his system, not in mine) but the bass problems remained. I had concluded that the lack of bass was either an artifact of his speakers and / or of his room. Today, with only the amplifiers changed, the XPA-1 pair turned the previous experience on its head. The system sounded as if subwoofers had been added. The bass extension was significantly improved, and the bass focus was not only spot on, but also sounded as if it were cut from the same cloth as the rest of the soundstage. Additionally, the soundstage width increased significantly, while retaining its exceptional depth. I have a 2.2 system, with GOOD subs, but in my room, my system still can't provide the bass focus and cleanliness that garbulky's speakers do with the XPA-1s. The improvement in bass alone was well worth the price of the XPA-1 amplifiers by itself. But the midrange and treble dynamics also improved with the new amps. The "jump factor," particularly with vocalists, is wonderful. The treble is better than with the previous amps, but still lacks the last bit of realism. I don't blame the DAC or the amplifiers for this, but rather the Axiom tweeters. Axiom has since begun using an improved tweeter that has better extension and dynamics. But for the version of the Axiom speakers that Garbulky has, the treble is now the best I've heard. I fling the word "synergy" about often enough, but the XPA-1 + Axiom M80 combination is a shining example of the term. Together, the whole is definitely more than the sum of the parts. Will the XPA-1, generation two amplifiers make similar improvements on other speakers and in other rooms? I couldn't say, but for Garbulky's room - WOW. Boomzilla Horsepower, cubic inches, headroom,,,,,,,whatever you want to call it, you DON'T need to use it to know its there!! The power of the Force is Strong in this one,,,,,,,,   |
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 20, 2015 21:56:43 GMT -5
And yet, others swear by single-ended triode tube amps with less than five watts per channel. There is more to good sound than raw power.
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Post by novisnick on Dec 20, 2015 22:25:49 GMT -5
And yet, others swear by single-ended triode tube amps with less than five watts per channel. There is more to good sound than raw power. Thats my story,,,,,,and untill I experience something else, I'm sticking to it!! Im sure there are other intangibles that tubes bring as well.  |
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Post by ddog on Dec 20, 2015 22:50:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the complement on my gear garbulky...I appreciate it.
As for the Mirage om5's and the way they sound..well I'm not much of an reviewer and definitely don't have your gift of words.
I've been in love with the sound of Mirage's omni directional and powerd tower sound since I first heard and purchased my om6's back in 96...I still have them and listen to them nearly every day.
The om5's are beautiful and have a wonderful full powerful sound that can be enjoyed for hours on end without fatigue. They have a huge sweet spot that is excellent for HT. I have 6 seats 2 rows of 3 and every one of them is in that sweet spot.
Anyways I could go on but I realize that this is an Emotiva amplifier forum and this is off topic. There's a good bit of information on the om5's to be read on the net. So in short if you happen to come across a pair definitely check them out...
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Post by garbulky on Dec 21, 2015 1:03:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the complement on my gear garbulky...I appreciate it. As for the Mirage om5's and the way they sound..well I'm not much of an reviewer and definitely don't have your gift of words. I've been in love with the sound of Mirage's omni directional and powerd tower sound since I first heard and purchased my om6's back in 96...I still have them and listen to them nearly every day. The om5's are beautiful and have a wonderful full powerful sound that can be enjoyed for hours on end without fatigue. They have a huge sweet spot that is excellent for HT. I have 6 seats 2 rows of 3 and every one of them is in that sweet spot. Anyways I could go on but I realize that this is an Emotiva amplifier forum and this is off topic. There's a good bit of information on the om5's to be read on the net. So in short if you happen to come across a pair definitely check them out... Very nice description. I have never heard omnidirectional towers. I am a fan of axiom speakers though I'm sure there are many other good and better brands out there. The axioms also have an "omnidirectional" speaker. Technically it's sort of a bipolar speaker instead of omnidirectional but that's the basic idea. It's their most expensive model and requires a DSP to work which digitizes the signal from the preamp. It has 11 speakers per cabinet!  www.axiomaudio.com/omnidirectional-speaker |
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Post by garbulky on Dec 21, 2015 1:06:25 GMT -5
Boomzilla Thank you kindly for the review. I had the great pleasure of you and your wife's company. They came bearing Christmas gifts! I am glad that you like the XPA-1 amps. I'm happy to know that I'm not the only nutty guy that believes amps make a difference in sound quality!  Hopefully I will get a chance to hear the Yaqin soon.
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Post by Axis on Dec 21, 2015 7:20:58 GMT -5
garbulky and Boomzilla never think your observations on gear are going unnoticed. Myself I read a lot of it and it always seems to ring true. Garbulky, you see what I have for 2 channel. ERC for digital to analog and USP-1 and UPA-2 for amplification. Your feelings match up perfectly to mine on the UPA-2. I have lived in an apartment for a long time but that is going to change soon. I hear you and everyone else talking about these huge output amps. Truth is I have never owned or heard them. I have had several very large and heavy amps but they were either tube or class A output. I remember when the XPA-1's came out and Lonnie spoke of the capacitance (ability to store) and fast nature of the amps. Since then almost every time I read someone describing them, Lonnie's words ring true. I do not see the big mono-blocks ever going away from Emotiva's catalog. Emotiva has given everyone more than enough time get a set at great prices. Prices may go up in the future or, or could go down. Garbulky you have me thinking I might want to grab a set of these for future use in a home and not just for high volume but sound quality. Last I heard Emotiva was working on 300 watt tube amps. Maybe Both ! Garbulky I hope I did not give you writers block. That was not my intentions.
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Post by ddog on Dec 23, 2015 23:38:17 GMT -5
Those are very nice speakers garbulky Axiom make some nice stuff.
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Post by sahmen on Dec 24, 2015 11:48:24 GMT -5
Gar: Fantastic review... Your enthusiasm is really palpable, and infectious. I just have to add my name to those who are waiting for your comments on the promised XPA-1 vs XPA-1l shootout... I just can't wait to hear your impressions.
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Post by garbulky on Dec 24, 2015 12:26:43 GMT -5
First chance I get I will! So guess what may be coming my way to try out? A muse model 3 preamp. Does anybody know if this preamp is fully balanced or if it just has XLR connections?
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 24, 2015 16:35:06 GMT -5
Part 2 of the XPA-1 review?
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Post by novisnick on Dec 24, 2015 17:53:56 GMT -5
Part 2 of the XPA-1 review? +1 boom |
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Post by Axis on Dec 24, 2015 18:30:01 GMT -5
Part 2 of the XPA-1 review? +1 boom I would say have some eggnog and chill but I know both of you would like nothing more than to be reading Garbulky's part 2 on Mono Blocks on Christmas Eve.  |
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Post by wilburthegoose on Dec 26, 2015 7:41:00 GMT -5
Have you considered running your center from an XPA-1?
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Post by Boomzilla on Dec 26, 2015 14:57:57 GMT -5
Oh come on, garbulky - Quit teasing us & post the rest of the XPA-1s review! LOL |
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Post by novisnick on Dec 26, 2015 15:07:34 GMT -5
Oh come on, garbulky - Quit teasing us & post the rest of the XPA-1s review! LOL Im not laughing,,,,,,,,,,,wheres it at!?!?,,,,,,,,, |
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Post by garbulky on Dec 26, 2015 15:08:04 GMT -5
Lol! Sorry guys it's taking so long. I have decided to cut out some stuff and put some stuff I think may add some more substance to it. Right now I've been super busy with chores and catcing up after the xmas break
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Post by novisnick on Dec 26, 2015 15:09:27 GMT -5
I would say have some eggnog and chill but I know both of you would like nothing more than to be reading Garbulky's part 2 on Mono Blocks on Christmas Eve. A Monoblock Christmas,,,,,,,,by garbulky,,,,,,,,,my favorite Christmam story!!!,,,,,,ah,,,,,ah,,,,,,,ahhhhhhhhhh,,,,,,,, |
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Hopefully I will get a chance to hear the Yaqin soon. 
