Adding Power Amp

[denoxster]

Hi There,

My current system consist of Denon X1000, NHT SuperZero (x2) and atlantic technology 10" sub, I am not interested on 5.1 or 7.1, I just purchased SVS Prime Tower yesterday as part of my system building process. My main goal is to get rid receiver and slowly moving to components. I am very interested to get XPA-200, someone offered me used XPA-2 still under warranty for $400. I would love to get it but it would be tight fit on my entertainment center and little overkill for my current setup.
Will I get significant sound quality improvement by adding either XPA-200 or XPA-2? 
Other than power rate, is there any different between XPA-200 and XPA-2 in term of sound quality?
Looking forward to hear opinion from experts. 
Thank you guys.

[Gary Cook]

Of the 2 choices I'd take the XPA-2, not that there is anything wrong with an XPA-200. Both are fine amps, the XPA-2 is simply higher up the Emotiva product chain. Power amplifiers last a long time, commonly decades, never really go "out of date", don't become technically obsolete due to industry standards changes (like AVR's / processors). As a result I'd always advise someone to use the best power amp that the available budget will handle. Especially when there is an upgrade plan for the surrounding components. For a stereo 2.1 system there's almost no chance that an XPA-2 won't handle whatever you throw at it, and do it extremely well for a very long time.


Cheers
Gary

[denoxster]

Gary, thank you for your wise advise. Currently I am on the edge of pulling trigger on XPA-2. If only I can fit this monster on my cabinet, I will buy this on a heartbeat.
How's sound quality of XPA-2 compared to XPA-200? Does power effect SQ on moderate listening volume?

[garbulky]

I don't have the XPA-200 but I do have the UPA-2 (not UPA-200) on which the XPA-200 was essentially built on. It's almost hte same amp though the XPA-200 has a few tweaks. The XPA-2 is much faster in comparison. And the bass extends deeper. There is a bit more clarity. At $400 that XPA-2 is a NO BRAINER. Both gen 1 and gen 2 are good but the gen 2 is slightly more desirable.
The XPA-2 likes a dedicated standalone preamp like the XSP-1.

[wilburthegoose]

Remember - the amp doesn't need to be in your cabinet.