alto
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Post by alto on Feb 1, 2016 21:58:44 GMT -5
Has anyone heard the XPA-2 and the SA-250 through RF-7iis? The SA-250 is a little more expensive but it seems like it may be the best choice for my speakers. What do you think? I've heard the XPA-2 through the the RF-7iis and it sounded good but it seems like there was room for improvement. Any help will be appreciated.
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Post by flatpicker on Feb 1, 2016 22:13:26 GMT -5
Has anyone heard the XPA-2 and the SA-250 through RF-7iis? The SA-250 is a little more expensive but it seems like it may be the best choice for my speakers. What do you think? I've heard the XPA-2 through the the RF-7iis and it sounded good but it seems like there was room for improvement. Any help will be appreciated. I don't know the speaker, but having had both the XPA-2 and SA-250.... I'd lean toward the SA-250... |
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 1, 2016 22:19:57 GMT -5
An interesting question. I'm a new owner of the XPA-2, Generation 2. I bought it because I've previously liked the Gen. 1 versions of the product and because it was on sale. I've not heard the SA-250 nor do I recall reading anyone's "head to head" experiences. I'd be most curious as to how the new SA series is different from (and similar to) its predecessors in sound. That said, Klipsch is a company that historically has produced high-efficiency loudspeakers, from the Mighty Klipschorn (104 dB / 1W / 1M) to the current RF-7ii models (optimistically rated at 101 dB / 1W / 1M). This means that for 99% of your listening, you'll be using LESS THAN ONE WATT of amplifier output. Consider the previous sentence again. Then re-read it yet again and let it sink in! In addition to its high efficiency, the RF-7ii is rated at a nominal eight ohm impedance. This means that any amp or AVR in existence can drive it handily. So the question I'll ask you is: What's more important to you - sound quality or the ability to reproduce a rocket liftoff at live sound pressure levels? Yes, it IS possible to purchase an amplifier that can do both (and either the XPA-2 or the SA-250 will fit that demand), but were I in your shoes, I might instead go looking for amplifiers that sound good to you. They may or may not be high-power solid state amplifiers. Before I bought an amplifier for any speaker that efficient, I'd listen to some different types of amps just to see if I liked their sound better. If not, then yes, a "super amp" may be the ticket, but I'm suspecting that you may find other technologies that may tickle your ears. Amplifiers that come to mind immediately: The nCore amplifiers recommended so highly by klinemj -  The Qinpu A-6000 (18 wpc - tube / solid-state hybrid) -  The Jolida Glass FX-10 tube amplifier (10 WPC) -  Class A Single Ended Triode tube amps (variety of prices & output powers) -  and others... It's been my experience that often low-powered amplifiers have a "purity of sound" that is conspicuously lacking in higher powered equipment. From my early days (Pioneer SA-5200 @ 10 WPC) to my later ones (Qinpu mentioned above), there IS something to be gained by staying low on the power pole.  Again - your money - your choice. But you now have my two cents. Happy shopping! Boomzilla |
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Post by DavidR on Feb 1, 2016 22:36:58 GMT -5
Some comments HERE. Including my own. If you decide on an XPA-2 G2 I have one I'd sell with transfer warranty. Then I can buy another SA-250. |
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alto
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Post by alto on Feb 1, 2016 23:23:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the quick replies. My first two home amplifiers were low power tube amps from Decware. I bought the RF-7iis hoping they would play loud enough with the the valves. Sometimes it was but more often it wasn't. I plan on keeping this amplifier for ever so if the one is noticeably better than the other for these speakers then that's the one I'd like to have.
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Feb 2, 2016 1:32:36 GMT -5
Perhaps waiting for the Gen3 XPA might be the best option if you can wait. My Klipsch Forte II (used as my surround backs now but were my pride and joy for many many years) really comes alive with my XPR-2. Something about the reserve power and the laid back sound of the XPR make them a nice match.
My Forte II's sensitivity rating is 99 dBs but really are 95 dB according to a review fyi. Klipsch is a little optimistic about their claims.
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Post by teaman on Feb 2, 2016 1:51:23 GMT -5
I believe the XPR series is still available right now as B stock. Call Emotiva!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 6:35:06 GMT -5
I had the XPA-2 Gen 1 as my amp for several months. It was not a good match for me. The RF-7II is a very dynamic speaker and the XPA-2 is a very dynamic amp. I think both together was too much of a good thing. It was too much in your face. I liked the XPA-2 with the RF-82 speakers better before I upgraded to the RF-7II. I've not tried the SA-250. For Emotiva amps that I've used with the RF-7II this is my preference. 1. XPA-1 Gen 1 2. UPA-1 3. UPA-2 4. XPA-2.
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alto
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Post by alto on Feb 2, 2016 9:03:00 GMT -5
When listening to to the XPA-2 through the RF-7iis I could hear noticeably more seperation between right and left sides.
I could also hear more definition of the midrange and higher frequencies however, in a lot but not all of what I listened to those same mid and high frequencies seemed unpleasant when played loudly. The bass is also somewhat weak until the music was played loudly. The TX-NR 818 is what the XPR-2 is being compared to. The XPA-2 is probably not sufficiently broken in but I expected a more dramatic all around improvement. From what I've been reading the SA-250 may resolve these issues. Thanks again for the help and suggestions.
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Post by garym on Feb 2, 2016 9:57:34 GMT -5
Agree with Boomzilla. You can drive those RF7-II's with 30 WPC. I used them for a while in my theater system, driven by my XPA 2; it barely noticed them. They're now in my living room system being driven by an old Sony 100 WPC ES receiver. The volume control never goes above 30%.
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Post by vcautokid on Feb 2, 2016 10:15:12 GMT -5
I think the XPA-2 gives an honest portrayal. I had one driving Maggie's to great effect. Dynamics too. Some lively speakers, and the XPA-2 did well. I have not heard the SA-250, but folks I know inside Emotiva say it is very good. Not just because they make it, it just is very good.
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Post by garbulky on Feb 2, 2016 12:05:32 GMT -5
Has anyone heard the XPA-2 and the SA-250 through RF-7iis? The SA-250 is a little more expensive but it seems like it may be the best choice for my speakers. What do you think? I've heard the XPA-2 through the the RF-7iis and it sounded good but it seems like there was room for improvement. Any help will be appreciated. What is your current source and preamp? |
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Post by Loop 7 on Feb 2, 2016 12:48:43 GMT -5
Gosh, with a sensitivity rating of 101dB, I would go tube amp. It may get your closer to the music.
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Post by pedrocols on Feb 2, 2016 13:00:44 GMT -5
Gosh, with a sensitivity rating of 101dB, I would go tube amp. It may get your closer to the music. Oh my gosh I hope you didn't say "tube"...lol |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2016 13:14:56 GMT -5
Forget the xpa2 and hunt down a pair of 1L's. Far nicer sound, more laid back than the xpa2.
I have no experience with the sa250 but I like my 1L's almost as much as the xpr2 I had. Possibly even more, but I owned them at different times... so no actual a/b listening occurred.
You could even try and find a crown xls1500, I a/b 'd one of these with my xpa2 and could hear zero difference.
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dougport
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Post by dougport on Feb 2, 2016 14:50:10 GMT -5
Forget the xpa2 and hunt down a pair of 1L's. Far nicer sound, more laid back than the xpa2. I have no experience with the sa250 but I like my 1L's almost as much as the xpr2 I had. Possibly even more, but I owned them at different times... so no actual a/b listening occurred. You could even try and find a crown xls1500, I a/b 'd one of these with my xpa2 and could hear zero difference. A quick Google search found at least 2 of Emotiva's dealer partners have the XPA-1L in stock. HiFi heaven and sight and sound gallery |
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alto
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Post by alto on Feb 2, 2016 15:55:33 GMT -5
The preamp would be the TX-818 and main source is a Panasoinic Blue Ray player.
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Post by DavidR on Feb 2, 2016 17:38:20 GMT -5
My experience with Klipsch have been with Cornwalls and more recently original Heresy. I will say they lack deep bass and highs above 17kHz. However, the sound they did make (at LOW volume) was very accurate and nice sounding. Upon raising the volume I found the horns were too harsh for my liking. If you do not like the harshness, as I do, you might try a tube amp or tube pre to smooth that over. I think an Emo SS amp would expose this.
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alto
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Post by alto on Feb 2, 2016 21:35:45 GMT -5
The XPR-2 looks good, are they expensive? I'm still leaning towards the SA-250. I'll also look at some more powerful tube amps than the ones I already have. Thanks for the advice.
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Post by DavidR on Feb 2, 2016 22:35:24 GMT -5
Become a member of the secret monoblock society HERE |
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