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Post by misterbrownstone on Apr 14, 2016 19:09:52 GMT -5
Hello everyone first post here and new to the audiophile world in general. I am currently building a system with a Uturn Audio TT and a pair of NHT 2.9 speakers that I bought used. My current cheap Sony amp (STR DG500) powers the speakers but they could use a lot more juice. I'm not sure if I should buy two XPA-100s or a new 2 channel Gen 3 XPA? What would be the advantages sound wise of choosing either option?
While I am trying to build the system inexpensively the difference in price between the two options is not enough to sway me to the XPA-100s. But if the sound is similar that's the way I'd probably choose. Anything I'm missing in my calculations? Thanks for your help.
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klinemj
Emo VIPs 
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,083
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Post by klinemj on Apr 14, 2016 19:32:54 GMT -5
Let's get started by asking...what makes you say you need more juice? Want it louder without distortion...or...?
Mark
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Post by misterbrownstone on Apr 14, 2016 19:51:43 GMT -5
Yes I would like it louder with no distortion. I would also like to play my music at a loud level (at times) without the Sony clicking off.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 14, 2016 19:57:24 GMT -5
While the XPA-100 is a nice amp, and there are advantages to mono blocks with placement close to speakers, I'd go for the XPA G3. It has a newer design, larger power supply, more power, and a potential upgrade to fully balanced modules or additional channels.
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Post by garbulky on Apr 14, 2016 20:35:11 GMT -5
If you were leaning towards an XPA-1 I would say XPA-1 gen 2 for sure!!! No doubts. But if it's between the XPA-100s and the XPA gen 3, not having auditioned it I would recommend the XPA gen 3. It has a higher power capability.
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Post by misterbrownstone on Apr 14, 2016 20:40:17 GMT -5
One thing I forgot to mention is that this room will be for music only. I'm not a HT guy and don't watch much TV. The music room isn't likely to have a tv. I realize the GEN 3 just came out and most people probably haven't played with them yet but I wonder if a novice's ears like mine will be able to tell the difference between the XPA Gen 3 and the XPA-100. The larger power supply seems like a good idea.
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Post by jackfish on Apr 21, 2016 19:05:31 GMT -5
I think a two channel XPA Gen 3 will control those NHT 2.9s, especially down low, much better than a pair of XPA-100s.
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Post by misterbrownstone on Apr 23, 2016 9:17:39 GMT -5
Thank you Jackfish. I am pretty sure that is the route I will go as the wife has stated her preference of one component to look at rather than two.
On a different note, what is the main difference between the SA-250 and the XPA amps? I see the SA-250 is priced higher but the XPA2 Gen3 puts out more power. This confuses a newbie like myself.
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Post by DavidR on Apr 23, 2016 9:39:30 GMT -5
The Emotiva SA-250 began as a Sherbourn amp. Emo added a new faceplate, selectable gain and ground lift. From the Sherbourn owner's manual:
The PA 2-250
The PA 2-250 delivers 300 watts/channel into 8 ohms and over 500 watts/channel into 4 ohms
with very low noise and vanishingly low distortion, and is ruler flat over the audio band. A massive
toroidal power supply and discrete fully symmetrical circuit design enable the PA 2-250 to run even
difficult loads with ease and gives it the ability to reproduce music with the full dynamic range it
needs to sound its best. The PA 2-250, simply put, is a clean, powerful, truly outstanding power
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Post by novisnick on Apr 23, 2016 9:51:47 GMT -5
I'm going to make a ruling here, Duel monoblocks, we are talking about four (4) Monoblock amps! Right?,,,,,,,,,,just sayin.  |
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Post by Jim on Apr 23, 2016 11:14:31 GMT -5
The Emotiva SA-250 began as a Sherbourn amp. Emo added a new faceplate, selectable gain and ground lift. From the Sherbourn owner's manual:
Interesting. I never drew the correlation to the Sherbourn amp. |
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Post by DavidR on Apr 23, 2016 11:28:00 GMT -5
The Emotiva SA-250 began as a Sherbourn amp. Emo added a new faceplate, selectable gain and ground lift. From the Sherbourn owner's manual:
Interesting. I never drew the correlation to the Sherbourn amp. Emotiva never announced that but there is little doubt in many opinions that they are the same unit.   Sherbourn Emotiva |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 23, 2016 12:44:42 GMT -5
I'm going to make a ruling here, Duel monoblocks, we are talking about four (4) Monoblock amps! Right?,,,,,,,,,,just sayin. No, Duel monoblocks would be carrying swords (or possibly pistols). |
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Post by misterbrownstone on Apr 23, 2016 16:38:57 GMT -5
I am patiently saving my dollars to purchase the XPA. Thanks for the info on the SA-250/Sherbourn. Always nice to learn new things.
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Post by DavidR on Apr 23, 2016 19:41:50 GMT -5
I am patiently saving my dollars to purchase the XPA. Thanks for the info on the SA-250/Sherbourn. Always nice to learn new things. I liked my first SA-250 so much (driving Acoustic Research AR90) that I decided to get another. However, I am intrigued by the Gen 3 XPA line. |
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Apr 23, 2016 22:58:12 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum misterbrownstone! Having over 20 years experience with the NHT design, as I've owned 1.5s, 2.5s and currently a pair of 2.9s I feel qualified to offer you my opinion. The 2.9s are a notoriously inefficient speaker that require an amplifier that is capable of extreme conditions (major impedance drops and lots of power).
In 1999 when I bought them I had them hooked up to several parasound amplifiers and eventually plunked down $3000 for the dual mono Parasound HCA 3500 which was rated down to two ohms and a monster of an amplifier at the time. Over the years in bi amped them, searched high and low for the "right amplifier" that would really make them sing.
Eventually last year I purchased a set of XPR-1 mono block amplifiers from emotiva. Immediately from the first second of the cd I and my girlfriend were both speechless. It was so amazing to hear the details of the music that the NHT 2.9's could deliver (this is after owning them for 16 years!) it was like we just were hearing them new for the first time.
The bottom line is this... If you want to keep the 2.9s in your system it is my personal suggestion to purchase amplification which will not be inexpensive but that will be able to drive 2 ohm loads consistently. The XPR 2 is also a contender in one chassis and they are available used online. I've tried nearly twenty different high powered, high amperage amplifiers on them over the past 17 years and the only thing that I found suitable was the XPR.
I'm curious to see if one XPA gen 3 with four channels would be suitable to drive high&low (left) and right (2 times 2 = 4 channels). My concern would be that they are also sharing the same power supply which might negate any benefits though.
Good luck and please let us know how you make out in your journey.
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Post by Wideawake on Apr 24, 2016 0:00:32 GMT -5
Emotiva should bring back the IPS-1, which was a mono-block design with multiple amps (7 max), each with it's own power supply, within a single chassis. The IPS-1 can take demanding loads. I've driven them to insane levels (load and volume) and they seem to laugh and say "Is that all you got?". Really, that's the only amp they need to offer. I can't imagine anyone not being thrilled with the IPS-1. |
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Post by Jim on Apr 24, 2016 6:21:37 GMT -5
Emotiva should bring back the IPS-1, which was a mono-block design with multiple amps (7 max), each with it's own power supply, within a single chassis. The IPS-1 can take demanding loads. I've driven them to insane levels (load and volume) and they seem to laugh and say "Is that all you got?". Really, that's the only amp they need to offer. I can't imagine anyone not being thrilled with the IPS-1. Heck yeah!  For anyone unfamiliar: emovault.org/EmoVault/IPS-1.aspx |
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Post by misterbrownstone on Apr 24, 2016 8:33:40 GMT -5
Thank you lehighvalleyjeff. You're probably the first person I've run across who is still using these speakers. I am new to them and can't wait to hear them truly sing.
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Apr 24, 2016 10:54:50 GMT -5
Thank you lehighvalleyjeff. You're probably the first person I've run across who is still using these speakers. I am new to them and can't wait to hear them truly sing. My pleasure. They have their shortcomings but set up properly with the right equipment they are very good sounding speakers. It's always been my observation that people who buy them hook them up to average amplifiers that can't drive them well then blame the speaker. Frankly the 10 inch woofers in them are subs rated down to 26hz. With the XPRs when the cannons go off in the 1812 overture I nearly jumped off the couch. Lol. |
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