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Post by playitloud on May 15, 2016 15:41:07 GMT -5
I know. It is addicting! I've been wanting an amp for years, but just could not swinged it. Finally my day came. Yes, xpa gen 3 is a strong candidate for music..may have to wait a little bit on that one. I'm keeping my speakers for now. My 65" tv went out and now I need another tv (75" 4K ??) more $. I'm in the process of making 2 boxes with (2) 15" subs ea. I have the amps with fan mods (qscs) and the subs - will be veneered with 0.5" and 0.25" Brazilian cherry to match the existing cabinet. Just need to find the time to make them. There is always something, that's for sure. Once again I am loving my xpa5 and those xpa 2 for sell seem very tempting...
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Post by playitloud on May 15, 2016 16:46:18 GMT -5
Yep- this amp can push those speakers to insane, unhealthy levels while remaining clear. Before this amp I thought the limiting factor were the speakers and I felt like needed more but that was it, the system could not get louder while remaining clear. Now the limiting factor are my ears...thank you emotiva. All I need is the subs now.
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Post by srpawski on May 16, 2016 10:51:19 GMT -5
Hey, thanks for the link. I am now the owner of their LAST brand new Gen 2 XPA 5. I paid $999, no tax free shipping. Full warranty applies from the reseller confirmed prior to purchase with both the reseller and Emotiva if not purchased directly from Emotiva.
FYI... They do have a used unit left for $799. I spoke with Randy. He is friendly and very knowledgeable and said that the older Gen 2 stuff is selling like hotcakes. He also said, after I decided on purchasing the Gen 2 over a Gen 3 which he has in transit, that he is of the camp of wanting the Gen 2 torrid power supply and is hesitant of the new SPS until proven.
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rc2776
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8 
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Post by rc2776 on May 18, 2016 16:03:14 GMT -5
Hellomand welcome to your/our nuthouse!!  So glad you found us, there're alot of wonderful and helpful friends to be made here!  Try to post all of your gear please, it'll help us help you. If the AVR is powering your surround speakers, your in for a little surprise! Action mobies will have greater impact and realism in them. Authority comes to mind. Theres always room for some kind of treatment! Trust me on this one. The XPA-5 is a must have IMHO in every HT setup. Steady as a rock and just as dependable. To the House!  Hello Nutty Buddy - thanks for the warm welcome to the Nut House. I am back from a self imposed hibernation ( buried in other home projects) and finally connected the XPA-5 on Monday night. Here are my initial observations based on the 15 minutes of Demo at a low to moderate volume (family was asleep  ) 1) I hear a very faint buzz when no music is playing and I put my ear to the speakers. Connected the XPA-5 to the same power strip that powers all my other equipment (except the Subs) 2) The overall volume seems to be a quite a bit lower than my Denon powering all speakers. Unless my mind and the cleaner sound is playing games with me, the Loudness say at "-30 dB" matches what I used to get with the Denon at "-40 dB". I haven't done an re-calibration of any kind yet and temporarily my Submersives are out of commission (waiting for the HP+ amp upgrade to arrive). I placed my bedroom sub SVS SB-1000 in its place for the interim. Not sure whether is to be expected. Is there any way to adjust the Amplifier gain like on a Car Audio Amp or Subwoofer Amp ? 3) Even at the lower volumes, the sound seemed more open, distinct and clear. 4) There is a positively an improvement in the High Frequency response and separation of instruments. The improvements observed so far are not dramatic, yet clearly identifiable. I was able to drag the new Submersive from the garage last night and will probably run Audyssey in the next day or two. Looking forward to the fun days ahead. |
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rc2776
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by rc2776 on May 18, 2016 16:50:17 GMT -5
One missing link in the two-channel set up is a great Stereo preamp... A used USP-1, or, if you can afford it, an XSP-1 would do wonders for your two channel listening. Also, if the budget is available, I would add a great DAC to the XSP-1, and those two will take your two-channel listening to new places. Hello Sahmen - thanks for the tips on improving 2-Channel sounds. My entertainment budget for this year has vaporized with the addition of the 2nd Submersive and the XPA-5 but fortunately ... hopefully there will be a next year or Santa may be nice to me in December .. who knows ! My bigger concern is space. My HT cabinet is full and I had to remove the Denon AVR-2310 that powered my backyard speakers and a passive outdoor sub. I have to go to great lengths and modify the shelves if I want to add it back. What does the Stereo pre-amp really do that an AVR or a preamp like XMC-1 doesn't ? And what would an additional DAC do that the XSP-1 wouldn't ? Sorry for asking so many newbie questions  |
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Post by sahmen on May 18, 2016 18:01:18 GMT -5
What does the Stereo pre-amp really do that an AVR or a preamp like XMC-1 doesn't ? And what would an additional DAC do that the XSP-1 wouldn't ? Sorry for asking so many newbie questions rc2776 : There are diverse sides to the questions you have asked, and I am going address them the best way I can, but if something is unclear, you just have to ask and I shall provide further clarifications: Outboard DACs (such as the DC-1 or XDA-2) convert digital signals into analogue ones in a more efficient, and a more musically satisfying way (at least to my ears) than the average AVR is typically capable of. The XSP-1 is just a pre-amp which works its magic with the analogue signal thus produced, but it does not do any digital-=>analogue conversion on its own. Also, apart from working its magic with the signal produced by the DAC, the XSP-1 can do bass management, and comes, additionally, with HT by-pass functionality that is usefully versatile for switching between two-channel stereo (for music) and 5.1/7.1 multichannel formats for HT when needed. I have to say that the DC-1 already works as as a pre-amp of sorts, so there are folks using it who prefer its sound without the added services of a two-channel pre amp such as the xsp-1, so that is possible, although the DC-1 won't give you either bass management or HT bypass. I personally prefer pairing the DC-1 with the XSP-1, mostly because of those bass management and HT bypass functionalities I've mentioned, or even doing without the DC-1 when using a component with a great on-board DAC such as the ERC-3, for example. I am telling you all this from the personal experience I gained when I went from using solo AVRs (Denons, and Onkyos) for doing all processing, to using separates (Initially, AVR--> DC-1 ==> XSP-1 ==>> XPA amps for 2 channel stereo and 5.1/7.1 multichannel setups.) I came to love the sound of this new "separates" set up so much that I eventually moved on to take the AVRs out of the equation entirely, replacing them, first, with the Sherbourn PT 7030 pre pro, and later with the XMC-1 (when the XMC-1 came, I simply deployed the Sherbourn pre pro in another system, so they are both currently in robust service). The good news about the XMC-1 is that it has an onboard DAC and pre-amp for stereo that can match pound for pound what the DC-1 and XSP-1 combo can do for 2-channel stereo, so you would not need these two latter components once you have it (The XMC-1)... Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for any of the AVRs I have ever used. As I said, if I haven't addressed all questions, please do not hesitate to let me know. Also, this being the lounge, I am sure other members will have their input too. |
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So glad you found us, there're alot of wonderful and helpful friends to be made here! 
Try to post all of your gear please, it'll help us help you.
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