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Post by motobman on Jun 20, 2016 16:46:20 GMT -5
I LOVE THIS PLACE!
Would be really nice to get my hands on a couple XPA-1's and try it. Thanks for all of your posts. I am going back and reading through them again tonight. More to come and will be in a new house soon, where I can test them both (speakers, setup, room placement, etc.)
Thanks again,
Anyone in Southern Arizona?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2016 17:03:26 GMT -5
I miss my xpr2. I haven't had any xpa1 amps but have had Xpa5.. Xpa2.. Xpa1L.. And mps2. The xpr2 sounded better than them all. I REALLY liked the laid back upper mids. Whereas the xpa2 was harsh and tinny in comparison.
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Post by teaman on Jun 20, 2016 18:43:03 GMT -5
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Would be really nice to get my hands on a couple XPA-1's and try it. Thanks for all of your posts. I am going back and reading through them again tonight. More to come and will be in a new house soon, where I can test them both (speakers, setup, room placement, etc.) Thanks again, Anyone in Southern Arizona? Keep an eye on the Emotiva run Ebay store jadedesign. They have some XPA amps listed right now and the XPA-1's come up every so often. That is where I bought my pair. Under $1200 for the pair shipped seemed like a bargain and they sound amazing. Tim
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Post by garbulky on Jul 5, 2016 11:21:28 GMT -5
I see EMO has done away with all of the UPA line and the XPA 2. Man I been away to long. Just join back in guys. My old profile was under "GatorTank".. I am disappointed to see that the UPA and the XPA 2 and 3 are gone. I do see that EMO,s new XPA amp that can be ordered to fit nice indeed. I sure regret selling off my UPA monoblocks and my XPA amps.... sad man I am.. Yes I'm afraid they have done away with the old XPA line. However the new generation UPA series appears to live on in the Bas-x line. I've been told that there are several "improvements". But from first glance at the internal photographs the two look very similar. But yes the old UPA line and the XPA line appear to be done away with. The new XPA line appears to have something positive with XPR blades. However the giant torroids are replaced by a power supply that looks rather small. It is a switching power supply capable of a humungous amount of power - 3200 va! Will it help or hinder - I don't know. I've been pretty vocal that I don't like it as I see it as downsizing. But it is what it is. And at the very least I know that Emotiva does know how to make amps. So whatever amp they make is going to sound pretty darn good imo. But I guess with the new dealer network costs had to cut somewhere - maybe weight was one of the things that fell on the wayside.
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Post by assy74 on Nov 23, 2016 8:57:31 GMT -5
I have never heard xpr-2.... But have xpr-5 and use it alot for two channel music with xmc-1.... I belive it gives 2 times 500w in 8 ohm. So pretty close to xpr-2. I also find the sound a bit laid back, with deep bass Personally I find klipch a bit forward in your face, so I woulld think that is a good match with your speakers! But what you like is not easy to say..... The new xpa gen3 is getting good reviews from people in hier as well. And there is talk about a new xpa-1. So many possibilities:)
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Post by vneal on Nov 23, 2016 9:02:08 GMT -5
I would go for the mono blocks but keep the stereo pair
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Post by Dan Laufman on Nov 25, 2016 8:43:57 GMT -5
I'm a sucker for the XPA-1's... call me sentimental or whatever, but I really believe it's the most beautiful sounding amplifier we've made to date. That's why it's still in the line up!
We can argue about the details, but I love the sound of our balanced monoblocks!! Absolute control, very fast, incredible resolution, and massive power reserves.
Bi-amping would only sweeten the setup and take it to another level... geez, I think I'm getting aroused!!!
You now know how I feel! 😍 Happy listening! Big Dan
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Post by garbulky on Nov 26, 2016 16:32:39 GMT -5
I'm a sucker for the XPA-1's... call me sentimental or whatever, but I really believe it's the most beautiful sounding amplifier we've made to date. That's why it's still in the line up! We can argue about the details, but I love the sound of our balanced monoblocks!! Absolute control, very fast, incredible resolution, and massive power reserves. Bi-amping would only sweeten the setup and take it to another level... geez, I think I'm getting aroused!!! You now know how I feel! 😍 Happy listening! Big Dan Dan, I LOVE your XPA-1 gen 2's. They are fantastic. I don't know how you did it. But everything about that amp is what you said. It's remarkable in revealing the room dimensions and ambience in recordings. I have bi amp terminals on my speakers Axiom m80. Do you think it's worth it to bi amp?!
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Post by leonski on Jan 1, 2017 22:31:18 GMT -5
biamping with a pair of high power STEREO amps will NOT buy you much or anything. UNLESS you are willing to go INTO THE SPEAKER and gutt the crossover. Than, between the preamp and the amp(s) install a line level crossover. Something like the MINIDSP will work wonders. Crossover point is important and if you go this route, the best starting point is to DUPLICATE the stock crossover for crossover points and slopes.
With a 3-way speaker or for systems including a sub, things change a little and MAYBE you'd want what MINIDSP calls the 2x8 which is basically a stereo input and 4 output channels PER SIDE.
And finally, I read where someone was concerned with crosstalk. This to me is a null-arguement since the amp doesn't exist alone but rather is fed by a source or multiples thereof ALL of which have crosstalk to a greater or lesser extent. Look at stereo seperation specs from old FM tuners. And how wonderful they sounded in a decent setup. I doubt crosstalk is an issue in ANY modern (last 25 years) stereo amp design.
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 2, 2017 6:01:40 GMT -5
I'd agree with Dan & Garbulky on this one - Gar's XPA-1s sound amazing. So much so that I bought a pair too. But they don't do, in my system, what they do in Gar's. So I let them go.
Bottom line = matching still matters.
In my home, the best I've heard from Emotiva is the XPA-2. It provides not only the best sound in my system, but also the best bang for the buck.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 2, 2017 6:40:56 GMT -5
And finally, I read where someone was concerned with crosstalk. This to me is a null-arguement since the amp doesn't exist alone but rather is fed by a source or multiples thereof ALL of which have crosstalk to a greater or lesser extent. Look at stereo seperation specs from old FM tuners. And how wonderful they sounded in a decent setup. I doubt crosstalk is an issue in ANY modern (last 25 years) stereo amp design. A tiny bit of cross talk in the source is then amplified by the pre amp, plus a tiny bit of cross talk in the pre amp itself which is then amplified by the power amplifier, plus a tiny bit of cross talk in the power amplifier itself. Perhaps 3 tiny bits added together = one noticeable bit. Minimising the cross talk at each level can be worthwhile, using monoblocks at least completely eliminates one possible source. FWIW I have found the ability to locate the power amplifier close by its respective speaker (ie; very short speaker cables) to be worthwhile on its own Cheers Gary
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 2, 2017 10:32:02 GMT -5
...FWIW I have found the ability to locate the power amplifier close by its respective speaker (ie; very short speaker cables) to be worthwhile on its own...Gary My experience mirrors Mr. Cook's. I also find that long interconnects / short speaker cables do better.
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Post by garbulky on Jan 2, 2017 10:39:51 GMT -5
And finally, I read where someone was concerned with crosstalk. This to me is a null-arguement since the amp doesn't exist alone but rather is fed by a source or multiples thereof ALL of which have crosstalk to a greater or lesser extent. Look at stereo seperation specs from old FM tuners. And how wonderful they sounded in a decent setup. I doubt crosstalk is an issue in ANY modern (last 25 years) stereo amp design. A tiny bit of cross talk in the source is then amplified by the pre amp, plus a tiny bit of cross talk in the pre amp itself which is then amplified by the power amplifier, plus a tiny bit of cross talk in the power amplifier itself. Perhaps 3 tiny bits added together = one noticeable bit. Minimising the cross talk at each level can be worthwhile, using monoblocks at least completely eliminates one possible source. FWIW I have found the ability to locate the power amplifier close by its respective speaker (ie; very short speaker cables) to be worthwhile on its own Cheers Gary What kind of improvements have you heard? I have the ability to go short speaker cables on one XPA-1 but not the other. Do you think the sound difference may make that not a good idea?
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Post by Boomzilla on Jan 2, 2017 10:46:32 GMT -5
The theoretical argument for long interconnects / short speaker cables is: Interconnects have a fixed source and destination impedance, speaker wires don't. That means that the long interconnect won't see any significant changes in impedance or reactance over the audio band. Speaker cables, OTOH, are subject to wide swings due to the speakers' variable impedance & reactance over the same range. By minimizing speaker wire length, the effects of speaker wire variations are minimized. (in theory).
The theoretical argument for the reverse (short interconnects / long speaker wires) is that the interconnect signal, being much lower voltage, is more prone to pick up interference. Therefore to minimize noise, use the shortest interconnects possible & don't worry about speaker wire length.
Since I don't have noise problems, I've found that the short speaker wires sound best. YMMV
As to trying it - why not? Use a short wire to the speaker nearest the amp & leave the long wire on the other. Hear any difference? Yes - move the other amp. No - don't worry, be happy! Want some short wires to try? Drop by & I'll loan you some.
Boom
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Post by leonski on Jan 2, 2017 13:17:53 GMT -5
My entire system is 'compact'. IC from pre-to-power is 6 or 8 feet.(one per side) ONE per stereo amp with an 18" jumper from out to in on the amp. NO SPLITTERS. Very Short speaker cables. 2x3 1/2 feet each for a total of 7 feet per speaker. My only AMPLIFIER crosstalk issue MIGHT be HF to LF thru the crossover region. other than that? Each speaker has its OWN non-bridged stereo amp. If I were to go to an active LINE LEVEL crossover, I'd expect improvements since each amp would than be bandwidth limited. The P5 preamp? over 100db channel separation under most test conditions. See STEREOPHILE measured data for results. www.stereophile.com/content/parasound-halo-p-5-21-channel-da-preamplifier-measurements#C3ZPW3L0GtyKOGjV.97As long as my various source components are doing their job? I can't even IMAGINE an issue with crosstalk. Even my ancient iPod Touch sounds wonderful when connected thru the front panel 3.5mm jack. In an electrically noisy setup? BALANCED from pre-to-main might help. That's what they're meant for
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 2, 2017 17:25:00 GMT -5
FWIW I have found the ability to locate the power amplifier close by its respective speaker (ie; very short speaker cables) to be worthwhile on its own What kind of improvements have you heard? I have the ability to go short speaker cables on one XPA-1 but not the other. Do you think the sound difference may make that not a good idea? Improved dynamics, that "speed" adjective that I use to describe response, punch, impact etc. Sound stage, it's a bit more precise, consistent, particularly the higher frequency instruments, cymbals, violins etc. Which also have a touch more realism in their sound, lifelike. It is tiny, not anywhere near a hit you in the face difference. Keeping in mind that I am using XPA-1L's, so 35 watts in Class A and comparing 5 (right) and 6 (left) metres of speaker cable to 1 metre, so quite a decrease in length. There's not a lot of electronics reasoning behind it but I have always tried to keep speaker cables pretty much the same length for stereo listening. Even now I also have a 1 metre speaker cable for the sub woofer, so that it matches the left and right. Cheers Gary
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 2, 2017 17:43:59 GMT -5
In an electrically noisy setup? BALANCED from pre-to-main might help. That's what they're meant for My place is not particularly noisy, electronic and ambient, the only difference in that regard that I noticed when going from 5 metre RCA interconnects (USP-1 to XPA-1L's) to the same length XLR interconnects (XSP-1 to XPA-1L's) was the absence of a very quiet buzz from the ice maker in the fridge. Which of course happens very infrequently and was only noticeable in totally silent passages. When music was playing, even the quietest piece, it was inaudible. Basically I did not change from RCA to XLR for noise rejection reasons. In my case the change to XLR interconnects was facilitated by the addition of the XSP-1 so at the same time I also was able to achieve a fully balanced discrete signal path all the way from the ERC-3 to the output from the XPA-1L's. That yielded some other sound quality benefits. XLR (balanced connections) are of course useful in eliminating introduced noise from external sources, but they do yield other benefits if the equipment is capable of utilising it. Cheers Gary
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Post by leonski on Jan 2, 2017 18:17:57 GMT -5
Want to REALLY SEE how noisy your environment is?
Wait for a MAJOR power failure (area wide, not just your block) and drag out a GOOD SW receiver. I have a SONY ICF2010.
When California suffered a major outage years ago (2011?) which went from the Northern Mexico thru most of California, Arizona and northern BAJA Ca. RFI / HASH was nearly ZERO. I could hear lightning in my radio from unknown distances, since it sure wasn't local. I could pick up a US AM station EVERY 10khz across the entire AM band. I hadn't EVER had such quiet listening conditions.
Just for giggles, try an AM portable radio NEAR a plasma TV.
I think it is inevitable that SOME of that awful RFI Racket makes its way into your system.
I'd put my whole house into a faraday cage if I could and run a Whole House power conditioner.
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