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Post by dashpuppy on Jun 24, 2016 14:55:00 GMT -5
I just sold my Moon Balanced Pre-Amp. I'm researching and looking for some feed back on the XSP-1, I am a 2 channel audio guy that needs balanced in and out. I've read a few reviews that had mixed opinions. How many people on here have these units and like or dis like their unit ? what do you like or hate about yours ?
I'm dropping 1500$ Canadian so I want to research before I buy..
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Post by novisnick on Jun 24, 2016 15:02:20 GMT -5
dashpuppy, welcome to the forum. Lots of really nice helpful folks here!
Ive owned the gen 1 and gen 2 and they gave me everything I needed for two channel, even HT bypass which is a nice feature! Sound is fantastic and acurate. Some have had trouble dialing in their subs but it's really not that hard IMHO.
I no longer have one since I purchased a XMC-1 which I believe incorporates the XSP-1 gen 2 and the DC-1 as well as other nice features. I do recommend this unit very highly.
Always here to help,
novisnick
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Post by DavidR on Jun 24, 2016 17:58:16 GMT -5
I have an XSP-1 G2 and was also looking for a 2-channel pre. It's not a strictly 2-channel with the HT accommodations BUT you don't have to use it and it makes about any amp sound better. Lots of options with RCA and balanced in/outs. I think think the Phono section is very good.
When (hopefully) Emotiva offers a strictly 2-channel pre I will look at that and put the XSP-1 into the HT system. Until then I will enjoy it.
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Post by knucklehead on Jun 24, 2016 18:11:41 GMT -5
If being a frequent buyer will help sway you I'm currently on my 2nd XSP-1. I swapped out a Parasound 2100 for the XSP-1. Sound quality is about equal between the two but the XSP-1 has better visual indications of which input I'm on and volume is displayed continuously. I could have kept the 2100 if it only had a better display window - it was too small for me to read. The XSP-1 has one of the better phono sections of all the preamps I've ever owned.
If I were you I think I'd be looking for a used model - even in Canadian dollars $1500 seems too rich. You should be able to find one for near half that.
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Post by mshump on Jun 24, 2016 18:11:42 GMT -5
Dashpuppy,
Welcome to the forum. The XSP-1 is a nice preamp. I have an older gen 1 edition and am very happy with it. Most preamps today have no tone controls, I like the trims for bass and treble on this. I run balanced on it, the dac(XDA-2) and amp Parasound A23 and am very happy with the sound quality
Mark
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Post by Dan Laufman on Jun 24, 2016 18:23:29 GMT -5
IMO, the XSP-1 is a true audiophile bargain!
Fully balanced from input to output. Really balanced, as in differential, not just XLR connectors.
And has been mentioned, one of the sweetest phono sections you could ever wish for.
Design 100% in house by our resident analog and digital genius, Ray Dennison.
Just saying... you have to spend a lot of coin to touch it.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 24, 2016 19:03:17 GMT -5
Lots of people will tell you how great the XSP-1 sounds, come on it's an Emotiva X series that's a given, of course it sounds great. To me what's really important in the weapons grade remote. Got an intruder, no problem, one hit from the XSP-1 remote and he's down till the waggon arrives. How many great sounding audio components can claim that?
Cheers
Gary
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jun 24, 2016 19:23:12 GMT -5
I loved mine. What are your needs? What do you need to connect and what other gear do you have?
Mark
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Post by dashpuppy on Jun 24, 2016 23:58:24 GMT -5
WOAH! look at all the replies.. Thanks guys. I didn't get any email notifications so i just came back and looked. For equipment im going to be using my Denon Network Audio Player. I just picked up a Emotiva ERC-1 Reference CD player that needs repair that i'm also going to use. The two pieces of Equipment i just listed are balanced output, yes yes i know there isn't much difference between balanced and SE  I run two stereo Pair's of Aleph mini's in balanced input mode & soon to be a pair of Krell KSA-50's running high bias. I hope i don't have to spend 1500$ thats pretty steep. Remote control is a MUST for me and a nice easy screen to read.. |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jun 25, 2016 6:50:19 GMT -5
WOAH! look at all the replies.. Thanks guys. I didn't get any email notifications so i just came back and looked. For equipment im going to be using my Denon Network Audio Player. I just picked up a Emotiva ERC-1 Reference CD player that needs repair that i'm also going to use. The two pieces of Equipment i just listed are balanced output, yes yes i know there isn't much difference between balanced and SE I run two stereo Pair's of Aleph mini's in balanced input mode & soon to be a pair of Krell KSA-50's running high bias. I hope i don't have to spend 1500$ thats pretty steep. Remote control is a MUST for me and a nice easy screen to read.. The xsp-1 will be a nice piece of gear as it allows the inputs you need and is fully balance all the way through, and if you want to add a sub it is easy. I was briefly thinking you could digital in to a DAC like a dc-1 and get what you need. You could technically do that with the gear you have if the network player has a digital out. Mark |
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Post by jdubs on Jun 26, 2016 19:20:04 GMT -5
Love mine. Running it fully balanced (no x-over or tone controls) between my Schiit and my Odyssey amps (not balanced, just xlr inputs). It has likely become my permanent, never to be upgraded, pre.
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Post by deltadube on Jun 26, 2016 20:59:17 GMT -5
I love my xsp 1.. sweet... got mine on sale and when the dollar was closer to par... still loving it..
for the money I think your getting excellent value...
cheers
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Post by dashpuppy on Jun 27, 2016 16:10:13 GMT -5
Well i guess the next thing to do is look for a used one or save up $1500 Canadian..
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jun 27, 2016 17:03:08 GMT -5
Well i guess the next thing to do is look for a used one or save up $1500 Canadian.. You know, the more I think about it - with your inputs, I would strongly consider just using a good DAC with volume control and remote. The DC-1 is amazing. You can run multiple digital in's to it AND an RCA analog. If your media player has a digital out of some type (and most do), you can use it to control your audio but send it to the DC-1 for digital/analog conversion. And, you can send your other source digital in via another means. If you had more inputs (esp. a phono) or need for sub controls, an XSP-1 makes a lot of sense. With 2 channel only and just 2 digital inputs, the DC-1 is a great option. (And...if you do use the XSP-1's crossovers to integrate fronts and sub, you lose the balanced system you say you want. You can use the XLR's, but it's no longer fully balanced as soon as you engage the crossovers or tone controls). Mark |
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Post by knucklehead on Jun 27, 2016 17:08:30 GMT -5
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Post by dashpuppy on Jun 30, 2016 20:37:09 GMT -5
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Post by leonski on Sept 26, 2016 22:57:27 GMT -5
2 other preamps in this cost category are either
the W4S STE-SE for about 2000$ or the
Parasound P5 which goes for about 1000$
Both have featuresets which are attractive to SOME and meaningless to OTHERS.
Knowing NOTHING about what you value in music or find necessary, I won't recommend either.
Both have some balanced I/O but are NOT fully balanced designs. Both are very quiet. The
Parasound has defeatable tone controls. It also has bass management with both HI and LO
pass crossovers. Also defeatable.
The W4S is a passive design up to a certain point than it begins to add 'gain' to the output.
It is a very quiet design and has several factory upgrade options.
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Sept 26, 2016 23:24:04 GMT -5
From my experience the XSP-1 gen 2 is a solid preamp. The fully balanced design makes it an excellent value and putting cost aside I may have still purchased it for twice what I paid for it and wouldn't be complaining. It does it's job well. It is very neutral and doesn't color the sound. I'm my opinion it's well built, sounds great and will most likely be my last preamplifier.
I'm doing two channel with mono blocks and no subs. Honestly I have never used the bass management but it is there if you need it. Also the phono pre amp stage is really good. Actually it surprised me.
Good luck and enjoy the music!
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Post by leonski on Sept 27, 2016 10:25:57 GMT -5
I'd ask the OP how many REALLY balanced devices he intends to hook up as well as Run Length.
I just looked at the SimAudio Evolution and it has 3 sets of single ended and 2 sets of balanced.
I'd also ask WHY you are swapping out your current preamp? Did it malfunction or is it just 'time for a change'?
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Post by Priapulus on Sept 27, 2016 10:47:08 GMT -5
I'm am very happy with mine. Dead quiet when idling, flawless sound. Though I have used it with my DAc and CD-player it is dedicated to my record player. Barring mishap, it is the last preamp I'll ever buy.
/b
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