Should I get a XPA-2?

[vinylguy]

First though, why don't I have one already. Lol.

I currently have a vinyl only 2.1 ch setup with my gen 1 mini x. I love it. Nice and simple.

But, as with everything thing in my life I can't leave it alone, I love tinkering.

It seems like a used XPA2 can be had for around $500-$600 dollars. Seems like a pretty good deal.

I am ever so slowly climbing the ladder of audiophile gear. With speakers in my future. With a amp with as much output as the XPA2 will that eliminate more budget friendly speaker choices?

Also my current towers handle 320W max. Will I risk damaging them? I rarely turn my MiniX past half, usually little past 1/4. Will a powerful amp be noticeable at low volumes?

Lastly, what is Emotivas warranty like?

[knucklehead]

You can break a crow bar in a sand box if you try hard enough. Same with speakers. If your mini x amp is doing the job use the money for more vinyl. The chance that you'll hear a difference is not great. I'm not in the 'all amps sound the same' camp - but I've never heard any decent working amp sound different than the last amp unless that last amp was not performing as expected. Amps are like cars - if you're cruising along on the freeway at 65mph and seldom exceed 75 how is more power going to make a difference?

[vinylguy]

Oct 23, 2016 18:42:56 GMT -5 knucklehead said:

You can break a crow bar in a sand box if you try hard enough. Same with speakers. If your mini x amp is doing the job use the money for more vinyl. The chance that you'll hear a difference is not great. I'm not in the 'all amps sound the same' camp - but I've never heard any decent working amp sound different than the last amp unless that last amp was not performing as expected. Amps are like cars - if you're cruising along on the freeway at 65mph and seldom exceed 75 how is more power going to make a difference?

Totally agree. But with the output of the MiniX being 50wpc and my speakers (label on the rear) saying 75-340wpc. And the somewhat bargain price of the older XPA. Seemed like a good idea.

Just wasn't sure if more "juice" would be noticeable.

[novisnick]

I have a modest set of Klipsch book shelf speakers, RB 61 II's, thay like most all Klipsch speakers can be driven to rather high decibels with very little power. I make this statement to bolster my point, I have driven these speakers with my TA-100 which provides 50 wpc and makes the speakers sing nicely. The same speakers I've driven with a set of XPR-1's, 1000 wpc @ 8 ohms and 1750 wpc at 4 ohms and they do sound different. Not that I listened at higher volumes but other differences. A little more bass, quicker response and attack of the music amongst other differences.

Lack of power and driving a speaker to distortion will kill any speaker, having extra power doesn't mean you have to use it all, it just means you will have extra and more in reserve when difficult passages of music are fed to the speakers.

This is where I state,,,,,,MONOBLOCK s rule!!! But I wont go into that at this moment!!  

[vinylguy]

Oct 23, 2016 19:19:44 GMT -5 novisnick said:

This is where I state,,,,,,MONOBLOCK s rule!!! But I wont go into that at this moment!!  

My original plan was to use mono blocks. I love the look of the amps on shortie stands near a beautiful tower.

I was just caught off guard that I could pick up a XPA2 for $500. Maybe I'll pass and put that towards my speaker fund.

[vneal]

Need to know your speakers to voice an opinion

[novisnick]

Oct 23, 2016 19:42:57 GMT -5 vinylguy said:

Oct 23, 2016 19:19:44 GMT -5 novisnick said:

This is where I state,,,,,,MONOBLOCK s rule!!! But I wont go into that at this moment!!  

My original plan was to use mono blocks. I love the look of the amps on shortie stands near a beautiful tower.

I was just caught off guard that I could pick up a XPA2 for $500. Maybe I'll pass and put that towards my speaker fund.

I've never heard the XPA-2 myself but from all reports it is an extremely good value.

[teaman]

What speakers are you driving no, also what speakers would you put on a short list of replacements?

Next, I have several XPA-2's of both Gen 1 and Gen 2 and they both do a fantastic job doing what they do. I have a pair of XPA-1's and honestly nothing considerable to note as in difference in sound...probably just added headroom. I have also owned a few UPA-1 and UPA-2 amps and they did a good job as well. Additional power on tap if you need it is always nice to have on hand.

Emotiva forum user flamethrower has a pair of XPA-100 mono block amps for sale at a fair price if that interests you.


emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/48375/xpa-100-gen-pair-bnib


Tim

[vinylguy]

Right now I am using a set of SVS STS-01 towers and a Outlaw lmf 1 ex. I can't really remember the complete specs on the towers. 90db 6ohm

My short list is polk Lsi 705, Tekton Pendragon, Maybe a Martin Logan ESL.. main thing is to eliminate the sub, so I need a true full range speaker.

[repeetavx]

I own a couple XPA -2s. They set a standard for quick powerful sound. That being said, they are big and heavy. I suspect that you would be just as happy with a pair of XPA-100s.

[creimes]

I also recommend the XPA-100's for sale here on the lounge, $600 is a great price for those amps that are new in the box, I've owned them and a XPA-2 at the smae time and could tell zero difference between them when going back and forth.

[novisnick]

Oct 23, 2016 23:14:21 GMT -5 creimes said:

I also recommend the XPA-100's for sale here on the lounge, $600 is a great price for those amps that are new in the box, I've owned them and a XPA-2 at the smae time and could tell zero difference between them when going back and forth.

I concur! Very good value and much easier on the back!