Just snagged a pair of Emotiva XPA-1L's to replace my XPA-3

[odedia]

Hope I'll like them... I think it was a fair deal for 720$ for the pair but I have to also add international shipping and customs so it won't be cheap. They will drive my GoldenEar Triton Twos, hopefully in Class A only .

I wonder what to do with my XPA-3. Sell it? power my center speaker (could use the power for movies) and surround (two small satellites, almost certainly an overkill).

[Gary Cook]

Congratulations, you will love the XPA-1L's I'm sure. Not a huge step up from the XPA-3, but very worthwhile, especially if you can take advantage of the fully balanced, discrete and monoblock features. I have to say I don't run mine in Class A very much, it's only noticeable for certain music and even then it's not a night and day difference, vey subtle. I really have to be in the mood and have the time to really listen and take it in fully.

Good power amplifiers never go out of date, so I wouldn't suggest selling the XPA-3, there are always uses for quality power sound.

Cheers
Gary

[Kent]

You're in good hands with the XPA-1L's. My uncle has a system with them....ERC-3, XSP-1, XPA-1L's running fully balanced throughout and I was very, very impressed!

[novisnick]

No greater advocate for the XPA-1L's then myself! Great set of amps that won't disappoint!!

[audiosyndrome]

Now you need three more. 😉

Russ

[butchgo]

I love mine and the noise floor is really low.
No noise what so ever through my Tekton Lores and they are rated @ 98dB.

[boomzilla]

And, of course, I'll end up having to be the unsavory human waste product in the punchbowl on this one... I think that your XPA-3 is a superior-sounding amp to the XPA-1Ls. I'd strongly encourage you NOT to sell the XPA-3 until you've had time to listen closely to your new 1L amps. Given the choice, I'd probably keep the XPA-3.
'
YMMV - Boomzilla

[garbulky]

Jun 13, 2017 1:19:34 GMT -5 boomzilla said:

And, of course, I'll end up having to be the unsavory human waste product in the punchbowl on this one... I think that your XPA-3 is a superior-sounding amp to the XPA-1Ls. I'd strongly encourage you NOT to sell the XPA-3 until you've had time to listen closely to your new 1L amps. Given the choice, I'd probably keep the XPA-3.
'
YMMV - Boomzilla

B'zilla the XPA2 gen 2 and XPA-3 gen 2 are different animals. (I assume you were thinking of your experiences with the mighty XPA-2).
The XPA-2 is basically an XPA-1 gen 2 repurposed for stereo. The XPA-3 has more in common with the XPA-5 and less in common with the XPA-2. I agree with your findings for the XPA-2. I think the XPA-1 L is a bit more refined than the XPA-3 imo. The XPA-3 also sounds fine of course. The XPA-2 has a bit better bass extension and by extension - dynamics - for harder to drive speakers.

[Gary Cook]

Jun 14, 2017 12:38:42 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Jun 13, 2017 1:19:34 GMT -5 boomzilla said:

And, of course, I'll end up having to be the unsavory human waste product in the punchbowl on this one... I think that your XPA-3 is a superior-sounding amp to the XPA-1Ls. I'd strongly encourage you NOT to sell the XPA-3 until you've had time to listen closely to your new 1L amps. Given the choice, I'd probably keep the XPA-3.
YMMV - Boomzilla

B'zilla the XPA2 gen 2 and XPA-3 gen 2 are different animals. (I assume you were thinking of your experiences with the mighty XPA-2).
The XPA-2 is basically an XPA-1 gen 2 repurposed for stereo. The XPA-3 has more in common with the XPA-5 and less in common with the XPA-2. I agree with your findings for the XPA-2. I think the XPA-1 L is a bit more refined than the XPA-3 imo. The XPA-3 also sounds fine of course. The XPA-2 has a bit better bass extension and by extension - dynamics - for harder to drive speakers.

AFAIK the XPA-3 has the same amplifier modules as the XPA-5, having owned both they certainly sound the same. I have also had the tops off both and they look the same. In comparison the XPA-2 didn't look the same under the hood. But didn't sound any different either but I always run a sub woofer, so maybe the XPA-2 had more bass extension, I wouldn't know. Plus my speakers are a relatively easy drive.

It comparison the XPA-1L's do sound different, better, clearer, less noise and with a nice Class A twinkle to things like cymbals, violins, right hand piano and the female voice. Not a big difference mind and not always noticeable, it depends on the content being played.

Cheers
Gary

[taxman2]

I still keep mine even though, I've moved up in upgrading computer audio.

[vneal]

I too would keep both amps until you have had at least a couple of months of listening. I would have either traded in your Triton 2s in for Triton 1s or better yet hold on to them for their new upcoming Reference Series that do cost twice as much but this new model will have an efficiency of 93db

[foggy1956]

Jun 19, 2017 4:51:53 GMT -5 vneal said:

I too would keep both amps until you have had at least a couple of months of listening. I would have either traded in your Triton 2s in for Triton 1s or better yet hold on to them for their new upcoming Reference Series that do cost twice as much but this new model will have an efficiency of 93db

When I purchased my xl-1s I moved my xpa-3 to center, surround duty.  Overkill sure, so what😎

[geebo]

I am very pleased with my three 1Ls and they were a substantial improvement over the XPA-5 I had which is the five channel version of the XPA-3.

[taxman2]

Jun 12, 2017 14:55:49 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

Congratulations, you will love the XPA-1L's I'm sure. Not a huge step up from the XPA-3, but very worthwhile, especially if you can take advantage of the fully balanced, discrete and monoblock features. I have to say I don't run mine in Class A very much, it's only noticeable for certain music and even then it's not a night and day difference, vey subtle. I really have to be in the mood and have the time to really listen and take it in fully.

Good power amplifiers never go out of date, so I wouldn't suggest selling the XPA-3, there are always uses for quality power sound.

Cheers
Gary

Sorry to disappoint you Gary but there is no such thing as subtle difference. If your source of playback is extremely purified and you are just listening two channel stereo (reference stereo mode with XMC-1) and all your gear is balanced - well then it is a huge difference. Class AB is for Home Theatre (movies, etc)

[novisnick]

Jun 20, 2017 14:43:34 GMT -5 taxman2 said:

Jun 12, 2017 14:55:49 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

Congratulations, you will love the XPA-1L's I'm sure. Not a huge step up from the XPA-3, but very worthwhile, especially if you can take advantage of the fully balanced, discrete and monoblock features. I have to say I don't run mine in Class A very much, it's only noticeable for certain music and even then it's not a night and day difference, vey subtle. I really have to be in the mood and have the time to really listen and take it in fully.

Good power amplifiers never go out of date, so I wouldn't suggest selling the XPA-3, there are always uses for quality power sound.

Cheers
Gary

Sorry to disappoint you Gary but there is no such thing as subtle difference. If your source of playback is extremely purified and you are just listening two channel stereo (reference stereo mode with XMC-1) and all your gear is balanced - well then it is a huge difference. Class AB is for Home Theatre (movies, etc)

I like your thinking! 👌😁

[novisnick]

Jun 13, 2017 1:19:34 GMT -5 boomzilla said:

And, of course, I'll end up having to be the unsavory human waste product in the punchbowl on this one... I think that your XPA-3 is a superior-sounding amp to the XPA-1Ls. I'd strongly encourage you NOT to sell the XPA-3 until you've had time to listen closely to your new 1L amps. Given the choice, I'd probably keep the XPA-3.
'
YMMV - Boomzilla

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[Gary Cook]

Jun 20, 2017 14:43:34 GMT -5 taxman2 said:

Jun 12, 2017 14:55:49 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

Congratulations, you will love the XPA-1L's I'm sure. Not a huge step up from the XPA-3, but very worthwhile, especially if you can take advantage of the fully balanced, discrete and monoblock features. I have to say I don't run mine in Class A very much, it's only noticeable for certain music and even then it's not a night and day difference, vey subtle. I really have to be in the mood and have the time to really listen and take it in fully.
Good power amplifiers never go out of date, so I wouldn't suggest selling the XPA-3, there are always uses for quality power sound.

Sorry to disappoint you Gary but there is no such thing as subtle difference. If your source of playback is extremely purified and you are just listening two channel stereo (reference stereo mode with XMC-1) and all your gear is balanced - well then it is a huge difference. Class AB is for Home Theatre (movies, etc)

XPA-1L's never disappoint, perhaps I just don't play enough of the "right" music, often enough. For sure I can't pick the difference listening to the Led Zeppelin Sydney Concert recording that Bonzo organised for me. For sure the ears aren't as good as they used to be either.

Cheers
Gary

[odedia]

Jun 20, 2017 14:43:34 GMT -5 taxman2 said:

Jun 12, 2017 14:55:49 GMT -5 Gary Cook said:

Congratulations, you will love the XPA-1L's I'm sure. Not a huge step up from the XPA-3, but very worthwhile, especially if you can take advantage of the fully balanced, discrete and monoblock features. I have to say I don't run mine in Class A very much, it's only noticeable for certain music and even then it's not a night and day difference, vey subtle. I really have to be in the mood and have the time to really listen and take it in fully.

Good power amplifiers never go out of date, so I wouldn't suggest selling the XPA-3, there are always uses for quality power sound.

Cheers
Gary

Sorry to disappoint you Gary but there is no such thing as subtle difference. If your source of playback is extremely purified and you are just listening two channel stereo (reference stereo mode with XMC-1) and all your gear is balanced - well then it is a huge difference. Class AB is for Home Theatre (movies, etc)

Thanks for your comments, I do listen to music in pure balanced two channel stereo. My sources are:

- Rega RP3, upgraded with various components and an AudioTechnica AT33SA cartridge for analogue
- PS Audio Nuwave DSD for digital

Both are connected to an Emotivs XSP-1 Preamp.

Hopefully I'll "feel the difference" 😄

[odedia]

Got my XPA-1Ls.

I love em!

I would say the feeling is of a more fluid-silky kind of sound. If the Xpa-3 was a cool water-canon, this one is like pouring water from a pot . How much of it is just subjective feelings I don’t know, but I also don’t care. I’m enjoying them and that’s the important part.

[novisnick]

Aug 11, 2017 1:17:36 GMT -5 odedia said:

Got my XPA-1Ls.

I love em!

I would say the feeling is of a more fluid-silky kind of sound. If the Xpa-3 was a cool water-canon, this one is like pouring water from a pot . How much of it is just subjective feelings I don’t know, but I also don’t care. I’m enjoying them and that’s the important part.

Great amps! Congratulations & enjoy! 🎶🎶🎶🎶