XPR-2 vs XPA2 Gen 3

[billforesman]

I own Magnepan 3.6R's and currently use an Emotiva XPA2 Gen 3 to power them. I have an opportunity to buy an XPR-2 and wondered what, if anything, to expect in terms of improvement?

[Jean Genie]

XPR-2:

Power Output (rated power; THD < 0.1%):
600 watts / channel (x2); both channels driven; into 8 Ohms.
1000 watts / channel (x2); both channels driven; into 4 Ohms.
Weight:
100 lbs

XPA two Gen3:

ALL MODELS: FTC Rated Power; 2 Channels Driven; 20 Hz - 20 kHz; THD <0.1%
300 watts RMS per channel; THD < 0.1%; into 8 Ohms (120 VAC line).
490 watts RMS per channel; THD < 0.1%; into 4 Ohms (120 VAC line).
Weight

35.5 lbs

[novisnick]

Ive heard both XPR-1's and XPA-1 gen 2's and IMO the R has it easily. So perhaps using the H - class design in the new gen 3 may prove very interesting! Ill have to wait till someone offers a listen as hopefully I won't be in the market for SS MONOBLOCKS ever again! 😁🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[lehighvalleyjeff]

My vote is for XPR from owning the series myself. There is a significant difference in these two amps. I'd like to argue the XPR might have a lower noise floor but audibly the XPR should have tons more headroom to bring your Maggie 3.6s to their sweet spot.

[garbulky]

Jun 19, 2017 18:44:23 GMT -5 Jean Genie said:

XPR-2:

Power Output (rated power; THD < 0.1%):
600 watts / channel (x2); both channels driven; into 8 Ohms.
1000 watts / channel (x2); both channels driven; into 4 Ohms.
Weight:
100 lbs

XPA two Gen3:

ALL MODELS: FTC Rated Power; 2 Channels Driven; 20 Hz - 20 kHz; THD <0.1%
300 watts RMS per channel; THD < 0.1%; into 8 Ohms (120 VAC line).
490 watts RMS per channel; THD < 0.1%; into 4 Ohms (120 VAC line).
Weight

35.5 lbs

I think this just about sums it up. Also keep in mind the bigger amp has a lot more capacitance on it and a real toroidal transformer

[stiehl11]

I would agree with everything said except that he's looking at a Gen 3, not a Gen 2. The Gen 3 uses similar amp blades and should sound similar to the XPR series. The Gen 3 should be a lower powered version of the XPR series. The Gen 3 series was meant to be the replacement for the R series with the Base X and Emersa lines to slot underneath to retain the 3 tiers of amps.

[leonski]

The path forward with Magnepan, the older .6 series and the 20.1 would be to go to true biamp.

The difference in amp power between those listed is roughly 3db. Unless redlined, not enough to worry about. With the possible exception that a Linear PS probably has
more headroom potential than the SMPS of the newer amps. That's where MOST of the weight difference comes in. Transformer.

I'd off hand say to use a line level crossover and a stereo amp behind each speaker. And one of the new G3 amps. That totals to a fraction of a DB lower than the XPR-2 and has the advantages brought when
you go to a line level crossover.
The low to mid-high crossover point is, I think, 200hz, which is pretty low.

[Axis]

I did not do anything but read the thread name and I will say the XPR-2 is not the same as a Gen3 XPA-2. The power the XPR-2 has is off the scale in my experience. I would think you would only need that output for speakers that demand it. I said demand it. Speakers pull and if the speakers do not pull that output and need that output then an XPR-2 is overkill to me. Others will argue.

An Gen3 XPA-2 should give almost every speaker out there that folks on this Forum have with plenty of output, headroom and sound quality they need.

Solid State sound from Lonnie knocks it out of the park and with the Gen3 XPA amps you can add or change the blades and power supply to balanced 600 watt monoblocks. Yes I believe you can have monoblocks in one chassis with one power supply that performs excellent. You want to argue it needs to be separate then you will have to prove it.

Extraordinary claims require evidence.

[leonski]

First, some agree and some dis agree.

But first? A question. What extraordinary claims were made?

Maggies are extremely power hungry. They are also VERY low sensitivity. Measured, IIRC, using 2.83 volts, and are 4 ohm speakers. too bad. 1 watt at 4 ohms is 2 volts which cuts the sensitivity further.
Anyway, Maggies are always good for whatever GOOD power you feed them. Even the entry level MMG model can easily use 200 a side or more. Just keep your ears open.

The definition of monobloc is ONE amp and ONE power supply per enclosure. 2 amps and 2 PS may be considered 'dual mono'. But in NO sense of the word mono, which means ONE and comes from the Greek monos, which means alone or (related). 1PS and 2 amp channels is 'stereo' or good for biamp duties. But some interaation can be modulated THRU the single PS.

The whole exercise here is one of SYSTEM BUILDING. Not cramming the largest amp you can haul up your stairs in front of your 101db sensitive KHorn copies. From a pure power perspective, the big panels might be worst case for sheer power needed. They are in NO SENSE a 'bad load' being pretty much low reactance all the way.
That's why my OPINION is for 2 lower powered and Quieter amps as biamp. Even Maggies will get pretty loud with 10 watts continuous per speaker with 200 each as 20db headroom. It's not called Maggie Slam for charity.


Attached is my idea for a dual mono amp setup exclusively for biamp duties using nCore NC400 modules.     This is meant to go into a single enclosure, but you could EASILY substitute a nice pair of any EMO mono bloc  or even a stereo amp, just insert the MiniDSP as a crossover.   

Attachments:

[Axis]

Jun 21, 2017 19:46:19 GMT -5 leonski said:

First, some agree and some dis agree.

But first? A question. What extraordinary claims were made?

Maggies are extremely power hungry. They are also VERY low sensitivity. Measured, IIRC, using 2.83 volts, and are 4 ohm speakers. too bad. 1 watt at 4 ohms is 2 volts which cuts the sensitivity further.
Anyway, Maggies are always good for whatever GOOD power you feed them. Even the entry level MMG model can easily use 200 a side or more. Just keep your ears open.

The definition of monobloc is ONE amp and ONE power supply per enclosure. 2 amps and 2 PS may be considered 'dual mono'. But in NO sense of the word mono, which means ONE and comes from the Greek monos, which means alone or (related). 1PS and 2 amp channels is 'stereo' or good for biamp duties. But some interaation can be modulated THRU the single PS.

The whole exercise here is one of SYSTEM BUILDING. Not cramming the largest amp you can haul up your stairs in front of your 101db sensitive KHorn copies. From a pure power perspective, the big panels might be worst case for sheer power needed. They are in NO SENSE a 'bad load' being pretty much low reactance all the way.
That's why my OPINION is for 2 lower powered and Quieter amps as biamp. Even Maggies will get pretty loud with 10 watts continuous per speaker with 200 each as 20db headroom. It's not called Maggie Slam for charity.


Attached is my idea for a dual mono amp setup exclusively for biamp duties using nCore NC400 modules.     This is meant to go into a single enclosure, but you could EASILY substitute a nice pair of any EMO mono bloc  or even a stereo amp, just insert the MiniDSP as a crossover.   

Was just talking about true monoblocks vers the new Gen 3 for monoblocks. Did not even read any post and was not about any post. I agree with you on power need almost all the time. You know your stuff with this stuff.

[leonski]

I read thru the thread and didn't see anything that I'd call 'extraordinary claims'. I though everyone had a reasoned viewpoint, though I also noted nobody addressed the differences between
a 'switcher' and 'linear', except to note the large capacitance with the linear.
The SMPS in the new EMO stuff has several voltage rails, if I understand what I've been reading. The low voltage rail will get most of the use the vast majority of the time. The high voltage rail will handle
peaks. I don't know how much 'dynamic' power such a PS could muster.
I don't know if such differences REALLY matter, though, to most users. Nobody runs at redline and the differnce of a db or so of headroom over 'list' is rarely needed. Though the person with those 3.6 Maggies sure could use all the good watts he could buy, especially in a large room at the highest levels.

To tell the difference between an XPR and XPA amp while powering Maggies? You're really gonna have to give it a try. I'm not thinking you'll hear dramatic differences especially at normal levels.

Thanks, Axis.......Stay in Touch: