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Post by trackz on Oct 8, 2017 21:10:18 GMT -5
Hi all. I currently have a 7.2.4 setup. Triad in wall Silvers. Mix of 4/6/8 ohm speakers around upper 80 dB sensitivity. Using a Marantz AV7704. Mostly used for movies and games. Listening doesn’t go much below -10 dB.
I’m not under any specific pressure to upgrade, but was looking at the new XPA-11. Dropping to one box is nice. As is less power draw and heat perhaps. The current amps are already setup and working though. It’ll be some effort to swap them. They fit fine in my rack.
Just curious what folks think I would gain or lose on the swap?
I figure cost would be mostly a wash as resale on those Gen 1s is really good.
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Post by Gary Cook on Oct 8, 2017 22:00:55 GMT -5
I figure cost would be mostly a wash as resale on those Gen 1s is really good. Doesn't that answer your question? Cheers Gary |
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Post by teaman on Oct 8, 2017 22:45:49 GMT -5
If you plan on upgrading, feel free to post your gear for sale here in the Emporium. I really like my Gen 1 gear, and actually prefer it to the Gen 2 gear of similar models.
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Post by trackz on Oct 9, 2017 8:01:34 GMT -5
I figure cost would be mostly a wash as resale on those Gen 1s is really good. Doesn't that answer your question? Cheers Gary Not really. Cost being a wash means it’s just not a factor in the decision. The question is more a play on why the Gen1 array vs. a single Gen3 are better/worse. I’d be dropping power on a most of my channels, for example, but might not even notice. What’s the real power use impact? Any reason that switched power delivery of the Gen3 is something to avoid? Stuff like that. |
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Post by rbk123 on Oct 9, 2017 8:34:01 GMT -5
A couple of benefits:
- less power cords and chassis', so it allows for a 'cleaner' setup
- XPR amp technology in the Gen 3
A possible negative is that a single amp might get "congested" driving everything and may lose that open/smooth/effortless sound.
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Post by amped on Oct 9, 2017 9:16:44 GMT -5
A couple of benefits: - less power cords and chassis', so it allows for a 'cleaner' setup - XPR amp technology in the Gen 3 A possible negative is that a single amp might get "congested" driving everything and may lose that open/smooth/effortless sound. A benefit...Fewer power cords? Not if it's about the sound.
Can you share what XPR Amp tech went into the Gen3, and what the benefits of that technology would be?
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Post by rbk123 on Oct 9, 2017 12:45:16 GMT -5
Never said fewer power cords is a benefit to the sound. It's a benefit in its own right.
XPR tech, on the other hand, is a benefit to the sound as most/many believe the XPR amps sounded better than the XPA.
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Post by novisnick on Oct 9, 2017 12:55:20 GMT -5
Never said fewer power cords is a benefit to the sound. It's a benefit in its own right. XPR tech, on the other hand, is a benefit to the sound as most/many believe the XPR amps sounded better than the XPA. Im in the camp that believes the XPR-1’s do sound better then the XPA-1’s.  |
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Post by Gary Cook on Oct 9, 2017 17:47:36 GMT -5
Doesn't that answer your question? Not really. Cost being a wash means it’s just not a factor in the decision. The question is more a play on why the Gen1 array vs. a single Gen3 are better/worse. I’d be dropping power on a most of my channels, for example, but might not even notice. What’s the real power use impact? Any reason that switched power delivery of the Gen3 is something to avoid? Stuff like that. Perhaps I should put it a little more bluntly, Gen1 and Gen2 XPA's hold their value so well because they are great amps. Many people are prepared to buy them 2nd hand at solid prices because they are well and truly proven to be a good long term investment in quality sound. The fact that they command such a good price should be a factor in any decision. Only time will tell if Gen3's are equally well thought of. Cheers Gary |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 9, 2017 18:22:33 GMT -5
A couple of benefits: - less power cords and chassis', so it allows for a 'cleaner' setup - XPR amp technology in the Gen 3 A possible negative is that a single amp might get "congested" driving everything and may lose that open/smooth/effortless sound. I agree with this, the main benefit is a cleaner installation — one chassis, less space, less weight, cleaner cabling — but it’s also more efficient, less power consumed, less heat generated. I would probably do it for all of these reasons (once the high channel count G3’s have been in the wild for a while), but if sound quality is your primary criteria, and none of these other benefits appeal to you, it’s likely going to be hard to beat what you have. |
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Post by leonski on Oct 17, 2017 13:58:16 GMT -5
Sounds like more of a SideWays move than an 'upgrade'.
But don't forget that AudioHTIT said:::
I agree with this, the main benefit is a cleaner installation — one chassis, less space, less weight, cleaner cabling — but it’s also more efficient, less power consumed, less heat generated. I would probably do it for all of these reasons (once the high channel count G3’s have been in the wild for a while), but if sound quality is your primary criteria, and none of these other benefits appeal to you, it’s likely going to be hard to beat what you have.
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Post by brubacca on Oct 17, 2017 16:39:54 GMT -5
If you like what you have then just use it. Why go through the aggravation of switching out? Are the benefits to the Gen 3 really worth all the effort to swap it in? And also running the risk of not liking it when you are done? Can it really be so much better to be worth all the effort?
I'd say use what you have until it breaks, then think about Gen 9,10 or 20 amps.
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Post by garbulky on Oct 31, 2017 18:58:10 GMT -5
Are you expecting the same sound quality out of an 11 channel amplifier? I would not. If space is a premium of everything else, there is of course no arguing about the pros of the single chassis for size.
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