|
|
Post by rbk123 on Jan 29, 2019 17:54:18 GMT -5
Which amps? There have been a few DR-1 sales, a couple of DR-3's. Don't think I've seen any 2's.
|
|
|
|
Post by jcz06 on Jan 29, 2019 18:35:19 GMT -5
Which amps? There have been a few DR-1 sales, a couple of DR-3's. Don't think I've seen any 2's. I have three DR-1s for sale....great amp, tons of power and sounds fantastic.... |
|
|
|
Post by mikoyv on Jan 31, 2019 0:26:01 GMT -5
Ok, I have to ask... I have the XPA-2, forget the generation, bought in 2008 or 9... It still works flawlessly, driving a pair of Emotiva ERT 8.3 towers. I have the matching XPA 3 running the Emotiva ERM as a center, and the ERD surrounds. No issues with any of the gear, still rocks the house... What is the game changer here? Why should I pull the trigger on the DR? Based on your system, I would have to say that there is no good reason to consider the DR-2 over the very fine XPA-2 that you already own. The biggest benefactor (or "game changer") of the DR-2 is its "true" differential design. To get a basic understanding of what a differential balanced design brings to the table, I'd recommend watching Lonnie's video on the XSP-1 Gen2 found HERE. The real "meat" of the subject begins at the 1:35 mark, but I'd just suggest watching the whole video. For those of us who already own deferentially balanced source components and preamps, then it makes sense to invest in an amp of the same design. If you don't own similar components, you may simply be paying for twice the amount of parts with no real benefit to your system as a whole. This is not to say, however, that the "Gen3" amps will or will not show an improvement, in some way, over what you already have. But having owned an original XPA-2 myself (BTW... based on your DOP, yours is a "Gen1" too), I would recommend keeping it. Your system consists of exactly the same components that I purchased when I started my relationship with Emotiva back in 2009 (XPA-2, XPA-3 and the original "Reference Series" speakers), so I'm very familiar with what you have. There's my $.02...  P.S. Edit: FWIW, I currently have a DR-2 on order. Not because I think it will be better than my current XPA-1s, but because it gives me the same benefits in a single chassis and weighs 107 pounds less than a pair of XPA-1s. To quote Danny Glover... I'm getting too old for this s#!t.  Exactly the information I was looking for! Building a HI-FI setup and was contemplating between the A-300 or XPA-2 Gen 3. Toroid vs SMPS question, after some research I see the benefits of SMPS and decided to go with the XPA-2 Gen 3. Which has an XLR input so I thought its balanced so should be good enough. But then DR2 came out, didn't understand the difference until I read your post. With my limited budget, finally decided on purchasing the XPA-2 now I need to figure out what preamp to get, PT-100 perhaps, but I'm digressing. Thanks for explaining. |
|
|
|
Post by localnet on Jan 31, 2019 6:17:27 GMT -5
Based on your system, I would have to say that there is no good reason to consider the DR-2 over the very fine XPA-2 that you already own. The biggest benefactor (or "game changer") of the DR-2 is its "true" differential design. To get a basic understanding of what a differential balanced design brings to the table, I'd recommend watching Lonnie's video on the XSP-1 Gen2 found HERE. The real "meat" of the subject begins at the 1:35 mark, but I'd just suggest watching the whole video. For those of us who already own deferentially balanced source components and preamps, then it makes sense to invest in an amp of the same design. If you don't own similar components, you may simply be paying for twice the amount of parts with no real benefit to your system as a whole. This is not to say, however, that the "Gen3" amps will or will not show an improvement, in some way, over what you already have. But having owned an original XPA-2 myself (BTW... based on your DOP, yours is a "Gen1" too), I would recommend keeping it. Your system consists of exactly the same components that I purchased when I started my relationship with Emotiva back in 2009 (XPA-2, XPA-3 and the original "Reference Series" speakers), so I'm very familiar with what you have. There's my $.02... P.S. Edit: FWIW, I currently have a DR-2 on order. Not because I think it will be better than my current XPA-1s, but because it gives me the same benefits in a single chassis and weighs 107 pounds less than a pair of XPA-1s. To quote Danny Glover... I'm getting too old for this s#!t. Exactly the information I was looking for! Building a HI-FI setup and was contemplating between the A-300 or XPA-2 Gen 3. Toroid vs SMPS question, after some research I see the benefits of SMPS and decided to go with the XPA-2 Gen 3. Which has an XLR input so I thought its balanced so should be good enough. But then DR2 came out, didn't understand the difference until I read your post. With my limited budget, finally decided on purchasing the XPA-2 now I need to figure out what preamp to get, PT-100 perhaps, but I'm digressing. Thanks for explaining. I'm not in the market for a new amp, but saw this thread to see what I was missing... It sounds like, pun intended, not much. LOL! I really really like my Emotiva XPA amps, they do what they are designed to do, deliver power to run my Emotiva speakers and do it cleanly. My gripe is the source material, the streaming music, the compressed recordings, movies, etc. That is not the amps fault. And thanks to everyone else that replied to my question. mikoyv, enjoy the new amp, I believe you will really really like it. |
|
|
|
Post by davidl81 on Jan 31, 2019 9:43:52 GMT -5
Exactly the information I was looking for! Building a HI-FI setup and was contemplating between the A-300 or XPA-2 Gen 3. Toroid vs SMPS question, after some research I see the benefits of SMPS and decided to go with the XPA-2 Gen 3. Which has an XLR input so I thought its balanced so should be good enough. But then DR2 came out, didn't understand the difference until I read your post. With my limited budget, finally decided on purchasing the XPA-2 now I need to figure out what preamp to get, PT-100 perhaps, but I'm digressing. Thanks for explaining. I'm not in the market for a new amp, but saw this thread to see what I was missing... It sounds like, pun intended, not much. LOL! I really really like my Emotiva XPA amps, they do what they are designed to do, deliver power to run my Emotiva speakers and do it cleanly. My gripe is the source material, the streaming music, the compressed recordings, movies, etc. That is not the amps fault. And thanks to everyone else that replied to my question. mikoyv, enjoy the new amp, I believe you will really really like it. Local, Looking at your system the "weak" link is the Dennon AVR. I simply cannot explain the significant improvement in sound I heard when I went from my Marantz SR7009 (basically the top of the line Marantz AVR at the time) to the Marantz AV8802A pre/pro. No amount of speaker or amp changing came close to the difference in SQ. The Dennon you have is a fine AVR, but if you are really looking to improve SQ in the future look at replacing it with a good pre/pro. Sure they can be a $2000+ investment (which is not to be taken lightly), but I firmly believe that is the most efficient way to upgrade the overall quality in a system. |
|
|
|
Post by localnet on Jan 31, 2019 12:51:41 GMT -5
I'm not in the market for a new amp, but saw this thread to see what I was missing... It sounds like, pun intended, not much. LOL! I really really like my Emotiva XPA amps, they do what they are designed to do, deliver power to run my Emotiva speakers and do it cleanly. My gripe is the source material, the streaming music, the compressed recordings, movies, etc. That is not the amps fault. And thanks to everyone else that replied to my question. mikoyv, enjoy the new amp, I believe you will really really like it. Local, Looking at your system the "weak" link is the Dennon AVR. I simply cannot explain the significant improvement in sound I heard when I went from my Marantz SR7009 (basically the top of the line Marantz AVR at the time) to the Marantz AV8802A pre/pro. No amount of speaker or amp changing came close to the difference in SQ. The Dennon you have is a fine AVR, but if you are really looking to improve SQ in the future look at replacing it with a good pre/pro. Sure they can be a $2000+ investment (which is not to be taken lightly), but I firmly believe that is the most efficient way to upgrade the overall quality in a system. I don't know, it sounds good to me... My vinyl goes through the USP-1, that is the stuff I care about and sounds incredible. I also have a few SACDs that sound incredible too on the OPPO. But, like many folks, I go the easy route and just stream off of my iPhone or iMac... That is where I have issues, and it is not the Denon... Compression, garbage in, garbage out. That is a problem. Same over the Xfinity (Comcast) cable box, movies=compression... I'm not one to buy/rent BDs anymore, as there is just not that much of anything out there worth the money, at least for my tastes. I'll keep the Denon for now, it does what I need it to do. In regards to the Marantz, it was number two on my list, but I kept reading about poor QC on the units. I had issues with my last Marantz, it blew up in a few months after purchasing. I sent it out for repairs, cost a few hundred dollars and took three months to get back, I wound up giving it to my buddy. That experience kind of soured me on Marantz, and I know they are made by the same guys that make the Denon units, DM Holdings... I have two other older Denon units, both are still going strong. That is the main reason I went with the Denon. And, I only run a 5.3 system, so the Denon X4400 fit the bill on features, which was the main selling point. Happy with the sound, but I am sure there is better out there, there always is... But, if anything happens with my Denon, I will look at Marantz again, it sounds like you are really enjoying yours. Thanks for the heads up. |
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Jan 31, 2019 17:49:59 GMT -5
Many fish in the sea, besides Denon and Marantz. Sometimes companies go thru a 'dry spell' of quality. Happened to NAD a decade or so ago, when the big PS caps started going south. Sometimes spectacularly.
Who are OTHERS to look at in the Pre-Pro category?
Years ago, I'd have considered Harmon Kardon. HK is also part of a larger holding company, so who knows how THAT worked out?
My OPINION is that the PrePro solution is better than a receiver. Receivers more than a few years old are difficult ot fix while the amplifier sections are Without Exception incapable of driving my panels.
A good brace of amps can last 20 years or more, while a proper prepro can go thru a couple upgrade cycles or might even have a replaceable board or more in a card cage....for updating.
I suspect long-term cost of the prepro solution to be less than replacing a receiver every 6 or 7 years, as it becomes UnFixable.
And ANYTHING that blows up in 'a few months after purchasing' and than the fix is CHARGED FOR? I'd never buy from that company again......EVER. This after an exchange of notes with whoever thinks
they are in charge.
1 year would be a minimal warranty, than they'll go thru some kind of 'You Abused It' dance. No thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikoyv on Feb 1, 2019 19:40:02 GMT -5
Local, Looking at your system the "weak" link is the Dennon AVR. I simply cannot explain the significant improvement in sound I heard when I went from my Marantz SR7009 (basically the top of the line Marantz AVR at the time) to the Marantz AV8802A pre/pro. No amount of speaker or amp changing came close to the difference in SQ. The Dennon you have is a fine AVR, but if you are really looking to improve SQ in the future look at replacing it with a good pre/pro. Sure they can be a $2000+ investment (which is not to be taken lightly), but I firmly believe that is the most efficient way to upgrade the overall quality in a system. I don't know, it sounds good to me... My vinyl goes through the USP-1, that is the stuff I care about and sounds incredible. I also have a few SACDs that sound incredible too on the OPPO. But, like many folks, I go the easy route and just stream off of my iPhone or iMac... That is where I have issues, and it is not the Denon... Compression, garbage in, garbage out. That is a problem. Same over the Xfinity (Comcast) cable box, movies=compression... I'm not one to buy/rent BDs anymore, as there is just not that much of anything out there worth the money, at least for my tastes. I'll keep the Denon for now, it does what I need it to do. In regards to the Marantz, it was number two on my list, but I kept reading about poor QC on the units. I had issues with my last Marantz, it blew up in a few months after purchasing. I sent it out for repairs, cost a few hundred dollars and took three months to get back, I wound up giving it to my buddy. That experience kind of soured me on Marantz, and I know they are made by the same guys that make the Denon units, DM Holdings... I have two other older Denon units, both are still going strong. That is the main reason I went with the Denon. And, I only run a 5.3 system, so the Denon X4400 fit the bill on features, which was the main selling point. Happy with the sound, but I am sure there is better out there, there always is... But, if anything happens with my Denon, I will look at Marantz again, it sounds like you are really enjoying yours. Thanks for the heads up. For streaming, I stumbled on the Border Patrol tube DAC that has rave reviews. But for $1k+, a bit too much for my budget. It may be a good solution for streaming spotify, tidal, DSD, MQA etc. www.borderpatrol.net/DAC.htmwww.youtube.com/watch?v=luzW78dp9DY&t=11s |
|
|
|
Post by localnet on Mar 20, 2019 14:36:05 GMT -5
I don't know, it sounds good to me... My vinyl goes through the USP-1, that is the stuff I care about and sounds incredible. I also have a few SACDs that sound incredible too on the OPPO. But, like many folks, I go the easy route and just stream off of my iPhone or iMac... That is where I have issues, and it is not the Denon... Compression, garbage in, garbage out. That is a problem. Same over the Xfinity (Comcast) cable box, movies=compression... I'm not one to buy/rent BDs anymore, as there is just not that much of anything out there worth the money, at least for my tastes. I'll keep the Denon for now, it does what I need it to do. In regards to the Marantz, it was number two on my list, but I kept reading about poor QC on the units. I had issues with my last Marantz, it blew up in a few months after purchasing. I sent it out for repairs, cost a few hundred dollars and took three months to get back, I wound up giving it to my buddy. That experience kind of soured me on Marantz, and I know they are made by the same guys that make the Denon units, DM Holdings... I have two other older Denon units, both are still going strong. That is the main reason I went with the Denon. And, I only run a 5.3 system, so the Denon X4400 fit the bill on features, which was the main selling point. Happy with the sound, but I am sure there is better out there, there always is... But, if anything happens with my Denon, I will look at Marantz again, it sounds like you are really enjoying yours. Thanks for the heads up. For streaming, I stumbled on the Border Patrol tube DAC that has rave reviews. But for $1k+, a bit too much for my budget. It may be a good solution for streaming spotify, tidal, DSD, MQA etc. www.borderpatrol.net/DAC.htmwww.youtube.com/watch?v=luzW78dp9DY&t=11sI have heard great things about Border Patrol... I went with Schiit Audio, bought a few items, their Freya tube amp, their Mani Phono amp, their Loki EQ... I removed the USP-1, bought a new TT, sold the Emotiva speakers to my son... Totally gutted my system... Bought the SVS Ultra bookshelf and Ultra center, along with a pair of the SVS SB-3000 subs... She is sounding pretty good. Denon was not the issue.   |
|
|
|
Post by mack71 on Mar 21, 2019 8:13:21 GMT -5
..
|
|
|
|
Post by mack71 on Mar 21, 2019 8:16:20 GMT -5
I have heard great things about Border Patrol... I went with Schiit Audio, bought a few items, their Freya tube amp, their Mani Phono amp, their Loki EQ... I removed the USP-1, bought a new TT, sold the Emotiva speakers to my son... Totally gutted my system... Bought the SVS Ultra bookshelf and Ultra center, along with a pair of the SVS SB-3000 subs... She is sounding pretty good. Denon was not the issue. View AttachmentView AttachmentOriginal shelves,nice .... you're a plumber ?  |
|
|
|
Post by localnet on Mar 21, 2019 9:22:25 GMT -5
LOL!
|
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Mar 22, 2019 12:27:16 GMT -5
Shelf style from LocalNet are 'STEAMPUNK'
If valves could be made as 'adjusters' it would be perfect.
That and those pressure gauges refit as amp or volt meters!
I like this design.......inexpensvie, sturdy and good use of available materials.
|
|
|
|
Post by goodfellas27 on Mar 25, 2019 13:48:21 GMT -5
I just heard the XPA-DR2 GEN3 over at my friend's house. The sound quality was much brighter that XPA7 GEN2 he has: anyone else experienced this?
|
|
|
|
Post by rbk123 on Mar 25, 2019 14:37:40 GMT -5
I just heard the XPA-DR2 GEN3 over at my friend's house. The sound quality was much brighter that XPA7 GEN2 he has: anyone else experienced this? Is that his XPA7 Gen2 at his house? Or yours at your house? No one has mentioned a substantial brightness difference - the opposite really, in that their entire lineup is voiced the same and the differences are subtle. |
|
|
|
Post by doc1963 on Mar 25, 2019 15:41:35 GMT -5
I just heard the XPA-DR2 GEN3 over at my friend's house. The sound quality was much brighter that XPA7 GEN2 he has: anyone else experienced this? Nope... There are only two significant differences that I've noticed between my new DR-2 and my former pair of XPA-1s (Gen1)... 102 pounds and a 5 degree drop in the ambient room temperature...  |
|
|
|
Post by goodfellas27 on Mar 25, 2019 15:47:38 GMT -5
I just heard the XPA-DR2 GEN3 over at my friend's house. The sound quality was much brighter that XPA7 GEN2 he has: anyone else experienced this? Is that his XPA7 Gen2 at his house? Or yours at your house? No one has mentioned a substantial brightness difference - the opposite really, in that their entire lineup is voiced the same and the differences are subtle. Both are at his house. Comparison points to the DR2 as brighter |
|
|
|
Post by rbk123 on Mar 25, 2019 19:40:52 GMT -5
Is it quite a bit brighter or more subtle? Maybe the DR2 needs to be broken in?
|
|
|
|
Post by goodfellas27 on Mar 25, 2019 22:36:50 GMT -5
Is it quite a bit brighter or more subtle? Maybe the DR2 needs to be broken in? is quite a bit brighter it's been three weeks already |
|
|
|
Post by rbk123 on Mar 26, 2019 9:24:34 GMT -5
Try it in your system and see if it's also brighter; assuming it will, it sounds like it needs to go back and he tries something else.
|
|
