vcrpro3
Minor Hero
..A loony lunatic.....
Posts: 73 
|
Post by vcrpro3 on Jul 11, 2018 17:56:48 GMT -5
Tell me why i should (or shouldn't) go after a used pair of XPA-1l and sell my UPA-1 set.....i'm soooooo confused!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Jul 11, 2018 18:05:09 GMT -5
The XPA-1 L IS a better amp. I've heard both. But not by leaps and bounds. It is a bit more 3 dimensional and is slightly quicker. If I were you, I would instead upgrade to an XPA-2 gen 2 which I liked better. Or...an XPA-1 gen 2.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gary Cook on Jul 11, 2018 18:33:00 GMT -5
Gar and I have this exchange regularly, our opinions differ  By far the XPA-1L's are the best amps I have ever owned, which includes an XPA-2. Whether that's due to their mnonobloc advantages or inherent amplifier sound quality I can't say. But in my system, located alongside their respective speakers with XLR interconnects and very short speaker cables, they simply sound better (of course that's, my ears, my speakers and my room). Cheers Gary |
|
|
|
Post by novisnick on Jul 11, 2018 18:46:36 GMT -5
Im with Gary! Can’t say I’ve ever heard a multichannel amp sound as good as a good set of Monoblocks! And the XPA-1Ls are much better then “good” Monoblocks!
|
|
|
|
Post by milt99 on Jul 11, 2018 19:22:41 GMT -5
Good luck getting a pair of used XPA-1Ls. I already have 2 and was looking to get another pair for bi-amping. I looked for 3+ months and finally found a mint pair that was only 100 miles away but I was 2 hours late. Right after that Emotiva did the close out on the XPA-1 Gen2 and my decision was made. My impression is that these were not huge sellers but for folks like me, they fit the bill. Even if I don't use them in a bi-amping setup, I can't see selling them. They would be perfect for secondary system driving a pair of Harbeth HLP3s for instance with a XSP-1 pre-amp  |
|
|
|
Post by davidl81 on Jul 11, 2018 21:31:39 GMT -5
Good luck getting a pair of used XPA-1Ls. I already have 2 and was looking to get another pair for bi-amping. I looked for 3+ months and finally found a mint pair that was only 100 miles away but I was 2 hours late. Right after that Emotiva did the close out on the XPA-1 Gen2 and my decision was made. My impression is that these were not huge sellers but for folks like me, they fit the bill. Even if I don't use them in a bi-amping setup, I can't see selling them. They would be perfect for secondary system driving a pair of Harbeth HLP3s for instance with a XSP-1 pre-amp FWIW there is a pair on eBay right now for 675 plus shipping. |
|
vcrpro3
Minor Hero
..A loony lunatic.....
Posts: 73
|
Post by vcrpro3 on Jul 11, 2018 21:40:49 GMT -5
Those are the ones i'm looking at. Need to get a feel for what i might get out of the UPA-1's... Good luck getting a pair of used XPA-1Ls. I already have 2 and was looking to get another pair for bi-amping. I looked for 3+ months and finally found a mint pair that was only 100 miles away but I was 2 hours late. Right after that Emotiva did the close out on the XPA-1 Gen2 and my decision was made. My impression is that these were not huge sellers but for folks like me, they fit the bill. Even if I don't use them in a bi-amping setup, I can't see selling them. They would be perfect for secondary system driving a pair of Harbeth HLP3s for instance with a XSP-1 pre-amp FWIW there is a pair on eBay right now for 675 plus shipping. |
|
|
|
Post by creimes on Jul 11, 2018 21:43:47 GMT -5
There's also a pair on US Audio Mart for $800
|
|
|
|
Post by creimes on Jul 11, 2018 21:49:12 GMT -5
Tell me why i should (or shouldn't) go after a used pair of XPA-1l and sell my UPA-1 set.....i'm soooooo confused!!!! I've owned both but not at the same time, myself I never noticed a difference between my XPA-5 Gen2 and my XPA-1L's but that's just me but I do have a pretty good ear, when I added the UPA-1's to my Yamaha receiver I noticed a very large improvement at all volumes. Someone just sold a UPA-1 here for $150 plus shipping which IMO is about right considering I bought mine back in 2010 new from Emotiva for $299 each shipped. Chad |
|
|
|
Post by teaman on Jul 11, 2018 22:14:18 GMT -5
There's also a pair on US Audio Mart for $800 I have to admit since Audiogon changed it's format to paid ads and all that I stopped looking for anything there. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OP, if you do decide to sell your UPA-1's I may be interested....feel free to PM me! Tim |
|
vcrpro3
Minor Hero
..A loony lunatic.....
Posts: 73
|
Post by vcrpro3 on Jul 11, 2018 22:47:03 GMT -5
The XPA-1l (as with the UPA-1), are more desireable due to the fact that 2 monoblocks are easier for this geezer with back problems and a heart condition to handle and move around....And if i do get them, will also sell of my Carver....
|
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Jul 12, 2018 2:29:49 GMT -5
By all means sell the Carver. Which one? I owned an m400t for about 20 years.
As for your proposed amp move? Might be a half-step better, either way, but certainly not a massive 'upgrade'.
BTW? What kind of speakers?
|
|
vcrpro3
Minor Hero
..A loony lunatic.....
Posts: 73
|
Post by vcrpro3 on Jul 12, 2018 3:10:52 GMT -5
By all means sell the Carver. Which one? I owned an m400t for about 20 years. As for your proposed amp move? Might be a half-step better, either way, but certainly not a massive 'upgrade'. BTW? What kind of speakers? I have two Carver amps, a TFM-25 and a M1.5t..been trying to find a local or regional buyer for the TFM-25 and a C-1 preamp...will have to think about letting the M1.5t go, though. I have a XSP-1 preamp which would be a better pairing with the XPA-1l being that they are a both a true balanced design.. I have 2 pairs of speakers i switch off between, PhaseTech PC-800ho and Magnepan MMGs and the possibility of selling the PhaseTechs and getting Vandersteens ... |
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Jul 12, 2018 12:06:16 GMT -5
Maggies do need a bit of power. No question. Though many users make do with less or even some flavor of tube.
Me? I can only afford ONE set of anything. So for me, selling off most everything and starting over is on the table.
The new 1.7i or even the .7 get good press and have a loyal following. At that point, an XPA-2 makes sense.
The pair of XPA-1 are BIG and Heavy. In Either Case? I'd have a dedicated amp stand or in the case of the mono amps, one
behind EACH speaker.
A Sub may make sense for some kinds of music, too. And if you Really want to go nuts? Drop a 20amp circuit for the new amp(s) to feed
them properly.
Balanced may or may NOT buy you anything. If you are in a very electricallly noisy place? Maybe. A pair of 6 foot Mogami Studio
cables will run you maybe 100$ these days and last forever. Single ended still makes good use of resources.
I can't remember if it was the C1 or C2 preamp that I wanted. The one with Sonic Hologram appealed to my sense of adventure, in those days.
A Carver rebuilder (online somewhere) may buy your 1.5t for restoration / resale. That's where my m400t ended up.
Vandersteen STILL makes a version of the 2ce which is quite a speaker and probably more than the 1.7 series Magnepan. The sweet spot?
|
|
vcrpro3
Minor Hero
..A loony lunatic.....
Posts: 73
|
Post by vcrpro3 on Jul 12, 2018 12:45:02 GMT -5
"Balanced may or may NOT buy you anything"... I probably should have said, the XSP-1 and XPA-1L are in their 'Differential Reference' series...if that even means anything soundwise Maggies do need a bit of power. No question. Though many users make do with less or even some flavor of tube. Me? I can only afford ONE set of anything. So for me, selling off most everything and starting over is on the table. The new 1.7i or even the .7 get good press and have a loyal following. At that point, an XPA-2 makes sense. The pair of XPA-1 are BIG and Heavy. In Either Case? I'd have a dedicated amp stand or in the case of the mono amps, one behind EACH speaker. A Sub may make sense for some kinds of music, too. And if you Really want to go nuts? Drop a 20amp circuit for the new amp(s) to feed them properly. Balanced may or may NOT buy you anything. If you are in a very electricallly noisy place? Maybe. A pair of 6 foot Mogami Studio cables will run you maybe 100$ these days and last forever. Single ended still makes good use of resources. I can't remember if it was the C1 or C2 preamp that I wanted. The one with Sonic Hologram appealed to my sense of adventure, in those days. A Carver rebuilder (online somewhere) may buy your 1.5t for restoration / resale. That's where my m400t ended up. Vandersteen STILL makes a version of the 2ce which is quite a speaker and probably more than the 1.7 series Magnepan. The sweet spot? " |
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Jul 12, 2018 13:11:49 GMT -5
Your question: 'if that even means anything soundwise' is the nub of the matter. Many persons put a lot of stock in stuff like amp 'class' and PS design and 'balanced'. Look up Nelson Pass and the PATENTS he holds in audio design. Ever hear of Stasis? his. I'm thinking that the best should be compared with the best and at that point, maybe some of that other stuff doesn't matter as much? You can screw anything up. I do it ALL the time. Balanced is very good at 'common mode' noise. Stuff that exists in both the positive and negative parts of the signal and are the same....They will essentially 'cancel' one another out. The idea is that yields a cleaner output. www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/common-mode-rejection/Article from Paul McGowan of PSAudio. The last couple paragraphs are where I'd look. 'Differential Reference' is advert stuff which you must dig thru to determine exactly what's going on. The pharase seems to tell me that differential is 2 signal paths, one + the other - which cancel common noise. Reference means nothing. But might imply 'premium' components and attention to detail in construction, design and execution. |
|
vcrpro3
Minor Hero
..A loony lunatic.....
Posts: 73
|
Post by vcrpro3 on Jul 12, 2018 13:20:32 GMT -5
The C-1 preamp seems to be the 'holy grail' among many, if not most Carver fans. Truth be told, i also have a pair of class d monoblocks which are, essentially Bel Canto Ref500m clones. Those and a pair of the Emotiva XPA-1L should be enough in which case, both Carver amps (still sort of attached to the M1.5t) and both (yeah, i have 2) C-1 preamps would go...(In addition to the XSP-1 preamp i also have a USP-1)...... Maggies do need a bit of power. No question. Though many users make do with less or even some flavor of tube. Me? I can only afford ONE set of anything. So for me, selling off most everything and starting over is on the table. The new 1.7i or even the .7 get good press and have a loyal following. At that point, an XPA-2 makes sense. The pair of XPA-1 are BIG and Heavy. In Either Case? I'd have a dedicated amp stand or in the case of the mono amps, one behind EACH speaker. A Sub may make sense for some kinds of music, too. And if you Really want to go nuts? Drop a 20amp circuit for the new amp(s) to feed them properly. Balanced may or may NOT buy you anything. If you are in a very electricallly noisy place? Maybe. A pair of 6 foot Mogami Studio cables will run you maybe 100$ these days and last forever. Single ended still makes good use of resources. I can't remember if it was the C1 or C2 preamp that I wanted. The one with Sonic Hologram appealed to my sense of adventure, in those days. A Carver rebuilder (online somewhere) may buy your 1.5t for restoration / resale. That's where my m400t ended up. Vandersteen STILL makes a version of the 2ce which is quite a speaker and probably more than the 1.7 series Magnepan. The sweet spot? |
|
|
|
Post by leonski on Jul 12, 2018 14:10:55 GMT -5
Bewildering amount of 'stuff'. Just my Opinion, based on how I know I am, but I'd SIMPLIFY, junk stuff out, sell it or find a good home. Sure, keep the big Carver amp. why not?
But most of the rest?
Figure out what you like and do NOT like about the current mix you own. Try to think 'system' and how it all works together. 100db sensitive speakers and XPA-1s generally don't make a system.
many modern stereo preamps, like my Parasound P5 include both bass management and a reasonable (not necessarily great) DAC section.
EMO is now selling 'D' amps based on the B&O ASC300 module, which should sound almost indistinguishible to the BelCanto offerings and at a fraction the $$$.
For example? Phase Tech speakers (never heard OF 'em or heard 'em) and Maggies sound enough different to make a choice possible. The Vandersteen 2c is highly regarded, but also quite different.
Stereophile seemed to like the PC60 which @400$ is pretty lively point in speaker sales.
They are all enough different to make choices possible. If not always easy.
Remember: Think System:
|
|
|
|
Post by milt99 on Jul 12, 2018 14:37:15 GMT -5
Glad to be proven wrong.
Don't see anything on US Audio Mart, but I do see the 1Ls on EBAY.
If the OP is interested he should jump on those asap, imo
|
|
vcrpro3
Minor Hero
..A loony lunatic.....
Posts: 73
|
Post by vcrpro3 on Jul 12, 2018 14:47:02 GMT -5
I have enough stuff that getting rid of some is a good idea. I'm thinking that by selling off 2 Carver C-1 pre's, the TFM-25 and another couple of things, i would havemore than enough $$$ to get the XPA-1L's with change left over. And, after selling the UPA-1..that would give me 2 solid systems, with the M1.5t** as a backup. **based on the sold for listings on Ebay, the M1.5t would bring about 2/3 of the price of the XPA-1L. All of it is speculative though as that i have had the TFM-25/C-1 combo and a couple of other nice audio pieces listed for over 6 months now, at fair pricing with obo considered, and have had no interest shown. And i live in a major metropolitan area, Phoenix, Az, where which one would think be some sort of demand..... Bewildering amount of 'stuff'. Just my Opinion, based on how I know I am, but I'd SIMPLIFY, junk stuff out, sell it or find a good home. Sure, keep the big Carver amp. why not? But most of the rest? Figure out what you like and do NOT like about the current mix you own. Try to think 'system' and how it all works together. 100db sensitive speakers and XPA-1s generally don't make a system. many modern stereo preamps, like my Parasound P5 include both bass management and a reasonable (not necessarily great) DAC section. EMO is now selling 'D' amps based on the B&O ASC300 module, which should sound almost indistinguishible to the BelCanto offerings and at a fraction the $$$. For example? Phase Tech speakers (never heard OF 'em or heard 'em) and Maggies sound enough different to make a choice possible. The Vandersteen 2c is highly regarded, but also quite different. Stereophile seemed to like the PC60 which @400$ is pretty lively point in speaker sales. They are all enough different to make choices possible. If not always easy. Remember: Think System: |
|
By far the XPA-1L's are the best amps I have ever owned, which includes an XPA-2. Whether that's due to their mnonobloc advantages or inherent amplifier sound quality I can't say. But in my system, located alongside their respective speakers with XLR interconnects and very short speaker cables, they simply sound better (of course that's, my ears, my speakers and my room).
