fmzip
Minor Hero
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Post by fmzip on Jul 18, 2019 15:36:03 GMT -5
So in search of the holy grail, I thought I would try to see if a different amplifier brought anything to the table.
I've heard great things about the Parasound line so I have a local dealer that offered me the opportunity to bring down my XPA-1L's to compare. Both amps are similar on paper. Specs on my XPA-1L's 250W @ 8 ohms/500W @ 4 ohms, Class A to 35watts. I believe the Parasound are Class A to 10W, same output wattage-wise.
I spent two hours listening to a Parasound Halo A21 driving both of these speakers:
Monitor Audio Gold 200 Floorstanding Speaker
DYN Audio Confidence 20 Bookshelf speaker@ ($12,000 a pair)
(My Speakers are B&W Nautilus 804's. )
Source music was Tidal, all familiar tracks I am intimate with. I really was not impressed with the DynAudio's with any material. Maybe it's because I am so used to floorstanding speakers, there was just so much missing. I did find the Monitor Audio's more appealing, similiar signature as my B&W's but not on the same level. Both speakers just didn't have much oomph and lacked dimension at all
As soon as we plugged in my Emotiva XPA-1l monoblocks, WOW is all I have to say. The Monitor Audio's came to life as did the Dynaudio's in a dramatic way. Even the store owner was like "way more grunt with your amps, I'm quite surprised". This was at very normal listening levels, as was with the Parasound.
I listened for less that a few minutes and I said, unplug them please. My amps are staying put for the time being.
I'm quite pleasantly surprised and pleased that I was fortunate enough to be able to do the comparison. Guess I will try a tube preamp next with the 804's or maybe take a plunge on the 803's since I have a very wide open floor plan in our new home.
Just thought I'd share for anyone wondering about either amp
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Post by tropicallutefisk on Jul 18, 2019 15:59:07 GMT -5
Great review. The XPA-1L was my first Emotiva amp. It was such a game changer in my system that I bought four more Emo amps to replace the rest of my more recognizable brand name pieces
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bootman
Emo VIPs 
Typing useless posts on internet forums....
Posts: 9,358
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Post by bootman on Jul 18, 2019 16:00:18 GMT -5
Both are nice amps. The Halo is still available for purchase new while the XPA-1L are discontinued.  But for anyone who can pick a set up on the used market, they are a steal since a new A21 is ~$3.1K US. |
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fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
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Post by fmzip on Jul 18, 2019 21:36:32 GMT -5
I really expected to be buying the Parasound from all the great reviews I had read.
Totally unbiased review on my part as I have no alliances to any brand over another. The analogy, the Parasound seemed like a minor leaguer playing in the big leagues with this specific Emotiva Amp. Now I am curious, is there anything better in the Emotiva line of amps that I should be looking at? How about a 2.1 preamp with HT bypass??
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Post by Gary Cook on Jul 19, 2019 0:14:09 GMT -5
I really expected to be buying the Parasound from all the great reviews I had read. Totally unbiased review on my part as I have no alliances to any brand over another. The analogy, the Parasound seemed like a minor leaguer playing in the big leagues with this specific Emotiva Amp. Now I am curious, is there anything better in the Emotiva line of amps that I should be looking at? How about a 2.1 preamp with HT bypass?? For stereo 2.1 music I run an XSP-1 (Gen2) with 2 x XPA-1L's, from a Denon DD TT and an ERC-3 as the sources. Being all fully balanced discrete circuitry they are interconnected via Emotiva XLR balanced cables. The power amps are located beside their respective speaker so the XLR cables are long (5 metres) but the speakers cables are very short (under 1 metre). With that configuration the system is dead silent, nothing to hear but the music. Cheers Gary |
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Post by rbk123 on Jul 19, 2019 12:57:35 GMT -5
I really expected to be buying the Parasound from all the great reviews I had read. Totally unbiased review on my part as I have no alliances to any brand over another. The analogy, the Parasound seemed like a minor leaguer playing in the big leagues with this specific Emotiva Amp. Now I am curious, is there anything better in the Emotiva line of amps that I should be looking at? How about a 2.1 preamp with HT bypass?? For stereo 2.1 music I run an XSP-1 (Gen2) with 2 x XPA-1L's, from a Denon DD TT and an ERC-3 as the sources. Being all fully balanced discrete circuitry they are interconnected via Emotiva XLR balanced cables. The power amps are located beside their respective speaker so the XLR cables are long (5 metres) but the speakers cables are very short (under 1 metre). With that configuration the system is dead silent, nothing to hear but the music. Well that certainly answered his questions, eh? FM - other amps to consider are the XPA-1's, prior XPR's, and the current XPA/DR models. None will be night and day superior as they will all be very close in sonic signature. You will hear a far bigger difference if you change your preamp as you are considering, especially if you go between SS and tube models. |
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fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
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Post by fmzip on Jul 19, 2019 22:55:27 GMT -5
For stereo 2.1 music I run an XSP-1 (Gen2) with 2 x XPA-1L's, from a Denon DD TT and an ERC-3 as the sources. Being all fully balanced discrete circuitry they are interconnected via Emotiva XLR balanced cables. The power amps are located beside their respective speaker so the XLR cables are long (5 metres) but the speakers cables are very short (under 1 metre). With that configuration the system is dead silent, nothing to hear but the music. Well that certainly answered his questions, eh? FM - other amps to consider are the XPA-1's, prior XPR's, and the current XPA/DR models. None will be night and day superior as they will all be very close in sonic signature. You will hear a far bigger difference if you change your preamp as you are considering, especially if you go between SS and tube models. Any suggestions on a 2.1 tube/ss preamp? |
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Post by tropicallutefisk on Jul 20, 2019 6:11:04 GMT -5
I have nothing to compare against except my previous receivers and pre pros, but I just got the Schiit Freya and I’m very impressed. It’s a night and day difference between it and my Marantz 8802a. It gives a bigger, fuller sound with a lot more detail. In comparison, the Marantz sounds thin and constrained
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Post by garbulky on Jul 20, 2019 7:50:32 GMT -5
I really expected to be buying the Parasound from all the great reviews I had read. Totally unbiased review on my part as I have no alliances to any brand over another. The analogy, the Parasound seemed like a minor leaguer playing in the big leagues with this specific Emotiva Amp. Now I am curious, is there anything better in the Emotiva line of amps that I should be looking at? How about a 2.1 preamp with HT bypass?? YES there is, at least for me. Having heard QUAD XPA-1 L's in bi amp configuration on towers. I found a pair of XPA-1 gen 2's were better. (same results when using two XPA-1 L's). The most noticeable bit was bass extension. Also it felt when compared the XPA-1 L's were a tad bit closed up on dynamics while the XPA-1 gen 2's felt more relaxed and the dynamics moved more naturally. I don't know if they will sound better on your B&W's but they do sound better on my axioms and also Tekton Pendragon speakers. Not that the XPA-1 L's were a bad showing for me by any measure.  I too am surprised at your parasound results. P.S. Note I have tried the gen 3 single wide amps too and found them not as good. So I am specifically talking about the XPA-1 gen 2 here. |
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Post by teaman on Jul 20, 2019 11:02:36 GMT -5
I really expected to be buying the Parasound from all the great reviews I had read. Totally unbiased review on my part as I have no alliances to any brand over another. The analogy, the Parasound seemed like a minor leaguer playing in the big leagues with this specific Emotiva Amp. Now I am curious, is there anything better in the Emotiva line of amps that I should be looking at? How about a 2.1 preamp with HT bypass?? YES there is, at least for me. Having heard QUAD XPA-1 L's in bi amp configuration on towers. I found a pair of XPA-1 gen 2's were better. (same results when using two XPA-1 L's). The most noticeable bit was bass extension. Also it felt when compared the XPA-1 L's were a tad bit closed up on dynamics while the XPA-1 gen 2's felt more relaxed and the dynamics moved more naturally. I don't know if they will sound better on your B&W's but they do sound better on my axioms and also Tekton Pendragon speakers. Not that the XPA-1 L's were a bad showing for me by any measure. I too am surprised at your parasound results. P.S. Note I have tried the gen 3 single wide amps too and found them not as good. So I am specifically talking about the XPA-1 gen 2 here. I second Garbulky, the XPA-1's are the best amps I have used. Fantastic dynamics and low noise floor. I have them running through my Klipsch KLF-30's and also had them on my Infinity SM 152's. I hope they last me a lifetime....listening now! Tim |
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Post by vcautokid on Jul 20, 2019 15:36:23 GMT -5
The XPL-1Ls were some of Dan and Lonnie's best work I think. So much for so many. Monoblocks that all you need, and nothing you don't. Core Emotiva values. Generous power supply. Fully discrete stages and well regulated and isolated. A keeper for the ages. I cannot know the future,and the present has me scratching my head. But the past was always Emotiva at its' very core. Favorite times.
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Post by jjkessler on Jul 20, 2019 18:29:43 GMT -5
I have seven XPA-1L’s at this point with a goal of finding one more plus three XPA-1’s G2. Sure wish they were still available from the Factory as they are great amps and my plan towards 7.2.4 when my XPA-1 had that capability (will now trade for an RMC-1L once they are available) but, puts me in an awkward amp situation. Back up plan is to find one XPA-1L and an XPA-3DR
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Post by rbk123 on Jul 22, 2019 8:23:57 GMT -5
Any suggestions on a 2.1 tube/ss preamp Sorry, in my case I have an XMC-1 and an older Conrad Johnson tube pre, and so am not up to speed on current pre's to try |
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Post by geeqner on Jul 22, 2019 9:29:18 GMT -5
Any suggestions on a 2.1 tube/ss preamp? I am currently researching the SAME thing - I am using a set of pretty nice bookshelf speakers (ELAC Uni-Fi UB5) on stands with a Sub to augment the low-end. Working on replacing my NAD Receiver (presently using Pre-Amp Section of it) with a "REAL" Pre-Amp - preferrably one that incorporates Balanced In/Out and Subwoofer Management Finding options to be surprisingly limited So far - looking at: - Emotiva XSP-1
- Parasound P6
- Other high-quality Pre-Amp with more than one set of Outputs - 2nd Set used with External Component for Sub Management (something like DSpeaker 8033)
- Other options?
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Post by tropicallutefisk on Jul 22, 2019 9:52:43 GMT -5
I am currently researching the SAME thing - I am using a set of pretty nice bookshelf speakers (ELAC Uni-Fi UB5) on stands with a Sub to augment the low-end. Working on replacing my NAD Receiver (presently using Pre-Amp Section of it) with a "REAL" Pre-Amp - preferrably one that incorporates Balanced In/Out and Subwoofer Management Finding options to be surprisingly limited So far - looking at: - Emotiva XSP-1
- Parasound P6
- Other high-quality Pre-Amp with more than one set of Outputs - 2nd Set used with External Component for Sub Management (something like DSpeaker 8033)
- Other options?
I can't comment much on pre amps because I just got my first stereo preamp, but I am very pleased with my Schiit Freya+. Although it does not have multiple outputs, you can run a sub from it. I bought the Emotiva XBAL-1x2 splitter and split the signal to feed both my main speaker and the sub. There is no noticeable difference from running the sub with the Marantz sub out. The Freya+ can also do HT bypass although its not stated. I used the output from the Marantz to an input on the Freya. For listening to HT, I switch to passive mode on the Freya+ and turn the volume to the max. Good luck on your search. I'm sure no matter what you choose you'll hear a noticeable difference in having a dedicated stereo preamp. |
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Post by audio4life on Apr 17, 2020 13:25:23 GMT -5
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Post by recoveringaudiophile on Apr 17, 2020 13:45:44 GMT -5
In my humble opinion and I am (mildly) biased, the XPA-1L is one of, if not, the finest amplifier Emotiva has ever produced. Minus the binding posts being in opposite zip codes, the functionality and ultimate sonics of these amps bordered on beyond reproach. They are the ONE product I wish I had not returned to the company following my review period as I loved them so. I did have them at the same time as the Parasound Halo amps, as well as several other top-tier offerings *cough* Krell, and while I would give the slightest nod to the Krell 402e at $18K (if memory serves me), the XPA-1L amps were in no way laughed out of the room. In my humble opinion I do think the Parasound products look great and sound great -arguably better than the XPA-1L did -however I preferred the sound of the XPA-1L when compared to the Halo line. Do with that info what you will. Be well! -Andrew
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 17, 2020 15:11:48 GMT -5
Da whirl is movin' on. I understand the nostalgia for great Class-A and Class-AB amplifiers, but...
I'm firmly convinced that the future of home audio amplification is Class-D (or some variant). True, the early Class-D amps sounded wretched, but for "Pro-Audio" use, nobody cared. But boy, the times, they are a'changing! The Emotiva PA-1 (using B&O ICE modules) rivals the best of Emotiva's classics - the generation 2 XPA-1s. Is the PA-1 superior? No, I don't think so yet, but it's definitely knocking at the door. And the PA-1s cost but $299 each. Ignoring the economics of the amplifiers, and considering ONLY the sound quality, the PA-1 amplifiers rival almost anything I've heard at any price. Are there better amplifiers? Yes, there are. But they aren't better than the PA-1 by any great margin. I get what I think is 90% of the performance of the best amplifiers on the planet at ANY price with my $600-a-pair PA-1s. Yes, you can buy that last 10% of performance, but at what price?
So get ready for the smaller, lighter, and much better sounding future. It's coming.
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Post by Gary Cook on Apr 17, 2020 15:55:45 GMT -5
Da whirl is movin' on. I understand the nostalgia for great Class-A and Class-AB amplifiers, but... I'm firmly convinced that the future of home audio amplification is Class-D (or some variant). True, the early Class-D amps sounded wretched, but for "Pro-Audio" use, nobody cared. But boy, the times, they are a'changing! The Emotiva PA-1 (using B&O ICE modules) rivals the best of Emotiva's classics - the generation 2 XPA-1s. Is the PA-1 superior? No, I don't think so yet, but it's definitely knocking at the door. And the PA-1s cost but $299 each. Ignoring the economics of the amplifiers, and considering ONLY the sound quality, the PA-1 amplifiers rival almost anything I've heard at any price. Are there better amplifiers? Yes, there are. But they aren't better than the PA-1 by any great margin. I get what I think is 90% of the performance of the best amplifiers on the planet at ANY price with my $600-a-pair PA-1s. Yes, you can buy that last 10% of performance, but at what price? So get ready for the smaller, lighter, and much better sounding future. It's coming. I have yet to be convinced by any Class D amplifiers that I have heard, albeit I haven't heard the PA-1 but I have listened to plenty of amps with ICE power modules. They just don't draw me into the music and often sound "harsh" to my ears. Sure Class D amps have advantages in size, weight, heat (lack of), efficiency etc but I don't buy a monoblock power amp with a single one of those things in mind, I only care about how they sound to me. In my view there's a whole world of difference in sound quality (and quantity) between a PA-1 at 135 watts RMS into 8 Ohms at 0.1% THD and an XPA-1 Gen 2 at 600 watts RMS into 8 Ohms at 0.1% THD. Plus the XPA-1 has features such as being Fully Balanced, Fully Discrete, Quad Differential, Ultra-high Current, Short Signal Path and Selectable Class A/AB which the PA-1 doesn't. Price wise I believe the PA-1 is currently $470.21 emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/pa-1Cheers Gary |
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Post by recoveringaudiophile on Apr 17, 2020 17:18:14 GMT -5
Da whirl is movin' on. I understand the nostalgia for great Class-A and Class-AB amplifiers, but... I'm firmly convinced that the future of home audio amplification is Class-D (or some variant). True, the early Class-D amps sounded wretched, but for "Pro-Audio" use, nobody cared. But boy, the times, they are a'changing! The Emotiva PA-1 (using B&O ICE modules) rivals the best of Emotiva's classics - the generation 2 XPA-1s. Is the PA-1 superior? No, I don't think so yet, but it's definitely knocking at the door. And the PA-1s cost but $299 each. Ignoring the economics of the amplifiers, and considering ONLY the sound quality, the PA-1 amplifiers rival almost anything I've heard at any price. Are there better amplifiers? Yes, there are. But they aren't better than the PA-1 by any great margin. I get what I think is 90% of the performance of the best amplifiers on the planet at ANY price with my $600-a-pair PA-1s. Yes, you can buy that last 10% of performance, but at what price? So get ready for the smaller, lighter, and much better sounding future. It's coming. I agree, Class D is the future...or our present if we're being honest. When I was at Emotiva and they were developing their first Class D product. We used my B&O speakers and Class D amps from Harman to routinely A/B test. We moved on to testing all Class D amps against (at that time) Emotiva's best Class A and A/B designs. It was only when the Class D prototypes couldn't be readily identified in a blind listening test from their Class A, A/B counterparts was the go-ahead given. Has Class D come a long way, yes. But I think listeners/enthusiasts have come further in overcoming their biases towards Class D. |
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I too am surprised at your parasound results. P.S. Note I have tried the gen 3 single wide amps too and found them not as good. So I am specifically talking about the XPA-1 gen 2 here. 
