My New Emotiva XSP-1 Preamp first impressions
Dec 30, 2019 14:03:51 GMT -5
cawgijoe, stiehl11, and 3 more like this
Post by kirkj on Dec 30, 2019 14:03:51 GMT -5
I received my new Emotiva XSP-1 Preamp right after Christmas (Merry Christmas to me!).
It arrived packaged really well. Double boxed. The Unit was surrounded by fitted protection and cushioning.
I pulled out the unit and it looked perfect! Not a scratch or flaw on it.
The XSP-1 has great looks and is beefy. I love the blue lighting accents. However, it would be nice if the blue color lighting on the LED readout matched the blue color lighting of the buttons and volume knob.
The remote has a nice weight to it. Control buttons are firm and all business. Range is fantastic (I listen from about 23' away). The aluminum case is nicely done. However, it has sharp edges that could be hard on furniture (maybe a leather cover might be an offering from Emotiva?)
Volume control is spot on and has small, incremental steps when changing listening level up or down. It gives you a more specific and accurate adjustment for how loud or quiet you want to listen to a particular piece of Music (excellent).
Set up of the Preamp was easy and straight forward.
I used Balanced XLR Connectors from the XSP-1 to the balanced XLR connections of my amp.
I have read reviews saying that Balanced XLRs don't make a difference. I now know for myself that THEY DO!
My System:
Pre: Emotiva XSP-1
Amp: Sunfire, Cinema Grand, Bob Carver Signature (450w per channel at 65amp current)
Source: Denon HDCD player
Speakers: Paradigm Studio 100s
Sub: Paradigm Servo 15 (1,200 watts) with X30 Crossover
First impressions on Performance:
Note: I listen to only Stereo Music. So I wanted a Preamp for Stereo and not a Surround Sound Processor, too.
The XSP-1 was just the fit for me.
- The XSP-1 Performance is spectacular. I'm impressed! The realism and depth are impressive. It does a phenomenal job of separating each musical instrument and every voice so you can hear every detail of the recording. It does it equally well at low or high volumes.
My previous set up was a Harmon Kardon Signature 2.1 Preamp and a Schiit, Gugnir DAC with the Multibit upgrade. It was excellent. But there were times when I would increase the volume of a song to the max and "jam out". It would sound great until a certain part of the music would come in I would have to lower the volume to prevent distortion. THE XSP-1 OUT PERFORMS MY PREVIOUS SYSTEM HANDS DOWN!
- NO Distortion with the XSP-1! Clarity even when I crank up the volume. The XSP-1 has greatly improved the performance of my Speakers, too (I hope I don't blow them up
).
I have about 10 hours of listening on the XSP-1. Upon start up the unit sounded "very bright" and edgy at higher volumes. The brightness has toned down some and I hope the sound continues to mello and become warmer.
"As I break in the XSP-1 and temperature in the unit comes up, it gives off that intoxicating smell of newness coming to life. I love that!"
Once I feel the XSP-1 is fully broken in I will add my Schiit DAC back into the system and see where it goes from there.
My Overall Rating of the XSP-1:
I give the XSP-1 a rating of 4.9 stars out of 5.0.
It is an Amazing unit that delivers great performance at a tremendous value.
It arrived packaged really well. Double boxed. The Unit was surrounded by fitted protection and cushioning.
I pulled out the unit and it looked perfect! Not a scratch or flaw on it.
The XSP-1 has great looks and is beefy. I love the blue lighting accents. However, it would be nice if the blue color lighting on the LED readout matched the blue color lighting of the buttons and volume knob.
The remote has a nice weight to it. Control buttons are firm and all business. Range is fantastic (I listen from about 23' away). The aluminum case is nicely done. However, it has sharp edges that could be hard on furniture (maybe a leather cover might be an offering from Emotiva?)
Volume control is spot on and has small, incremental steps when changing listening level up or down. It gives you a more specific and accurate adjustment for how loud or quiet you want to listen to a particular piece of Music (excellent).
Set up of the Preamp was easy and straight forward.
I used Balanced XLR Connectors from the XSP-1 to the balanced XLR connections of my amp.
I have read reviews saying that Balanced XLRs don't make a difference. I now know for myself that THEY DO!
My System:
Pre: Emotiva XSP-1
Amp: Sunfire, Cinema Grand, Bob Carver Signature (450w per channel at 65amp current)
Source: Denon HDCD player
Speakers: Paradigm Studio 100s
Sub: Paradigm Servo 15 (1,200 watts) with X30 Crossover
First impressions on Performance:
Note: I listen to only Stereo Music. So I wanted a Preamp for Stereo and not a Surround Sound Processor, too.
The XSP-1 was just the fit for me.
- The XSP-1 Performance is spectacular. I'm impressed! The realism and depth are impressive. It does a phenomenal job of separating each musical instrument and every voice so you can hear every detail of the recording. It does it equally well at low or high volumes.
My previous set up was a Harmon Kardon Signature 2.1 Preamp and a Schiit, Gugnir DAC with the Multibit upgrade. It was excellent. But there were times when I would increase the volume of a song to the max and "jam out". It would sound great until a certain part of the music would come in I would have to lower the volume to prevent distortion. THE XSP-1 OUT PERFORMS MY PREVIOUS SYSTEM HANDS DOWN!
- NO Distortion with the XSP-1! Clarity even when I crank up the volume. The XSP-1 has greatly improved the performance of my Speakers, too (I hope I don't blow them up
).I have about 10 hours of listening on the XSP-1. Upon start up the unit sounded "very bright" and edgy at higher volumes. The brightness has toned down some and I hope the sound continues to mello and become warmer.
"As I break in the XSP-1 and temperature in the unit comes up, it gives off that intoxicating smell of newness coming to life. I love that!"
Once I feel the XSP-1 is fully broken in I will add my Schiit DAC back into the system and see where it goes from there.
My Overall Rating of the XSP-1:
I give the XSP-1 a rating of 4.9 stars out of 5.0.
It is an Amazing unit that delivers great performance at a tremendous value.
