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Post by brookalypse on Feb 2, 2020 3:08:54 GMT -5
has anyone here upgraded and noticed significant improvement?
Also from the PT100 to the XSP 1 ?
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Post by Ex_Vintage on Feb 2, 2020 21:45:30 GMT -5
I "upgraded" from an A500 to a XPA-5. The biggest improvement was in the woofer response. I have low sensitivity speakers and the extra power made them come alive much more. A subsequent upgrade was from the MC-700 to a XMC-1. That provided much more sound stage and clarity via XLR connections.
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Post by dsonyay on Feb 4, 2020 11:55:11 GMT -5
Hi.. I upgraded from a Kenwood amp to the XPA2, but I did upgrade from PT100 to XSP1 gen2.
I did not notice any dramatic differences with the preamps.. but I love using the balanced inputs and outputs. I didn't realize how much I'd miss a DAC so I had to add an external DAC later (Topping D10).
My ears are old, and any differences in performance between the 2 preamps seem to elude me.
The upgraded preamp was purchased pre-owned so I didn't really spend a lot.
Looking back, I was probably better off keeping the PT100 and buying more albums. LoL.
I tell you what though.. upgrading from the old 80s era Kenwood amp to the XPA2 was a significant change.
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Post by brookalypse on Feb 4, 2020 15:01:15 GMT -5
I "upgraded" from an A500 to a XPA-5. The biggest improvement was in the woofer response. I have low sensitivity speakers and the extra power made them come alive much more. A subsequent upgrade was from the MC-700 to a XMC-1. That provided much more sound stage and clarity via XLR connections. |
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Post by brookalypse on Feb 4, 2020 15:04:45 GMT -5
The A500 is a lower wattage per channel than the A300 which is only 2 channel so I guess your gains in wattage would have been more substantial.
yes clean power makes a big difference with inefficient speakers.
Going from an AVR to my separates was night and day.
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Post by boomzilla on Feb 4, 2020 18:19:06 GMT -5
I've owned all the Emotiva preamps. I like the PT-100 more than the XSP-1.
That factoid & a buck'll buy you a cup of McCoffee...
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Post by boomzilla on Feb 4, 2020 18:20:16 GMT -5
I've also owned a BUNCH of the XPA Emotiva amps - AND the A300. But the one I've liked best is the Emotiva PA-1 monos.
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Post by routlaw on Feb 4, 2020 18:30:58 GMT -5
I've owned all the Emotiva preamps. I like the PT-100 more than the XSP-1. That factoid & a buck'll buy you a cup of McCoffee... But why? So you're implying with all of the capable circuitry in the XSP-1 its outperformed by their lesser model? I do find this difficult to believe, no offense intended though. |
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Post by boomzilla on Feb 4, 2020 23:14:57 GMT -5
I've owned all the Emotiva preamps. I like the PT-100 more than the XSP-1... But why? Hi routlaw - To me, the PT-100 sounds more lively than the XSP-1. The XSP-1, to my ears, just shuts down the dynamics of the music (compared to the PT-100). I've tried to like the XSP-1 multiple times, seduced again and again by its balanced circuitry, its bass management, etc. But every time I take the XSP-1 out of the system, the sound quality improves (shockingly). I've used the XSP-1 with multiple speakers, multiple power amps, and multiple sources. It just doesn't wet my whistle. The flaws of the XSP-1 are not additive. It doesn't change the tonality, create any distortion, or add bad things. But to my ears and in my system, the XSP-1 is distinctly subtractive in the area of dynamics. The vast majority of owners seem to disagree with me, so don't consider my opinion as gospel. But even if the prices were reversed, I'd still pick the PT-100 over the XSP-1. Cordially - Boom |
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Post by vcautokid on Feb 5, 2020 8:30:32 GMT -5
2 words on the behalf of the XPA. Current and Voltage. Done! Well, not quite. The XPA is a much more capable amplifier and the best for the money or outright Emotiva ever made. My Brother is rocking the XPA-2 gen 1 and it still knocks the crap out of dullness around. A300 is competent amp, but it is outgunned by the XPA hands down. Like a .50 Caliber vs a 105mm howitzer, which does the most? Really You had to think about that?? The XPA is a rocking amplifier for the ages. Emotiva Classic! Recommended!!
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Post by boomzilla on Feb 5, 2020 8:39:29 GMT -5
2 words on the behalf of the XPA. Current and Voltage. Done! Well, not quite. The XPA is a much more capable amplifier and the best for the money or outright Emotiva ever made. My Brother is rocking the XPA-2 gen 1 and it still knocks the crap out of dullness around. A300 is competent amp, but it is outgunned by the XPA hands down. Like a .50 Caliber vs a 105mm howitzer, which does the most? Really You had to think about that?? The XPA is a rocking amplifier for the ages. Emotiva Classic! Recommended!! I'd agree that the Gen. 1 and Gen. 2 XPA amps are better (in fact, much better) than the A300. But in a side by side, I much preferred the sound of the A300 to the Gen. 3 XPA2. Although it's true that the Gen. 3 XPA betters the A300 significantly in both current and voltage, the sound of the A300 (within its capabilities) is superior IMHO. Is my preference an artifact of the rest of my system, or happy synergy with my speakers? It's certainly possible. But I've told you what I heard. Cordially - Boomzilla |
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Post by vcautokid on Feb 5, 2020 8:41:10 GMT -5
It's all good. Making the choice that rocks your world is what counts. The way it should be.
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DaxM
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 5
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Post by DaxM on Feb 5, 2020 11:39:05 GMT -5
I've also owned a BUNCH of the XPA Emotiva amps - AND the A300. But the one I've liked best is the Emotiva PA-1 monos. I haven't owned or tried any of the XPA amps either. But I have recently swapped out my A300 for a pair of PA-1 monos. Granted, I just have bookshelves and a near/midfield setup (small room) so my power requirements are minimal. However, the detail improvement and the increased dynamics of the mono's are quite impressive and will be sticking around. Much more notable than switching from a TA-100 to a DC-1 as a preamp. |
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Post by boomzilla on Feb 5, 2020 11:53:55 GMT -5
Hi DaxM - The PA-1 monos are one of the very best Emotiva amps I've owned. And I agree that they're better than the A300. |
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lotaz
Minor Hero
Posts: 70
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Post by lotaz on Feb 5, 2020 15:50:41 GMT -5
has anyone here upgraded and noticed significant improvement? Also from the PT100 to the XSP 1 ? I didn't upgrade but I do own a TA-100 that I use as a pre amp and I bought a XSP-1 gen 2. I think the thing I noticed the most was all the extra options with the XSP. HT bypass is a great option but running everything balanced is a super nice option. Plus the sound seemed better, was it the pre amp or the amp? Was it the difference of balanced vs not balanced? I put higher end cables on the XSP so there's also that. Too many things come into play between the 2. I like both of them but the XSP I consider being in my better set up. Also I run a CD-100 into the TA-100 and an ERC-3 into the XSP. too many differences to draw a conclusion I also have an A-300 and an XPA 2 gen 3. Once again going balanced was what I wanted. I am running the A-300 through RF7 IIs and using the XPA for Maggie LRS's. So really at this point its hard to tell the difference. Plus they are in 2 different cities. I will do a side by side once I get them all together in the next week or so. |
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Post by brookalypse on Feb 5, 2020 18:26:14 GMT -5
Appreciate all the feedback guys.
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lotaz
Minor Hero
Posts: 70
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Post by lotaz on Feb 21, 2020 8:51:47 GMT -5
I am not going to go into deep detail here so if anyone wants to know more hit me up. I did try many configurations switching amps, preamps and even speakers.
After playing around a bit I will just say if anyone wants to trade straight across my TA-100 for their XSP-1 Gen 2 I will take that trade all day long. The TA-100 pre amp is the exact same as the PT-100. The TA-100 I find myself playing with the tone controls to get the sound I desire but with the XSP-1 I am perfectly happy running it direct. Beside the phono stage and HT bypass you can run balanced. Personal taste as always but I like the XSP better for many reasons including sound.
As far as the A-300 and the XPA-2 Gen 3 there is not as much of a difference. Where I noticed was at lower volumes the XPA had better dynamics. Especially the bass was more pronounced. Once I cranked them both up a bit there wasn't as much differance. That was with the RF7 II s. Oh but I forgot to add when it came to the LRSs I would go with the XPA. The A-300 did ok with the maggies but they seemed to shine with the XPA. They liked the added power.
After all the playing the TA-100 and the A-300 had a good synergy (I feel that term is over used) for lack of a better word. They are a good match together. I am glad I was able to have both these systems in the same room to play around with. Switching the RF7s and the LRS was fun as well. Both had strong points and weak points. Although I enjoy both a lot, if I had to choose to keep one pair it would be the Klipsch. In my dedicated listening area though I have the Maggies. Go figure.
Anyway you can't go wrong with any of this equipment, I have not had any issues with any piece and have not regretted any purchase I have made from Emotiva.
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Post by davidl81 on Feb 21, 2020 9:58:57 GMT -5
I am not going to go into deep detail here so if anyone wants to know more hit me up. I did try many configurations switching amps, preamps and even speakers. After playing around a bit I will just say if anyone wants to trade straight across my TA-100 for their XSP-1 Gen 2 I will take that trade all day long. The TA-100 pre amp is the exact same as the PT-100. The TA-100 I find myself playing with the tone controls to get the sound I desire but with the XSP-1 I am perfectly happy running it direct. Beside the phono stage and HT bypass you can run balanced. Personal taste as always but I like the XSP better for many reasons including sound. As far as the A-300 and the XPA-2 Gen 3 there is not as much of a difference. Where I noticed was at lower volumes the XPA had better dynamics. Especially the bass was more pronounced. Once I cranked them both up a bit there wasn't as much differance. That was with the RF7 II s. Oh but I forgot to add when it came to the LRSs I would go with the XPA. The A-300 did ok with the maggies but they seemed to shine with the XPA. They liked the added power. After all the playing the TA-100 and the A-300 had a good synergy (I feel that term is over used) for lack of a better word. They are a good match together. I am glad I was able to have both these systems in the same room to play around with. Switching the RF7s and the LRS was fun as well. Both had strong points and weak points. Although I enjoy both a lot, if I had to choose to keep one pair it would be the Klipsch. In my dedicated listening area though I have the Maggies. Go figure. Anyway you can't go wrong with any of this equipment, I have not had any issues with any piece and have not regretted any purchase I have made from Emotiva. I think the A-300 punches well above its weight class. I am not surprised at all it did well with your Klipsch speakers. I ran my Mirage OMD-28's off of an A-300 for a few weeks when I was doing some equipment changes and I was surprised how well it did while replacing my XPA-2 G2. But like you said with the Maggies (or even my OMD-28's at really high volumes) the XPA series pulls away just based on shear power. But the A-300 FOR $400 is a hell of am amp. |
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