Why buy XPA-200 First gen?

[cptrave]

So I am still pretty new with amps, but what would be the reason to purchase a XPA-200 First gen over BASS X 300? Aren't they kind of similar in power? Maybe the build quality is better on the XPA?? Just curious

[creimes]

For one thing buying a new A-300 gets you 3 years warranty which is better than 0 years, doubtful there would be a discernible difference between them, you get XLR inputs on the XPA-200 which may help if you are placing the amp a long distance away from the preamp and running long interconnects, personally I would go with the new A-300 if the price is the same but that's just me, either of the amps could outlive the other but who knows


The XPA-200 Gen1 is now 6 years old give or take, here is a link to the specs

web.archive.org/web/20141002012718/https://emotiva.com/products/amplifiers/xpa-200

Chad

[garbulky]

I think I am a pretty good reference because I have heard both the A-300 and the XPA-200's older brother the UPA-2 (not the UPA-200.)
So basically the A-300 doesn't sound as good as the XPA-200 imo. The A-300 has a single blade that provides stereo output. The XPA-200 has two amp blades from a XPA-5 amp - one for left, one for right. The A-300 has a fan (that granted rarely turns on). The XPA-200 has two hefty heatsinks on each so no need for fans. The XPA-200 also has 80,000 mf capacitance while the A-300 has much less .They both have similar power supplies. The XPA-200 has XLR inputs (though not fully balanced). A-300 only RCA inputs.

The A-300 in my opinion was a cost saving measure and I don't think it really worked. It's still a solid amp, sounds good, but the XPA-200 in my opinion will stick in your mind more. Also my UPA-2 lasted close to 7 or ten years - though I may be inflating the figure - before I sold it for the XPA-1 gen 2 amps. I have no doubt that the UPA-2 would have easily lasted as long as I wanted it.

XPA-200

A-300


Your real question is whether to choose between the XPA-200 or the PA-1 monoblock amps (or XPA-2 gen 2) amps.

[vcautokid]

Yes warranty or no? 3 years or 0 seconds. It is really easy. Plus spares for the XPA may not be easy to come by. You have full support for the BasX. The BasX some feel sounds better than the XPA. Not getting in that part. If I needed a great class A/B amplifier with a linear power supply. This amplifier is a great choice. You can rock the vote with PA-1 monoblocks too if you want to get Mono you know. But this traditional 2 channel no nonsense, no science fiction tech, and good strong Emotiva values like high voltage high current swing that is how you discovered Emotiva in the first place. And that is a real nice place indeed.

[cheapthryl]

Another consideration, the XPA 200 g1 if memory serves me right has a gain of 32. The BASX is 29.

[garbulky]

Jun 30, 2020 8:42:24 GMT -5 cheapthryl said:

Another consideration, the XPA 200 g1 if memory serves me right has a gain of 32. The BASX is 29.

XPA-200 is 29. The old UPA-2 was 32

[cheapthryl]

Thanks Gar. Wasn't sure if there was a gen1 and 2 of that model. I know there was a gen 1 and 2 xpa100. That one and all other Gen1 amps (except xpa1L) were 32.