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Post by ziobob86 on May 31, 2021 10:28:39 GMT -5
hello friends , good evening, I own an Emotiva XPA 5GEN 2 power amplifer. (x2) this is my complete systems :     I use XPA 5 GEN 2 it together with a Marantz 8802a preamplifier in balanced mode with XLR outputs. I wanted to know if there is a recommended output level at the input to avoid distorting the XPA 5 gen 2, or does it accept any line level? my preamp level outputs is between -4 db and 0dB. is it ok or should I stay lower? the marantz has an output of 2.4V, the Emotiva XPA5 GEN 2 of 1.8v. is there anyone with the same configuration as me? |
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ttocs
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Post by ttocs on May 31, 2021 17:58:30 GMT -5
Nice selfie! (Yes, I zoomed in.)
It's nice to see someone take advantage of putting absorption behind the tv panel when out from the wall that far. I've tested that and found it to be beneficial when the tv is pulled out more than a few inches, mostly for lower frequencies. Mine is kept close to the wall, so no advantage for this, but I considered pulling it away about 12" and tested that. While the tv at 12" from the wall, absorption helped with some things, but it also came with some negative aspects, not the least of which is that I'd have to also move the table my tube amps are on to keep the airspace above clear and the tv safe from the 300° heat.
Regarding the input sensitivity of the XPA-5, I wouldn't worry about the voltage so much as how it sounds. The sound is what will tell you if things are working out ok. Having too much output voltage from the Marantz is not a problem because you have a volume control to keep the level under control, but having too little is a big problem and you might hear distortion if the Marantz is running out of steam before the desired volume level is reached. If it sounds great, don't worry, if it doesn't sound great then the output might be a bit too weak.
I don't know if the Marantz spec is Peak or RMS. If it's RMS, then it might be ok because you're using the balanced inputs. But if it's Peak Voltage, then the RMS would be about 1.6V, which could be why you're turning up the volume close to 0dB on the volume scale. Either way, if it sounds great, then no problem.
FWIW I had a 8801 for a few days but returned it because the bass was weak when connected to my Krell amp. I just checked and the specs for output voltage of the 8801 is the same as yours, but I would hope that the 8802a has more actual output than the one I had all those years ago. I ended up with a Emotiva UMC-200 which had better output voltage and was a better match to the Krell even though it only had RCA unbalanced outputs. I replaced the UMC with the XMC-1 when it became available and things got much better. Now, with the XMC-2, it's the best I've experienced even though I've gone back to using the unbalanced outputs because my tube amps are unbalanced. Synergy. It's all about synergy.
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Post by davidl81 on May 31, 2021 18:02:58 GMT -5
I had a very similar set up for a while. Mine was the 8802a powering a XPA-5, XPA-2, and a A-700 for Atmos duty. Overall I was happy with the setup, especially for home theater duty. I like ttocs also found the bass lacking on the 8802a in stereo usage. But if home theater is your primary usage the 8802a is hard to beat.
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Post by valgolfs on Jun 1, 2021 13:38:10 GMT -5
Had an 8801>XPA5 G2>Klipsch RF7/RC7 and never had any issues with gain or volume. It was great for movies, two channel not so much to my ears. Enjoy 👍🏻
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ttocs
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Post by ttocs on Jun 1, 2021 15:30:07 GMT -5
This just posted today and ties into this discussion nicely. It talks to preamp output voltage. Now I understand better why the progression of my purchases kept improving my system, each successive preamp had greater and greater output, along with numerous other improvements.
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Post by garbulky on Jun 1, 2021 17:27:42 GMT -5
You're fine regarding your preamp outputs. Your ears will notice a problem before your preamp or amp does. Well unless you're like one of the hard partying members on this forum  |
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Post by ziobob86 on Jun 3, 2021 9:48:34 GMT -5
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Post by ziobob86 on Jun 3, 2021 9:50:15 GMT -5
I had a very similar set up for a while. Mine was the 8802a powering a XPA-5, XPA-2, and a A-700 for Atmos duty. Overall I was happy with the setup, especially for home theater duty. I like ttocs also found the bass lacking on the 8802a in stereo usage. But if home theater is your primary usage the 8802a is hard to beat. I don't know if the marantz output is in peak in rms ... your XMC2 has 4 volts right? and your final KRELL? |
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Post by ziobob86 on Jun 3, 2021 9:52:42 GMT -5
Had an 8801>XPA5 G2>Klipsch RF7/RC7 and never had any issues with gain or volume. It was great for movies, two channel not so much to my ears. Enjoy 👍🏻 What level speakers do you used ?? (from marantz setup) . your volume level? I also think that in music the Marantz 8802 is not the best. |
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Post by ziobob86 on Jun 3, 2021 9:54:30 GMT -5
I had a very similar set up for a while. Mine was the 8802a powering a XPA-5, XPA-2, and a A-700 for Atmos duty. Overall I was happy with the setup, especially for home theater duty. I like ttocs also found the bass lacking on the 8802a in stereo usage. But if home theater is your primary usage the 8802a is hard to beat. true too I notice that the marantz 8802 has little bass ... I just don't know what to change it with to have a warm tone and a nice mid-bass |
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Post by ziobob86 on Jun 3, 2021 9:55:41 GMT -5
You're fine regarding your preamp outputs. Your ears will notice a problem before your preamp or amp does. Well unless you're like one of the hard partying members on this forum ahaha no non sono partyman. i am moderate listeners .. but i like louder sound  |
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Post by ziobob86 on Jun 3, 2021 9:57:40 GMT -5
This just posted today and ties into this discussion nicely. It talks to preamp output voltage. Now I understand better why the progression of my purchases kept improving my system, each successive preamp had greater and greater output, along with numerous other improvements. in practice it says that it is normal to have a preamp with a higher output than the power amp? so I live quietly? : D |
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Post by davidl81 on Jun 3, 2021 14:42:15 GMT -5
I had a very similar set up for a while. Mine was the 8802a powering a XPA-5, XPA-2, and a A-700 for Atmos duty. Overall I was happy with the setup, especially for home theater duty. I like ttocs also found the bass lacking on the 8802a in stereo usage. But if home theater is your primary usage the 8802a is hard to beat. true too I notice that the marantz 8802 has little bass ... I just don't know what to change it with to have a warm tone and a nice mid-bass I replaced the AV8802a with the RMC-1 and the stereo bass response was dramatically better. There are trade offs though. The AV8802a was super simple to use, and very rarely if ever gave me troubles. The firmware updates automatically via internet, and you get things like airplay and Spotify connect. The RMC (or XMC-2) sounds better, but it is still slightly buggy. I would say about once a week or so I have to hard reset my RMC-1 for some random HDMI issue and the only way to fix it is to unplug it. Now I keep it in video on standby mode, and people say with full power offs every time those issues are less often. There are no "apps" on the RMC/XMC line. Not that it's a big deal since mostly once you step up into higher grade units you will also end up buying dedicated streaming boxes for apps. |
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Post by ziobob86 on Jun 6, 2021 14:14:30 GMT -5
Had an 8801>XPA5 G2>Klipsch RF7/RC7 and never had any issues with gain or volume. It was great for movies, two channel not so much to my ears. Enjoy 👍🏻 you who had the Marantz 8802a / XPA 5 gen 2 configuration, did you have the problem of reversed XLR pins? or is this a problem only has the Gen 3? |
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Post by valgolfs on Jun 6, 2021 14:46:37 GMT -5
I have no issues with XLR cables from Monoprice between Marantz 8801 and XPA-5 G2.
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Post by ziobob86 on Jun 7, 2021 19:21:08 GMT -5
I have no issues with XLR cables from Monoprice between Marantz 8801 and XPA-5 G2. You have connected XLR normally e you don’t have phase problem ? can you give me link of tour cable ? |
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Post by leonski on Jun 7, 2021 20:20:02 GMT -5
I have no issues with XLR cables from Monoprice between Marantz 8801 and XPA-5 G2. You have connected XLR normally e you don’t have phase problem ? can you give me link of tour cable ? With all cables being wired the same, how could you EVER tell if there was a 'phase' problem? Just for a possible example? When dealing with speakers of different manufacture....say Paradigm and Focal, even IF you connect then the same....red to red / black to black, there is NO guarantee than the speaker builder wires them the same INTERNALLY.....The ONLY way to potentially tell is take a battery and FEEL the woofer. You'll feel it go IN or OUT which is than your phase..... No recording standard,s, either, as far as I can tell. If a studio album has some tracks for a particular song recorded at another studio? Up for grabs. Movies the SAME. |
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Post by ziobob86 on Jun 8, 2021 7:22:52 GMT -5
You have connected XLR normally e you don’t have phase problem ? can you give me link of tour cable ? With all cables being wired the same, how could you EVER tell if there was a 'phase' problem? Just for a possible example? When dealing with speakers of different manufacture....say Paradigm and Focal, even IF you connect then the same....red to red / black to black, there is NO guarantee than the speaker builder wires them the same INTERNALLY.....The ONLY way to potentially tell is take a battery and FEEL the woofer. You'll feel it go IN or OUT which is than your phase..... No recording standard,s, either, as far as I can tell. If a studio album has some tracks for a particular song recorded at another studio? Up for grabs. Movies the SAME. so ... if i have speakers of the same brand, and all connected to the same amolifier, i won't have phase problems? I don't worry and leave everything like this? no problem for the speakers? |
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Post by leonski on Jun 8, 2021 14:31:20 GMT -5
First, speakers can be wired EITHER way.....Plus to minus OR Plus to Plus.....it is, after all, an AC signal.
You are talking about 2 different BUT related things.
First? Are ALL speakers in phase? For a stereo pair, just the fronts, and from years past, you could TELL by EAR if the bass wasn't right. Swap the wires to ONE speaker, and if the bass improves? LEAVE IT. They are now 'in phase'......
That is what I call 'relative phase.'......If all your speakers are of ONE manufacture, you should be OK just foloowing the 'colors' and wiring accordingly.
With DIFFERENT speaker builders? I don't know that they all follow the same convention. That's where the battery comes in. You may need some help. Connect the battery just for an Instant to the speaker. Have your finger on the edge
of the woofer. It'll move IN or OUT.
Second?
What I call 'absolute' phase. I don't know if there is a single standard for this OR if any attention to this is paid in studio recordings. Or live, for that matter. Does a drum hit move the woofer IN or OUT first? Do ALL instruments obey that rule for the recording?
I don't know that all recordings obey the SAME rule or convention.
About the best you can hope for is to wire everything the same.....so all speakers move in / out together when given the same signal...
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