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Post by crazymikie on Oct 22, 2009 13:19:16 GMT -5
I recently picked up another set of speakers for 2 channel listening and needed an amp to go with them. After hearing all of the commotion about Emotiva's products, I figured I'd check out the XPA-2.
My reference system is a Meridian G08 cd player, VTL TL-5.5 preamp and a Bryston 4b-ST amp hooked up to B&W 805s speakers. I figured since I was most familiar with this setup, I would swap the XPA in and see what she did.
First off, this amp is pretty good. It's definitely not in the same league as the Bryston, but I would say it beats out Rotel gear I've heard no problem. There are two big differences I could point out consistently (I arranged some blind tests to get some good data):
First is that the sound of the XPA is a lot more forward than the Bryston. The Bryston makes you feel like you are sitting in the back row of a concert hall, while the XPA makes you feel like you are in the first row. The Bryston gives you more sense of space around the individual instruments, while things are closer together with the XPA.
The Bryston has some more finesse than the XPA, but I guess you could say the XPA is more musical than the Bryston- It may not be as accurate, but it is fun to listen to. I especially liked how vocals sounded. The Bryston was crystal clear and you could always point out exactly where everything was. The XPA almost seemed a little veiled in comparison. Again, there was a sense of spacial relationships with the XPA, but things were just a little more blurry.
Overall, I like the XPA, and considering the price is around 2/3 what the Bryston cost me used, it's not a bad buy at all. My one quibble is that using the balanced inputs, I get a hissing noise which I've been told by tech support is normal. It's noticeable and may unfortunately be the breaker for me on keeping this amp. The Bryston, in comparison, is dead silent using the same interconnects, cord and whatnot, so it's definitely something intrinsic to the XPA amp as the tech described to me.
As an aside there is absolutely no comparison between the internal amps in my Onkyo HT receiver and the XPA. The XPA blows it right out of the water, as expected.
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Post by jmilton on Oct 22, 2009 13:40:24 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Mikie.  |
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Post by Raven on Oct 22, 2009 21:01:54 GMT -5
Thanks for review Mikie! My pre/pro connected to amp through XLRs and I noticed some hiss from my XPA-5 to (not very loud). But overall I really like how my system sounds ;D Few month ago I've auditioned Bryston 4B SST2 C-SERIES, it sounds very accurate, natural. Hope someday I can compare them in my room as well  |
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Post by briank on Oct 22, 2009 21:06:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the comparison Mikie, I love Bryston amps myself too. I'd love to compare the XPA-1 side by side to the 4b-st. It would be a much better competitor than the XPA-2, the XPA-1 is just on another level. To this date only two amps have given me that magic sound that puts a big stupid grin on my face and gives me goosebumps. Those were the XPA-1's and some Bryston 500 wpc mono-blocks hooked up to JM labs Mini Utopias. I love both amps but don't know if I could ever afford the Brystons. I think I can swing the XPA-1's next year, so right now that's the plan.
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Post by crazymikie on Oct 23, 2009 9:59:38 GMT -5
Thanks for review Mikie! My pre/pro connected to amp through XLRs and I noticed some hiss from my XPA-5 to (not very loud). But overall I really like how my system sounds ;D Few month ago I've auditioned Bryston 4B SST2 C-SERIES, it sounds very accurate, natural. Hope someday I can compare them in my room as well I actually listened to a 4b SST against the 4b ST, and the difference wasn't huge, IMO. At least it wasn't huge enough to justify a 2x price increase. Of course, getting into the XPA-1 price range, you are getting closer to what you can pick up an SST-series amp for used these days. If anyone has some XPA-1s in MA, I'm happy to do a comparison  |
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Post by vincedog3 on Oct 24, 2009 10:57:29 GMT -5
Cool review Mikie, it only shows that the XPA family amps can dance with some pretty expensive company. I like Brystons' allot too, but again the price is crazy new, almost reachable for me at least used, but when I know I can at some point get the XPA-1s' new, along with Emotiva service along with that, the XPA-1 makes better sense for me. I also yes remember the Bryston 20 year warranty as well. Just wish it wasn't so expensive new.
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RPA-1 man
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Post by RPA-1 man on Oct 24, 2009 11:36:37 GMT -5
Mike,
If you could get your hands on an RPA-1 or RPA-2 I would like to know how it compares to the Bryston. The RPA amps are dead silent so it would be interesting to see how they compare sonically to the Bryston.
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TRT
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Post by TRT on Oct 25, 2009 10:51:29 GMT -5
I recently picked up another set of speakers for 2 channel listening and needed an amp to go with them. After hearing all of the commotion about Emotiva's products, I figured I'd check out the XPA-2. My reference system is a Meridian G08 cd player, VTL TL-5.5 preamp and a Bryston 4b-ST amp hooked up to B&W 805s speakers. I figured since I was most familiar with this setup, I would swap the XPA in and see what she did. First off, this amp is pretty good. It's definitely not in the same league as the Bryston, but I would say it beats out Rotel gear I've heard no problem. There are two big differences I could point out consistently (I arranged some blind tests to get some good data): First is that the sound of the XPA is a lot more forward than the Bryston. The Bryston makes you feel like you are sitting in the back row of a concert hall, while the XPA makes you feel like you are in the first row. The Bryston gives you more sense of space around the individual instruments, while things are closer together with the XPA. The Bryston has some more finesse than the XPA, but I guess you could say the XPA is more musical than the Bryston- It may not be as accurate, but it is fun to listen to. I especially liked how vocals sounded. The Bryston was crystal clear and you could always point out exactly where everything was. The XPA almost seemed a little veiled in comparison. Again, there was a sense of spacial relationships with the XPA, but things were just a little more blurry. Overall, I like the XPA, and considering the price is around 2/3 what the Bryston cost me used, it's not a bad buy at all. My one quibble is that using the balanced inputs, I get a hissing noise which I've been told by tech support is normal. It's noticeable and may unfortunately be the breaker for me on keeping this amp. The Bryston, in comparison, is dead silent using the same interconnects, cord and whatnot, so it's definitely something intrinsic to the XPA amp as the tech described to me. As an aside there is absolutely no comparison between the internal amps in my Onkyo HT receiver and the XPA. The XPA blows it right out of the water, as expected. Did you contact Emotiva about the hissing noise, or are you going to just live with it. I don't have a hiss with RCA'a or XLR's. My best guess: It's not the amp! |
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Post by moodyman on Oct 25, 2009 14:58:59 GMT -5
I It's definitely not in the same league as the Bryston, I sure many people would disagree with you... |
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Post by broncsrule21 on Oct 25, 2009 19:01:42 GMT -5
I It's definitely not in the same league as the Bryston, I sure many people would disagree with you... Maybe, but he has listened to them head to head in his set-up. In my book that means more than the speculation of others who have not. |
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Post by moodyman on Oct 26, 2009 6:44:17 GMT -5
I sure many people would disagree with you... Maybe, but he has listened to them head to head in his set-up. In my book that means more than the speculation of others who have not. In my opinion he didn't describe any differences that would put the Bryston amp in a "different league" than the EMO amp... |
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Post by crazymikie on Oct 26, 2009 8:44:24 GMT -5
I recently picked up another set of speakers for 2 channel listening and needed an amp to go with them. After hearing all of the commotion about Emotiva's products, I figured I'd check out the XPA-2. My reference system is a Meridian G08 cd player, VTL TL-5.5 preamp and a Bryston 4b-ST amp hooked up to B&W 805s speakers. I figured since I was most familiar with this setup, I would swap the XPA in and see what she did. First off, this amp is pretty good. It's definitely not in the same league as the Bryston, but I would say it beats out Rotel gear I've heard no problem. There are two big differences I could point out consistently (I arranged some blind tests to get some good data): First is that the sound of the XPA is a lot more forward than the Bryston. The Bryston makes you feel like you are sitting in the back row of a concert hall, while the XPA makes you feel like you are in the first row. The Bryston gives you more sense of space around the individual instruments, while things are closer together with the XPA. The Bryston has some more finesse than the XPA, but I guess you could say the XPA is more musical than the Bryston- It may not be as accurate, but it is fun to listen to. I especially liked how vocals sounded. The Bryston was crystal clear and you could always point out exactly where everything was. The XPA almost seemed a little veiled in comparison. Again, there was a sense of spacial relationships with the XPA, but things were just a little more blurry. Overall, I like the XPA, and considering the price is around 2/3 what the Bryston cost me used, it's not a bad buy at all. My one quibble is that using the balanced inputs, I get a hissing noise which I've been told by tech support is normal. It's noticeable and may unfortunately be the breaker for me on keeping this amp. The Bryston, in comparison, is dead silent using the same interconnects, cord and whatnot, so it's definitely something intrinsic to the XPA amp as the tech described to me. As an aside there is absolutely no comparison between the internal amps in my Onkyo HT receiver and the XPA. The XPA blows it right out of the water, as expected. Did you contact Emotiva about the hissing noise, or are you going to just live with it. I don't have a hiss with RCA'a or XLR's. My best guess: It's not the amp! Yes- they told me it was normal. It doesn't happen with two other amps, so it is this amp. |
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Post by crazymikie on Oct 26, 2009 8:47:26 GMT -5
I It's definitely not in the same league as the Bryston, I sure many people would disagree with you... That's why it's an opinion I would rather pay the couple extra bucks and pick up a used Bryston 4B-st. Now, if you are talking about buying the Bryston new, that's another story. With the 20 year warranty, you don't have to. And I have firsthand experience with Bryston customer service. I can only say I was AMAZED at how well they treated me, even though I have an 8 year old amp, I purchased second hand. When I called Emotiva about the hissing, they offered no advice and just told me it was normal. I'm honestly not so impressed. |
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Post by moodyman on Oct 26, 2009 8:48:20 GMT -5
Did you contact Emotiva about the hissing noise, or are you going to just live with it. I don't have a hiss with RCA'a or XLR's. My best guess: It's not the amp! Yes- they told me it was normal. It doesn't happen with two other amps, so it is this amp. That kinda sucks..isn't decreased noise the whole point of XLR connections?? I use RCA's on my XPA-2 and its silent... |
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Post by crazymikie on Oct 26, 2009 8:51:12 GMT -5
Maybe, but he has listened to them head to head in his set-up. In my book that means more than the speculation of others who have not. In my opinion he didn't describe any differences that would put the Bryston amp in a "different league" than the EMO amp... It's hard to explain sounds in words, but I think the most compelling thing for me was the clarity and detail in the Bryston that was missing in the Emotiva. You could close your eyes and pinpoint every instrument with the Bryston, but the Emotiva has a slightly veiled quality to it in comparison. This leads to a lack of detail with the Emotiva that the Bryston resolves. The only reason I put the two in the same price category is that Bryston's warranty is amazing. So price-wise, comparing a new XPA-2 to a used 4B-st makes sense. |
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Post by crazymikie on Oct 26, 2009 8:52:50 GMT -5
Yes- they told me it was normal. It doesn't happen with two other amps, so it is this amp. That kinda sucks..isn't decreased noise the whole point of XLR connections?? I use RCA's on my XPA-2 and its silent... XLR should give common mode noise rejection, so I am baffled at what the hissing could be. Again, since the tech told me it was normal, I just accepted it at that point. |
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Post by crazymikie on Nov 11, 2009 16:16:05 GMT -5
Just an update- I decided to return the amp. I have to say I am a little disappointed with Emotiva's service. It's taken them over a week to issue a credit. I think a week is a long period of time to be holding on to someone's money. When I spoke with service on Monday, they told me I would have the credit today. Now, they are saying it will take another couple of days. This is a pretty poor showing I have to say  |
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ntrain42
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Post by ntrain42 on Nov 17, 2009 19:47:14 GMT -5
Hmmmm, if your using the XLR's then the amp's noise floor should be lower due to the common mode noise being cancel'd out. Or is this a quasi=balanced amp design? It states its a dual differential design but then the XLR's should be quieter if it is of competent design.
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Post by devani on Nov 18, 2009 13:17:25 GMT -5
the amp is returned...
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Post by truwarrior22 on Nov 20, 2009 23:07:32 GMT -5
Interesting review. I noticed the same forward sound with my XPA-1 amps. I'll have to compair to my XPA-3 soon.
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