Post by powerwindow on Feb 27, 2010 19:36:57 GMT -5
I'm going to attempt to write a review of hi-fi gear for the first time. After buying the XPA-5 I think I finally have something worthy enough for review.
This is my first personal experience w/ separates. I do, however, have a friend that is very much in the hi-fi hobby. But I really do consider his gear out of my league: tube mono blocks, AudioNote DAC, Carey preamp, and more I cannot remember. His system is a dedicated 2-channel system, that sounds incredible! I, on the other hand, am trying to build the best performing, affordable budget, multi-tasking 2-channel/ home theater system I can. I believe the addition of the XPA-5 has put me on that road.
Most will want to know what else is currently in the mix: until a UMC-1 arrives I am using a HK AVR 554 as a preamp. I have an Oppo BDP-83 as my source, with an external Scott Nixon Tube DAC for 2-channel situations. For speakers I made use of another internet direct company that I feel was a good budget to value decision: Axiom (M22Ti's L/R, VP100 C, and QS8 LS/RS. Finally a HSU STF-2 sub.
Anyone w/ XPA-5 experience knows it is one dense package. It's also deeper than typical gear. Luckily I'm a cabinet maker and designed my gear cabs, albeit before the X-5 entered the picture. I accommodated the extra depth by adding 2" threaded Al standoffs between the cabinet and back. This also had a positive side affect of allowing more air flow. (will get around to posting pics some day). Other than that I had no problems of incorporating it into the setup. Just wish I had the UMC at the time so I didn't have to get back in there to route cables. Oh well.
So I fired it up and put in some Damien Rice "O." Continued to go through much of my music that I feel is well produced and has a complex variety of compositions. Since I said this was my first review I really don't think I have the right verbiage to sound professional. I could go and read other reviews and steal comments that we've all heard before w/ regards to reviews, but I wouldn't feel genuine in doing so. I will attempt to do my best to convey my impression. The number one thing that I have noticed across all genres is an added clarity. I don't think I'm hearing anything that wasn't there before. But it's like what was there was covered in fog. Now it's as if a veil has been lifted and there is detail that just got lost in the mix before. Vocals are more life-like. Bass is more punchy, but not boomy. The decay of cymbals seem to hang in the air. And the sound stage is more three dimensional. I could not be happier w/ this purchase. And that's just for 2-channel listening. 5.1 playback has also improved significantly. Using just the AVR as an amp, I had to turn the trim up on the center channel to get clear dialog. No longer w/ the XPA-5. All channels are just more intelligible.
So does it sound as good as my friend's esoteric system? Well, honestly, no. But, then again it cost just a little over what he paid for a set of power tubes. Does it perform above its street price? I guess I honestly can't answer that either because I have no experience listening to a comparable 5-channel separate. What I do know is, I am extremely satisfied w/ my purchase and have no regrets. It has raised the quality of the sound of my system and I'm glad I came across this company. I am equally glad I came across this forum. I feel I have learned a lot and have benefited from everyone's comments that led me to this purchase's decision. I hope that my comments can now help someone else w/ their decision. You can't go wrong.
This is my first personal experience w/ separates. I do, however, have a friend that is very much in the hi-fi hobby. But I really do consider his gear out of my league: tube mono blocks, AudioNote DAC, Carey preamp, and more I cannot remember. His system is a dedicated 2-channel system, that sounds incredible! I, on the other hand, am trying to build the best performing, affordable budget, multi-tasking 2-channel/ home theater system I can. I believe the addition of the XPA-5 has put me on that road.
Most will want to know what else is currently in the mix: until a UMC-1 arrives I am using a HK AVR 554 as a preamp. I have an Oppo BDP-83 as my source, with an external Scott Nixon Tube DAC for 2-channel situations. For speakers I made use of another internet direct company that I feel was a good budget to value decision: Axiom (M22Ti's L/R, VP100 C, and QS8 LS/RS. Finally a HSU STF-2 sub.
Anyone w/ XPA-5 experience knows it is one dense package. It's also deeper than typical gear. Luckily I'm a cabinet maker and designed my gear cabs, albeit before the X-5 entered the picture. I accommodated the extra depth by adding 2" threaded Al standoffs between the cabinet and back. This also had a positive side affect of allowing more air flow. (will get around to posting pics some day). Other than that I had no problems of incorporating it into the setup. Just wish I had the UMC at the time so I didn't have to get back in there to route cables. Oh well.
So I fired it up and put in some Damien Rice "O." Continued to go through much of my music that I feel is well produced and has a complex variety of compositions. Since I said this was my first review I really don't think I have the right verbiage to sound professional. I could go and read other reviews and steal comments that we've all heard before w/ regards to reviews, but I wouldn't feel genuine in doing so. I will attempt to do my best to convey my impression. The number one thing that I have noticed across all genres is an added clarity. I don't think I'm hearing anything that wasn't there before. But it's like what was there was covered in fog. Now it's as if a veil has been lifted and there is detail that just got lost in the mix before. Vocals are more life-like. Bass is more punchy, but not boomy. The decay of cymbals seem to hang in the air. And the sound stage is more three dimensional. I could not be happier w/ this purchase. And that's just for 2-channel listening. 5.1 playback has also improved significantly. Using just the AVR as an amp, I had to turn the trim up on the center channel to get clear dialog. No longer w/ the XPA-5. All channels are just more intelligible.
So does it sound as good as my friend's esoteric system? Well, honestly, no. But, then again it cost just a little over what he paid for a set of power tubes. Does it perform above its street price? I guess I honestly can't answer that either because I have no experience listening to a comparable 5-channel separate. What I do know is, I am extremely satisfied w/ my purchase and have no regrets. It has raised the quality of the sound of my system and I'm glad I came across this company. I am equally glad I came across this forum. I feel I have learned a lot and have benefited from everyone's comments that led me to this purchase's decision. I hope that my comments can now help someone else w/ their decision. You can't go wrong.