Wayne Elliott Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 There's been a lot of posts asking about Emotiva Amps especially the XPA-2, so thought I would post my findings so far, as I don't believe anyone has actually posted an actual review as yet. I've had the XPA-2 for nearly 5 months now. For comparison I had 2 other power Amplifiers on hand a heavily modded/upgraded Benchmark Plexus and a stock standard Rotel RB1080. First up I compared the XPA-2 to the Benchmark Plexus. In upgraded form the Plexus is a very musical Power Amp which to my ears has surpassed or competed with some S/S Power Amps costing $10-15k. So how did the XPA-2 perform. Very well indeed for an Amp costing a fraction of it's competitors price. I found the XPA-2 to be a very even performer in that it cover's all frequencies well with nothing standing out. It has good solid bass, a little deeper than the Plexus. Where the Plexus won out was in bass definition, bass patterns flowed a little better. In the critical midrange area there was very little in it, the Plexus on some recordings sounded a tad smoother, perhaps a little more refined, but it was a very minor difference. The highs were also close with the Plexus just shading the XPA-2 in that cymbals rang out a little longer. Overall the Plexus only just shaded the XPA-2 in that it was slightly more musical, in that music flowed a little bit better, a bit more spacious, and a little bit smoother and if I had to use one word i'd say (more) refined. Next up the XPA-2 was pitted against the Rotel RB1080, on paper this appeared to be a more even contest with the Rotel generally regarded as punching above it's weight, and closer in price bracket, although slightly less powerful @200W x 2. Unfortunately it wasn't a contest. The XPA-2 was better in every way. It was more dynamic, had much deeper and punchier bass, clearer midrange, and more natural topend. Soundstage and spaciousness of instruments were clearly better on the XPA-2. It was like a veil was lifted off the speakers when I replaced the Rotel with the XPA-2. In boxing parlance, in this contest the Plexus was a heavyweight, XPA-2 a cruiserweight, the Rotel a lightweight. Overall I found the XPA-2 to be a very neutral, even handed, slightly forward but never fatigueing Power Amp, don't go looking for an Amp with a heap of character or warmth, this is not it. My conclusion is this is one of the great bargains in Audio history. With some modifications down the track, it could be the giant killer of all giant killers. 3
metal beat Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Nice review. what is your source, pre and speakers for some reference? cheers
Dolphy Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Thanks for providing the review, I want to test out a SS amp against my hybrid Vincent Amp. I'm finding the Vincent a little too laid back. I am also curious to see what speakers you have
davewantsmoore Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Gain matching between the amplifiers? The Emotiva is more than twice as loud as the Rotel. 1
Wayne Elliott Posted July 4, 2013 Author Posted July 4, 2013 Nice review. what is your source, pre and speakers for some reference? cheers Source was a JLTI Custom Analogue CD Player, Upraded/modded Audio Research SP9 mk 11 pre & Custom Analogue Linear Current Speakers. Although the speakers don't plummet the deepest of depths in bass I find they are very musical in what they reproduce. Also my big speakers have active woofers. I've been going back and forward now between the Benchmark and Emotiva for months now and generally enjoy what both amps offer.
avalon27 Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 yes nice review there mate. ive been considering a emotiva amp for my vafs 1-93s.
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted July 4, 2013 Volunteer Posted July 4, 2013 Nice review, thanks for sharing. I'm not familiar with the Benchmark amp, any details on it?
Wayne Elliott Posted July 4, 2013 Author Posted July 4, 2013 Thanks for providing the review, I want to test out a SS amp against my hybrid Vincent Amp. I'm finding the Vincent a little too laid back. I am also curious to see what speakers you have I'm not familiar with the Vincent amp. I told a friend of mine to come and listen to my new toy, he did comment, "very nice, does everything well, but found it slightly at you". He knew nothing of the brand and guessed it's cost @ 3k. he was fairly gobsmacked when I told him the price. So both of us found the Emo to be just very slightly forward, never worryingly so, possibly too because in comparison the Benchmark is such a refined amp. So it could be what you are looking for. I'm fairly confident that with a few tweaks it could well become a "killer' amp.
Wayne Elliott Posted July 4, 2013 Author Posted July 4, 2013 Gain matching between the amplifiers? The Emotiva is more than twice as loud as the Rotel. I didn't gain match. I've just relied on my ears for a long time now. The Emo is 250 or 300W? and Rotel 200W into 8ohms. Don't think that's more than twice as loud. I like Rotel products and have owned a few of them over the years. My first proper amp was a Rotel RA1210, nearly 40 years ago, I was 17.
Wayne Elliott Posted July 4, 2013 Author Posted July 4, 2013 Nice review, thanks for sharing. I'm not familiar with the Benchmark amp, any details on it? They were handmade Amps from eastern suburb of Melbourne. They were sold by Secher when George owned the show. The Plexus was early 2000's model. It and a dual mono amp, which I can't recall the model (about 120/150 a side) were killers which saw off some highly regarded and costly amps. I know a couple of people who have them and will only let them go over their dead body. Secher's shop was ramraided and they took all the Plexus's (did they know something?). Then the designer/builder Bill Taylor/ died, so not sure how many in captivity, but virtually impossible to find for sale. Upgraded the Plexus is one sweet sounding musical Power Amp. There were some lower powered models, not in the same league, but i managed to pick an A300 cheap which sounds better than Rotels (maybe not Michi), Nads, Elektras etc.
davewantsmoore Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 I didn't gain match. I've just relied on my ears for a long time now. The Emo is 250 or 300W? and Rotel 200W into 8ohms. Don't think that's more than twice as loud. The maximum power is not what makes it loud. It's the gain of the amplifiers. The XPA2 amplifies nearly 4dB more than the Rotel. This is more than double. It will sound a lil bit louder, (and maybe a bit better?!) All emotiva amps seem to have quite a bit of gain.
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted July 4, 2013 Volunteer Posted July 4, 2013 The maximum power is not what makes it loud. It's the gain of the amplifiers. The XPA2 amplifies nearly 4dB more than the Rotel. This is more than double. It will sound a lil bit louder, (and maybe a bit better?!) All emotiva amps seem to have quite a bit of gain. Dave, are you able to explain in lay terms what the difference is between gain and power and how the effect how loud an amp is? Apologies for going off topic
A J Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 The maximum power is not what makes it loud. It's the gain of the amplifiers. The XPA2 amplifies nearly 4dB more than the Rotel. This is more than double. It will sound a lil bit louder, (and maybe a bit better?!) All emotiva amps seem to have quite a bit of gain. Dave, are you able to explain in lay terms what the difference is between gain and power and how the effect how loud an amp is? Apologies for going off topic Ill have a crack Gain refers to the ratio of signal out compared to signal in - a higher gain amp will sound louder with the identicle source. Power determines how loud it can drive speakers - so two amps with identicle gain but one 100watts and the other 200watts will sound equivalent with the same source up until the point that the 100w amp starts to distort/clip. Conversely if you had two equal powered amps but one had higher gain then the higher gain one will sound the loudest with same source. Before I understood this concept I thought the more powerful an amp - the louder. I was dissapointed when I finally bought a set of 500w mono blocks to find that at the same point on the volume dial they were quieter than the 175w power amp they replaced. They could of course go louder without clipping when I turned the wick up 1
davewantsmoore Posted July 5, 2013 Posted July 5, 2013 Dave, are you able to explain in lay terms what the difference is between gain and power and how the effect how loud an amp is? Apologies for going off topic I don't think it's off topic at all (sorry OP). Louder = better sound ... and these amps do not play at the same volume. 3dB is easy enough not to notice as "louder" ... just "better".... but in linear (not hearing terms) .... 3dB is double the energy (this is obviously not a small difference). AJ has it.... in probably a less nerd-talk way than I would have ever tried to put it. Watts are such a meaningless measure most of the time.... It just sets your output vs distortion boundaries. As you can see, this type of thing is the problem with some "subjective reviews" ... and why sometimes people get hot under the collar. You won't hear a 3dB increase as "obviously louder" some of the time (although it is getting close to the level you couldn't miss) ..... but it is almost certain to sound "better". 1
Wayne Elliott Posted July 7, 2013 Author Posted July 7, 2013 The maximum power is not what makes it loud. It's the gain of the amplifiers. The XPA2 amplifies nearly 4dB more than the Rotel. This is more than double. It will sound a lil bit louder, (and maybe a bit better?!) All emotiva amps seem to have quite a bit of gain. No need for concern. Made sure volume levels were matched.
davewantsmoore Posted July 7, 2013 Posted July 7, 2013 No need for concern. Made sure volume levels were matched. Oh. You said before they weren't. No worries then!
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