Hello friends , I want suggestions regarding if I am taking the right decision at all. I want to change my amplifier from a mint condition Denon PMA1500AE to a Emotive XPA2, will that be a good decision. I find a lot of positive and negative feedbacks about Emotive on the internet ranging from quality issues to wall of sound and to a phenomenal amp for the price. I'm really confused! Does any one here own one or has a experience with the amp to share. My speakers are Mission MX5 , source is DCD1500AE and TU1500AE. I'm really looking forward from all of you for suggestions , thank you.
EMOTIVA XPA2 or ........
- Thread starter Aanuj
- Start date
regeHA
Well-Known Member
The Emotiva sound is not for everyone. They are great in terms of budget and VFM, but I did not like how they sounded... not the DAC and not the amp.
That said I know folks using them and very happy with them.
Do listen before you buy.
That said I know folks using them and very happy with them.
Do listen before you buy.
Thanks so much for your time. I will audition it on Saturday. If I ask you what is it that one thing that makes you not like it's sound. I read people say it has no soundstage and is forward sounding that's a big turn off for me too. I don't like forward bright or lean sound at all. It should be rich dark and lush with a slight laid back approach which makes the music more palpable but that didn't mean it should lack attack where it need it . Phew tall order....... the only amp I heard doing it on the cheap ( hi end terms only) was the Usher R1.5 ( outta budget) or McIntosh,Classe and Accuphase ( they don't appear in my dream even)
:sad:regeHA
Well-Known Member
Not enough detail for me. Also, placement/instrument separation was not spot on.
It just did not push the speakers enough is another way to put it. Some amps generate so much clean power, they make the speakers sing. That did not happen for me, and they punched way lower than what I was used to.
Coming to the DAC, again not enough detail and dynamics, and the soundstage was totally off.
But it should also be noted the comparison was with equipment costing 3-5 times and even more in some instances.
It just did not push the speakers enough is another way to put it. Some amps generate so much clean power, they make the speakers sing. That did not happen for me, and they punched way lower than what I was used to.
Coming to the DAC, again not enough detail and dynamics, and the soundstage was totally off.
But it should also be noted the comparison was with equipment costing 3-5 times and even more in some instances.
Thanks so much for the insight. Going by your post I believe it should be an upgrade over my humble Denon PMA1500AE for sure.T he Denon has good soundstage and details and is pretty neutral leaning on the warmer side. I hope it betters it. But I hope I get the Tank like quality the Denon comes with. They say the EMOTIVA comes with a 5 year warranty , I hope they provide that in India.
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Buy NAD or Marantz or Cambridge Audio, if possible go for REGA or Arcam stereo amp, they will be better than EMOTIVA. I had EMOTIVA UPA-2, it is kind of sterile sounding, not sweet or involving like NAD.
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I preferred the Denon PMA1500AE over similar NAD Marantz Cambridge and Yamaha. So wanted to go the pre power route now. Rega is good but Arcam is too laid back for my taste and the kinda music i listen to. Will audition the XPA 2 lets see or ill wait save up and go for Usher R1.5 ...... Thanks for the heads up saikat.....
Hassan Khani
Active Member
XPA2 is just a power amplifier while Denon is an integrated amp. What preamp you are planning to use with XPA2?
I had used XPA5 Gen 1 earlier and it is sounded really good.
I had used XPA5 Gen 1 earlier and it is sounded really good.
Im going to use the Usher P307A pre amp or a Tube based preamp from Mystere.
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