LSi15 / LSI25 powered by EMO XPA-1 amp???

mole'
mole' Posts: 3,160
edited May 2012 in Speakers
i wanted to know if you guys think an EMP XPA-1 amp is too much/over kill for a LSi tower (LSi15 or LSi25)

im just looking at trying new things.
mole'
Post edited by mole' on
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited April 2012
    I'd think the XPA-2 would be just fine, I wouldn't. The LSI's don't need 1000watts each. I would put that money toward better speakers or electronics.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited April 2012
    I'm not sure what "overkill" means. Are you asking if it will make them sound too good? :biggrin:

    It's not overkill in terms of power, as I don't believe there is such a thing.

    Many here will say it's potentially underkill in terms of quality. There are a lot of good designs out there for the price of a pair of those things.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,216
    edited April 2012
    Not overkill, that's for sure. Since you didn't ask for subjective listening opinions I'll just answer the question, no. No such thing as overkill.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited April 2012
    People keep saying that for the price of those 'things' there are better amps out there. I have been looking at amps for myself and as far as W per $$, Emo seems to be an undisputed king. I have an issue with their noise and distortion ratings though - they seem significantly higher than higher priced competitors. Loudness means nothing to me if quality will be sacrificed.

    So can someone actually SAY who those better amps are in the same price range? I would appreciate that.
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have found that tube based computers provide the best sound quality. ENIAC and MANIAC I offer a smooth, well defined and articulated sound unmatched by the current silicon based CPUs. :wink:
    jeremymarcinko wrote: »
    But as in all things your perception is your reality.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,216
    edited April 2012
    If your main criteria is W per $ and you only look at specs, I can't help you because I don't care about the watts and specs mean little to me about how something is going to sound. Hopefully someone can help you with your requirements. I'm thinking pro-amps if watts is your main goal.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited April 2012
    heiney9 wrote: »
    If your main criteria is W per $ and you only look at specs, I can't help you because I don't care about the watts and specs mean little to me about how something is going to sound. Hopefully someone can help you with your requirements. I'm thinking pro-amps if watts is your main goal.

    H9

    I agree with H9 on this one.


    As for 2-channel power amps in that price range (1800'ish) that would sound better, there are too many to list if you're looking on the used market. I'd start with parasound, b&k, rotel, bryston, krell, classe, audio research, mark levinson, pass labs, etc.


    To single a couple specific models out, I'd look real hard at a Brytson 4B-ST or Parasound HCA-3500, depending on your sonic preferences.


    And fyi, I'm an emotiva fan. I have an XPA-5 in my HT setup, and it does what I want it to do very well. That said, I didn't pay much for it, and I've heard many better sounding amps for less money than those XPA-1's cost.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • grimmace19
    grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
    edited April 2012
    What's wrong with your 5802? Love mine on the 15s I have...
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited April 2012
    Attachment not found...Yep i agree^^^^^^i like my EMO monos but this is the one i will replace them with as soon as i get the coin.
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  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited April 2012
    grimmace19 wrote: »
    What's wrong with your 5802? Love mine on the 15s I have...

    i sold my 5802 and picked up a Cinenova Grade 5. i just wanna try different things.
    mole'
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  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited April 2012
    i use my LSi setup mainly for HT/Games.....
    mole'
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited April 2012
    mole' wrote: »
    i sold my 5802 and picked up a Cinenova Grade 5. i just wanna try different things.

    If you want to try different things, go with a brand you haven't heard yet. It looks like you're already familiar with Emo.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited April 2012
    falconcry72 wrote: »
    As for 2-channel power amps in that price range (1800'ish) that would sound better, there are too many to list if you're looking on the used market. I'd start with parasound, b&k, rotel, bryston, krell, classe, audio research, mark levinson, pass labs, etc.

    Man, all of these are seriously expensive. Emo is 7-800 bucks brand new. Those are all 2k and above. I would like to get 200W of low distortion power for my towers. Emo would be the perfect buy if they didn't have such high distortion ratings.
    ravaneli wrote:
    People keep saying that for the price of those 'things' there are better amps out there.

    falconcry72 wrote: »
    I've heard many better sounding amps for less money than those XPA-1's cost.

    Did you say that at the end just to mess with me?
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have found that tube based computers provide the best sound quality. ENIAC and MANIAC I offer a smooth, well defined and articulated sound unmatched by the current silicon based CPUs. :wink:
    jeremymarcinko wrote: »
    But as in all things your perception is your reality.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited April 2012
    ravaneli wrote: »
    ...Man, all of these are seriously expensive. Emo is 7-800 bucks brand new. Those are all 2k and above.

    Dude, those Emo XPA-1's are 1000 a piece. That's 2k for 2-channels. The Bryston 4B-ST I mentioned can be had for 1500 all day. The Parasound HCA-3500 I mentioned can be had for 1000-1200. Many of those other brands have offerings that are easily found in the 1500 range on the used market.
    Did you say that at the end just to mess with me?

    lol, nope, just callin' it how I see it.:wink:
    I would like to get 200W of low distortion power for my towers.

    What's your price range??? If it's the 7-800 you alluded to, I'd recommend the Adcom GFA-5802, Parasound HCA-2200mkii, B&K 200.2, or even lower priced amps like a Rotel RB-1080 or a Parasound HCA-1500A.
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • ravaneli
    ravaneli Posts: 530
    edited April 2012
    falcon, i looked at every one of those amps and I think all of them are gorgeous. Plenty of power, many times better than Emo in distortion. But the XPA 2 is 799 brand new and readily available. Some of your amps are no longer for sale, and the rest can only be purchased through dealers so i can't see the price, but you know pretty well that they are probably double the emo price.

    Anyway, i liked all of those choices, and if you know of a good source to purchase them please share a link.
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have found that tube based computers provide the best sound quality. ENIAC and MANIAC I offer a smooth, well defined and articulated sound unmatched by the current silicon based CPUs. :wink:
    jeremymarcinko wrote: »
    But as in all things your perception is your reality.
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  • Tankman
    Tankman Posts: 419
    edited April 2012
    Attachment not found..Yep they do cost a lot more coin new.The Emotiva XPA-2 really for new at 799.00 .The Parasound above is over $2,200.I have never heard one but i do like with i see in the Parasound.It just seems like it would have a more refined sound?The Damping is like over 1100 on it.But for the price on the EMO and for what you get it is a deal braker.I read a review on the XPA-2 on Audioholic's site and it came in really good.But then the Parasound was stout on its review too,but the price of the Parasound you could get two XPA-1 monos.
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  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited April 2012
    thanks for all the info guys.

    i was not really in a price range. saw a pair of used XPA-1 from a local seller for $1500 and was gonna try them out. figured if i did not like them i could always get my $$ back on a resell
    mole'
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited April 2012
    ravaneli wrote: »
    falcon, i looked at every one of those amps and I think all of them are gorgeous....and if you know of a good source to purchase them please share a link.

    Audiogon. Ebay. Craigslist. I buy everything used because the quality I've come to enjoy I can only afford on the used market. You can get that Parasound HCA-1500A for 500 or less used.:wink:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • BigA524
    BigA524 Posts: 63
    edited April 2012
    mole' wrote: »
    i wanted to know if you guys think an EMP XPA-1 amp is too much/over kill for a LSi tower (LSi15 or LSi25)

    im just looking at trying new things.

    I use a xpa-3 with my Rti s and I think they sound great. Not enough bass but I have a sub.
    Not sure about the to much part. 250 on the speakers and 500 on the amp could be to much? But with the woofer in that speaker the more power could help.
    Marantz 1607 - Polk S60 - S35 - Emotiva XPA-3 - Polk DSWPRO550wi
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  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited April 2012
    BigA524 wrote: »
    I use a xpa-3 with my Rti s and I think they sound great. Not enough bass but I have a sub.
    Not sure about the to much part. 250 on the speakers and 500 on the amp could be to much? But with the woofer in that speaker the more power could help.

    i have the same setup in my bedroom. RTi10 + xpa-3. i like it
    mole'
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  • BigA524
    BigA524 Posts: 63
    edited May 2012
    mole' wrote: »
    i have the same setup in my bedroom. RTi10 + xpa-3. i like it

    How is the bass output?
    Marantz 1607 - Polk S60 - S35 - Emotiva XPA-3 - Polk DSWPRO550wi
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  • mole'
    mole' Posts: 3,160
    edited May 2012
    BigA524 wrote: »
    How is the bass output?


    RTi10 have very good bass IMO.
    mole'
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