XPR-1 Review for EMO fans

Jhayman

Much awaited reviews coming in..
Excellent review:cheesygrin:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/amplifiers/emotiva-xpr1-amplifier

erniejade

Requires a 20 amp line! Looks hefty!

eclypse

Not really.. only if you go and crank the volume and trip a breaker. Lots have stated one can just use a 20 to 15 amp convertor for it or just swap in a 20 amp outlet on the 15 amp line.

eclypse

http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=amps&action=display&thread=30496&page=1

nooshinjohn

Wow, a review on Audioholics is a must read!:rolleyes:

I would take a peak at it but life is way to short...

Jhayman

Why was their Review of the Pass Labs X350.5 not good enough..:rolleyes:
They explain their testing procedures quite thoroughly..

Habanero Monk

AH has some of the most rigorous and vetted testing around. They have Josh Ricci doing their sub reviews. The articles on Amplifier slew rate and gain staging are must reads. I read them for the editorial content primarily. AVS is also doing a great job by bringing Scott Wilkerson on board. Guy does some great interviews.

heiney9

Audioholics is a joke. AVS is as well. The testing isn't real world it's lab specs. Last time I checked we don't listen to our gear in the lab. It's ridiculous, IMO. And I don't care if it's Emo, Pass, Krell or McIntosh. I don't use their writings as a resource.

H9

Habanero Monk

heiney9 wrote: »

Last time I checked we don't listen to our gear in the lab.

H9

It's certainly designed there. And when it's voiced (in the case of speakers) it certainly isn't voiced to your or my room either. I also like PETT and HTGuide for what they seem to provide the enthusiasts.

heiney9

They are equivalent to Consumer Reports, not for enthusiasts. When the very first line of a review on an amplifier starts how with "how green is it?", it has nothing to do with being an enthusiast.

H9

Habanero Monk

heiney9 wrote: »

They are equivalent to Consumer Reports, not for enthusiasts. When the very first line of a review on an amplifier starts how with "how green is it?", it has nothing to do with being an enthusiast.

H9

?? I just read the first paragraph titled "Introduction" and can't find "how green is it?" I think it's an interesting question but may not be a concern to the audience that would purchase it. I could imaging lower idle current may have an affect on component lifespan due to lack of heat(?)

What is it that is equivalent to Consumer Reports? Are you talking about the analytics? Don't see the problem with that.

F1nut

eclypse wrote: »

Not really.. only if you go and crank the volume and trip a breaker.

That's incorrect. If you were to run any amp requiring a 20 amp service off a 15 amp line, then switched to a 20 amp line you would hear the improvement at any volume level.

Lots have stated one can just use a 20 to 15 amp convertor for it

See above.

or just swap in a 20 amp outlet on the 15 amp line.

Completely against electrical code.

F1nut

heiney9 wrote: »

The testing isn't real world it's lab specs.

Correct and lab specs cannot tell you how a piece of gear sounds.

Habanero Monk

Ears on. Caveat Emptor and all that. Be interesting to see some reviews in the wild.

eclypse

There was a guy saying he ran 3 of those XPR amps off a 15amp circuit and all was fine at loud volumes without tripping a breaker. Said he didn't want to try louder as for fear of breaking the windows haha.

Jhayman

Eclypse..F1nut is correct in his post answers..
Even the review says you can power in on a 15amp service but to fully unleash this beast you need a 20amp service..

nooshinjohn

Habanero Monk wrote: »

Ears on. Caveat Emptor and all that. Be interesting to see some reviews in the wild.

A look at the list of "recommended" brands has me scratching my head. Polk Audio not mentioned but Bang & Olafson for speakers???

No thanks.

BlueFox

It would seem to me that a review which starts with Although it lacks the snob appeal of some of the expensive and prestigious brands is either pushing an agenda, or trying to rationalize some unstated shortcomings. What is expensive in this case? $2000? $20,000?

That said I am sure it is a fine $1500 amp. However, I wonder why the Bryston 28B-SST2 does not require a 20 amp line, and costs $9600. I guess the 20 year warranty and snob appeal add up.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BY28BSST2

headrott

eclypse wrote: »

There was a guy saying he ran 3 of those XPR amps off a 15amp circuit and all was fine at loud volumes without tripping a breaker. Said he didn't want to try louder as for fear of breaking the windows haha.

Loud is one thing. Having audio produced with clarity and detail is another.

tonyb

eclypse wrote: »

There was a guy saying he ran 3 of those XPR amps off a 15amp circuit and all was fine at loud volumes without tripping a breaker. Said he didn't want to try louder as for fear of breaking the windows haha.

That right there should have told ya something. Also, if you don't like fires, you need to have the proper rated wire in the wall between a breaker box and outlet. You don't just drop in a 20a outlet and call it a day. Anyone who does that I would seriously consider their review of anything audio dubious at best.

I'm sure it's a fine amp, like their others but I have yet to get an ear on anything they make that puts SQ as the number one priority over price. Who knows, maybe it will be this one......:cheesygrin:

Toolfan66

headrott wrote: »

Loud is one thing. Having audio produced with clarity and detail is another.

Yeah, but unfortunately some don't understand that, if its loud, and can go boom, that's clarity and deep detailed bass:rolleyes:

heiney9

Habanero Monk wrote: »

?? I just read the first paragraph titled "Introduction" and can't find "how green is it?" I think it's an interesting question but may not be a concern to the audience that would purchase it. I could imaging lower idle current may have an affect on component lifespan due to lack of heat(?)

What is it that is equivalent to Consumer Reports? Are you talking about the analytics? Don't see the problem with that.

Great. I never have and never will use AH or AVS reviews regardless of brand reviewed. Also you are incorrect in your assumption that lower idle current and lower heat levels mean longer life. There are many pure class A amps that have the same or longer lifespan and by the nature of the design run hot to very hot. If something is designed incorrectly or too many corners are cut, heat might become an issue in premature life. If done properly, it's never an issue beyond making sure you have proper ventilation which usually means no cabinet confinement or component stacking.

I am not picking on this post because of EMO, but because I personally think AH lacks any sort of credibility when it comes to knowing what sounds good vs. great vs. exceptional. That is IMO and if one feels differently then that's your own opinion.

H9

kuntasensei

Seems like no one will ever be happy when it comes to audio reviews of any kind, not just Audioholics. Of course reviews of amps don't tell you how they sound... but they can give you objective measurements so you can compare them to the measurements of other amps. Does that tell you how they'll sound in your room or with your speakers? Of course not... but then, no one possibly could. It just gives you a basis for comparison to other gear that they've tested, and there is value to that.

As far as the XPR-1 goes, I will never have speakers that require that kind of power... so that amp's not made for me. But it's good that they're making an amp for that market, if a market even exists for it (and I'm not sure one does outside of people who just want to say they have a 1kw amp).

heiney9

Measurements mean nothing, NOTHING. They don't tell you how something sounds nor how they will interact with other gear in a system.

"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

Measurements compared across components don't really mean anything or relate how each will sound against each other. Just like horsepower, torque, 0-60 times, braking distance across automobiles won't give you a good indication of how the car rides, handles or responds compared to each other. Sure if the measurements are horrid then that's a good indicator to lower your expectations.

It's good to know if an amp can or cannot drive a 4 ohm load, but you can't really tell by looking at wattage specs. Someone needs to test for that specifically, so while I don't believe measurements have much use they can be indicators in some narrow instances to help make a decision. But they will never really tell you how something sounds.

H9

P.s. Look at these specs, if one strictly made decisions based on specs, this wouldn't even get a 2nd look. It's among the best amplifiers I've heard for reproducing audio and I have yet to run out of juice.

Gain 20 dB balanced, 26 dB single ended

Freq. Response - 0.5 dB @ 2 Hz, -1.5 dB @ 100 KHz

Power Output 30 watts/ch @ 8 ohms, 40 watts @ 4 ohms

Maximum Output 25 volts, 5 amps

Distortion (1KHz) 0.2% @ 30 watts, 8 ohms

Input Impedance 47 Kohm single-ended, 52 Kohm differential

Damping factor 100

Crosstalk > -80 dB 20-20 KHz

Balanced Input Rejection -50 dB typical CMRR

Output Noise < 500 uV unweighted

Random noise floor 5 uV typical

DC offset < 100 mv

Power Consumption 200 watts

Temperature 25 degrees C. above ambient

Dimensions 17 " W x 15.5" D x 5.5" H

Shipping Weight 45 lb.

WLDock

Wow! EMOtiva posts sure stir up EMOtion!

Lets face it....there ARE snob esoteric brands in audio just like any other industry. There is nothing wrong with this!!! On the flip side, there are quality products made in China that bring a certain level of performance to the masses. There is nothing wrong with this either.

But at what point or cost does it take to move from Mid-fi to Hi-Fi? If a $1500 AVR is the lower to middle what does it take to move up to the "HIGH END" audiophile level? A $5000+ amp to start?

I say its all about the music...enjoy it! and power to the people...rather it be Emo or Bryston ! Its great to have choices in every price segment.

heiney9

WLDock wrote: »

Wow! EMOtiva posts sure stir up EMOtion!

Lets face it....there ARE snob esoteric brands in audio just like any other industry. There is nothing wrong with this!!! On the flip side, there are quality products made in China that bring a certain level of performance to the masses. There is nothing wrong with this either.

But at what point or cost does it take to move from Mid-fi to Hi-Fi? If a $1500 AVR is the lower to middle what does it take to move up to the "HIGH END" audiophile level? A $5000+ amp to start?

I say its all about the music...enjoy it! and power to the people...rather it be Emo or Bryston ! Its great to have choices in every price segment.

As long as it isn't a snob esoteric brand :rolleyes:. Nice inflammatory opening and then soft back peddle. Can you say hypocrite?

H9

Habanero Monk

heiney9 wrote: »

Great. I never have and never will use AH or AVS reviews regardless of brand reviewed. Also you are incorrect in your assumption that lower idle current and lower heat levels mean longer life.

Did you notice the (?). I wasn't making any assumption. I don't know if it's idle current draw is simply due to design and a by-product or intentionally sought after goal. All I know either way is if you are purchasing $1500 or $15,000 monoblocks you most likely aren't concerned about your electric bill.

Loud &amp; Clear

Looks like they knocked it out of the park again. After listening to the UPA-200 ($349!, new), I have a lot of respect for the quality for dollar they are capable of. Just a tremendous success story for an American company to deliver these kinds of goods for those prices. Just crushing the overpriced competition. Love it.

kuntasensei

heiney9 wrote: »

Measurements mean nothing, NOTHING. They don't tell you how something sounds nor how they will interact with other gear in a system.

So would you prefer that there were no reviews from the enthusiast press? I think everyone who reads these reviews understands that they aren't going to tell you how something sounds in your room, with your gear. I see the measurements more as a confirmation that the amp performs as the company's specs claim, and can often show weaknesses that the amp design may have (such as not being able to handle 4ohm loads, etc.).

It's much the same in enthusiast reviews of anything, really. Someone could tell me that the Blu-ray of a movie has the sharpest 1080p video and best-sounding 7.1 lossless audio... but I may still hate that movie. The question is whether the product itself is up to par. Also, the enthusiast press tends to be people who are as into this hobby as you, with some of the same biases... Whether you trust individual reviewers is up to you, because that's typically about their pedigree. For instance, I'm not familiar with Gene DellaSalla, so anything I read from him, I focus mostly on the numbers and not how he thinks it sounds. But a review from someone like John E. Johnson, Jr. over at Secrets, I tend to give a little more weight to his opinion of the amp's character, because I'm familiar with his experience with many brands and his knowledge.

Speaking of which, he just reviewed the XPR-1 as well:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power-amplifiers/power-amplifiers-reviews/emotiva-xpr-1-monoblock-power-amplifier.html

WLDock

heiney9 wrote: »

As long as it isn't a snob esoteric brand :rolleyes:. Nice inflammatory opening and then soft back peddle. Can you say hypocrite?H9

Yes! HYPOCRITE!:cheesygrin:
Well designed, High quality innovative products are just that to some....maybe I should have left out "snob" given this is a general audio forum? Most are enthusiast. Maybe I'm off base, don't know...you tell me?

The truth is many that venture into quality better performing products do so for that very reason. This same person that has a rack of Krell amps would not have a problem picking up a couple of the Emo XPR-1 amps an comparing them to his collection ...just because he is interested in what performance both products are bringing to the table. How many think this will ever happen? What's the point......correct?

However, look at this post....not only is the brand getting picked apart, also the reviewing web sites, etc. are getting picked apart.

We all understand why a hand made in CAN Bryston amp with a 20 yr warranty is priced as such....because they want to appeal to a higher end segment and they won't sell as many units at their given price.

In contrast, some of the super high priced audio items (Some absurd priced IC's come to mind) are solely priced for the $250K+ salary a year crowd thet get off on the snob effect of owning such expensive items. I get it! However, a quality and performance minded consumer can pick through the hype.

Make no mistake, I get the need to have an $8000 Bryston 5 ch available and a $900 Emotiva 5 ch available in the marketplace. I GET IT! Do you?

heiney9

Most of you people posting h here are extremely contradictory in