Short Review: 2 channel with the RTia9s :)
SolidSqual
Posts: 5,218
Well, in the interest of fun, I swapped out my pair of Parasound Halo A23s for my friend's pair of Emotiva XPA-1s. The Emotiva gear wiped the floor with the Parasound gear. So much so, that I'm not even going to waste my time writing a detailed comparison. Thank god, I bought the Halos used for $800, which is the cost of only a single XPA-1. That being said, when new, the Halo A23s are about the same price.
All in all, the Parasounds were not as exciting, detailed or able to throw as a big a stage as the Emotivas.
Now for a reality check, the specs of the Emotiva seem to be way better than the A23. In fact, the real comparison to the A23 should probably be the XPA-2. And, the JC1 is the better comparison to the XPA-1 if we go by specs and not price.
So . . . anyone want to lend me their JC1s for a comparison? I'd be willing to bet the JC1s would adeptly outperform the XPA-1s in all categories, but you of course will pay several thousand more.
Disclaimer: I don't like products made in China, but you gotta give it to an American company who can toss this much goodness into such an affordable package. This really challenges my opinion of what high end must be. IT seems the consensus on the forum is that Emotiva is midfi gear, which is probably true for much of their lower stuff. But, I think the XPA-1s skim the high end on many levels because they are producing some fantastic sound. IF this is midfi, then I can't wait to buy me some JC1s to really hear what I'm missing.
PS: Please don't start a war. This is a genuine review.
All in all, the Parasounds were not as exciting, detailed or able to throw as a big a stage as the Emotivas.
Now for a reality check, the specs of the Emotiva seem to be way better than the A23. In fact, the real comparison to the A23 should probably be the XPA-2. And, the JC1 is the better comparison to the XPA-1 if we go by specs and not price.
So . . . anyone want to lend me their JC1s for a comparison? I'd be willing to bet the JC1s would adeptly outperform the XPA-1s in all categories, but you of course will pay several thousand more.
Disclaimer: I don't like products made in China, but you gotta give it to an American company who can toss this much goodness into such an affordable package. This really challenges my opinion of what high end must be. IT seems the consensus on the forum is that Emotiva is midfi gear, which is probably true for much of their lower stuff. But, I think the XPA-1s skim the high end on many levels because they are producing some fantastic sound. IF this is midfi, then I can't wait to buy me some JC1s to really hear what I'm missing.
PS: Please don't start a war. This is a genuine review.
Post edited by SolidSqual on
Comments
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Nice writeup, may I say that you just found much better synergy as well when using the XPA-1's?
I've yet to hear anything from Emotiva, but if I get a chance to hear it at someone's house or even in my own setup I won't pass up the offer.Truck setup
Alpine 9856
Phoenix Gold RSD65CS
For Sale
Polk SR6500
Polk SR5250
Polk SR104Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec. -
You never said how the RTI 9's sound in general. How do you like them compared to others you've heard?
How does your new setup sound with the 3000's for music and HT?
Thanks -
Nice write-up SS, but I'm a little confused by this....SolidSqual wrote: »All in all, the Parasounds were not as exciting, detailed or able to throw as a big a stage as the Halos.
I realize it's a typo, but which is supposed to be which? -
You never said how the RTI 9's sound in general. How do you like them compared to others you've heard?
How does your new setup sound with the 3000's for music and HT?
Thanks
The sound of the RTia9s is surprisingly good, especially for HT. I prefer the RTia9s to the LSi15s in HT. That being said, the RTia9s are just toys compared to the speakers to which I am used to critically listening to tunes, namely the Emerald Physics CS2s and CS2.3s. They lack the organic feel and 3d presentation unrivaled in my opinion my the CS2s. To the Rtia9's defense however, they are not being fed by 6K worth of gear as the CS2.3s were.
As for the subs, I finally got them really integrated into the setup. They sound fantastic without being intrusive or giving away their position. Honestly, the blend better than any sub I've heard. They've completely changed my opinion of subwoofers. -
LessisNevermore wrote: »Nice write-up SS, but I'm a little confused by this....
I realize it's a typo, but which is supposed to be which?
Thanks, changed it for ya' -
Got any pics?
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SolidSqual wrote: »Thanks, changed it for ya'
That's what I thought you meant, but I didn't want to assume.:D -
Got any pics?
No pics right now. I don't actually own a digital camera. I just borrow my girlfriend's who happens to be away with the camera right now.
Sorry -
SolidSqual wrote: »As for the subs, I finally got them really integrated into the setup. They sound fantastic without being intrusive or giving away their position. Honestly, the blend better than any sub I've heard. They've completely changed my opinion of subwoofers.
Which subs are you using?SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette -
DSWpro micro 3000 X 2
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Why would you compare a pair of 500 wpc amp to a single 125 wpc amp using seakers that clearly like a lot of power? Not to mention that two XPA-1's cost about twice the price of the A23.MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s -
Why would you compare a pair of 500 wpc amp to a single 125 wpc amp using seakers that clearly like a lot of power? Not to mention that two XPA-1's cost about twice the price of the A23.
Read the first phrase of the first post in this thread.
I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.
Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii
Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999
Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3
HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000 -
What a crappy review.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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What a crappy review.
Glad you said it............I wanted too, but then I'd be labeled an instigator by the Emo loving crowd."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! -
Why would you compare a pair of 500 wpc amp to a single 125 wpc amp using seakers that clearly like a lot of power? Not to mention that two XPA-1's cost about twice the price of the A23.
Did you even read the post? The amps are in the same price league and the A23s when bridged at 8ohms puts out 400 watts; the XPA-1 does 500 in 8ohms. This was not an entirely unfair comparison. -
SolidSqual wrote: »DSWpro micro 3000 X 2
:eek: I finally heard one of these this past Saturday down at Nik's. That thing has some major slam for how small it is, i was very impressed.I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.
Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii
Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999
Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3
HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000 -
What a crappy review.
lol. I labeled the thread with something other than Emotiva to avoid fanboys. -
The Micro-Pro subs are very worthy"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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Glad you said it............I wanted too, but then I'd be labeled an instigator by the Emo loving crowd.
Sorry, I couldn't live up to your expectations
What could I have done differently?:rolleyes: -
SolidSqual wrote: »Sorry, I couldn't live up to your expectations What could I have done differently?:rolleyes:
Pretty vague and "unscientific". I just prefer a lot of detail and comparisons and personal backgrounds and such............sort of like DK's, but not quite that verbose or critical.
It was a pretty simple review with no meat. I'm not so much commenting on your actual opinion..........but I do find it highly suspect that one has to purchase JC 1's to do better. Sort of absurd, IMO.
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! -
SolidSqual,
My bad. I missed the "pair of A23s" part. The comparision is closer than I realized. No more screwdrivers for me...MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s -
This is all I needed to know:Pretty vague and "unscientific". I just prefer a lot of detail and comparisons and personal backgrounds and such............sort of like DK's, but not quite that verbose or critical.SolidSqual wrote: »All in all, the Parasounds were not as exciting, detailed or able to throw as a big a stage as the Emotivas."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
So you buying an Emo, Mike?
"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! -
I heard they came in packs. I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.
Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii
Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999
Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3
HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000 -
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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The Halo 21s would be a more appropriate A/B comparison....IMO you wouldn't have to move up the chain..much--just to the next most powerful...
I'm still not sure of what I think of the Emotiva scene...Although I have no doubt that they would not compete with higher end gear. It is obvious that they WEIGH a ton and can probably put out BIG sound. Now whether or not one prefers that sound. that is the question. And since I have not heard them I cannot say.
But the review is another piece of information to put into the file on this subject...even if it is a bit thin on details..I think we need more of them.
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
I believe Mike put it pretty well in one of his previous evaluations of Emotiva:
"HERE'S YOUR ROCK MUSIC MOTHERF*****!!!!"
It's big sound. It's exciting sound. It's closer to what i would put in my garage, though. A HUGE garage that needed a hole blown in the wall. Hrmmm... Emotiva and Cerwin Vega. I'm going to have to try that.
But seriously... not bad gear. Just horribly out of place in my system in my small space.I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.
Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii
Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999
Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3
HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000 -
No associated gear; what cables; no music used; no testing method; no room description or listening position; time frame, etc, etc, etc. It really has almost no value to me.
What he was listening for, what he originally liked about his Halo's, what he's owned before, what other amps he's compared in the past, etc, etc, etc.
But that's just me and no one has to do it my way................but then don;t expect me to take the observations too seriously either.
Just my .02c
H9
P.s. Mike, I'm sure the Emo will wipe the floor vs. your F5"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! -
Don't get me wrong, I really like the F5. It's a great sounding amp, but doesn't have enough juice for my rather inefficient speakers and room size. It's replacement, the W4S ST500 has a similar sound, but is much more dynamic due to having a lot more power behind it.P.s. Mike, I'm sure the Emo will wipe the floor vs. your F5"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
Pretty vague and "unscientific". I just prefer a lot of detail and comparisons and personal backgrounds and such............sort of like DK's, but not quite that verbose or critical.
It was a pretty simple review with no meat. I'm not so much commenting on your actual opinion..........but I do find it highly suspect that one has to purchase JC 1's to do better. Sort of absurd, IMO.
H9
Yeah, I've done reviews like that sans oscilloscope, but I was just trying to get a quick opinion out there.
Also, I was not indicating that there are not amps better than the XPA-1 in the same price range. There are. Wyred4Sound for one, and even Odyssey Audio. I never said even remotely that you had to purchase JC-1s to do better, period. I just meant within the parasound halo line.
I know this was a quick review, but I think you are reading into it a little much. Also, please realize, I'm not one to think any piece of equipment is the be all end all.
