Emotiva XPA-2, What would be a good pre for it?

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fatchowmein
fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
edited March 2008 in Electronics
I know, stupid question since the xpa-2 won't ship until early April. I'm just wondering what would be a good pre to hook it up to. I'm thinking about picking up a HK3480 or 3485 and the xpa-2 and hook up a pair of LSi9's but that might be overkill. Maybe a GFA-555 would suit me better.

Any thoughts?


The xpa-5 is now shipping.
Post edited by fatchowmein on
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited March 2008
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    You should consider a higher quality pre to mate with the XPA-2. There are tons of options. I'm guessing this amp will be able to compete with amps three times its price or more, so if you get a marginal pre or use a receiver, I don't think you'll get the best out of the XPA-5. Of course, I'm partial to tube preamps, so that's what I'd recommend.

    I plan to use my Emo LMC-1 initially, then move up a separate pre later when the funds are flowing better. BTW -- the LMC-1 for 2-channel playback is very, very good. I use the left & right fronts of 7.1 channel inputs (the ones used for SACD/DVD-A) because it's a true direct connect -- the volume control is the only thing in the signal path.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited March 2008
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    Nothing wrong with those HK's, they are very good as preamps. Much better than a lot of separates. Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to compare the Belles A21 that was here last weekend side by side, that might have been the first better preamp I have heard in my system. Might. :)

    It all depends on the budget, like always. :)
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited March 2008
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    Early B. wrote: »
    I plan to use my Emo LMC-1 initially, then move up a separate pre later when the funds are flowing better. BTW -- the LMC-1 for 2-channel playback is very, very good. I use the left & right fronts of 7.1 channel inputs (the ones used for SACD/DVD-A) because it's a true direct connect -- the volume control is the only thing in the signal path.

    Hmmm... I just may do that. Yeah, mating the XPA-2 with something cheap probably doesn't make any sense and I'm not sure if it makes sense to hook the Lsi9's to it but man do I want to hear what the 9's sound like with 500W. :D

    I listened to Marvin's tube pre-amp a few weeks ago and I liked it. Pre-amp + SS amp may be in the future for me albeit far future due to budget constraints. :(
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited March 2008
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    Sami wrote: »

    It all depends on the budget, like always. :)

    +1, +2, +3...
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