New amp just arrived!!!

[Early B.]

My Emotiva XPA-2 just arrived. Got it breaking in as we speak.

Stay tuned...

[janmike]

Congrats EB. Looks like you like the Emotiva brand.

[Early B.]

Congrats EB. Looks like you like the Emotiva brand.

Hell, yeah. I'm a sucker for a good deal. The price/build quality/sound quality/customer service ratio is the best I've come across, thus far.

[GV#27]

Congrats EB,enjoy your new toy.

[pearsall001]

Enjoy your new toy EB!!! I've been checking the Emotiva stuff out myself & it all seems like dynamite gear. Any word on a new pre/processor on the horizon? That's something that I'd really take a look at.

[Midnite Mick]

Congrats EB! I hope it is as good as you were hoping for.

Regards,
Mike

[george daniel]

Brad,, have fun and enjoy,,I hope that it's everything that you are looking for,,and I mean that in a positive way.Lord only knows how many amps I've gone thru,,with a few regrets along the way.Good luck.:)

[Early B.]

Lord only knows how many amps I've gone thru,,with a few regrets along the way.Good luck.:)

This is the second to the last one.;)

[beardog03]

got any pic`s ?

[Early B.]

First impressions of the XPA-2 (Cliff's Notes version):

From the very first note there's one thing that definitely stands out about the XPA-2 -- it's got balls! This amp has an, "I don't give a f**k!" attitiude. It's got more bass and more kick in the guts to it than any other amp I've owned (and I've had a few). In fact, the entire presentation is bold. Music hits hard, real hard. I had to turn the volume down a few clicks.

I'm still trying to ascertain the degree of detail, tone, and clarity of the XPA-2. I gotta do a lot more critical listening before I speak on those issues. I also noticed on some songs that the pace appears to be a bit faster.

I haven't fully tested out HT yet. I'll report back later when I do. However, I popped in my DVD demo disc and the sound is totally different. The dialogue has expanded signifiantly, but the bass was not as powerful as I expected. Not sure why. I haven't re-calibrated the system yet, so that might be the reason.

As expected, for $799, Emotiva has produced another no brainer component. Oh yeah, this amp is rated at 250 wpc into 8 ohms, so I'm sure cfrizz is happy. This mofo is heavy, too -- 76 lbs. (92 lbs. shipped)

More impressions of the XPA-2 will be forthcoming in the next couple of days....

[Early B.]

got any pic`s ?

Stock pics can be found here: http://www.emotiva.com/xpa2.html

Here are a couple of pics (the XPA-2 is on the left):

[Ern Dog]

Sounds like a Beast of an amp. Glad to hear it is sounding good. Keep us posted on your findings after your extended listening.

[Willow]

congrats on the new amp. I was about to buy an EMotiva amp but I find them WAY to big and they won't fit in my cabinet...:(

[cfrizz]

Rock on Brad!!! Congrats. Looking forward to reading more impressions of it.

[jwhitakr]

Congrats on the new amp! I'm looking forward to a more detailed review, whenever you get around to it.

Everything I've read about the XPA line makes it sound like it will be another winner and a clear step up from the LPA series. I just picked up the LPA-1 and am very impressed with it so far...definitely sounds a lot better than my old Parasound amp.

[Lasareath]

congrats on the new amp. I was about to buy an EMotiva amp but I find them WAY to big and they won't fit in my cabinet...:(

Cut a hole in the sheetrock and you"ll be good ;)

[Early B.]

Everything I've read about the XPA line makes it sound like it will be another winner and a clear step up from the LPA series. I just picked up the LPA-1 and am very impressed with it so far...definitely sounds a lot better than my old Parasound amp.

The XPA-5 is very similar to the LPA-1 (same topology), but has more power. In other words, they sound nearly the same. The XPA-2, on the other hand, is in a higher class altogether than the XPA-5. The labeling of the amps is a bit misleading. Of course, I'd suggest getting an XPA-2 and keeping your LPA-1.

[ben62670]

Congrats EB. The XPA-2 is an amp by Emotiva that I have a true interest in. Definitely built the way I like them. BTW it would be a no go with Cathy. Too heavy.

[Polkitup2]

Brad, I am curious why you chose the XPA-2 over the RPA-2? Will you be using the XPA-2 primarily for HT? It is my understanding that the RPA-2 is more controlled and refined than the XPA-2 for 2 channel listening, while the XPA-2 excels in HT because of more headroom but is also good in 2 channel. I'll be interested to hear your review of the XPA-2.

[Early B.]

Brad, I am curious why you chose the XPA-2 over the RPA-2? Will you be using the XPA-2 primarily for HT? It is my understanding that the RPA-2 is more controlled and refined than the XPA-2 for 2 channel listening, while the XPA-2 excels in HT because of more headroom but is also good in 2 channel. I'll be interested to hear your review of the XPA-2.

Choosing the XPA-2 over the RPA-2 came down to preference. I wanted to experiment with a powerful amp and use other components in the chain for refinement so I could come close to getting the best of both worlds.

[Early B.]

Here’s a more extended perspective on the XPA-2 –

When I initially heard the amp, the first thought that came to me was, “This is an arrogant SOB.” It reminded me of the guy at the beach wearing a muscle shirt so everyone can witness his bulging biceps. The bass, slam, and dynamics are the best I’ve heard in my system. And you’ll never hear a single note of sloppy bass with the XPA-2. In fact, the bass is tighter than a g-string on a fat girl. By the way, you’d be surprised how much bass you’re not hearing, even on jazz. Some of my favorite jazz cuts have extremely deep bass – the kind that you feel. Who knew?

Quite frankly, in my 13’ x 20’ room, the music sounds bigger than it ought to be. That’s certainly not a bad thing, just an observation. What that means is the amp’s power gives the impression of broadening the soundstage. I sit about nine feet from the speakers, and some music gets to me sooner than it should. Since the music is very forward, it’s like sitting in the third row of a concert. Due to the added breadth of the stage, studio recordings have a bit more of a live characteristic to them. And live recordings actually sound more live, if that makes any sense. In terms of the imaging, it’s like a guided missile as opposed to laser point. In other words, the image within the soundstage is broader, but well controlled.

Admittedly, when I first heard the amp, I felt it was missing a little bit of resolution. With amps, there always seems to be this trade-off between bass slam and refinement, and I have leaned more towards refinement in the past. But my experience with the XPA-2 has shifted my paradigm on this issue. Ask yourself, “Does my system instill an emotional connection to my music?” It’s been said a zillion times, but I’ll say it again -- music is only as good as the feeling you derive from it. The XPA-2 may not be the last word in refinement; however, the amp allows me to connect to the music, whether it’s funk or jazz. For me, that’s the true test of a great amp. I love jazz vocals, and the XPA-2 performed admirably with all of my favorite performers.

Don’t misunderstand me – the XPA-2 offers plenty of clarity, resolution, and detail, but I’ve heard a couple of amps on my own system that provided slightly more, including the Emotiva RPA-1. Of course, those amps didn’t have anywhere near the slam and dynamics of the XPA-2.

I haven’t tested the amp with HT yet, but that’s a lower priority for me right now. I’m still going through my CD collection.

To sum it up, the XPA-2 is a fun amp. I’m having a great time playing my music, and that’s what matters most.

Whatcha think about that, cfrizz? The XPA-2 is worth the weight.;)

[sucks2beme]

Here’s a more extended perspective on the XPA-2 –

When I initially heard the amp, the first thought that came to me was, “This is an arrogant SOB.” It reminded me of the guy at the beach wearing a muscle shirt so everyone can witness his bulging biceps. The bass, slam, and dynamics are the best I’ve heard in my system. And you’ll never hear a single note of sloppy bass with the XPA-2. In fact, the bass is tighter than a g-string on a fat girl. By the way, you’d be surprised how much bass you’re not hearing, even on jazz. Some of my favorite jazz cuts have extremely deep bass – the kind that you feel. Who knew?

Whatcha think about that, cfrizz? The XPA-2 is worth the weight.;)

Wow. Nothing like an amp that truly doubles power from 8 to 4 ohms.
Match it up with a pair of Carver Amazings and go to town!

[cfrizz]

Ben, I would definately recommend ANYONE who can physically pick that bad boy up to do so with no hesitation. Brad has given a review that justifies & proves the worth of LOTS O POWER!!!!:D

I wouldn't get it because I can't lift it, but that has nothing to do with the power it puts out. If I could lift it & needed one I would jump all over it!

Heck I would have gotten an Outlaw 7500 years ago, but for the weight. It also becomes a problem for me with tower speakers which is the only kind I want for myself. But most men don't have my problem.

So by all means go for it!!!

Brad continue to enjoy!:D

Congrats EB. The XPA-2 is an amp by Emotiva that I have a true interest in. Definitely built the way I like them. BTW it would be a no go with Cathy. Too heavy.

[Early B.]

Last night I was foolish enough to open up the XPA-2 and take a couple of gut shots. Not much to see because a lot of the vital organs are hidden. The torroidal transformer has its own housing, and there's some more guts underneath the circuit board. The internal heat sinks add much of the weight to it. Here they are:

[leroyjr1]

Does that void the warranty????

[Lasareath]

Early,

What do you have under your speakers?, Are those butcher blocks?

Sal

[Early B.]

Does that void the warranty????

No. It's analagous to opening the hood of your car.

[Early B.]

Early,

What do you have under your speakers?, Are those butcher blocks?

Sal

Yep. A nice cheap tweak.

[george daniel]

Well,,Brad seems to have a big A$$ smile on his face,,congrats,and good on ya,, I know that you have been looking for the "right" amp for some time,,it seems that you are very close. ;):)

[steveinaz]

Looks like a hell of a value. Congrats, and you're right---the component that is the most enjoyable is the winner.

[Terrax]

Conga Rats! On the XPA-2 Early. :D

I have a XPA-5, and will soon order two XPA-2's so I'm glad to see your thoughts and excitment about yours. Can't wait for the UMC-1, hopefully soon time within the next two months.

[obieone]

So, if someone were looking to hear more BASS, you'd recommend this amp?:rolleyes::confused:

[obieone]

bump?