Desalla Review of Emotiva XPA-2

[blackraven]

Here's an interesting review of the 2ch Emotiva XPA-2 amp.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/a...pa-2-two-setup

It looks like a real bargain for some one looking for an good inexpensive high power amp. It looks tailor made for Magnepans. Pair it with a good preamp and CDP and you may have a really good system if the review isn't all hype.

Here's a user review http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/MU...13/131940.html

[RoadRunner6]

Thanks much Blackraven for the review links. I think the reviewer seems pretty honest in his evaluation and I have always enjoyed DellaSala's reviews. The big one for me was the mention of the free shipping. Wow, that might just make a new Christmas present for me.

I made some unexpected profit in the market today in my Roth IRA. I just mentioned earlier to my wife that I might just go ahead and return the 768p Panny plasma to Costco and get the 1080p for $400 more. She said that was fine.

Now she is talking on the phone to her mom in Japan. I whispered to her, can I buy a new amp? She shook her head yes. She is such a sweetheart.

I have been thinking about getting either the XPA-5 at $799 or the UPA-7 at $649. I doubt that in our present condo I will go to 7 channels but that is a small possiblity so it might be a difficult decision. My Axioms are fairly easy to drive but the thought of that extra clean headroom with the XPA-5 is very tempting.

I would run the amp with my current Sony ES receiver as the pre/pro with something like the Onkyo Pro PR-SC885P or Integra DTC-9.8 on my wish list. Decisions...decisions! Thanks again.

RR6

[blackraven]

I considered giving the XPA-2 a try before buying the Parasound. I could have bought one hell of a preamp if I had gone with the Emotiva. It would have saved me $900. I was also considering a Van Alstine amp and the B&K reference 200.2 which is a very nice amp as well. The reviews on the Parasound were just to good however and I got a good deal on it.

RR, sounds like you have a very understanding wife like mine. My wife lets me indulge in my audio hobby. She bought me the 840c last year and let me buy the Parasound amp and the Van Alstine gear this year. She also bought me my first pair of Magnepans and the QR1.6's. I think its because this hobby keeps me home and not out hunting and fishing or hitting the Bars.

Looks like we are both lucky guys with good women!

[kexodusc]

I'm strongly considering getting one of these bad boys. I don't know why. My LPA-1 is so much more amp than I ever expected it to be - it is far better than my 100 X 2 Rotel, has gobs of power and giant heat sinks to run cool - not an insignificant feature on my rack.
I doubt I'm tapping anywhere close to 10% of its power but it can play loud and hard and has far more resolution than I ever expected it to get. When I'm not using it for audio, I use my LPA-1 to power a holodeck.
People here know I rarely shill out over any of my gear but that Emotiva amp is incredible. If the XPA-2 is worth its weight and builds on the LPA-1, it's going to be a seriously bad ass amp for not a lot of money.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Kex reviewed and recommended the LPA-1; L.J. & I each bought one:

Emotiva LPA-1, 7 channel amplifier

Emotiva LPA-1 Impressions by Joe Sixpack

Another Emotiva Thread

As always, Kex is right on target.

[kexodusc]

Kex reviewed and recommended the LPA-1; L.J. & I each bought one:

Emotiva LPA-1, 7 channel amplifier

Emotiva LPA-1 Impressions by Joe Sixpack

Another Emotiva Thread

As always, Kex is right on target.

I also bought a set of headphones (Sennheiser HD-595) for $300 that I think kinda suck despite awesome web reviews . Please don't buy those.

There, that's 2 you owe me.

[Rich-n-Texas]

I got some leftover Leffe's pale ale. Give me a mailing address and I'll send them right up. (Hope you like the taste of those smoked summer sausage things.)

[Rich-n-Texas]

By the way, I received a Holiday Greetings card from the staff at Emotiva yesterday. Anybody else get one?

Nice touch IMO.

[kexodusc]

No, but mine's probably spending 8 days in customs being screened for a possible terrorist threat.