Comparing Emotiva XPA-2 to Audiogd C-10SE

[geek101]

Hi Folks,


I do not have much insight into amps for speakers. Just started looked at them recently. I am customer of Audiogd headphone amps and I am very happy with them. I am looking to pull trigger on XPA-2 or XPA-3 and try them out and was wondering what would be the difference between C-10SE and XPA-2. I want to educate myself and understand why C-10SE is priced higher compared to XPA-2.

Links:
Emotiva XPA-2
Audiogd C-10SE

C-10SE is fully balanced throughout but XPA-2 is not?. Sorry if this is a wrong assumption I am new to this stuff.

Btw I have Paradigms Studio 40v3s in the front and I am looking to go with B&W cm8/9s or Dynaudio Focus 260s or similarly performing speakers with better bang for buck.

thanks in advance

 

[baniels]

I don't know much about that Audiogd. The XPA-2 is not fully balanced, though it has balanced inputs.

I remember reading good things about audiogd when I briefly cared about headphones.

At twice the price, you'd better find your answer though. The XPA-2 is very good for the money.

 

[geek101]

....
At twice the price, you'd better find your answer though. The XPA-2 is very good for the money.

Agreed, at this price point I could get two XPA-1s just the space is a problem.

 

[baniels]

How big is your room? What kind of power do you need for those speaker choices?

EDIT: Decided to look them up.

Those Paradigm Studio's are 92 db sensitive. They should get plenty loud quick. The CM8/9 and 88/89 db respectively. The Dynaudio's are 87.

If there's any chance you aren't changing speakers, the XPA-2 may be more than you need. For the three candidates, the XPA-2 should do very well.

 

[geek101]

How big is your room? What kind of power do you need for those speaker choices?

EDIT: Decided to look them up.

Those Paradigm Studio's are 92 db sensitive. They should get plenty loud quick. The CM8/9 and 88/89 db respectively. The Dynaudio's are 87.

If there's any chance you aren't changing speakers, the XPA-2 may be more than you need. For the three candidates, the XPA-2 should do very well.

Thx for the help.

I am still curious why audiogd gear so much more expensive .

 

[davidtwotrees]

Thx for the help.

I am still curious why audiogd gear so much more expensive .

That is a pretty classic audio based question that is an endless circle.
If you are that cost conscious, go with the emotiva- you can't hear the difference.
If you have money and want classy components that inspire pride of ownership, there are tons of nice gear out there with aircraft grade parts and machined and milled parts. I was reading a review of an amp the other day (not sure which, Classe?) and the reviewer said there was not a piece sheet metal in the whole amp! The whole case was machined, and any dividers or other usual sheet metal parts were at least a 1/4 inch thick! I know you can't "hear" the metal, but it sure was a sexy 350 watts.