Emotiva XPA-5 Good? Bad? Maybe?

[greggp2]

Wmax,

I thought XLR inputs were suppose to curtail noise, not increase it. Do you suggest using RCA connections with consumer based Amps like Emotiva then instead of the XLR connections? I'm asking because I already have an Emo Amp, am considering another for the rest of my channels and was going to go with an XLR Processor. Am I better off hooking it up with RCA?

 

[haraldo]

Hmmmm, strange

I have a Benchmark DAC-1 that I use at full output gain, and that gain is incredibly high!!!! this goes balanced using XLR inputs into a Krell KAV400-XI

Not at anytime are there any noise issues, and there are no signs of overloading. Don't understand why the EMO should have noise issues?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Wmax,

I thought XLR inputs were suppose to curtail noise, not increase it. Do you suggest using RCA connections with consumer based Amps like Emotiva then instead of the XLR connections? I'm asking because I already have an Emo Amp, am considering another for the rest of my channels and was going to go with an XLR Processor. Am I better off hooking it up with RCA?

You won't notice any difference at all in sound quality between Unbalanced RCA and Balanced XLR.

And Wmax is right, some components produce a little more noise (THD & S/N) and sometimes worst crosstalk when using XLR connections, than RCA.

The real benefits of XLR balanced is mainly for Pro use with long distances between amps and preamp. Plus the two have to be fully balanced from inputs to outputs, which cost quite a bit more money to truly implement that type of circuitry, which employ two times the normal number of parts.
So, in that case the balanced connections helps to greatly minimise the hum, with the three connectors that includes a ground wire. Also the XLR connectors have generally a more secure connection, but not always, depending on the quality of the male and female connectors at both ends of your components and the type of cables used.

RCA cables and jacks can also have a pretty good connection, if of good quality.

The Onkyo TX-SR886P is a very sweet Surround Processor, at a very sweet price. Mate it with an Emotiva XPA-2 and XPA-5 for a top notch complete system. I don't know any receivers that cost $2,500 to $5,500 that can match it, or any other combo for that matter, in that price range. You will have to spend a lot more money to only gain a small increment in sound and video quality. This is probably one of the best combo right now, if not the best one for performance, features, ergonomics and value.
These 3 components cost about $2,500 and their total combined weight is 175 pounds of pure power and quality parts. This is a truly high end system for less than the list price of the Yamaha RX-Z7 ($2,700) or the Denon AVR-4308ci ($2,700).
Just for kick, the Pioneer Elite SC-09 retails for $7,000 and weights 70 pounds, and the Pioneer does not have the HQV Reon video processor of the 885, and it does not have the Audyssey MultEQ XT neither.
The Yamaha RX-Z11 retails for $5,500 and weights about 70 pounds, and it's video processor is a total mess. No Audyssey here neither.
The Denon AVR-5308ci list for also $5,500 and weights 53 pounds. Nice set of features, HQV Realta video processor, but not the same kind of power of the Emotiva amps, plus it cost more than double.

That's just my opinion, for what its worth.

Bob

 

[haraldo]

I don't know reason for this, but....

In my system, with my gear, there's a BIG difference between running single ended and balanced from a DAC1 to The Krell Kav400-xi, we are not talking about small differences..... running single-ended it's outright cold and sterile almost unlistenable, while going to XLR it is very different.

I'm not the only one saying this, this doesn't mean there are differences on the EMO..... Perhaps this is a design flaw or sth in the Krell, and probably the EMO's are very different....

I use very cheap Canare XLR cables from BlueJeansCable.com

 

[bigred7078]

Wmax,

I thought XLR inputs were suppose to curtail noise, not increase it. Do you suggest using RCA connections with consumer based Amps like Emotiva then instead of the XLR connections? I'm asking because I already have an Emo Amp, am considering another for the rest of my channels and was going to go with an XLR Processor. Am I better off hooking it up with RCA?

he is referring to the higher DB gain on XLR inputs i believe.

 

[haraldo]

Yeah, I agree XLR inputs always have higher gain, but I still don't get the noise issue

 

[darkvisions]

Any XPA-1 owners out there?

How do XPA-1 compare to a bridged XPA-2?

I upgraded to two XPA-1's from the XPA-2. I never listened to the XPA-2 in bridged mode though.

But I will say I loved the XPA-2 and would have been happy with it for a long time. I have always wanted mono-blocks since I started this hobby way back in the early 70's and had a chance to purchase two of the LE XPA-1's, so I did. Now I have my mains set for life as the LE come with a lifetime warranty.

The difference to me in my system, in my room, with my ears was that the XPA-1's are effortless in their presentation. At no time, no matter how loud I go do they put any strain on the music. Smooth, clear pristine joy at ungodly levels once in a while. Even at lower normal listening levels the sound is big and smooth.

That being said, I am mainly two channel for my music. But the XPA-1's do go good with my XPA-3 pushing the surrounds and rears.....

 

[haraldo]

Thanks... now I want the XPA-1's even more

 

[Lordoftherings]

Yep, me too.

 

[Lordoftherings]

he is referring to the higher DB gain on XLR inputs i believe.

Mmm... But it doesn't have anything to do with sound quality.

Bob

 

[haraldo]

Mmm... But it doesn't have anything to do with sound quality.

Bob

No, but some amps obviously behave differently when fed balanced XLR as opposed to RCA single-ended input. Don't ask me why but difference is obvious in sound quality, I'm not even remotely suggesting this as any general behaviour.... I'm not saying it's generally like this.... I'm just referring to what I'm observing in my rig.

 

[Lordoftherings]

No, but some amps obviously behave differently when fed balanced XLR as opposed to RCA single-ended input. Don't ask me why but difference is obvious in sound quality, I'm not even remotely suggesting this as any general behaviour.... I'm not saying it's generally like this.... I'm just referring to what I'm observing in my rig.

No, I understand, and I agree with you. But there are many variables here.
CD players, Amplifiers, Preamps, Surround Processors, 2 channels, 5 channels, 7 channels, Balanced XLR connectors, Fully Balanced Components, etc. And of course, adjustable Gains for each channel.

In a high end system, I do agree with you that the difference, even if not big, it is still there. But this is a high end system here, with truly fully balanced circuits from outputs to outputs, which is considerably more costly than just a component with balanced XLR connectors.

In the particular case that I was referring, it is not so obvious anymore.

I hope that you understand what I mean.

Regards,

Bob

 

[haraldo]

Yes, and I never disagreed with you

Regards Harald

 

[WmAx]

Wmax,

I thought XLR inputs were suppose to curtail noise, not increase it. Do you suggest using RCA connections with consumer based Amps like Emotiva then instead of the XLR connections? I'm asking because I already have an Emo Amp, am considering another for the rest of my channels and was going to go with an XLR Processor. Am I better off hooking it up with RCA?

Gregg, it depends on the specific devices. But the DCX has very high gain outputs. It is intended to be used with normal pro amps that happen to have trim controls. You do risk audible hiss/noise if you don't have trims on the amp you use with the DCX, and that amp has high input sensitivity such as the Emotivas(which I have received PMs about from users). You can, however, use the RCA inputs on the amp and use 12dB attenuation RCA adapters between the DCX and amplifier to render the problem a non issue.

There is zero difference in SQ with unbalanced vs. balanced unless the device is designed to impart a purposed difference. This is not normally the case, but I have read from other sources that some high end amps have 'funny' behavior between the balanced and non-balanced inputs. But this would be through fault of the manufacturer, not an inherent property of balanced vs. non-balanced.

-Chris

 

[haraldo]

There is zero difference in SQ with unbalanced vs. balanced unless the device is designed to impart a purposed difference. This is not normally the case, but I have read from other sources that some high end amps have 'funny' behavior between the balanced and non-balanced inputs. But this would be through fault of the manufacturer, not an inherent property of balanced vs. non-balanced.
-Chris

So you say there is a dseign flaw in the Krell amps, because there is definitely here a difference in SQ between unbalanced and balanced, with everything else in the chain being the same. I don't think there is any problems with the RCA output of the Benchmark DAC-1. I just wonder how there could be this difference in behaviour.... It shouldn't be like this, but the amp sound just outright sterile while fed rca input....

 

[axle_rose]

Gosh, I go on vacation for a few weeks and this thread really took off. I am going to look further into the Emotiva equipment...right now, i am fighting a ground loop hum issue though which I didn't have when I had a receiver...now that i switched over to seperates, I noticed it the other night.

 

[just-some-guy]

.right now, i am fighting a ground loop hum issue though which I didn't have when I had a receiver...now that i switched over to seperates, I noticed it the other night.

if you have cable connected to your tv, disconnect it. that fixed my hum.

 

[Lordoftherings]

if you have cable connected to your tv, disconnect it. that fixed my hum.

But I don't think his TV will project pictures wireless.

And about yours? No hum, great. So, where's the picture coming from? Air waves?

Eventually HDMI will be wireless. But Cable or Satellite TV? Well, soon or later, I guess it will come to that too. Pirates of the air waves...