Gideon came to vist me to collect his Mytho 5's :'(, and brought along his new Emotiva XPA-3 and USP-1 for me to listen to.
Quick feedback... initially connected the Logitech Transport as the source, into the USP-1. Playing into B&W 802N and using Transparent Musicwave Ulta speaker cables. My first observation was that the USP-1 does not have balanced in on the analog stages. I must admit, being rated quite up there I would have expected the design to include this, no biggie as we used the unbalanced cables. There is a balanced input for the subwoofer as the design focus around Av as well. I do hear that there is a new pre dedicatecfor stereo only with balanced input/output is the making.
Using Tributaries throughout listening through the Emotiva amp and pre-amp, I concur that it has value. The bass did sound a bit 'woolie' or loose in this combination however the sound was pleasant and Godeon was foot-tapping on some of the songs.
We tried my normal pre-amp (Mark Levinson 380S) into the Emotiva amp and then the sound was much better all over. It also gave us the option to use balanced cables (Cardas Gold Reference) between the pre and the amp. We treid to compare it to the Mark Levison power amp I have and I must admit it is an unfair shootout. (just the sheer weight could be an indication, ML336 2 channel weighs 78kgs compared to the XPA-3 3 channel at 26kgs) I think waiting for the XPA-1 would be a better choice.
I am going to order two Emotiva XPA-1's myself with the XDA-1 in the near future. Yes, I liked it that much as the price to performance is worth it. The USP-1 I would not get myself as I think it is the weak link in the chain here waiting possibe for he USP-2?
Visually the products are very attractive but if you are going to use it for AV, there is no option to dim or switch off the panels.
I think this is exiting times and bargains to be had!
Quick feedback... initially connected the Logitech Transport as the source, into the USP-1. Playing into B&W 802N and using Transparent Musicwave Ulta speaker cables. My first observation was that the USP-1 does not have balanced in on the analog stages. I must admit, being rated quite up there I would have expected the design to include this, no biggie as we used the unbalanced cables. There is a balanced input for the subwoofer as the design focus around Av as well. I do hear that there is a new pre dedicatecfor stereo only with balanced input/output is the making.
Using Tributaries throughout listening through the Emotiva amp and pre-amp, I concur that it has value. The bass did sound a bit 'woolie' or loose in this combination however the sound was pleasant and Godeon was foot-tapping on some of the songs.
We tried my normal pre-amp (Mark Levinson 380S) into the Emotiva amp and then the sound was much better all over. It also gave us the option to use balanced cables (Cardas Gold Reference) between the pre and the amp. We treid to compare it to the Mark Levison power amp I have and I must admit it is an unfair shootout. (just the sheer weight could be an indication, ML336 2 channel weighs 78kgs compared to the XPA-3 3 channel at 26kgs) I think waiting for the XPA-1 would be a better choice.
I am going to order two Emotiva XPA-1's myself with the XDA-1 in the near future. Yes, I liked it that much as the price to performance is worth it. The USP-1 I would not get myself as I think it is the weak link in the chain here waiting possibe for he USP-2?
Visually the products are very attractive but if you are going to use it for AV, there is no option to dim or switch off the panels.
I think this is exiting times and bargains to be had!
