Emotiva XPA-1 Monoblock Amplifiers
Emotiva XPA-1 Monoblock Amplifiers
USER REVIEWS
[Mar 18, 2017]
boxand1
AudioPhile
What to say? These are fantastic monoblocks. Seemingly limitless power, pretty darn clean and clear sound, but certainly not the best I have heard - nor should they be, considering the share of the market they were meant to serve; this is not a critique - these are purpose-built amplifiers, after all - they are meant to give people a taste of separates, Emotiva says as much.
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[Dec 12, 2016]
Harris
AudioPhile
I have been constantly upgrading my system for about 30 years now. For the longest time I used various high end integrated AVRs (100-150 wpc), For most people those would suffice. At the time I was running various KEF Reference speakers (104/2 and 105/3). They always sounded good but I always felt that the AVR amp was just holding them back a little. I should note that the KEFs are 4 ohm speakers and are VERY power hungry. And I also have a large home theater room, so I realyl do "need" a lot of power.
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[Nov 21, 2015]
Gordon
AudioPhile
OK, Here it is. I have been in this game longer than most, Played, Recorded, Produced and analysed recordings and every instrument in a recording all my life. I like many styles of music and in the styles of music I listen to, it covers every nuance of virtually instrument. I have read opinionated clueless numpties comments on how other amps sounds much better than Emotivas equipment. I can only speak for XPA1 Monos MK1. I have owned more amps than I would like to admit and even more speakers in my 30 years listening to hifi equipment. Are the xpa 1's the last amps I will own ? Probably not, I'm addicted to every aspect of audio and hifi, and love listening to new gear and it doesn't go away. The xpa1's however are totally outstanding in every way. They produce every last tiny detail and dynamic in the most musical sounding way you will hear at any price. I don't care what anyone else says, your just plain wrong and want to justify your expenditure. Other amps may sound different, but the XPA1's will even produce the grain on a recoding (if it's there) with its full resolution. They score top marks in every imaginable area of sound reproduction. Transparency, Stereo imaging, depth, Focus, Image stability, Speed, Resolution, Dynamics, Micro-dynamics, Bass Control, Bass weight, Warmth (if its there). Image size, Focus, Extension at both frequency extremes and finally delicacy and accuracy throughout the range. I'm fed up reading about folk saying they don't do this or that, and your better spending you money on a Musical Fidelity, Krell, Levinson, Moon or Bryston, It's not true and your just def or stupid or both. I've owned many models from all these manufacturers. These are great amps at any price and definitely worth considering a listening to. They are precise in every aspect of the audio spectrum, in absolute control and a complete bargain. They can produce a sound so realistic you could easily believe you are there and that's what it's all about. |
[Nov 22, 2014]
MICHAEL kLEMENTOVICH
AudioPhile
review is actually of a 2014 pair but this site would not let me into anything past 2010 probably because this is the Gen 2 model...well well well gotta understand I have 1/4 million dollars plus of audio equipment and upgraded up to the this model from the XPA2 stereo for my highly modded Maggie 1.7's just to see if that Class A feature was for real and see if it was really gonna be an upgrade as I loved the 2 model very much(read my review) but I was not prepared for this significant of an upgrade it was like night and day. I HATE anything Solid State but this EMOTIVA stuff is the real deal I have had time with $10,000.00 Krell this stuff actually blows away!!!!!! Can you believe they actually traded my 2 in after owning it for a year and I paid 800 for it and they gave me 500+ on trade in!!!! Are you kidding...look out every other high end solid state company in the USA EMOTIVA is taking over big time....Rumor has it they are even going to start making a tube amp in the good ol' USA in the future
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[Aug 25, 2012]
Shake777
AudioPhile
You can tell from the vocabulary and the experience from the previous writers that they know what they are talking about. The comments are consistent...all superlative...so take heed. I have five XPA1 with two of the 350w Emo amps to round out my 7.2 Klipsch Palladium system and the results are crazy good top to bottom, left to right. Service? I broke one of my amps through my own obvious fault and they fixed it pronto for no charge. Performance again, as others have noted, your ears will bleed way before you hear a hint of distortion and these are capable of 1000w at 4 ohms which is how I'm running them. Emotiva ran two sales this year and I think I got the five for about $4300.00 if my foggy memory is not fooling me...regardless, I saved a hunk of cash. These are a bargain and a giant killer. |
[Jul 10, 2012]
greg hanson
AudioPhile
After researching the web for 2 months, I decided on Emotiva to upgrade my home theater system. I purchased the umc 1 pre/pro, a pair of xpa 1's, and a xpa 5. YOW!! The difference from my Yamaha htr 6090, and Makie pro audio amps was staggering. Certainly the best audio value out there, and more importantly fantastic sound quality! HOWEVER replace the factory power cords with a high quality after market power cord!!!!!! I purchased ZU audio BOK power cords for all the Emotiva gearand could not believe my ears,as it sounded as th ough I had gotten even bigger amps. I was skeptical about power cords making a difference, but now my ears tell me I made a wise choice. Great amps , but if you want to hear them at their true potential replace those power cords!!!!! Highly recommended ! |
[May 14, 2012]
James
Audio Enthusiast
Thought I would share my thoughts on the XPA-1. I have recently auditioned various amps includng McIntosh, Audio Research, Esoteric and 2-3 other high-end amps. The cheapest among those amps was $4k per mono block. Each of those brands sounded and performed extremely well, which you would expect given the price.But guess what, my XPA-1s are right up there with them. To be clear (and fair) those amps ranged from slightly better to much better than the XPA-1. However, they DID NOT sound anywhere near 4x - 30x the cost of my 1s! While they sounded better, they didn't sound that much better to me.
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[Apr 21, 2012]
Roger Crane
Audio Enthusiast
I've decided to write what I find the truth. Every once in a while, a product comes out that is so wonderful, it's destined for grand memories. Some call this "Classic." I've owned a few. One was the "Grandson of Ampzilla", that's right, the Grandson. A 40 watt at 8 ohms, and 80 watt at 4 ohms. Sonically, it was outstanding. James Bongourno I believe, was the designer. Thankyou James for the splendor of owning a great amplifier. Several months ago, I was looking for a new amp. I read about the XPA-1 Monoblocks. Upon receiving them, hooking them up, I immediately knew, these were something very special. Is it the best amp of all time? No. Is it close? Yes. Very close. They are very open, quiet, neutral and overall disappear. Very few amps at any price, are going to embarass these amplifiers. I didn't buy these because they were a bargain. I bought them hoping that they were half as good as they are. Of course, now I'm glad they were a bargain. Today, $2,000 dollars is still alot of money. But not for what you're getting in return. For anyone thinking about buying a new amplifier, purchase these. You'll never forget them. If you settle for less, you'll regret it. I would like to thank everyone at Emotiva, from the floorsweeper on up, for your work that helped produce such musical amplifiers.They are the Strativarius of audio amplification! Job well done. With Fondest Regards, R. Crane (5 STARS) |
[Jan 04, 2011]
patmacav
Audio Enthusiast
The EMOTIVA XPA-1 Differential Reference™ Mono-block Power Amplifier!
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[Feb 14, 2009]
No-Bob
AudioPhile
Not a whole lot I can add after "arctikdeth" review. Mostly I can say I agree with him 100%.
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