EMOTIVA XPA-1 OR XPA-2 for Martin Logan speakers

Hi,

I am in need of a new 2 channel amp for my HT/music setup and own martin Logan ReQuests as the R/L speakers. If price is a secondary issue after sound quality which amp/amps would you get for those speakers; XPA-1 or XPA-2?

Both seem to be beasts with plenty of power but which would be also more detailed with the MLs?

Any ideas?

My current 2 channel ap is a PS-Audio 500 watt per and it has too much power for the ML and it would go into defaut once in a while. The last few days it had gone into default mode far too often. I've been interested in the Emotiva amps for a while now and would have bought a set of the xpa-1s if they had been available when i needed a new amp. I set up the PS Audio again and now it is not going into default. So for now I don't have to spend another 1800 bucks on a 2 channel amp.

I've ordered a pair of the XPA-1 amps and they are scheduled for delivery today. I discovered yesterday that my current speaker cables are not 'wide enough' for these amps. The + and - posts are 13" apart. I will be using plain 12 gauge with out ends wire until the new Bettercables arrive early next week.

Bettercables; local, good quality, reasonable prices. I knew my little comment about my temporary wires would bring out the nimrods! It did.

The amps sound GREAT! My MLs have never sounded this good since I bought them. My back is hurting since these amps weigh in at 76 lbs each. At least I had a dolly to move them off the porch. However one of amp's LED meter is not working; ug, this probably means more moving, packing shipping back etc. It lights up but does not 'move' as the power increases.

That was the problem. I called Emotiva who told me about the tiny switch on the back. Their customer service is top draw as is BetterCable's by the way. My back is very happy!



No sign of any snake oil yet, just made in China parts but hey my Rotel 1570 and OPPO BDP-83 have that in common. The OPPO is assembled here, don't know about Rotel or Emotiva.

The amps do get hot but not as hot as my Aragon 2 channel amp did. By the way in spite of the rated power requirements of the MLs the company has always recommended big honking amps for their speakers [my generation of MLs] and the Emotiva amps are the first affordable beasts I've run across. The XPA-1 model certainly has enough power and they do bring out more over all dynamics in my ReQuests. The sound is different, than the PS-Audio 500. So far I'd call it more robust, yet still detailed. I'd say the best quality recording I've played so far was the SACD of Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde and it sounds the best I've heard it. I have 28 days left to audition them and I have listened to more delicate recordings yet; for me that will be the keep or send them back test. I did listen to Diana Krall's The Girl in the Other Room and I was pleased with how it sounded. On both the Dylan and Krall SACDs the sound was some how more complete. I have many SACD/CD/DVD-A/DVD/Blu-rays to run through the Beasts before making the final decision. I bought these based on what the folks at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity wrote about them and Emotiva in general. They lead me to OPPO and other equipment as well; I turst them. Other sources influence me as well including what many at this forum have said about Emotiva.


At this moment I can give a 'qualified' YAHOO to these mono block beasts but I still have much listening to do. The price is right, I got them 300 dollars off on sale and they drive my very temperamental speakers like champs; so far any way.

I am just taking my time auditioning them. Which Emotiva amps do you own?

After using them for a couple of weeks now I can say I agree with your assestment except that I notice a good difference with music. My Martin Logan's seem to sound better all around with the dependable power of the XPA-1 amps. My PS-Audio 500 watt per 2 channel amp could not handle the peaks and would shut down. Also the bass coming from the MLs is noticebly better. I can say that I wish I they were available 3 years ago.