I have owned two XPA 2 amps in the past, along with there USP-1 preamp. I would say it was sharp cold and bright in my system.
I replaced the Emotiva USP-1 with a older Classe model 4 preamp and the sound was so much better. It was fuller , deeper, voices sound real. There was not one positive area that the USP-1 preamp was better than the Classe 4 preamp.
I now have two Emotiva UPA-1 amps as mono-blocs. I also have a Classe model 5 preamp. And this combo sound even better the two XPA-2 amps in bridge-mode.
It has never clipped when used on my 4ohm speakers like the 2 XPA-2 amps did, and in my system sounds just as loud , dynamic and has better sound-staging and better separation. It also goes very deep in the Bass.
So to me Emotiva amps ( XPA-2, UPA-1) hold there own to amps costing alot more. And the UPA-1 mono-bloc is a giant killer, esp. when used with a Classe preamp.
I do know that the two XPA-2's in bridge-mode were not made to withstand a 2ohm load like my speakers produce at high volume. That is another reason I like the 50lb. lighter UPA-1'S amps. They just keep on going.
I replaced the Emotiva USP-1 with a older Classe model 4 preamp and the sound was so much better. It was fuller , deeper, voices sound real. There was not one positive area that the USP-1 preamp was better than the Classe 4 preamp.
I now have two Emotiva UPA-1 amps as mono-blocs. I also have a Classe model 5 preamp. And this combo sound even better the two XPA-2 amps in bridge-mode.
It has never clipped when used on my 4ohm speakers like the 2 XPA-2 amps did, and in my system sounds just as loud , dynamic and has better sound-staging and better separation. It also goes very deep in the Bass.
So to me Emotiva amps ( XPA-2, UPA-1) hold there own to amps costing alot more. And the UPA-1 mono-bloc is a giant killer, esp. when used with a Classe preamp.
I do know that the two XPA-2's in bridge-mode were not made to withstand a 2ohm load like my speakers produce at high volume. That is another reason I like the 50lb. lighter UPA-1'S amps. They just keep on going.