Emotiva xpa 1 monos

Yes I have compared their sound, through B&Ws, using high def digital and Mac2500 tube pre, to other amps -tube Primaluna and Audio Space,; solid state Mac, Marantz and Bryson----- they hold their own and I would say lower Hi-Fi, definitely not midfi (which you hear once in awhile sadly), but not the very best, except for the price and there they really are best for the buck by a very very large margin!!

One of the better reviews of the original xpa -1 amp is called Ryan's Banter.I enjoyed the honest and tell it like it is type of review of these amps.No more sales at Emotiva anymore and prices are going up!I still believe in buy the best speakers you can!

I have never had 1 complaint about Emotiva.I also use their amps daily,never had a problem or sound issue and they have great support techs.

An absolute JOKE!

Powering pairs of Avalon Acoustics Eidolons, Monitors, Triangle Comets, and compared to an Ayre V-1xe, Hypex nCore 400s, Carver VT180s, Pioneer Elite SC-07, the stereo emo was stunningly bested in EVERY aspect of an amplifiers performance including cost. Massive bang for the buck the Hypex nCore 400s mono kits were $785 including shipping at the 2013 exchange rate.

After a mere seventeen days of intermittent use the pathetic emo expelled a tiny puff of smoke as a channel went silent. A look under the hood revealed a thin printed wire board bowed under the strain of miss-located mounting points, board components void of manufacturer labeling much like an old Lucky Goldstar (LG) VHS video tape player, and the the flamed resistor.

Fortunately I was able to return the unit under their satisfaction period. 

I wasn't expecting a great deal from this thing but when my Elite HT receiver waxed it while driving seven speakers I'm sorry. I can't help but think of the degree of subjectivity being expressed here. I'm reminded of  someone who posted on the emo lounge asking the manufacturer where the components for this amplifier were produced and by who.

http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/33613/emotiva-manufacturing-practices

Of course all thats changed. Everything is American, right? If you actually believe that, well...

I recently picked up two XPA-1 Gen 1's in trade with the intent of selling them.  I gave them a run with a pair of B&W 803S's and I was happily surprised.  I ended up keeping them. 

I've run older McIntosh amps (tube and SS), a few Audio Research tube amps, Krell stuff, and some Manley tube gear in the past and the XPA-1's hold up.  They spacing of the binding posts is truly ridiculous but that's my only real complaint.