Hi @tkn42 , I had an Emotiva XPA 2 way back when and I would never call it edgy. Dark is more what I heard. Regardless, I would think the amplification could easily be much better. For 6K I would look at a Coda stereo amp or Audionet Amp mono blocks. You can always add more amps if you need them, but four in a stereo setup is likely overkill. First find the sound you like, then decide if you need more of it. My nirvana started with Audionet Max amps and they blew away everything I had previously had in my home: Emotiva XPA, Classe CA 2200 and 2300, Parasound, and Parasound Halo JC1 +. The Audionet stuff is so fast, resolving, sparkly, full and rich, and non fatiguing. Can't fault any tube amp recommendations, just not my cup of tea. If you like smooth, and want SS, a Moon amp would pair well with your preamp. But they are not as fast or resolving as Audionet, to me.
Looking to upgrade from Emotiva XPA-1 monoblocks
I am currently running 4 XPA-L1s bi-amped into a pair of Legacy Whisper HDs along with a Legacy Wavelet DAC. My main sources are an Emotiva ERC 3 CD transport and a Rega RP 6 turntable through a Moon preamp.
The Wavelet and the Moon pre are recent upgrades and have made a pretty big difference coming from a Yamaha RX-A 1050 receiver!
For the most part the system sounds pretty good. But lately I am starting to feel like the sound is a little edgy (if that makes sense).
I feel like I have exhausted the tools I have at hand, the Wavelet room correction/contouring, room treatments, cable upgrades etc. So, I am thinking new amps would be the likely upgrade to get that little extra out of my system.
Do I stay with a 4 monoblock setup? Could I move up to better stereo amps? Stay with bi-amping? Yada, yada, yada!
Budget wise I would like to stay under $6000.
I have been doing a lot of research, but thought I would throw it out here to get some input as well.
BTW...I will be attending AXPONA next weekend so any recommendations to explore are welcome also.
Sorry for the long post!
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@tkn42 - Before dropping any $ right away, if you can borrow a few different amps, just to drop into your system for a day or two and hear what other possibilities sound like. You might find that the edginess goes away, or maybe it doesn't. As @jastralfu mentioned, it might be something else in the system you need to address. Either way, you will have a better idea of which direction you need to go. (And you haven't spent any money to find out.) ... just a nickels worth of advice... - Jeff |
There's nowhere to go but up from Emotiva. Consider taking a look at PS Audio. Their M700 monoblocks would be a nice step up from what you have. The M1200 are better, but a little above your budget. You should be able to find some pre-owned ones for less or you can take advantage of their trade-in program. |
- 15 posts total