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.
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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Here are a couple of options regionally close to you: Audio by Van Alstine and Odyssey. https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/audio-by-van-alstine-m750-amplifiers/ You can get Klaus Bunge's Stratos Extreme for less the 4K they will melt your face with silky musical resplendence: https://odysseyaudio.com/stratos-mono-amplifiers/
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Thanks for all the input, everyone! @jeffbij - My buddy is bringing me a couple of LSA Warp1s to try for the weekend.
@mark200mph - The Legacy iV 2 is on the list for sure. I have heard them at their show room multiple times, although through their upper range speakers. Very smooth amp. I think a better explanation of what I am hearing/not hearing is a lack of detail and separation in the 800hz _ 3k range. There is a lot going on in there! It gets fatiguing after a while. All part of the fun!
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@tkn42 - The LSA Warp 1's look interesting. I would suggest that you also try and audition a couple of class A or A/B amps that are higher up in the pecking order than the XPA's as well. Also, keep in mind that class D amps can sound a little dry or "edgy" (from Stereophile's Warp 1 review description). (And before all the class D lovers jump on my case, there is nothing wrong with class D. I'm enjoying a PS Audio class D amp on my bedroom system. Keep us appraised on how the LSA Warp 1's work out. Maybe do a Member Review posting? - Jeff |
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