Rotel RB1582 mk2 vs Emotiva XPA2 gen3

The Emotiva XPA2 gen3 is cheaper than the Rotel RB-1582 Mk2 amp. This Rotel amp is very good especially for the money. I have listened to this same RB 1582 Mk2 amp paired with the Rotel RC-1590 preamp/DAC driving the B&W 805 D3 before at the store and they sounded very good together. Rotel amps usually pair well with B&W speakers.

Not sure about the Emotiva XPA2 Gen3 amp as I've never heard it before so can't comment on that. I would think that the Rotel RB-1582 Mk2 amp will be better and more musical more refined than that Emotiva XPA2 amp. The Emotiva XPA2 Gen3 is a class D design amp and uses switching power supplies whereas the Rotel RB-1582 Mk2 is a linear class AB amp and uses linear toroidal transformer analog power supply. 

What's your preamp and front end source components? 

Oops.....sorry my bad....first I thought the Emotiva XPA2 Gen3 was class D amp.
Auxinput, thanks for catching that. So, the output stage is class AB but uses switching power supplies. Indeed both Emotiva and Rotel are good for the money or for their asking prices (MSRP). 

Agreed. For those 804 D3 you gotta upgrade from a stock Emotiva XPA2 amp to at least something like the Rotel RB-1582 Mk2 or the RB-1590 or the RA-1592 stereo integrated amp at the very least. Rotel & B&W have good synergy together.

But not only the power amp that will be a determining factor in sound quality or audio performance. Your upstream electronics play major roles especially your front end source components whether digital or analog front end source components. Cables, listening room and speaker placements also have major impact. 

@zzkzl 

What is your preamp and what is your front end source component(s)? 
I would say that sell your preamp and digital front end source component if you already have them and buy a Naim Uniti Nova. The Naim Uniti Nova is an all-in-one single box solution. It is a streamer/DAC/integrated amp all in a single chassis. Got built-in Tidal music streaming app & Spotify Connect and is WiFi equipped but you can also use Ethernet cable. It is a very sweet musical sounding unit and will sound really good on your B&W 804 D3. Naim electronics usually pair well with B&W speakers. The Naim Uniti Nova currently retails for $7500 new. Highly recommended! 

I had the Nova paired with the B&W 805 D3 in my bedroom setup before and they sounded fabulous together.