Emotiva Amps........

[Jack]

Don't think the OP is going to drive to Franklin, TN to get a better deal so 10% is better than nothing. I haven't been to Franklin in almost 30 years and apparently it is not still a mountain side hole in the wall any more. From when I was there last, the year "Dollywood" opened I would have never thought it.

 

[Rtan]

Looks really nice amp but dunno if it would complete with 601's? Any say on this?

 

[mdkim]

Ron:

I'm sure they're great amps but I wouldn't swap 601s for them.

 

[NorthStar]

Don't think the OP is going to drive to Franklin, TN to get a better deal so 10% is better than nothing. I haven't been to Franklin in almost 30 years and apparently it is not still a mountain side hole in the wall any more. From when I was there last, the year "Dollywood" opened I would have never thought it.

Nashville is just a throwing rock away. And it is in the Appalachian mountains range which extends right into deep Canadian territory. I know so, some of my family lives near that mountain range.

 

[NorthStar]

When Matt comes back from Emofest, ask him about Emotiva amps versus McIntosh amps (he had both in the past), and I know how he feel about it.

 

[Paul]

Looks really nice amp but dunno if it would complete with 601's? Any say on this?

:huh:

 

[catmonv]

I would not be surprised if in the next 10 years Emotiva is on top with the 'big' players. They already have Carver in the family, and now Sherbourn.

 

[NorthStar]

An XPA-2 just sold (few hours ago), in perfect condition for $600. Now that was a great deal!

A pair of XPA-1s are still for sale for $1,000/pair. ...But pick-up only (Franklin, TN). ...They retail that, each!

* The Emo Lounge ain't a bad place for shopping, and warranties are always transferable.

 

[Orbitron]

I spent a month with the XPR-5. Found it to be edgy and replaced it with a Parasound A51 - no more edgy.

 

[Rtan]

Ron:

I'm sure they're great amps but I wouldn't swap 601s for them.

I hear yah Mike.

 

[Toobs]

Have you sold the ARC yet? Will you be making a comparison against it and anything else?

I'm not selling the ARC. I've had it for 14+ years and it has become part of me

 

[Face]

I'm not selling the ARC. I've had it for 14+ years and it has become part of me

Glad to hear!

 

[SteveK]

I hear yah Mike.

I actually did A/B comparison of XPR-1's with MC601's. When played loud, 601's had slight edge on bass definition and overall dynamics, but I thought they were very similar. To a more trained ear, there may be more differences, but I thought the sonic signatures were almost identical.

I am in love with Mcintosh looks, so when I opened my eyes, those blue meters made 601's sound so much better I ended up keeping a single XPR-1 for center channel, and exercised the 30 days return policy on the other one.
On a blind test, I don't know if I could have really tell them apart each time...

At the time, my system was Krell Phantom III alternating with Mcintosh C2300, MC601, SF Stradivari.

 

[Mike]

I actually did A/B comparison of XPR-1's with MC601's. When played loud, 601's had slight edge on bass definition and overall dynamics, but I thought they were very similar. To a more trained ear, there may be more differences, but I thought the sonic signatures were almost identical.

I am in love with Mcintosh looks, so when I opened my eyes, those blue meters made 601's sound so much better I ended up keeping a single XPR-1 for center channel, and exercised the 30 days return policy on the other one.
On a blind test, I don't know if I could have really tell them apart each time...

At the time, my system was Krell Phantom III alternating with Mcintosh C2300, MC601, SF Stradivari.

Steve - the 601's and 452 are my two favorite Mc SS amps. On the Strads, I can only imagine how good that combo is. There is no denying the Mc looks either. Turn out all the lights in your room and in the dark, the Mc glow is magical (try it sometime).

Oh and the 2300 is a keeper. Nice system! Very very musical. I've owned the Strads and they have a real musical soul. My audiophile friends still to this day say the Strads were the best speakers I've owned. So much so that one has bought a pair and two others are shopping for a pair.

 

[o0OBillO0o]

My thoughts are that Emotiva Amps are American Designed Chinese made power houses. McIntosh is American all the way. Hence the price difference.

If one got down to testing with a reference source material, calibrated system (gains matched), good room, and a SPL Meter, one would definitely know if there is a difference. If any.

Wyred4Sound and Emotiva make some killer bargains in High-end Audio, but McIntosh is more of an "investment grade" brand-- really for their amp and pre amps..

I think a Emotiva mono bloc(k) amp with an Emotiva Fully Balanced Pre-amp would be a world class audio system back bone. Just add Music, sources, & speakers.