While the XSP-1 has a single fully discrete audio stage, the rest of the unit is jut littered with tons of op amps. Emotiva likes to use the opa2134, but they could also have some lm4562 variations. The Emotiva preamps are pretty good for the money, but they are not as high resolution as others and can sound somewhat closed in. You are much better off going towards the PS Audio Steller Gain, which you inquired about in that separate thread. And the Steller Gain has a pretty nice built-in DAC. The only downside is that you would have to get an external phono preamp if you want to use a turntable.
PREAMP - Thoughts on Emotiva XSP-1
Seems to be a decent / well put-together unit for the money / features that are hard to beat for the price.
Looking to mate it with my Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 3 Power Amp
It's my current "front-runner" in a Pre-Amp quest for $1500-ish or less
My only reservations are:
-It's kinda' BIG
-All those Blue illuminated switches / display / power Button
-I seem to see quite a few of them, used, for sale on A-GON (makes me wonder or are people just "upgrading"?)
Anybody have one and/or heard one lately? If so:
Looking to mate it with my Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 3 Power Amp
It's my current "front-runner" in a Pre-Amp quest for $1500-ish or less
My only reservations are:
-It's kinda' BIG
-All those Blue illuminated switches / display / power Button
-I seem to see quite a few of them, used, for sale on A-GON (makes me wonder or are people just "upgrading"?)
Anybody have one and/or heard one lately? If so:
- What are your thoughts?
- How would you rate it?
- How did it compare to what it replaced?