I generally read these threads with a chuckle, but I think I can add some real world experience to the discussion. I replaced a B&K ex442 about a year ago with an Emotiva XPA2. I was trying to find something to match to newly purchased Gallo Ref3.5 speakers. I bought the amp on a fluke. Emotiva is only an hour from my house so I made the trip up there for their big annual bash. I was able to pick up the newest generation XPA2 for a bit less than retail. Not to mention part of the proceeds went to a worthy cause, but I digress.
The B&K was dual mono and 200w/ ch. The Emotiva 300w/ch. I had researched the B&K years ago when I first got into the audio hobby because I had couldn't stand the Adcom 5400 that I initially purchased. It was too bright and the B&K was recommended to tame things a bit. It did. I enjoyed that B&K for more than a dozen years.
There was a big difference in sound when I inserted the XPA2. The Emotiva was like lifting a veil off of the speakers. The difference was truly amazing. Fwiw the B&K is around 400 used and the XPA2 can be had for about 5-600.00 used. Basically apples to apples in my book.
Now, here's where things go a little south. The Emotiva reminds me very much of a Krell. Please don't question me on which Krell. I listened 10 years ago to three different Krell amps pushing through three different Martin Logan Speakers at a store that no longer exists. My experience was that the Krell was hyper-detailed. Everything was slightly exaggerated. The Emotiva had the same effect. I was hearing details I'd never heard from my CD's. But, it was just somehow unnatural.
I have decided that there are some who genuinely prefer the hyper sound. I believe that some manufacturers voice their amps to satisfy this group of listeners. It's just fatiguing to me. Initially I was super excited by what I was hearing, but for critical listening it became bright to my ears. I find I prefer the sound of the triode tube amps that I'm now using. But, that is my preference. It is not a criticism of the XPA2. The Emotiva seemed to offer a similar sound to what I remember from the Krells and to my untrained ear, was superior to the Adcoms, B&K and Parasound equipment that I had experience with over the years.
Compared to the old Adcom and B&K gear the Emotiva was much better. It had much better control with tighter less wooly bass than the B&K and presented a bigger sound stage with less brightness on the top-end than the Adcom. It also never sounded stressed or closed in. It seemed to have never ending reserves. I even had a chance to a/b the Emotiva to a Jolida 502b, which is an integrated, but tubed and 50% more than the Emotiva. It was a trade-off. If you err on the side of warmth and fatigue-free the Jolida would be the choice b/w the two. If you prefer that hyper detailed, exaggerated sound then the Emotiva gave you more "sound." Of course the Emotiva wins hands down if SPLs are what you're after.
So there you go. I'm a lowly audiophile with limited real world experience. However, I do have direct experience with the amp in question in relation to other similarly priced amplifiers of various vintages.
While I don't have the XPA2 in a system right now, I'm not going to sell it. I plan on using it in another system later. It's a good deal and to my ears swings far above it's price point.
The B&K was dual mono and 200w/ ch. The Emotiva 300w/ch. I had researched the B&K years ago when I first got into the audio hobby because I had couldn't stand the Adcom 5400 that I initially purchased. It was too bright and the B&K was recommended to tame things a bit. It did. I enjoyed that B&K for more than a dozen years.
There was a big difference in sound when I inserted the XPA2. The Emotiva was like lifting a veil off of the speakers. The difference was truly amazing. Fwiw the B&K is around 400 used and the XPA2 can be had for about 5-600.00 used. Basically apples to apples in my book.
Now, here's where things go a little south. The Emotiva reminds me very much of a Krell. Please don't question me on which Krell. I listened 10 years ago to three different Krell amps pushing through three different Martin Logan Speakers at a store that no longer exists. My experience was that the Krell was hyper-detailed. Everything was slightly exaggerated. The Emotiva had the same effect. I was hearing details I'd never heard from my CD's. But, it was just somehow unnatural.
I have decided that there are some who genuinely prefer the hyper sound. I believe that some manufacturers voice their amps to satisfy this group of listeners. It's just fatiguing to me. Initially I was super excited by what I was hearing, but for critical listening it became bright to my ears. I find I prefer the sound of the triode tube amps that I'm now using. But, that is my preference. It is not a criticism of the XPA2. The Emotiva seemed to offer a similar sound to what I remember from the Krells and to my untrained ear, was superior to the Adcoms, B&K and Parasound equipment that I had experience with over the years.
Compared to the old Adcom and B&K gear the Emotiva was much better. It had much better control with tighter less wooly bass than the B&K and presented a bigger sound stage with less brightness on the top-end than the Adcom. It also never sounded stressed or closed in. It seemed to have never ending reserves. I even had a chance to a/b the Emotiva to a Jolida 502b, which is an integrated, but tubed and 50% more than the Emotiva. It was a trade-off. If you err on the side of warmth and fatigue-free the Jolida would be the choice b/w the two. If you prefer that hyper detailed, exaggerated sound then the Emotiva gave you more "sound." Of course the Emotiva wins hands down if SPLs are what you're after.
So there you go. I'm a lowly audiophile with limited real world experience. However, I do have direct experience with the amp in question in relation to other similarly priced amplifiers of various vintages.
While I don't have the XPA2 in a system right now, I'm not going to sell it. I plan on using it in another system later. It's a good deal and to my ears swings far above it's price point.