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Emotiva XPA5 Gen 1

Hi, I am a newbie here and also in the world of music. I started a stere system last month, Just bought a pair of Klipsch R28F and a sub. I only listen to music and now use a Onkyo TX-8555 for Stereo. I would like to have a power amp and use the Onkyo as a Preamplifier. There is a local guy has a Emotiva XPA5 Gen 1 wants to sell it for me for $400. My question is: should I buy it ? Or should I buy 2 channel amp only for stereo music? This gets me to another question: I saw ClassDAudio has A 2 channel amp, 250wpc, for over $500, is it a good amp and should buy it instead of the Emotiva?

Please hepl me! 

Thanks in advance for your help! 
justinpham2012
justinpham2012 OP
23 posts
 
Oh! Recently, there is a local guy has a Niles SI-2125 and wants to sell it for $200. Is it a good amp? And if it is, is it a good deal? Should I go for used one or new one? 
craigl59
307 posts
 

Have the XPA-5 Gen 2 amp and have been using it for 3 years; it is excellent. You can switch from 5 to 2 channels with a pre (use the XMC-1 myself) and it makes going from movies to music effortless.

If you mainly/only listen to music I would recommend you stick with a stereo setup; the XPA-5 is not necessary for this. Most music is mixed for stereo and you get a better soundstage with two speakers and channels. Even a subwoofer will interfere with low bass imaging (2 are much better).

auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Niles is a company that makes distribution amps (such as 8 or 10 channel amps) for multi-room audio.  It is probably an okay amp, but nothing special.  I would probably assume that it isn't any better than your Onkyo 2-channel receiver.
slbenz
39 posts
 
Having owned an Emotiva XPA-5 and now a Class D Audio SDS-470, the 470 is far superior in air, detail, imaging and overall sound balance than the XPA-5. As another person said, it is a bit bright and probably is not a good match with your Klipsch. When I owned a set of Klipsch Heresy II's, I ran them with a Parasound HCA-1205 amp. Smoother sounding than the Emotiva that I had. For me, the Class D Audio is the best sounding Class D amp that I have owned. Even better sounding than my Wyred4Sound ST-250 or Rotel Class D amp. 
justinpham2012 OP
23 posts
 
Thank you so much auxinput, crail59, 213runnin and rar1 ! 

How about Acurus and Adcom amp: are they good? I found the 2 amps on local Craigslist: Acurus A250 and Adcom gfa 555, they both sell for $350? Which one is better and is the price right?

thanks again!
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