Levchappy - are you still happy with your XSP-1 preamp? The XSP-1 looks like a great deal. I have an Emotiva XPA-2 (gen 1) amplifier since 2009. It does a good job of providing solid power to my speakers but I don't really know how it compares other amps since I have not tried any other 250wpc amps in my home. I have noticed a bit of high-mid hardness when I turn the amp up that I do not notice when I run the speakers with my AVR. It may be the amp or it may be something in the chain or room the manifests when I turn the speakers up loud.