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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
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Emotiva amps are very good for the money, but there are definitely better amps. If you really need a 5 channel amp with that much power, it’s hard to beat Emotiva. However, stock Emotiva is quit bright. I have found you can tame an Emotiva pretty okay by switching out the fuses to Isoclean (adds warmth and takes the edge off the brightness).

If you are only doing 2-channel music, it’s better to put that money towards a better amp. Class D is a good technology that is efficient and provides a lot of power for the size. However, compromises are made in the circuit architecture which essentially translates to inability in the higher frequencies. These can be presented as a flatter more sterile sound. It depends on your listening.  I have found Class D to lack air, life and excitement.

I would probably look towards something like a Parasound A23 and upgrade the fuse to silver Hi Fi Tuning Supreme. Parasound 2125 is another good one for less money. Odyssey Audio Khartago is an excellent option. These are all in the "under $600" range.

auxinput
2,920 posts
 
By the way, the Klipsch R28F are very efficient (98db) and are 8 ohm speakers, so they really are not hard to drive.  You really don't need a high power 250 watt amp.  100-125 watts is more than enough (which is why I'm steering you towards the higher sound quality amps in the 100-125 watt range).
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,755 posts
 
Hi Justin -

I own the Class D Audio CDA 250 amp that you are referring to.  I purchased it about 6 months ago and could not be happier with the amp.

If you are in this hobby for any appreciable time, you will research at some point the different classes of amps and how class D amps work as compared to class A, the more traditional AB, and so on.  Class D amps (the circuits, not the company) have not enjoyed the best of reputations, mostly because the earlier implementations of this circuit type have sounded sterile as auxinput has noted.

Enter the company, Class D Audio.  The amps manufactured by this company do not sound sterile, quite the opposite.  I am finding the CDA 250 very musical and not at all fatiguing.  I swapped out my tube amp and am using the Class D Audio in my main system and I am pleased.

Granted I am running different components than you are and I am not sure how your Onkyo will perform as a preamp only, which will be the bigger determinant of the sound you get.  The Onkyo is a receiver and I owned some variant of this receiver 20 years ago and while it was a good receiver, I am not sure how well if it would stand alone as a preamp.

There are better amps for your money than the Emotiva.  You lose nothing by trying the Class D Audio CDA 250 and see how it goes with your Onkyo.  It will definitely be an improvement over the Onkyo alone, though I would not be surprised if you go preamp shopping down the road.  

As an aside, if you are considering an integrated amp solution, Upscale Audio has a special on the Musical Fidelity M2SI integrated.  A $1000 amp for $600.  This would fit your bill nicely.

https://www.upscaleaudio.com/collections/sweet-deals/products/musical-fidelity-m2si-integrated-ampli...

Rich 
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