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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
213runnin
914 posts
 
Rar, Looks like you got your post in just before I made the post about Parasound.

i can’t comment on class D, but great point on the Onkyo as pre, it would become the weak link for sure.  
justinpham2012 OP
23 posts
 
Thank you so much for all your help and inputs. I feel like I learned something new about music world. So my only purpose now is for stereo music, I will not buy the Emotiva XPA 5, and will look in to Parasound, Class D Audio and other Amps 2 channel. I like to buy separately amp and pre amp so I can upgrade later on. 
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
2,921 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.
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