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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
 
Thanks Auxinput! I will check out these amps and web.

how about the Emotiva A-300 for $399 free shipping? I am planning buy A-300 first then later will buy the preamp PT-100 for $299. Total about $700. What do you think? Please advise! 
ericsch
767 posts
 
If you are planning to buy the A-300 why are you inquiring about the other amps/preamps.
justinpham2012 OP
23 posts
 
Oh! 1 more question: I also have the Klipsch R-12SW SUBWOOFER goes with R28F, just wondering how I can connect the Sub to the Amp to have 2.1? The Onkyo TX-8555, which I have now, has a pre-out sub. 
justinpham2012 OP
23 posts
 
@ericsch! Because I don’t know which amp is good for my speakers and also not break the bank. I am just searching around now. 
auxinput
2,921 posts
 

My same comments on Emotiva XPA-5 also apply to A-300.  If you really want a brand new amp with that much power, Emotiva is hard to beat.  But you can easily get a used amp that is significantly better!

Emotiva Preamp - same thing.  They are rather lackluster in the midst of other preamps, but if you really want a NEW product, it's hard to beat. 

Preamps are actually a lot harder to buy cheaply than amps.  You have to spend a good amount of money before you are able to get something decent.  If you are looking for sound quality, this Vincent is probably the minimum I would recommend (it's all manual source selection and volume - no remote):

http://tmraudio.com/components/preamplifiers/vincent-sa-31-stereo-line-preamplfier-sa31/

The Vincent is actually a quite excellent performer.  It get's hard to find a good preamp without spending $600-700 or more.  If you want bargain basement, look at Schiit Saga. You can then upgrade the tube to something like Electro-Harmonix 6SN7 to get better resolution.

http://www.schiit.com/products/saga

If you're willing to spend more, Schiit Freya for $699 is outstanding.

If you want to stay on the solid-state side, Parasound P5:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649439594-selling-parasound-p5/

Hope this helps.

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