Classic meters done right, nice soft amber glow when lit!
Luxman meters are a close 2nd
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Any Emotiva amplifier users (past or present) out there…?
I have a chance to grab a pair of XPA-1 Gen 2 mono amps to try out as a possible upgrade to my current amplifiers (XPA-1 Gen 1 mono amps).
The Gen 2’s are specified to push out up to 60 wpc in Class A mode, whereas my understanding is the Gen 1’s can provide as much aw 10 wpc.
I am not inclined to make the purchase if the amplifier don’t (generally) sound better though.
I am hoping someone here might have experience with both models and can opine the relative performance of the two different XPA-1s.
Anyone…?
TIA
Nashville HiFi going out of business sale price list:
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I have one and it just got the Apex upgrade in August. It’s hard not to love it. I really enjoy the ability to change the upsampling (dxd or dsd), mapping and filters to tweak the sound. The low noise floor is great, it is dead quiet. I have the clock as well but I think it is great as is.
I like the functionality through the mosaic app to change all kinds of stuff like the output voltage, inputs, etc.
A tiny bit irritated at having to buy a remote but the remote has the same rotary volume knob as the dac which has the most amazing turning feel.
I do wonder how it will stack up against the new ps audio ds dac mkii which I believe will have a lot of features that I like in the Rossini and a lower noise floor will be on offer for what seems like 1/4 the price.
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I bought a couple of matched quads of KT150s for my Audio research 160m amps from this place in Germany in March and it was a steal at 375/quad. Prices have gone up but it seems like they are €525 per quad
They came quickly and well packaged. No damage. I live in the US.
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Heard it at my dealer a few times in doom’s. It is magnificent and you can add the world clock at a later date. Apex is the first major hardware update in about 10 years.
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Hooray! I am safe from that list.
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I live VU meters. My NAD M33 imitates analog VU meters on its display. Nicely done, but still an imitation.
For the price / features of the integrated and certainly the SQ of the Purify class D amps a compromise I happily accept.
A agree with many that UV meters don’t add SQ but to my mind so much fun.
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I’ve bought from them multiple times, they’ve always been excellent. I’m in the UK
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That’s a great tip. Thanks!
How do you like the 160M’s? I haven’t heard them but really like the way they look. The ghost meters are cool. Their specs are awesome too.
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Thanks for the feedback. I first thought the dealer was giving me the Darko snub instead of replying to my RFQ but he was out of town doing an install. Now I have to decide if I want to spend 50 Large on a DAC.
I wish PSA’s 2 box DAC was available but it looks like it may be another year or two before that one comes to light.
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Thanks Steven. They are 8 to 12 weeks out on deliveries so I need to do a little thinking and have some time. I am not sure if I want to spend the value of my Corvette on a DAC but curiosity has it’s grip on me and there are none available used anywhere and as I said before that is usually a good sign.
I love them, they are coming out with a 320m but my room is so small 12x14 that I barely go past 1-2 watts typically anyway (according to the meter) I am sure there are some peaks that are quick and just don’t register. The sound is great, I have the same issue as you in that I also use it for HT so solid state amps for center and surrounds but tubes for front right and left.
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My first integrated had amber meters [NAD 3080]
Spent many an hour staring off into the void listening to my LP’s. 
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Looks a little less than perfect but the Class A potential and price might be right:
FYI.
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Nice machine!
I think the hunt is for stereo/mono amps vs an integrated?
Side note: Accuphase and it’s US distributor Axxis Audio are very strict with regards to service on voltage converted products and you will find it near impossible to get authorized service
If integrated is on the table and service is not a concern, then by all means, it’s a killer piece with dac and phono boards optional
Best,
-JP
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Yep. Totally overlooked the fact this was an integrated amplifier…
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A 75 is the “entry level” full class A stereo or mono (bridged) amp in the line, also a ridiculously good amplifier digital vs analog meters.
Nice but I would leave them off 99% of the time where I bypass the analog meters on my amps about 50% of the time. I find them soothing and classy
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How often are you swapping the KT150?
Can an amp be sexy? If the 160M isn’t, nothing is.
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I haven’t actually had to change them yet as they were close to 2k hours, still sounded as good as they did after some initial amp break-in.
One amp had an issue and went back to AR turned out to be a broken board they tried to fix and sent back but it didn’t work so they replaced both amps with brand new ones (super customer service!)
Agreed, I love looking at that meter, the brightness is adjustable all the way to off. That pic was after I had the power shut off to the system from the wall so everything is brighter than I usually keep it, especially when watching movies with the lights low.
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