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| Model: | XSP-1 Gen 2 |
| Category: | Preamplifier (HT) |
| Suggested Retail Price: | $999 |
| Description: | Stereo Preamplifier |
| Manufacturer URL: | Emotiva |
| Review by rkeman on January 18, 2016 at 18:46:10 IP Address: 68.205.188.63 | Add Your Review for the XSP-1 Gen 2 |
The Emotive XSP-1 Gen 2 is a solid state stereo preamplifier with a fully balanced circuit design. There are two sets of balanced inputs, four sets of unbalanced inputs, one set of balanced main outputs, one set of unbalanced main outputs, one phono input (mm and mc with user-configurable cartridge loading), one external processor loop, and support for both stereo subwoofers and a summed mono subwoofer. Full analog bass management and independent, individually configurable, Linkwitz-Riley 12 dB/octave high-pass and low-pass filters for the main outputs are included. A high current headphone amplifier with independent level control and a remote control round out the package. All the bases are covered!
The mechanic and electronic build quality of the XSP-1 is excellent. The vacuum fluorescent display is relatively large, dimmable and easy to read. The front panel controls have a positive feel and the rear connectors are gold plated and of fine quality. The remote works as expected and has a substantial feel. The box, packing, owner's manual, five year warranty and 30 day trial period are typical for Emotiva - very solid.
The sound of the XSP-1 is very, very good. The noise floor with balanced and unbalanced sources is as low as any equipment that I've experienced. Music seems to rise out of total blackness. The phono section is very quiet, clean and has a smooth effortless quality with both the moving magnet and high output moving coil cartridges auditioned. The tonal signature is neutral unless the (!) very effective tone controls are brought into play. These adjustments allow subtle adjustments similar to the "tilt" controls on Quad amplifiers and can add that smidge of heft or sparkle lacking in some source material. Soundstage reproduction is true to the source material and benefits from the very low noise floor.
The inclusion of a subwoofer crossover is an unusual and welcome feature in a stereo preamplifier. It adds much needed flexibility for those audiophiles incorporating subwoofer(s). With stereo and summed mono modes, adjustable crossover frequency and a defeatable high pass filter, the only options missing are adjustable filter slopes and subwoofer gain control. The best feature is that the crossover doesn't appear to degrade the sound in any way. Add in the processor loop and now there is a better way to integrate a home theater and high performance stereo and still have effective bass management.
In sum, the Emotiva XSP-1 is a cost effective analog stereo preamplifier with great performance and versatility. Highly recommended.
| Product Weakness: | None. |
| Product Strengths: | Outstanding performance and value. Subwoofer crossover and refined phon section. |
| Amplifier: | Emotiva XPA-200 |
| Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Emotiva XSP-1 |
| Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Emotiva ERC-3, Technics Sl1200 Mk. II with Denon DL-110 and AT ML440 |
| Speakers: | Continuum Monitors ad custom subwoofers |
| Cables/Interconnects: | Various DIY Belden and Canare |
| Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Pop, jazz and classical |
| Room Size (LxWxH): | 14 x 12 x 9 |
| Room Comments/Treatments: | Bass traps and corner damping panels |
| Time Period/Length of Audition: | One month |
| Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Thanks for the useful review. Been looking at this preamp for it's bass management capabilities and built in phono. Not much out there if you're looking for bass management. There could be better preamps out there in the used market, but they're USED and no bass management. Parasound Halo looks good too.
You're right.
I have the P5 Halo preamp and it's a winner.
Too much is never enough
Spend an additional $500 and get The Upgrade Company SE mod on this unit. It will blow you away. I've had several $5,000 preamps over the years and this piece is better. YMMV.
Don't forget this is the Gen II version. And it is SIGNIFICANTLY changed from the original.
At one point, the EMO forums had photos of both. The GII is nice inside with very nice and apparently well thought out layout.
I don't think the original was available for very long. That tells me they had some reliability or performance concerns and were back at the drawing board after having taken the weekend off.
Too much is never enough
They must have really improved the sound of their preamps. I bought a USP-1, listened to it for about 3 months on and off doing listening comparisons with my Transdendent Ground Grid (3x the cost of the USP-1) , Musical Fidelity M-1 Clic (3x the cost of the USP-1) and my Centrance Dacport (1x the cost of the USP-1).
Let me put it this way- I gave the USP-1 away...
kenzo
matched with an XPA-5 amplifier. Like you, I would also say my combination offers great value for the money. I've used this combo for several years.
On the other hand, I tend to dismiss reviews with "Product Weaknesses - none". That suggests you think this unit offers perfect sound reproduction as compared with the very best.
Sorry, but it does not. Nor could the XPA-200 nor your sources ever be able to reveal such.
The review is actually of the Emotiva XSP-1 Gen 2 preamplifier and not the UMC-200 preamplifier/processor. The XSP-1 recently replaced a UMC-200 in a bedroom system used predominantly by one of my sons. He has a fairly large collection of vinyl and the XSP-1 offers a good phono preamplifier with both moving magnet and moving coil options. It was on sale over the holidays ($800) and seemed like an ideal gift. The review was motivated by the pleasantly surprising level of performance displayed by the XSP-1 following its installation. The already low noise floor of the system entirely vanished and the phono section was clearly a significant improvement over the previous UMC-200 ($700 when available) and external phono preamplifier ($500 at retail). The difference in clarity and ease was of a magnitude worthy of recognition here. The weeks since then have only reinforced my initial impressions.
Every product has potential downsides. It could be too large or heavy for some, have unsuitable cosmetics, cost too much, etc... The review describes the Emotiva XSP-1 as "very, very good" and it is difficult to find significant fault with it. Perhaps "weaknesses" could be found under different testing conditions. If there is another current preamplifier offering similar features and better performance near the cost of the XSP-1, please enlighten this forum.
The review is actually of the Emotiva XSP-1 Gen 2 preamplifier
Understood. There are, however, more similarities than differences.
the XSP-1 offers a good phono preamplifier with both moving magnet and moving coil options.
I have no doubt that the unit is good. That is what I would expect. To what have you compared it other than another Emotiva unit?
If there is another current preamplifier offering similar features and better performance near the cost of the XSP-1, please enlighten this forum.
I would likely prefer a used Audio Research unit like the one I recently retired for music playback than one that is op amp based.
Perhaps it is a matter of perspective having been around my audio reviewer friends. I tend to judge components against what is available on the market. Do I find that my $9000 preamp is without any weaknesses? No. I can think of at least half a dozen units, albeit pricey ones, that provide a better soundstage and are able to disappear better with superior transparency. I would make the same observation about most all my components.
With merely a "good for the money" approach, one might say that the $30 Dayton Audio T-amp has no *weaknesses*. I purchased one for my sister-in-law driving Radio Shack Minimus 7s for her computer.
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