• Design: Fully Balanced, Fully Discrete, Quad Differential, Ultra-high Current, Short Signal Path, Selectable Class A/AB Monoblock Power Amplifier
  • Power Output (0.1% THD): 600 Watts RMS into 8 Ohms, 1,000 Watts RMS into 4 Ohms
  • Gain: 29 dB
  • Power Supply: 1,200VA toroidal transformer, 120,000 µF Filter Capacitance
  • Input Impedance: 33 kOhms (Balanced), 23.5 kOhms (Unbalanced)
  • Size: 7.75” H x 17” W x 19” D
  • Weight: 73 Pounds


  • SECRETS Tags: Emotiva, XPA-1, Power Amplifiers, Monoblocks, Gen 2

The original XPA-1offered 500 watts into 8 ohms and 1,000 watts into 4 ohms. The updated model outdoes this by offering 600 watts into 8 ohms and 1,000 watts into 8 ohms. It also has a Class A mode, accessible by a switch on the front panel. When engaged, this provides 60 watts of Class A, but retains the ability to provide up to 600 watts in Class A/B mode.

The XPA-1 Gen 2 is the most powerful Class A/B amplifier that Emotiva makes. We know it has raw power, but does it also have grace and finesse to go along with brute force?

 

Design and Setup of the Emotiva XPA-1 Gen 2 Monoblock Power Amplifier

The XPA-1 is a balanced, discrete Class A/B monoblock amplifier. It features XLR and RCA inputs on the rear, with a switch to toggle between the two inputs. 12V triggers have a 3.5mm input and output, so you can chain two XPA-1s together if you wish. The front has the switch to move between Class A and Class A/B modes, along with an LED meter showing the relative output level. If you find the LEDs too bright for your room, you can disable them on the rear panel. There are optional rack rails available, though they are not included in the box.

Despite being a monoblock amplifier, there are two pairs of binding posts on the rear of the XPA-1. This allows you to bi-wire speakers with two individual runs of cables if you desire.

I felt that the binding posts are too far apart. Over a foot separates the positive and negative terminals, and most speaker cables will likely not reach them by default. I added a banana extension for my cables to enable them to make it, but you might need to split your speaker cable at the end so that the two legs can reach each set of binding posts.


The biggest internal change to the XPA-1 Gen 2 is the addition of the Class A switch. When you enable this, the first 60 watts from the amplifier are Class A. If you need more power, you can switch it to Class A/B operation. If you have the switch in the Class A/B mode, it operates there all the time. Since both modes have access to all 600 watts, why wouldn’t you leave it in Class A all the time?

The answer is simple: heat. Class A means that the amplifier is always drawing power and Class A amps are only 25% efficient by nature. With 60 watts of Class A power, that means 180 watts of power are dissipated as heat when the amp is idle. Leaving the XPA-1in Class A mode at idle for an hour bears this out, as the amps will become quite warm.