Emotiva XPA-1 vs Jungson 99D

[erin]

I am considering buying a new amplifier. On the shortlist are the Jungson 99D class A 100W or a pair of Emotiva XPA-1 500W class AB. -Both about the same price give or take $500

There are quite a few credible reviews of the Jungson 99D, but there are only reviews of the Emotiva XPA-1 on the emotiva forum and the Home theater sites.

I am worried that despite very good reviews on the HT websites, that the guys doing the reviews of the Emotiva, are not really audiophile types.

The amp/s will be exclusively used for music. I have a preference for a highly detailed sound. Soundstage, depth, naturalness, and real life dynamics are a priority. I am looking for a genuinely audiophile amp. I have modified KEF concerto speakers, and I have noticed that they sound their best with a powerful amp over 130W +

So is there anyone who has heard the Emotiva XPA-1 who can comment on its audiophile credentials?

Or anyone who has heard both these amps?
I am really only looking for the comments of people who actually have heard or owned these amps.

Also, If the Emotiva is not up to audiophile standards, has anyone modified or changed caps to give it better sound? And what were the results?

Thanks

[adason]

jungson

[paul_peraic]

Jungson :-)

[wahab]

Both are expensive..
For the same price, i would go for the more powerfull one
since your speakers need a lot of power...

The Jungson exhibit 0.05% THD ratio at 1KHZ and 1W , which
is pityfull for a so called high end design.

You can also build a 2X200W/8R amp for just a few hundreds $
that will be at least as good as thoses ones...

[erin]

wahab, yes I have to agree with you that for the Jungson class A amp, those distortion figures are extremely high, whereas the Emotiva XPA-1 runs in class A up to about 10W and has about 0.004% distortion at 1W and then the distortion drops to about 0.002% from 2W to 30W where it will be used the most. according to page 9 of its test report
http://emotiva.com/xpa1/xpa1_8ohm.pdf

Still I am really hoping there is someone here who has heard the Emotiva XPA-1
who can provide some comments on its sound.

Thanks

[erin]

adason, have you heard the Jungson?

I know that I wont use 500W at home, in fact I will only be using about 25 to 30W at the most, but from experience a big powerful amp does dynamics better, but I don't want to sacrifice detail and "finesse"

[paul_peraic]

The Jungson exhibit 0.05% THD ratio at 1KHZ and 1W , which
is pityfull for a so called high end design...

How has this amp received such good reviews from supposedly reputable reviewers such as TNT audio's Geoff Husband with such high THD ?

I am also interested in purchasing the Jungson JA99D but the THD figures have
made me hesitant to go ahead with the purchase.

You can also build a 2X200W/8R amp for just a few hundreds $
that will be at least as good as those ones...

Where can you get this 2x200w/8R amp from and are they easy to build
for the non guru DIY builder ?

[Trevor White]

If it's any help there are a couple of good user reviews for the Emotiva on audioreview.com

I know there are a lot of people in Australia who are buying them as well because they get a better deal cutting out the middle man.

[erin]

Hi Trevor,

I have seen those reviews, these reviews are what have me interested in the Emotiva gear, and I know someone who has the Emotiva pre amp and CD player, but he does not have the XPA-1

do you know anyone in Melbourne who has the XPA-1 that I could possibly come over and hear it?

It's just a worry making a big purchase without hearing the amps for myself.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by wahab

The Jungson exhibit 0.05% THD ratio at 1KHZ and 1W , which
is pityfull for a so called high end design.

Given that THD is a meaningless specification, i don't know how you can say that.

It is often the case that amplifiers with lower audiable distortion have higher measured THD. Of importance is the distribution of the distortion harmonics.

dave