Emotiva XPA-1 User Manual

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®

CLASS

A A/B

®

STANDBY

Dierential Reference™ Monoblock
Power Amplier
User Manual

Important Safety Precautions and Explanation of Symbols

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of
important installation, operation, and service instructions in this manual.

!

The lightning ash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated dangerous voltages within the enclosure that may be of sucient magnitude to
constitute a risk of electrical shock to the user.

Please read this manual thoroughly before attempting to install, congure, or operate the XPA-1 power
amplier. After successful installation and conguration of the XPA-1, be sure to retain this manual in a safe
place for future reference.

Safety is a key component to a long lasting and trouble free installation. Please read and follow all
instructions and heed all warnings on the XPA-1 and in this manual. The vast majority of the subsequent
safety precautions are common sense. If you are not comfortable with the installation of audio/video
entertainment equipment, you should seek the services of a qualied installation professional or call us for
help.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THE XPA1 NEAR WATER
OR IN WET LOCATIONS, DO NOT EXPOSE IT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE, DO NOT EXPOSE IT TO DRIPPING

!

OR SPLASHING FROM OTHER SOURCES, AND ENSURE THAT NO OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS SUCH
AS VASES ARE PLACED ON IT. DOING SO MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE UNIT AND THE RISK OF
ELECTRIC SHOCK, WHICH MAY RESULT IN BODILY INJURY OR DEATH.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER FROM THE
XPA1. THERE ARE NO USERSERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE THE UNIT. REFER ALL SERVICE TO QUALIFIED
SERVICE PERSONNEL.

Do not install the XPA-1 near or above any heat sources such as radiators, heating vents, or other apparatus’
that produce heat. Do not block any ventilation openings or heat sinks. Avoid installing the unit directly
above other heat-producing equipment unless sucient ventilation or forced-air cooling is provided.

Do not install the XPA-1 in locations without proper ventilation. The XPA-1 should not be operated on a bed,
sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block vents. The unit should not be installed in an enclosed location
such as a bookcase, cabinet, or closed equipment rack unless sucient forced-air ventilation is provided.

Always install your XPA-1 according to the manufacturer’s instructions and only use attachments or
accessories specied by the manufacturer.

Do not install the XPA-1 on any stand, shelf, or other piece of furniture that is unable to support its weight.
If a cart is used to move the unit, use caution to avoid injury from tip-over.

Connect the XPA-1 only to power sources of the correct voltage (as shown in this manual and on the
XPA-1 unit).

Protect power supply cables from being pinched, walked on, or otherwise damaged. Be especially careful
where the power cable enters the power outlet and the unit.

Only connect the XPA-1 to an electrical outlet or extension cord of appropriate type and rating.

DO NOT defeat the safety purpose of a grounding or polarized plug by removing ground pins or using
unsafe adapters. A polarized plug has two blades - one wider than the other. A grounding plug has a
third ground prong in addition to the two main conductors. The wide blade or third groundling prong is
provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not t your outlet, consult an electrician to replace your
obsolete outlet. If you replace the power cord, only use one of similar type and equal or greater current
rating.

The power cable for the XPA-1 should be unplugged from the outlet during severe electrical storms, or
when unused for a long period of time.

Only replace the fuse(s) in the XPA-1 with fuse(s) of proper value and voltage rating.

The XPA-1 should only be cleaned as directed in the manual. Avoid spraying liquids directly onto the unit and
NEVER spray liquids into the vents. Care should be taken so that small objects do not fall into the inside of the
unit.

You should seek service for your XPA-1 by qualied service personnel if any of the following occur:

1. The power-supply cord or the plug has been damaged.

!

2. Objects or liquid have fallen or spilled into the vents.

3. The unit has been exposed to rain.

4. The unit exhibits a marked change in performance.

5. The unit has been dropped, or its enclosure or chassis is damaged.

NOTE: TO COMPLETELY DISCONNECT THE XPA-1 FROM THE AC POWER MAINS, DISCONNECT THE AC POWER
CORD FROM THE AC RECEPTACLE.

NOTE: THE POWER CORD ON THE XPA-1 MUST REMAIN READILY ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.

CAUTION

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK

OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO

NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER

SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED

SERVICE PERSONNEL.

XPA-1

XPA-1 Dierential Reference™ Monoblock Power Amplier

Contents

Important Safety Precautions and Explanation of Symbols

XPA-1 Dierential Reference™ Monoblock Power Amplier ............................1

Introduction .......................................................................................................................3

About This Manual ........................................................................................................... 4

Features ...............................................................................................................................5

Unpacking ...........................................................................................................................6

XPA-1 Front Panel ............................................................................................................. 7

XPA-1 Rear Panel ............................................................................................................... 8

Quick Start ....................................................................................................................... 10

Connections .................................................................................................................... 11

Conguration and Operation ................................................................................... 13

Care and Maintenance ................................................................................................ 14

Specications .................................................................................................................. 15

Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................ 18

Emotiva Audio Corporation Five-Year Limited Warranty ................................ 20

Accessories ...................................................................................................................... 22

Notes .................................................................................................................................. 23

Page 1

XPA-1

Page 2

XPA-1

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the new and improved second generation Emotiva XPA-1
Dierential Reference™ Monoblock power amplier.

Monoblocks deliver the absolute best in audiophile quality sound; totally separate ampliers, each
with its own independent power supply, provide the ultimate in channel separation and pristine sound
quality. Whether you’re creating the ultimate stereo audio system, putting together a truly exceptional
home theater system, or upgrading the all-important front main channels on your current surround
system, a set of XPA-1 Dierential Reference™ Monoblock power ampliers will deliver the ultimate in
sound quality.

All Emotiva Dierential Reference™ components are not simply balanced, but utilize a true dierential
audio signal path - from input to output. In a dierential device, the audio signal is amplied as a
pair of mirror image copies - equal in amplitude, but 180 derees out of phase with each other. These
identical inverted and noninverted signals are carried by identical signal paths; when the two are
combined at the output, the vanishingly small amounts of distortion generated in each signal path
cancel out, resulting in incomparably low overall distortion and superior common-mode noise
rejection. The resulting sound quality is truly superb.

The original XPA-1 was an amazing amplier, with outstanding performance, exceptional sound
quality, and excellent reliability. The new second generation XPA-1 carries on this tradition of advanced
design, a massively over-designed power supply, conservatively rated Class A/B output stage, and
high quality parts and construction throughout - and adds a solid machined gold plated RCA input
jack on the unbalanced input, a high-quality metal toggle switch for input selection, and a more
modern design aesthetic. To all that, we’ve added small but signicant curcuit enhancements under
the hood. The improvements are subtle but, at this level of renement and sophistication, they really
do make the best even better.

As if all that wasn’t enough, we’ve added another very special feature: a Class A / Class AB switch
on the front panel that lets you switch the XPA-1 into our exclusive Class A high-bias mode. In this
mode, the XPA-1 actually operates in Class A mode for the rst 60 watts of it’s operation - giving
you the superlative sound of a full 60 watt Class A amplier. However, unlike other - less capable ­Class A ampliers, above 60 watts the XPA-1 transitions seamlessly into Class A/B mode, delivering
seemingly endless reserves of Class A/B power to ensure that transients are delivered with precision
and authority, and that no hint of clipping or compression ever intrudes on a truly superb musical
experience. Of course, the XPA-1 will run warmer in Class A mode, so we do give you the option of
running it in Class A/B mode if you like.

What does the XPA-1 sound like?

Music: nothing more and nothing less!
(We wouldn’t have it any other way.)

Happy listening!

The Emotiva Team

Page 3

XPA-1

About This Manual

This manual will provide you with the information you need to get started enjoying your XPA-1
stereo power amplier.

We suggest that you read through the entire manual; we kept things as short and direct as
possible. Even if you’re an expert user, you will probably nd some interesting information and
useful suggestions.

If you’re really in a hurry to get started, please read the Quick Start section (on page 10); you may
then read the remainder of the manual at your leisure.

You may wish to keep a copy of this manual with your records, and record serial numbers or other
purchase information on the Notes page at the back.

Page 4

XPA-1

Features

The XPA-1 Dierential Reference™ Monoblock Power Amplier features our fully discrete, high­current, short signal path, class A/B output section, and all the advanced engineering and high
quality construction you’ve come to expect from Emotiva.

The XPA-1 also has an exciting new feature. Flip the front panel switch into the Class A/B position,
and the XPA-1 is a superb sounding Class A/B amp, delivering 600 watts into 8 ohms
(or 1000 watts into 4 ohms) with amazingly low noise and distortion. Flip the switch into the
Class A position, and the XPA-1 delivers 60 watts of awesome pure Class A sound quality; and,
if you do need more than 60 watts, the XPA-1 automatically transitions into Class A/B mode to
deliver its full rated power. This way you get all of the sound quality of Class A with none of the
limitations. (The XPA-1 will get warmer in Class A Mode, but it will never get dangerously hot or
exceed CE case temperature safety ratings.)

The XPA-1 gives you all of the benets of pure Class A operation; and none of the drawbacks.

Features oered by the XPA-1 include:

• Fully balanced, Dierential Reference™ design with quad dierential input stage and
cross-coupled active current sources.

• Switchable Class A and Class A/B operating modes.

• Massive, high current toroidal power supply.

• Advanced microprocessor operating system which protects the amplier from all fault

conditions.

• Discrete dierential front end, no integrated circuits.

• Balanced and unbalanced inputs.

• Trigger input and output.

• Precision multi-segment blue LED power meter with switchable operating modes

(the LED meters on a pair of XPA-1’s can be set to operate as left/right mirror image pairs).

• Fully protected from all fault conditions.

• Machined, gold plated, unbalanced RCA input connector.

• Heavy duty, gold plated, clear jacketed audiophile speaker binding posts.

• Soft-touch power switch.

• Solid milled aluminum faceplate.

• Automatic 120/230 AC voltage detection and switching.

• IEC power inlet.

• Laser etched serial number badge.

• Emotiva 5-year transferrable warranty.

You can nd more information about the Emotiva XPA-1 on our website at
www.emotiva.com.

Page 5