BasX A1 Monoblock Power Amplifier

No brainer

Impressive

Downgrade Fears Forgotten

My almost 18 year-old Gen 1 XPA-5 was starting to have technical issues and I decided it was time to replace it. I considered a new XPA-5, but I was only driving 4 overheads and my center on my Gen 1 (long story, my setup changed drastically since first buying my XPA-5). After exploring my options (including other brands), I decided to go with an A1 for my center and an A4 to drive my overheads. I feared this would be a downgrade. But upon firing up the new amps and initially setting the levels, a necessary step as the XPA-5 Gen 1 was 32 db gain, I popped on a movie to test the new gear. I was speechless at how much more cohesive the overall sound was with the A1/A4 combo matched with my Emotiva RPA-2 (Emotiva's 2008'ish Reference stereo amp) and an A300 driving my surrounds. And what a match it is! The XPA-5 apparently was much more dynamic (as it's reputation deems), and I am realizing now that it was overpowering the rest of my system, particularly the center channel. I constantly was adjusting the volume up and down with the Gen 1 for as long as I can remember. Now everything is much more balanced, and because of that evcerything sounds cleaner, and dialogue is more intelligible. Throughout this process I was half expecting that I'd be sending the new amps back and end up getting another XPA-5 after all was said is done. No chance on that now that I've gotten a taste of the new gear. I'm extremely happy with my purchase decision!