Emotiva XPA GEN3 User Manual - Introduction
Page 3
XPA Gen3
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the new Emotiva XPA Gen3 modular power amplifier.
The XPA Gen3 modular power amplifier is the proud result of many years of experience designing
and refining audiophile power amps, culminating in an amplifier with the solid power and superb
sound quality necessary to be equally at home in any two channel audiophile sound system or top
quality home theater system.
The XPA Gen3 represents a fusion of the best aspects of both traditional and modern audio
amplifier technologies - each chosen to provide the optimum combination of sound quality,
efficiency, and functionality. The circuitry in each output module is based on the exceptional
sounding short signal path Class A/B output circuit we designed for our XPA Gen1 and Gen2
amplifiers, combined with the enhanced efficiency of the Optimized Class H™ power topology we
developed for our XPR series amplifiers.
The enormous amount of power required to operate the output modules in the XPA Gen3 is
supplied by a massive Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS). The SMPS we chose combines high
efficiency, massive long term power capacity, and impressive short term dynamic power reserves.
Although we tend to think of switching supplies as modern technology, the controller chip and
basic circuit design used in our new SMPS have a long track record of reliably powering commercial
and even automotive devices, so we feel comfortable trusting it with the critical mission of
providing clean, reliable power for our new XPA Gen3 amps. Compared to the linear transformer-
based power supplies used in our previous generation of amplifiers, the new SMPS offers improved
electrical performance and reliability, while reducing the overall weight of the amplifier by about
35%, which makes the new XPA Gen3 amplifiers easier to ship and easier to install. It also seamlessly
detects and configures itself for any line voltage between 100 VAC and 250 VAC, and features a
convenient push-button circuit breaker for easy recovery from any power faults.
Another important aspect of the new XPA Gen3 amplifier series is its modular construction. The
new XPA Gen3 amps all share a common chassis, microprocessor-controlled front panel, and power
supply. The XPA Gen3 can be ordered with anywhere between two and seven amplifier modules
installed - to fulfill your current needs; then additional modules (up to seven total) can be added
later as you expand your system and require more channels of high quality amplification.
And, finally, we’ve added the extra features that our customers expect from a high-end amplifier....
like a heavy-duty chassis with elegant styling, and a trigger input and output, and switchable front
panel status indicators, and independent input selection for each channel, and high quality chassis-
mounted RCA input connectors, and heavy duty speaker terminals.
Whether you think of our new XPA Gen3 modular power amplifier as an impressive new product,
or simply as the obvious successor to an already impressive line of audiophile amplifiers, we’re sure
you’ll be as impressed with its performance, flexibility, and sound quality as we are...
Happy listening!
The Emotiva Team