Emotiva XPS 1 vs Cambridge 651p pre-amps
- Thread starter MNSLD2
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I had them both and could compare back to back for a bit. This was right around the time I was changing from MM carts to MC cartridges, so I did a lot of back and forth listening. In the end I sold the Cambridge and kept the Emotiva.
For moving magnet cartridges, I thought the two were comparable...quiet...accurate...good gain. They were both good enough to show differences in sound between a Shure M91ED and a Shure V15 type iii, and the differences between a generic stylus and a JICO SAS. They both easily beat out an ART DJ pre - drums, for instance, were much more realistic with the Emotiva or Cambridge compared to the ART DJ.
For MC carts, I chose the Emotiva over the Cambridge, largely due to the better adjustability options. The Emotiva also gave better detail than the Cambridge. With the Emotiva, I could easily hear differences between MM carts and MC carts. With the Cambridge, MM and MC carts sounded more alike than different. The Emotiva also gave a better sense of depth and space than the Cambridge, so the Emotiva stayed and I sold the Cambridge.
For a point of reference, here's what I was using when comparing these two phono stages:
Dual 1229Q with a Shure cartridge. (usually the V15iii)
Rega P5, with a Dynavector Ruby or an AT OC-9 mlii (but I did mount the V15iii on the Rega for a trial)
Hope this helps!
For moving magnet cartridges, I thought the two were comparable...quiet...accurate...good gain. They were both good enough to show differences in sound between a Shure M91ED and a Shure V15 type iii, and the differences between a generic stylus and a JICO SAS. They both easily beat out an ART DJ pre - drums, for instance, were much more realistic with the Emotiva or Cambridge compared to the ART DJ.
For MC carts, I chose the Emotiva over the Cambridge, largely due to the better adjustability options. The Emotiva also gave better detail than the Cambridge. With the Emotiva, I could easily hear differences between MM carts and MC carts. With the Cambridge, MM and MC carts sounded more alike than different. The Emotiva also gave a better sense of depth and space than the Cambridge, so the Emotiva stayed and I sold the Cambridge.
For a point of reference, here's what I was using when comparing these two phono stages:
Dual 1229Q with a Shure cartridge. (usually the V15iii)
Rega P5, with a Dynavector Ruby or an AT OC-9 mlii (but I did mount the V15iii on the Rega for a trial)
Hope this helps!