Description
The XSP-1 is a high-quality stereo analog preamp, featuring a fully balanced signal path, high quality relay signal switching, a precision analog ladder Volume control, a high-quality phono preamp that supports both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, and precision tone trim adjustments.
Analog Stereo Performance: Taken To The Next Level
Our all-new XSP-1 Gen 2 balanced preamplifier isn’t just a great cosmetic match to our Gen 2 power amps—it also takes performance to a new level. Thanks to an all-new surface-mount design, we’ve significantly tightened component tolerances, shortened signal paths, and matched the trace lengths between channels, for a greatly improved acoustic signature.
Refining Balanced Performance
The XSP-1 Gen 2 combines a pure, all-analog, audiophile topology with an advanced digital control system. This maintains the purity of the audio signal, while offering advanced features, resolution, and accuracy far surpassing traditional designs. The XSP-1 Gen 2 delivers an uncompromised listening experience in Reference Playback mode by totally avoiding single ended to balanced conversions from the signal path. Combined with instrumentation grade relays for input selection and high voltage, and a digitally-controlled analog resistor ladder network with 0.5dB per step resolution for volume, the XSP-1 Gen 2 maintains signal integrity and near perfect channel matching – even at very low listening levels.
The Control You Need
In terms of fine-tuning the sound of your system, most audiophile preamps are “take it or leave it”, offering little or no control over the interaction between your speakers and room. Not the XSP-1 Gen 2. It includes precision contour controls that allow you to tailor the high frequency and low frequency response of your system for perfect results in your listening environment. For absolute neutrality, the contour controls operate by switching networks of precision discrete tuning components in and out, and can, of course, be completely bypassed.
Advanced Features Ease System Integration
The XSP-1 Gen 2 packs a long list of features that make it the ideal centerpiece for your high performance audio system. It includes analog bass management for perfect integration with 2.1 or 2.2 systems, as well as a high current, load-invariant headphone amplifier, an external signal processor loop, trigger inputs and outputs, and a full-featured milled aluminum remote control. A large VFD display shows system status messages and provides visual confirmation of all actions and settings.
Ready for Legacy Sources
Unlike many other preamps these days, the XSP-1 includes a truly stunning and extremely quiet phono preamplifier with inputs for both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges (with user-selectable loading)
The list of features can go on and on…but the real proof is in the listening experience, and in the XSP-1’s incredible flexibility and ease of operation.
Experience the next generation of balanced perfection.
Specifications
Superb Analog Audio Quality
- Exceptional sound quality via an all-analog, fully balanced, differential signal path with vanishingly low noise and distortion.
- Audiophile quality, load invariant, high current headphone amplifier with independent level control and memory.
- High performance phono preamp that supports both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, with user-configurable cartridge loading for moving coil cartridges.
Precise Control
- Full analog bass management with independent, individually configurable, Linkwitz-Riley 12 dB/octave high-pass and low-pass filters for the mains and subs.
- Level control via a high resolution (.5dB/step) digitally controlled analog resistor network.
- Digital flexibility and convenience including precise repeatability on all settings, a smart mute function, turn on level limit, and a full function remote control.
- Informative, dimmable front panel VFD display shows level, status, and input selections.
Flexible Input And Output Options
- Excellent input and output flexibility: 2 sets of balanced inputs, 4 sets of unbalanced inputs, one set of balanced main outputs, and one set of unbalanced main outputs.
- Support for both stereo subwoofers and a summed mono subwoofer.
- True external processor loop.
- Gold plated, solid brass machined RCA connectors and gold plated XLR connectors.
- Flexible trigger and control options.
Top Quality Parts And Construction
- Tight-tolerance surface mount components and short, precisely matched signal paths deliver a superb, tightly focused acoustic signature.
- Top quality parts and construction for years of reliable service, including hand-selected semiconductors and top quality passive components.
- Highly regulated and shielded toroidal power supply.
- Fully transferable five-year warranty.
Universal Voltage Operation
- The XSP-1 can operate on 115 VAC or 230 VAC and will automatically detect and select the correct line voltage for your area.
Audio Specifications
Balanced Input to Balanced Output:
- S/N (signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted, ref +6 dBV): > 117 dB.
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.02 dB.
- THD + N (harmonic distortion plus noise, @ 1 kHz): < 0.0004%.
- IMD (intermodulation distortion, SMPTE method, 60 Hz/7 kHz): < 0.001%.
- Crosstalk (measured at +6 dBF, 10 kHz): < 100 dB.
Unbalanced Input to Unbalanced Output:
- S/N (signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted, ref +6 dBV): > 113 dB.
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.015 dB.
- THD + N (harmonic distortion plus noise, @ 1 kHz): < 0.0006%.
- IMD (intermodulation distortion, SMPTE method, 60 Hz/7 kHz): < 0.001%.
- Crosstalk (measured at +6 dBF, 10 kHz): < 102 dB.
Balanced Input to Unbalanced Output:
- S/N (signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted, ref +6 dBV): > 114 dB.
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.015 dB.
- THD + N (harmonic distortion plus noise, @ 1 kHz): < 0.0005%.
- IMD (intermodulation distortion, SMPTE method, 60 Hz/7 kHz): < 0.0015%.
- Crosstalk (measured at +6 dBF, 10 kHz): < 105 dB.
Unbalanced Input to Balanced Output:
- S/N (signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted, ref +6 dBV): > 115 dB.
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.017 dB.
- THD + N (harmonic distortion plus noise, @ 1 kHz): < 0.0003%.
- IMD (intermodulation distortion, SMPTE method, 60 Hz/7 kHz): < 0.007%.
- Crosstalk (measured at +6 dBF, 10 kHz): < 100 dB.
Phono (Moving Coil; phono in to balanced out):
- Gain (1 kHz, Volume at 0): approximately 60 dB.
- Input impedance (user selectable): 47 ohms, 100 ohms, 470 ohms, 1k ohm.
- S/N (signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted, ref 1.0 mV in): > 79 dB.
- Frequency response (ref standard RIAA curve): 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.35 dB.
- THD (total harmonic distortion, ref 1.0 mV): < 0.008%.
- IMD (intermodulation distortion, SMPTE method: < 0.15 %.
- Crosstalk: < 65 dB.
Phono (Moving Magnet; phono in to balanced out):
- Gain (1 kHz, Volume at 0): approximately 40 dB.
- Input impedance: 47k Ohms.
- S/N (signal-to-noise ratio, A-weighted, ref 10.0 mV in, A-weighted): > 96 dB.
- Frequency response (ref standard RIAA curve): 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 0.3 .dB.
- THD (total harmonic distortion, ref 10 mV): < 0.001%.
- IMD (intermodulation distortion, SMPTE method: < 0.05%.
- Crosstalk: < 80 dB.
