exaSound e18 - e20 - e28 - Info and Experiences Post All Here

[jhameeh]

I am using e20 mk ii for 3 months now and this for sure is a keep. I ordered too Paul hynes sr3 psu for exa and multirail for caps zuma, coming this september.

 

Has anyone tried here a separate pre amp for exae20? I remember ted_b used a separate pre amp when he review exa but its worth more than 10k usd alone. Currently i am auditioning at home a new Audio Research LS27 tube preamp for 3 days only. What i am hearing now is a very tight and punchy base after a day of playing different flac files. One album i tried is Bob Marley.

 

I learned that this preamp needs more than 200 hrs to break in and i will not reach that to hear its potential. I hope maybe some guys here has any experience with a separate pre amp and can share it.

Thanks a lot.

[jhameeh]

Hi jhameeh, Very interested in your experience with the ARC LS27 as I'm considering the same.

I have 30 hours on the tube now. This pre amp is really a good in terms of bass, very, very tight and punchy. It has a rich tone and it is throwing a big sound stage and more micro details. The volume has 104 steps, and I am playing only from 25 to 40 via remote, and my speakers are already loud. Still running it since yesterday and waiting for more reasons to justify the cost. Good preamp overall, tomorrow I will start playing again exa's pre amp and will see the difference. ARC said from manual, that this baby needs 600 hrs break in to give its full potential. I have to decide within 3 days...

[jhameeh]

I see you have an Anthem D2v 3D. How are you using or plan on using an analog audio preamp and the Exasound DAC with the Anthem ?

 

I am using Anthem for movies and concerts and some music with DSP engaged. For 2 channel I am using ExaE20 plus the ARC LS27 as pre amp (for now).

 

Arc LS27 has a HT Bypass input called PROCESSOR input. I connect ExaE20 as CD input to LS27(via RCA cable), and connect Anthem D2V to Processor input (via RCA cable). ARC LS27 has Unity Gain when using the Processor Input which will disable the VC of LS27. ARC LS27 is connected directly to my 2 channel Bryston power amp. If I want to watch movies, I will just push the button "PROC" from ARC remote control and the Anthem can use now the Bryston power amp to power the main speaker.

 

[jhameeh]

You currently Have all the units I am thinking of incorporating into my system.

Would it be possible for you to compare your current setup with the Arc LS27 and then only using the Anthem 2 channel in ANALOG DIRECT without the Arc LS27.

In other words first with the Arc preamp and then only the Anthem in Analog Direct.

 

I would be most appreciative.

 

Stew

have all the

Hello Stew,

Before I bought the Exa, I've already thought of using the analog direct of Anthem, that's the plan. Before integrating to Anthem, I listen to exa, but directly connected to my power amp. I break in first the exa for 3 weeks and have a good experience with the sound of it. Its really, really good. Very clean and fluid, nice highs and low bottom end and very engaging listening to music.

 

I've tried the Anthem as pre-amp because I want to integrate everything for good 2 channel music and movies. Anthem D2v is top notch in movies and concerts plus music with DSP engaged. If ARC (anthem room correction) is properly used, you will be rewarded.

 

When I used the Anthem as pre amp for Exa, I didn't like the sound what I am hearing. Its not clean, its grainy and a little bit harsh on highs. Maybe I've already used to Exa's clean sound. I think I will never go back to that arrangement. Better to directly connect the exa to power amp.

 

When I used the ARC LS27 as pre amp (I have now 36 hours on the tubes), I think this is another level of improvement for SQ. Clean, fluid, rich tone and very tight and punchy bass but not tiring. Good dynamics even at low volume. Still under break-in and a long road to its true potential, lots of room for improvements, but for sure LS27 is delivering the goods.

 

Regards,

Jhameeh

[jhameeh]

English ver. of ExaSound e28 review available on SoundRebels.com

Nice review!

[jhameeh]

I hope I will receive my Paul Hynes SR3 this month.

[jhameeh]

^ What the ???

[jhameeh]

My Linear power supply from Paul Hynes for my ExaE20 was delayed again...Another month of waiting...very very sad....

[jhameeh]

Hello,

 

Does anyone here is using Exasound E20 with Bryston BDP-2 Digital player? I just want to find out if you successfully connected both via USB and working fine.

 

Thanks.

[jhameeh]

Hello guys,

 

I am using my Exa e20 mk II plug to SOTM USB. Audio is playing perfectly on my Harbeth speaker via JRiver. Latest driver for Windows PC 8.1 installed last night.

 

I just want to ask if Exasound driver can be added/show in Windows 8.1 playback device? The thing is i cannot use my speakers when listening & watching video content online and playing video games because the exa driver is not shown in windows playback devices. I dont want to use extra speakers because of this.

 

Please advise what to do.

Thanks,

Jhameeh