Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity has reviewed the Emotiva XPA-1 monoblock power amps ($1,998/pair). These are well-built units (photo) with a “fully differential design that takes full advantage of the balanced inputs.” They are capable of 500w RMS into 8 Ohms and 1000w into 4 Ohms.
Reviewer Chris Groppi was amazed at the value the XPA-1s represent:
Other manufacturers typically ask at least $3000-$4000 a piece for amps like this. The MSRP is $999, with an introductory special price of $899 each (January, 2009).
He had this to say of their sound:
The dynamics delivered by the XPA-1 were the first stunning aspect of these amplifiers.
The XPA-1 is very detailed and has lots of high frequency extension. This extension could be unkind to poor recordings, or components that sounded hard on top.
In conclusion, he writes:
They are some of the best amplifiers I have ever heard, period, and they will have to be be pried out of my cold, dead fingers.
Now that’s an endorsement! Check out the entire review.