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Dec 6, 2009, 2:56am

The Emotiva Lounge :: User Reviews :: Amplifier Reviews :: XPA-5 Reviews :: RECEIVER + AMP

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Topic: RECEIVER + AMP (Read 743 times)

nimmy60504
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RECEIVER + AMP
« Thread Started on Sept 29, 2009, 1:31am »

What Amp would you recommend for Onkyo 875.
Onkyo puts out 140watts,would I gain anything.
I read that in order to hear a difference your amp
should double what the receiver puts out,am I correct.
I running 5.1 system.

APERION SPEAKERS

" INTIMUS 6T TOWER"

41.5" H x 7.75" W x 15.5" D (Base 10.5"x18.25")
Frequency Response (+/- 3dB) 36-20,000 Hz -- (+/- 6dB)

28-22,000 Hz
Sensitivity 91 dB
Driver Configuration 2-Way

"INTIMUS 6C CENTER CHANNEL"

8.5" H x 25" W x 11" D
Frequency Response (+/- 3dB) 55-20,000 Hz -- (+/- 6dB)

50-22,000 Hz
Sensitivity 87 dB
Driver Configuration 3-Way

"INTIMUS 5DB DIPOLE BIPOLE "

11.75" H x 10.6" W x 7.5" D
Frequency Response 100Hz to 20,000Hz
Sensitivity 86dB
Driver Configuration 2-Way

"BRAVUS 12D DIGITAL DUAL DRIVER SUBWOOFER"

17" H x 15.5" W x 15.5" D (with feet attached)
Frequency Response -3dB, 22Hz - 180Hz -- -6dB, 18Hz - 180Hz
Sensitivity N/A
Driver Configuration Dual Active Drivers

-Speakers set to [ small ]
-Crossovers-

-Fronts set at 60
-Center set at 80
-Sub set at 80
-Surrounds set at 80

-Music tastes / Movies

-Jazz, Oldies / Adventure

-Weakness

Sounds great when watching movies
but music sounds weak.
Playing SACD Hybrid Multichannel -DSD Sounds great!!
but lacks punch!!

-47lg70 LCD

-Bluray player OPPO BDP-83

-Room size 15' x 20'
-Room is carpeted

« Last Edit: Oct 1, 2009, 2:12pm by nimmy60504 »

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chuckienut
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Re: RECEIVER + AMP
« Reply #1 on Sept 29, 2009, 2:50am »

Welcome to the Emo Lounge.

The TX-SR-875 has one of the better amp sections in any of the recent Onkyo receivers. That said the 140 watt spec is only for two channels driven. Emo rates their 5 and 7 channel amps with all channels driven simultaneously! The 140 watts would probably measure roughly around 100 watts per channel with all 5 or 7 channels driven. That said, it is very difficult to give you a reasonable answer without knowing something about your system.

What are the models of your 5 speakers and sub? Do you presently run the main left and right as large or small in the setup and if at small then what crossover setting for the sub?

What is the size of your room and sound deadening, carpets, etc.? What are your movie and music tastes and how loud?

Is there now a particular disappointment for you in the performance of the Onkyo amp?

Any of the Emo amps from the UPA-7 and up would be an improvement and they all run much cooler than the Onkyo. This info would give us something to work on so we can recommend a particular Emo amp or combination of amps so that you would experience a marked improvement.

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slbenz
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Re: RECEIVER + AMP
« Reply #2 on Sept 29, 2009, 9:06am »

I think any of the Emotiva multichannel amps would be a step up from your Onkyo. I currently use a Pioneer Elite AV receiver that is also rated at 140 watts per channel but use it as a prepro with a Parasound multichannel amp also rated at 140 watts per channel. Adding the Parasound bring large benefits to the quality and dynamics to the overall sound. So no, you do not need double the wattage rating of your receiver. You will be surprised to find out that when you run all channels with your receiver, the "actual" power output drops dramatically. My Pioneer for example drops to 63 watts per channel with all channels driven. That is why any of the Emotiva multichannel amps will do and sound better than your Onkyo. I am currently testing/burning in an Emotiva XPA-5 mulitchannel amp and so far it trounces my Parasound amp in every aspect. Another aspect to compare is current output. My Pioneer Elite AV receiver only outputs 5.8 amps while my Parasound outputs 45 amps. And based on my limited experience with the Emotiva XPA-5, suspect it is much greater than the 45 amps of the Parasound. Hope this helps.

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vincedog3
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Re: RECEIVER + AMP
« Reply #3 on Oct 1, 2009, 4:09pm »

Allot of multichannel AVRs are only measuring 2 channels for that "grand" value of whatever it is. A good multi-channel power amplifier will always measure all channels driven at full bandwidth 20hz to 20khz into a specific load RMS.

AVRs' now may use the CCIR spec of one channel with one adjacent channel at a specified frequency and say this is the power output. Not very useful really but that is their option these days.

A separate multi-channel quality power amplifier will always beat an AVR eveytime in dynamics, headroom etc. Just look inside of any of the UPA,XPA multi-channel amps they are massive power supplies with high voltage/current output stages. It is like comparing a tiny 4 cylinder engine vs. a 572 cubic inch Supercharged V-8. No comparison.
http://emotiva.com/upa7.shtm
http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm
Check out these amplifiers above and you will see. Awesome amplifiers.

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chuckienut
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Re: RECEIVER + AMP
« Reply #4 on Oct 2, 2009, 4:02am »

Nimmy, welcome to the Emotiva Lounge. Thanks for posting your system information.

You have a nice speaker system there and a great player in the Oppo 83. I definitely feel you will hear significant improvement going with an Emo amp. Which one is a matter of your budget (which I forgot to ask about).

I can tell from the specs and weight that your Aperions have a very good build quality and high power handling ability at least in the front 3 speakers. It appears that the drivers are of excellent quality and all speakers are approximately 4-6 ohms as measured by reviews. The actual tested sensitivity is a little lower than spec at about 88-89 and a low 83-84 for the surrounds.

The Emo UPA-7 would be a good match as a minimum and probably would put up to about 200 watts per channel/5 channels driven continuous RMS and peaks much higher. If you seldom crank it way up this should be a good amp.

Next for only $100 more than the UPA-7 would be my pick in the XPA-5. The XPA-5 would put about 300 watts into 5 channels and give you good headroom for cranking it up.

For the next step up the XPA-2/XPA-3 combo would add even more power, 500 watts for the left and right and 300 watts for the center and surrounds. The purpose of the extra power is simply to provide for instantaneous power needed for dynamic power requirements and headroom. I own the XPA-5, but some who have the XPA-5 and XPA-2 say they hear an improvement in sound from the XPA-2 over the XPA-5.

I think the XPA-5 might be the most bang for the buck. The XPA-2/XPA-3 would be the ultimate for your system. I might suggest you try the 80Hz crossover frequency on the Onkyo for your 6T towers, measured response to 41Hz at -3dB's. Compare the 60 versus 80 setting and see if you hear any improvement in the bass definition.

The Bravus sub is a little different than most with all the sub controls on the remote. I didn't have time to look at the manual. Normally the crossover would be set on the Onkyo and set to "bypass" or at maximum on the sub. The crossover is controlled on the Onkyo and not both.

Hope this helps.

« Last Edit: Oct 2, 2009, 4:05am by chuckienut »

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radridd
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Re: RECEIVER + AMP
« Reply #5 on Nov 8, 2009, 8:07am »

I can answer your question. I have an Onkyo 876 and it is a very impressive receiver. The addition of the XPA-5 blew me away. I originally talked to Chris about improving my 2 channel performance and he steered me toward the XPA-5. He claimed it would be better for both 2&5 channel. Honestly I was not expecting a major difference. In 2 channel mode it even sound better at lower volume (better bass kick). When you crank the volume it just sound effortless. It has so much more headroom over the onkyo. My biggest surprise was the 5 channel performance. It is just as impressive. To say, I am pleased with this thing is an understatement. I don't want to turn it off!

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