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Post by muzicianx on Mar 30, 2010 22:46:14 GMT -5
Wow... 4 dedicated 15" subs, a THX Ultra 2 speaker system... and -20 on your Denon? Well, if you have the rack space, circuits, and gumption to boast 7 monoblocks in your system... go for it. If there's a problem with a channel, then it's just one channel replacement. However, the XPA-2, -5 combo would definitely serve you just as well. At -20, I don't think you will hear ANY significant SQ difference between the two set-ups. Theoretically speaking, the monoblocks will handle the lower ohm rating "better".
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NorthStar
Seeker Of Truth
"And it stoned me to my soul" - Van Morrison
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Post by NorthStar on Mar 31, 2010 1:03:12 GMT -5
I would do 7 UPA-1's without question. A 2.6 ohm dip is NOT going to be an issue for ANY Emotiva amp. 7 dedicated monoblocks with give you perfect channel seperation(with 0 crosstalk) and very clear dynamics. Dont waste your time doing mix n' match combo's if you can afford and house 7 UPA-1's. Your talking about 350 clean watts of power per channel with those. Remember the UPA-1 is basically a single channel XPA-3/5 with its own dedicated power supply. Fully agree with that proposition from ntrain. ...And also with Bill's last post.
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Post by Topend on Mar 31, 2010 1:55:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. I was under the impression that as I use pass thru on my Yamaha the signal would be be unaffected. My plans for a new receiver now get more priority. Cheers, Dave. Just stating the facts Dave, just the facts. Cheers, Bob P.S. The Yamaha RX-V3900 has the excellent ABT-2010 video processor and it is also an EXCELLENT SOUNDING receiver. In a complete test with some other receivers (Onkyo NR906, Pioneer Elite SC-07 & Sony DA5400ES), the Yammy 3900 won the overall first place on EVERYTHING Audio/Video related, but more on the Audio quality side (for Spaciousness, Details, Clarity, Punch, Bass extension and tightness, ...). Also the 3900 has an excellent Auto Room EQ that is fully adjustable, YPAO. Plus it has the best DSPs of them all, an easy win there. ...But you knew most of these already anyway (because of your almost identical 3800, except for the video processor chip). If I was you I would consider it (even over the RX-Z7). I am convince that you can get a very fair price for your 3800, and use the cash to get an excellent deal on the 3900, which has a much improved video section with that better VP chip. *** Use your Translation feature from your Google toolbar for translating German to English: Check this out => www.areadvd.de/hardware/2009/av_receiver_mastertest_1.shtmlThat should help. And Dave, don't feel so bad about this, your 3800 is still a great sounding receiver with a great audio preamp section (and power amp too), and for the vast majority of people, that video handicap is all but hardly noticeable (only expert's discriminatory eyes can tell). ...Still though, the 3900 is better. My debacle, replace my 3800 with a 3900, wait for the 3900 replacement, an Emotiva UMC-1 or wait for the Emotiva XMC-1.
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NorthStar
Seeker Of Truth
"And it stoned me to my soul" - Van Morrison
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Post by NorthStar on Mar 31, 2010 2:05:20 GMT -5
Yup, the #696 question! Got a coin? * Stay put just like the way you are right now (you're very good), and see what happens with HDMI v1.4 and the latest bloody developments on the 3D waterfront. ...That's pretty much what I'm doing myself, and I ain't in any rush whatsoever. Meanwhile, run after the girls, if you didn't already catch one. Cheers mate.
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henry
Minor Hero
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Post by henry on Apr 2, 2010 1:38:42 GMT -5
Wow... 4 dedicated 15" subs, a THX Ultra 2 speaker system... and -20 on your Denon? Yes, that's too bad, isn't it? I usually watch movies at night and my woofers aren't really childsleep-friendly. Sometimes I DO listen very loud (-5 on my Denon), which is much more fun, obviously. By the way: It's two woofers with two 15inch drivers each (each 1200 watts), sorry for putting it wrong. At -20, I don't think you will hear ANY significant SQ difference between the two set-ups. Theoretically speaking, the monoblocks will handle the lower ohm rating "better". Thanks for your opinion. I will have to try. I would do 7 UPA-1's without question. A 2.6 ohm dip is NOT going to be an issue for ANY Emotiva amp. 7 dedicated monoblocks with give you perfect channel seperation(with 0 crosstalk) and very clear dynamics. Dont waste your time doing mix n' match combo's if you can afford and house 7 UPA-1's. Your talking about 350 clean watts of power per channel with those. Sounds good. After the easter holidays I will order two UPA-1 and have a test at home. Most probably I will check against a Crown XLS 602D, a stereo DJ amp with 2*600 watts (4 ohm) which costs ca. 300 $. This was a tip from my favourite home cinema forum at home. Thanks for your help and I wish you happy Easter.
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Post by Topend on Apr 16, 2010 23:11:36 GMT -5
I purchased the XPA-2 and XPA-5 for my Yamaha RX-V3800. I am very happy with the improvements in sound. Highly recommended. I have no doubt whatsoever about this, and that is quite the exact same way (except for the receiver part) that I'm going right now. Bravo! * By the way, the Yammy 3800 is a very fine receiver except for his video processor (Anchor Bay Technologies ABT-1010), which below-black and above-white information are being clipped from the video signal, with it in the pathway. And for a digital input that is ostensibly passed through without any video processing, this is quite alarming as the HDMI transmitter chip does indeed affect the video dynamic range of the image. Simply just stating a fact. Cheers, Bob After selling my Yamaha 3800 I connected my Oppo directly to the plasma screen. There is a significant improvement in PQ. I did not realize how flat the picture was from being passed through the old receiver. I will look forward to my UMC-1 arriving which will address this. As an interim I have connected my old Sony receiver via digital coaxial for sound. SQ took a real dive after the Yamaha. The UMC-1 will be a joy. Cheers, Dave.
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henry
Minor Hero
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Post by henry on Oct 22, 2010 10:28:24 GMT -5
Hi, I tried two UPA-1 against my Denon 5308. Well, the difference was very subtle and not worth the price. The Denon 5308 is a very powerful amp and my speakers are quite easy to drive, so the result is not very surprising. At least afterwards. ;D I sold my UPA-1 and will look for a JVC projector. Many thanks for your help!
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Post by roadrunner on Oct 22, 2010 15:16:38 GMT -5
Henry,
Is there something about your Denon 5308 that you find lacking? The reason I ask is because the pre-amp section in the Denon is better than the Onkyo pre/pros you are considering... both for music and for movies. If you are looking to upgrade the audio side of things, I would keep the Denon 5308 and use it's pre-outs to feed the Emotiva UPA-1 Mono-block amps.
With the speakers you are using, combined with the relative size of your listening room, the UPA-1 will provide you with a step up in audio output at a modest cost. The XPA-1 and XPA-2 would provide more slam and headroom than the UPA-1, but they would be overkill when considering your speakers and room size.
Audioholics.com did a review of the Denon Flagship receiver within the last year or two; and, in the review it was mentioned that one of the Emotiva amps (I think the reviewer said the XPA-2 that he had recently reviewed but I am not totally sure on the model) would be a good upgrade for the Denon. I also believe the reviewer also recommended using the Denon's pre-amp rather than using a separate pre/pro.
Should you decide to mix amps, all of the Emotiva amps are voiced to allow any combo you are considering without fear of a mismatch. The differences in voicing between any of the Emotiva amps is very subtle and is a matter of nuance; and the differences for viewing movies would be totally undetectable. If you will be doing very little music listening, I would go with 3 UPA-1s for the Front Stage and then go with an XPA-5 for the Surrounds. If you love listening to music, I would go with Mono-blocks all around -- assuming it fits within your budget.
Welcome to the Emotiva Lounge. Our members come from all levels of A/V backgrounds... ranging from the new hobbyist to the long-time audiophiles. I have been addicted to this hobby for better than 45 years now. Chances are one, or more, of us can probably be of assistance to you. Enjoy yourself and feel free to share your experiences with the Lounge.
Henry, I am sorry that I didn't finish reading the thread. I would have seen that you just tried the UPA-1. You are correct, the differences between them and the Denon are subtle, but it is a definite improvement in areas like separation, imaging and soundstage. It appears you may be looking for more "slam" and if that is the case you might want to take a closer look at the XPA-1 and the XPA-2. Both Audioholics and Secrets of Home Theater HiFi reviewed these amps and both picked the Emo amps as the best amplifiers of the year. It is well worth reading the reviews. Good luck in your search.
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henry
Minor Hero
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Post by henry on Oct 23, 2010 2:33:53 GMT -5
Yes, the difference is quite subtle. I do not think that i would be able to seperate them just by sound.
Meanwhile I upgraded to new speakers, the Klipsch THX Ultra II. They are a bit more expensive than 7 UPA-1 ;D but the improvement in sound quality is worth it. But I do not think that I need external amps for the Klipsch.
Next things are a JVC projector and better room acoustics (e.g. a baffle wall). Maybe afterwards I will try external amps again, because my room may be the limit for acoustics right now.
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