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Post by weird23 on Jun 12, 2010 2:06:56 GMT -5
Right now I'm using the Pioneer Elite SC-07 to power a Paradigm Studio Reference 7.1 system and it doesn't seem to have enough juice. Low level and average listening volumes it does just fine, but when I want to really crank it up the Pioneer falls short. My room is 25 ft long x 17 ft wide x 8 ft high and the speakers I'm using are Studio 100, cc 690, ADP 590, Studio 20 and Sub 15. All speakers are the lastest version five, another Sub 15 will be added around X-Mas time. My room is also treated with a GIK package for first reflection points and bass traps. Will it make a difference having just the XPA-2 for the fronts and having the Pioneer run everything else? The reason I ask is because the Pioneer has class d amps and the Emo is AB, I know it won't really make difference for the surrounds. That's why I'm thinking of going with three UPA-1's across the front and I've been reading that they are better for music. This system is mostly HT but I still want great performance for music, I'm probably 60% HT and 40% music. Is anybody using the UPA-1's with Paradigms? I would like to hear some user experiences with both amps as I would like to purchase something soon.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2010 3:25:41 GMT -5
I vote for the monoblocks. My system is similar to yours in its double duty service. Because of this and because I truly enjoy two-channel music, and also went with monoblocks (albeit the XPA-1s) for the fronts. What a different it makes in my system. I really hope to either add another XPA-1 for the center or get three UPA-1s for the center and surrounds.
Rack real estate becomes an issue for me in an all-monoblock configuration so we'll see if I cna pull this off. But if you have the space for three UPA-1s, that gets my vote for your system.
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Post by weird23 on Jun 12, 2010 12:44:20 GMT -5
Yes rack space is limited, I'd love to have three XPA-1's but they wouldn't fit. Within the next year I'd like to upgrade my speakers, the Studio's are good but not quite what I'm looking for. I have some Signature S1's in our living room system and that's the sound I'm looking for. I would love to replace my Studio's downstairs with some Signatures. What speakers are you running with your Xpa-1's? What amp or receiver were you using before the XPA-1's?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2010 16:13:24 GMT -5
Signatures!!! (drools) I had a set of S8's for a week from a friend to listen while he went out of town and I dream of them now lol
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Post by weird23 on Jun 12, 2010 17:04:36 GMT -5
Maybe next year, right now I'd like to see if I can get the Studio's closer to what I'm looking for. Hopefully the upa 1's will help, as so far that seems to be the best fit. Is anyone using the UPA 1's with Paradigms? Did you find that they worked well together?
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Post by MukAudio on Jun 12, 2010 18:48:31 GMT -5
I've ran Paradigm Studio 100s (version 3) with the XPA-5, the XPA-2, and the RPA-2. The XPA-5 and XPA-2 were more juice than I needed. So I went with the RPA-2 and loved the extra detail.
All this to say that the UPA-1s probably have plenty of power for your speakers and you will benefit from the monoblock design versus the XPA-2.
Mark.
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Post by MukAudio on Jun 12, 2010 18:50:58 GMT -5
Oh, and as you can see from my signature, I don't have the Paradigms anymore. The awesomeness of the RPA-2 and USP-1 caused me to want better speakers. Nothing wrong with the Paradigms at all, but I aspire to get some Salk speakers (HT2-TL or HT3) when money allows. For now I'm running Onix bookshelves and they are getting the job done. Mark.
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Post by weird23 on Jun 12, 2010 20:25:23 GMT -5
Oh, and as you can see from my signature, I don't have the Paradigms anymore. The awesomeness of the RPA-2 and USP-1 caused me to want better speakers. Nothing wrong with the Paradigms at all, but I aspire to get some Salk speakers (HT2-TL or HT3) when money allows. For now I'm running Onix bookshelves and they are getting the job done. Mark. I'm not familiar with the RPA-2, which one is that? There is quite a difference between the v5 Studio's and the v3, but your right I'm thinking of upgrading them already. Before that happens I need to see just how far I can take the setup that I have now. Part of that is powering them properly, after that I don't know beyond upgrading. I've considered a few different brands but alot of ID companies don't ship to Canada or if they do shipping reduces any savings. Not all of them though, one in particular is HSU subwoofers. By the time it's shipped any savings are gone. I like a really smooth sound to music and tight bass, I'd rather higher quality bass than big and booming. Natural vocals is key also. I think the UPA-1's would be a good fit.
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Post by Tyler wants bass! on Jun 12, 2010 21:09:20 GMT -5
did you buy the 100s new? whatd ya pay, can tell me in a pm if ya like, I was looking at a pair, but like the same boat as you kinda watching to see what else is out there Id wise
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Post by weird23 on Jun 12, 2010 21:54:25 GMT -5
did you buy the 100s new? whatd ya pay, can tell me in a pm if ya like, I was looking at a pair, but like the same boat as you kinda watching to see what else is out there Id wise Yes I bought the 100's new before the April 1st price increase, I paid $2699 plus tax. Don't get me wrong the 100's are great speakers, I guess I'm just a little picky. I hoping that powered properly they will come into their own, I don't recommend using them with a receiver unless it's a small room. One thing that keeps bringing me back to Paradigm is that they make great center channel and surround speakers. The three way centers are a step above most others and their ADP's are fantastic. I also looked at Monitor Audio and liked all their speakers except the center channel. B&W makes a nice center channel in the CM series but they weren't any better than Paradigm, therefore did not justify the premium price over Paradigm. For movies my system is really good, the room treatments made a huge difference. Two channel is also pretty good, imaging is very good but if you run the 100's full range they require more power than a receiver can deliver. I think a good amp will go a long ways to improving two channel performance. If you have a small room or listen at low to average levels a good receiver will be fine( -15 and above). I however love to crank it up loud once and a while and want it to still sound great. That's just my opinion. Have you auditioned the 100's? If not you should go have a listen.
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Post by Tyler wants bass! on Jun 12, 2010 21:59:27 GMT -5
Ive listened to a set for about 15 mins, wasnt my type of music though as I just happened to be there and decided to check them out.
And for the power level I play my monitor 9s past -15 a lot with just the reciever but the XPA-5 I had it was a lot better. But Ive been thinking of trying to find something a bit better then the 9's, so post how you like your 100s when you get an amp!
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Post by weird23 on Jun 12, 2010 22:29:03 GMT -5
Ive listened to a set for about 15 mins, wasnt my type of music though as I just happened to be there and decided to check them out. And for the power level I play my monitor 9s past -15 a lot with just the reciever but the XPA-5 I had it was a lot better. But Ive been thinking of trying to find something a bit better then the 9's, so post how you like your 100s when you get an amp! I had the Monitor 9 v6 before any Studio's and there is a big difference. I couldn't go back to the 9's now, I'd rather rather have the 20's than the 9's. You should take some of your own music with you next time.
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Post by MukAudio on Jun 13, 2010 0:10:58 GMT -5
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jun 13, 2010 8:14:20 GMT -5
I can't speak to the XPA-2 versus the UPA's, but I do have the XPA-2 with Studio 100's.
The XPA-2 REALLY brought my 100's to life. I had previous run them with an XPA-5 and that was very good also, just not nearly as good as the XPA-2. Before that, I ran the fronts briefly with an old Rotel (980, I believe) and before that w/the internal amps of my Denon 3806. The 100's were definately good but wanting more w/the 3806, and the Rotel helped. But each pales in comparison w/the XPA-2.
Mark
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Post by oppman99 on Jun 13, 2010 11:47:14 GMT -5
Weird,
I know people say this all the time, but I think you will be very happy with either the XPA-2 or UPA-1's. Emotiva amps pair very well with paradigm speakers. I used to run v.4 100's with an XPA-2. Sound was very good, but not quite what I wanted, so I know what you're talking about. I did what you are looking into: I replaced the 100's with S8's. The UPA-1 wasn't available when I made the switch, so I went with XPA-1's. The UPA should be plenty of power for digms. My XPA meters barely twitch even at fairly high volumes. Too bad I didn't see this thread earlier. A pair of S6's v.2 sold on audiogon for $2500 in the last day or two. Might have been worth picking those up and waiting a bit for amps.
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Post by weird23 on Jun 13, 2010 16:49:01 GMT -5
I can't speak to the XPA-2 versus the UPA's, but I do have the XPA-2 with Studio 100's. The XPA-2 REALLY brought my 100's to life. I had previous run them with an XPA-5 and that was very good also, just not nearly as good as the XPA-2. Before that, I ran the fronts briefly with an old Rotel (980, I believe) and before that w/the internal amps of my Denon 3806. The 100's were definately good but wanting more w/the 3806, and the Rotel helped. But each pales in comparison w/the XPA-2. Mark This is what I wanted to hear, I'm glad your enjoying the XPA-2. What did the XPA-2 improve the most on the 100's over the Denon or Rotel? Right now my bass performance is lacking running the 100's full range, I think that the highs could be better but that would take upgrading speakers. Right now I'm leaning towards the UPA-1 because I would like to have the whole front sound stage with the same amps. I have read that for sheer power and bass the XPA-2 is better. I'll keep listening for another couple of weeks and then make a decision.
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Post by weird23 on Jun 13, 2010 16:59:49 GMT -5
Weird, I know people say this all the time, but I think you will be very happy with either the XPA-2 or UPA-1's. Emotiva amps pair very well with paradigm speakers. I used to run v.4 100's with an XPA-2. Sound was very good, but not quite what I wanted, so I know what you're talking about. I did what you are looking into: I replaced the 100's with S8's. The UPA-1 wasn't available when I made the switch, so I went with XPA-1's. The UPA should be plenty of power for digms. My XPA meters barely twitch even at fairly high volumes. Too bad I didn't see this thread earlier. A pair of S6's v.2 sold on audiogon for $2500 in the last day or two. Might have been worth picking those up and waiting a bit for amps. I would love to have the S8's but there're a little rich for my blood right now but I'm glad you found what you're looking for. The problem with Audiogon for me is that I live in Canada and shipping becomes a hassle, as virtually all the ads are from the US. The XPA-1's would be my first choice but there is no way I could accommodate their size without adding some type of equipment closet. Before moving to the S6's I would like to try and power the 100's properly and see how that works out. What were you using before the XPA-2? What has been the biggest change that you noticed using Emo amps with your Paradigm's? Would you have tried the UPA-1's if they were avaible when you bought?
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Post by oppman99 on Jun 13, 2010 22:07:02 GMT -5
I was orininally powering my 100's with a Parasound HCA 1200. It powered them fine, but the XPA-2 sounds more dynamic and gives more controlled bass output. It's more to my personal preference. If the UPA-1's had been around, I probably would have strongly considered them and saved myself about $1100. At least right now I don't have to worry about "what if I had gone with more power?". Seriously, either of the choices you are looking at will serve you well.
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Post by weird23 on Jun 13, 2010 22:21:46 GMT -5
I was orininally powering my 100's with a Parasound HCA 1200. It powered them fine, but the XPA-2 sounds more dynamic and gives more controlled bass output. It's more to my personal preference. If the UPA-1's had been around, I probably would have strongly considered them and saved myself about $1100. At least right now I don't have to worry about "what if I had gone with more power?". Seriously, either of the choices you are looking at will serve you well. Are you using this system for two channel only? I hope that one of the UPA-1's will really bring my center channel alive , as well as the surrounds. Recently I've started enjoying concerts on Blu Ray so I would like the center channel to really shine. Did you order the Emo interconnects? Do interconnects have a big difference on the sound or would the Emo's be fine? I've never had an external amp before, so I'm unfamiliar with them.
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Post by McD on Jun 14, 2010 17:06:39 GMT -5
I love my UPA-1s. I use Emo x interconnects and cables. The price is quite reasonable and these are very high quality cables and fittings. Cheap cables are just that. Super expensive cables, I think, are for those with super-human hearing. Good quality cables like Emos are just right.
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