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Post by jkreitner on Oct 19, 2010 18:17:18 GMT -5
I recently purchased a UPA-5 during the great spooky special. This amp is fantastic. It certainly brings my theater to a whole new level. The sound is so much cleaner & appears effortless. This amp has alot of power even w/loud listening levels.
I currently have it hooked-up to the front left/center/front right/and 2 surround channels. I run a 7.1 system & have the surround back channels running off the receiver(Integra). I plan on using the UPA-5 to run just the 4 surround channels & getting another amplifier to run the fronts & center. I'm wanting to run the fronts & center with probably a XPA-3 or power the center & 4 surrounds off the UPA-5 & get a 2 channel amp for the fronts(Paradigm Studio 20s). Not sure if I should stick w/ the same power for fronts & center or not. If I only use 4 channels from the UPA-5, does the power bump-up some because of the unused channel.
Hope I haven't confused anyone...
Any opinions on amp selection??
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hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
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Post by hemster on Oct 19, 2010 22:59:20 GMT -5
Hey there jkreitner... Welcome to the forum!
Congratulations on your UPA-5. It's a great performer.
You're right, running 4 channels means you have more power available.
I don't know the size of your room assuming mostly movie usage, a UPA-2 should serve you well.
For music, I'd lean towards a pair of UPA-1s for the front left/right and let the UPA-5 do surround duty. That's be a sweet setup.
I'm sure others will chime in with their opinion here..
Good luck with your quest and keep us posted. Feel free to ask questions here, we're a helpful lot...
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Post by ngmitter on Oct 20, 2010 2:24:10 GMT -5
With using the Studio 20s for the fronts, you will probably be fine with the UPA-2, leaving the UPA-5 to handle the rest of the channels, as hemster indicated.
However, if you ever plan on upgrading the fronts, there is always the possibility that the UPA-2 would not provide sufficient power. You do need to ask yourself if it's worth spending nearly double the money for the extra wattage and channel separation. I'd say definitely not if you are sticking with the Studio 20s.
What are the other speakers in your setup, room dimensions, and general listening habits? These could all help make a more educated decision on your needs, instead of giving generalized advice.
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Post by ottaone on Oct 20, 2010 9:52:23 GMT -5
jkreitner, welcome to the forum! You know that the XPA-3 is on sale, right? If I didn't have the three UPA-1s, I would most likely go with the XPA-3 for either LR and UPA for center and surrounds or the XPA for LCR. Two options for you. Let us know how it goes, will ya?
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Post by Nemesis.ie on Oct 20, 2010 10:05:16 GMT -5
3 x UPA-1s, if the budget is there, is really nice.
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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 Oct 20, 2010 11:01:23 GMT -5
^ What he said, or even better; two UPA-1s for your Studio 20s, with your UPA-5 for your 5 other remaining speakers. Or even the UPA-2 for that matter would be also perfect. I know your Paradigm Studio 20s quite well, and the UPA series amps are perfectly adequate and a great quality sounding match for them. May I ask you which Integra receiver model you own? And which Paradigm center speaker model are you using? Your four surround speakers? Remember to, you are crossing them at 80 Hz, most likely. * And no, the unused channel from the UPA-5 won't get 'bumped-up' to the other used four power amp channels. And Welcome to the Lounge, where everyone is friendly and helpful. Bob
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Post by Nemesis.ie on Oct 20, 2010 11:57:55 GMT -5
Nice one Monsieur Bob. The UPA-1s, apart from the mono-block advantages also have XLR should you need it.
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Post by jkreitner on Oct 20, 2010 14:26:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions.
Alittle more info as requested. The center is a Paradigm CC370 & the surrounds are all Paradigm 390 Dipoles. My room size is 22ft x 12ft x 8ft(height).
As for upgrading in the future, it's possible that I might get larger fronts. So, thats why I was considering the XPA series for fronts. Do you guys recommend keeping the L/C/R amp(s) the same power if the speaker sensitivities are all about the same?
Thanks for the help.
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Post by Nemesis.ie on Oct 21, 2010 4:16:52 GMT -5
The UPA-1 is effectively a mono-block version of one channel of an XPA 5 but with more secondary capacitance. It should be considered as greater/better than a single module from an XPA-5.
I think it is listed as a U series so as not to stand on the toes of the mighty XPA-1 and the only really "U" level "feature" is somewhat cheaper speaker terminals than the X series.
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Post by ngmitter on Oct 21, 2010 4:51:50 GMT -5
I was unaware that it can be perceived as better than a UPA-5 module.
All I can say is that I'm extremely happy with the sound quality from my Paradigm Studio 100/570/40 setup with three UPA-1s and a UPA-2. I'm going to keep these a very very long time.
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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 Oct 21, 2010 4:53:12 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions. Alittle more info as requested. The center is a Paradigm CC370 & the surrounds are all Paradigm 390 Dipoles. My room size is 22ft x 12ft x 8ft(height). As for upgrading in the future, it's possible that I might get larger fronts. So, thats why I was considering the XPA series for fronts. Do you guys recommend keeping the L/C/R amp(s) the same power if the speaker sensitivities are all about the same? Thanks for the help. I see... Tnks for the added infos. Alright I see quite clear your plan, your vision now. *** Then, to make your life easy and beautiful at the same time, get an XPA-5. ...Because, with the XPA-5 you get the ULTIMATE XPA series POWER, plus Bi-Amping capability for MORE EXTRANEOUS MIGHTY DYNAMITE POWER, and in combination with your UPA-5 (by the way, it is NOT important to have the same power in your surrounds as in your front ones, so feel very at ease here with this combination as it will work PERFECTLY for you) you are simply all set up. What else can I truly say or add to that? ~ I talk and read post of audio mixer/engineer on almost a regular daily basis, and I can confirm to you with total assurance that the bulk of the sound goes into your Center channel (they cut the bass at between 90 band 110 Hz in that channel, all of the audio mixers in the biz), and your two front mains that receive the bulk of the music track itself plus the effects and all. and finally the surrounds that contain spatial and dimensional content at lower amplitude and with bass that can reach somtetimes to 25 Hz, but very seldom though (only on those big heavy blockbuster movies like "Predators", "Iron Man 2", & "War of the Worlds" as a few examples). But then you'd be crossing them at 80 Hz anyway, so are your three front mains, which is where your subs (make sure you have two of those by the way, in case you may have forget about that, because your room and your neighbors will love you much more for it and you'll discover first hand the power of that love from all around you) would take over. You got now 10 power amp channels to play with, and that just from those two superb Emo amps! ...Cool or what? Just use the amps from the XPA-5 for the front soundstage (even bi-amp the Front L & R channels if you wish so, eventually...) and the UPA-5 for the rear soundstage. Heck!, if you're using 4 surround speakers, you still have one channel to power your speaker from your Mono sound system in your garage while changing the oil in your car! ;D And by the way my friend, your Paradigm CC370 will be more than happy with one channel from that XPA-5, and that you can bank on it! That's a nice speaker too by the way, cool. And your four ADP-390s will love getting about 150 RMS watts per speaker (about 6 Ohms roughly), and that is perfectly in line with Paradigm's specs regarding a suitable power amperage for them. I got all my infos right here in front of me! And I don't need to look at my computer for that, hell no, I got the Paradigm Bible book of absolute truth right here at home with me (I even sleep with it when I'm lonely and depressed just to bring me back up the good morale). You don't believe me? Just ask me which page you want me to read you, you'll see... Any page at all, just pick one (there are 195 of them). Anyway Jkreitner, you have now my view with yours and the ones of other members that posted in your thread as well. And with that I'm sure you are on your way to ETERNAL AUDIO BLISS. There is simply no two ways about this. My great pleasure if I could be of any assistance at all in your pursuit of the ultimate dream, Bob
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Post by Nemesis.ie on Oct 21, 2010 10:01:00 GMT -5
I was unaware that it can be perceived as better than a UPA-5 module. All I can say is that I'm extremely happy with the sound quality from my Paradigm Studio 100/570/40 setup with three UPA-1s and a UPA-2. I'm going to keep these a very very long time. Not just better than a UPA-5 or 7 module, better than an XPA 3 or 5 module! Including the rest of the amp that is, the board in a UPA-1 is the same board as one from the XPA-5 but with it's own transformer and more capacitance.
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Post by srlbourn on Oct 27, 2010 13:10:44 GMT -5
I had the same XPA-5 and onkyo 906 set up as yours. Emotiva techs recommended two UPA-1's for the front and XPA-5 for the rest. I took their recommendation and I am extremely pleased. Processor is Emotiva UMC-1. Speakers are Aperion Audio (4 6T's and 2 5T's). This system is amazing. Soundstage, clarity and detail are the best I have ever heard. Listening to the UPA-1's in stereo, for music, I must have looked like the cartoon with the jaw on the floor. Home theater 7.1 is pretty much the same. Music (rock, alternative rock, classical piano, acoustic guitar), Directv and movies are taken to another level. Constantly hearing small details that just sound better. Previous system was Sunfire Signature 400 X 7 amp, Sunfire Theater Grand processor and same speakers. The Sunfire had great clarity and detail, and power to bring the house down. Emotiva sounds better in every category especially soundstage, and same power at extremely high levels. Paid over $5000.00 for Sunfire system USED! Emotiva system $2156.00 brand new. I have been building home theater for almost 20 years and Emotiva is the best money I have ever spent. Sold the Sunfire system on Ebay and still had $1000.00 left after buying Emotiva system. If you have the money and space you might consider two XPA-1's for the fronts. But talk to Emotiva techs about your whole system and they will give you great advice.
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Post by gerbilaudio on Jun 10, 2011 19:50:46 GMT -5
I disagree about the carver sunfire. The carver sunfire maintains it's amplification STEADILY and bob carver have proved over and over his designs defeats even the glorious CONRAD JOHNSONs. When it comes to equipment, it's a personal taste. I LOVE BOTH THE CARVER/SUNFIRE and EMOTIVA's. I have the XPA 5's and I don't believe the emotiva's is better then the sunfire's, it's just different. they are both GIANT killers in the audio world. I wouldn't sell one over the other because I happen to appreciate GREAT designs. I have been in this audio hobby and was a former tech and installer and after 30 yrs, I generally don't mock something just because I favor a design over the other. I have several turntable manufacturer design. DO I FAVOR one over the other? absolutely not, one may have different performance then the other, it doesn't mean it's BETTER. I like my vintage DENON DP 57L as much as my JA MICHELL gyrodec. One is direct drive, the other belt, the same with my carver/sunfire amps, I'm a big fan of bob carver design and NO one here or anywhere can convince me otherwise to select any other amp design over his. At the same time, I am also a fan of emotiva amp design. Would I choose an emotiva over a carver/sunfire? NOT A FAT CHANCE and VICE a VERSA because I love the engineering concepts of both carver and emotiva. Both are giant killers and both make great equipment and carver or sunfire has been around much longer. So I disagree with the former sunfire owner selling his carver. Everyone has their tastes. I happen to like BOTH. I couldn't choose and favor emotiva's over a carver or sunfire anymore I would choose a sunfire or carver over an emotiva amp.
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Post by wizardofoz on Jun 10, 2011 21:53:13 GMT -5
I too have a Sunfire but its a 5x200 CG amp...(got for US$150) and I have had in the past UPA-7 and XPA-5 (both now sold as no room for all the big amps) but I still have a UPA-2 and 3 x UPA-1's and I doubt these will get on the sales forums anytime soon... They do have their differences but in my small 5.1 setups they both rock out gloriously!!! The Emo 30 days trial for USA is a no brainer...I dont have that luxury here in Asia...maybe you have been and done a dozen amps by now...looking at the OP dates...
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Post by skeetlong on Jun 11, 2011 6:32:08 GMT -5
Nice post..gerdilaudio...i had a Carver back in the 90,s..sold it ..big mistake!..i have two UPA-1s..and they are great..i was looking at a Caver amp at the Pawn-shop they where asking 330.00 for it..it was beat-up..TMF-35..but went with Emo mono's..is one better then the other?..no..anyone who know's Bob..must respect him, i do..but the guys who started Emotiva..GOLD Man!..Wish i lived closer to Tenn..i would buy then guys cold beer's..
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