XPA-5 || The Right Choice?

[beastcs1]

Hello Everyone,

So as the subject indicates I am debating on taking the jump and purchasing the XPA-5. I must first say I am new at this this and it would be my first amplifier.
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My system:
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1.) Left/Right: Martin Logan Purities
2.) Center: Martin Logan Motif
3.) Surrounds: Martin Logan Helos 100
4.) Subwoofer: Martin Logan Decent i
5.) Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-07
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My Questions:
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1.) My receiver was pretty high end when I purchased it ... is there a difference to be had?

2.) My Left/Right Purities are powered and currently plugged in using speaker wire. Would being connected to an amp be necessary and make a worthy difference?

3.) Obviously, my subwoofer is also powered. Does this even get connected? Or is it just the left/right/center/surrounds?

4.) I intend to use AudioQuest "Sidewinder" RCA cable connections to go from the Receiver to the Amp. Are there better options out there?

Thanks,
Thomas Gray

[NorthStar]

Hi Thomas & Welcome to the Forums.

1. Yes, an external amp will provide a new life, more dynamics and less stress from your receiver.

2. Again, an external amp will bring new life to your Purities.

3. Of course it gets connected. ...

4. Those Sidewinders are just fine.

* Anything else you'd like to clarify (#3)?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bob

HINT: You could go three UPA-1s, and let your Elite 07 take care of your surround speakers.

[sciatti]

Thomas,
Welcome to the lounge! I'm gonna contradict a couple of LOTR's answers.

1. No, not really given your setup, particularly your speakers (read on).

2. I'm assuming that using your Purities line-level-inputs (speaker wire) bypasses thier internal amps? You should take advantage of thier 200w internal amps by connecting them via rca cables to your AVR's L/R pre-outs.

3. If your sub isn't connected, you won't get any bass/LFE. It connects to your AVR's sub pre-out via an rca cable (get a good sub cable for this)

4. AudioQuest makes good cables.

So in short, take advantage of your L/R/Sub internal amps and connect them to thier corresponding pre-outs from your AVR. The Elite can easily handle your center & surrounds.

Scott

[beastcs1]

To both of you - Thank you very much for approaching my questions. Couple questions:

1.) "LordOfTheRingsEE" ; I now understand that I have the ability to connect my Purities to my AVR using the pre-outs. When you mentioned this Amp's ability to give new life to my speakers were you saying this with that consideration? Therefore, there still is great reason to go forward with the XPA-5 purchase as I should expect a better quality/power of sound?

2.) "Sciatti" ; I believe my center can handle "20‒300 watts per channel" ... my AVR would only push 140. Therefore, with the XPA-5 ... isn't there a difference in wattage alone?

3.) "LordOfTheRingsEE" ; I am trying to understand your hint. So you would suggest buying 3 UPA-1's and hooking the L/R/C individually to each. Therefore, this would give me 50watts extra per channel and probably less noise? If this is true ... very exciting suggestion!

You guys are amazing - Happy T-Giving

[Vermont99]

Have you checked out the Emotiva X Series RCA Cables?

[Deleted]

Nov 25, 2010 9:37:33 GMT -5 Vermont99 said:

Have you checked out the Emotiva X Series RCA Cables?

A+++++++++++ Highly recommend these cables

[roadrunner]

Thomas

I think the big question you need to address is just how good are the built-in amps on your front speakers. Some speakers using built-in amps are quite good, yet others aren't worth using if you have access to decent quality external amps. You may want to try comparing the sound quality of the speaker's amps versus being powered by the Pioneer Elite's amps. If you have a SPL meter, you will want to ensure that you have both amps producing the same db level output before conducting your comparison of each's sound quality... otherwise, the "louder" amp will sound better than the other when in fact it may be just opposite.

After conducting this test, if the Pioneer sounds better, then you can be confident that the Emotiva XPA-5 (or other quality external amps) will provide a more enjoyable experience. For us to give you a more focused recommendation as to which amps would best provide for your needs we need more information from you. Among the things we would need to know are:

How large is your listening room?

How many door and windows, their location and sizes? Window treatment types/sizes/insulated?

Speaker placement with regard to your other gear and furniture?

Materials used for floor (rugs, tile, hardwood, etc), walls, ceiling and furniture?

Ratio of movie watching vs music listening? Genre of media? Listening habits/preferences? Does listening to 2-channel music need to make your heart soar -- is sound quality of music a high priority?

Do you like "just hearing" your sound effects or do you want to "feel the impact" hit you hard in the chest?

The more detail you can provide us the better we will be able to assist you in finding an amp that meets all of your requirements. We have a lot of Lounge members who can be of help to you, but our advice can only be generic at this point. Be forewarned that listening to high quality A/V equipment can become very addictive -- but extremely enjoyable. ;D ;D

What are your budgetary constraints for obtaining external amps?

[ocezam]

The amps in your Martin Logan's are switching amps. I feel confident you'll be a lot happier with UPA-1's or any XPA amp.

Personally, I wouldn't skimp with those speakers. I'd hop all over 2 XPA-1's. With the holiday sale they are only $1660 shipped! Your Purities will absolutely come alive with these amps!!! Let the receiver run the rest or buy UPA amps down the road. Yeah I know... twice the cost of an XPA-5 mentioned in your original post. If you can swing it financially (aren't your speakers over 3K/pair?) I think you'll be very happy you did.

[beastcs1]

Ocezam - I don't know if I am finacially capable to do 2 XPA-1s. What is better XPA-5 for the L/R/C/Surrounds or 3 UPA-1's for the L/F/center?

[beastcs1]

Roadrunner -

How large is your listening room?

The room is 17 x 17 and opens up into a kitchen. I will sit around 17' away from the TV.

How many door and windows, their location and sizes? Window treatment types/sizes/insulated?

Its a mess, it has 4 windows, like I mentioned the open kitchen, 1 door. The windows are treated

Speaker placement with regard to your other gear and furniture?

The only weird position for a speaker will be the Subwoofer, it has to go on my side of the room in the back corner. Otherwise standard 5.1 setup.

Materials used for floor (rugs, tile, hardwood, etc), walls, ceiling and furniture?
Total carpet in the room. Painted walls. Micro-fiber furniture.

Ratio of movie watching vs music listening? Genre of media? Listening habits/preferences? Does listening to 2-channel music need to make your heart soar -- is sound quality of music a high priority?

90% movies / 10% music

Do you like "just hearing" your sound effects or do you want to "feel the impact" hit you hard in the chest?

Hate to say it ... but a balance of both. I do however lean towards the feel of impact.

Thanks!!