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Post by unclebert on Feb 15, 2013 17:01:32 GMT -5
Hi y'all! Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. Name's Bill, from Long Island, NY.
I just ordered a UPA-200 from the Emotiva website and I'm pretty psyched! My current system is:
Fronts: Polk SDA-2A
Rears: Polk RC85i
Front Heights: Polk RC65i
Sub: BIC F12
Tactile Transducers: Aura Pro Bass Shakers powered by Pyle 2x15W amp
AVR: Marantz SR5004
2ch Amp (as external): HK3490 from Marantz front pre-outs
BDP: Magnavox
TV: Sharp Aquos 52" LED
This is my first experience with an external amp and I love the way the HK sounds. I would describe it as warm and laid back, and very musical. I recently snagged a Rotel RB981 from CL and I HATED it. Way too bright and harsh, my ears were ringing after the first listening session. Anyways, since it was a steal I flipped in on CL and almost doubled my money.
I had my eye on an Adcom GFA-555II but I didn't want to get another used amp only to possibly be disappointed again and have to wait to sell it and try again. So, I decided to give Emotiva a shot. I figured if I didn't like it I could always return it.
I'm thinking that upgrading from the HK3490 as an external to the UPA-200 is kind of a lateral move and, if so, fair enough. The HK isn't 4ohm stable so I wanted to get something else that I wouldn't be able to fry so quickly, hence the external amp upgrade.
There aren't a lot of reviews on this amp so what can I expect? Emotiva doesn't get a lot of love over on the Polk forum that I frequent but I decided to let my ears be the judge, instead.
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Post by audiohead on Feb 15, 2013 17:30:48 GMT -5
Welcome to the Lounge,your new UMC-200 is rated at 200 watts into 4 ohms and it will drive them Polks well.Cheers!
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geebo
Emo VIPs 
"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
Posts: 24,204
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Post by geebo on Feb 15, 2013 17:44:40 GMT -5
Welcome to the Lounge, unclebert. Enjoy the amp!
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Post by knucklehead on Feb 15, 2013 18:51:59 GMT -5
The HK isn't 4ohm stable so I wanted to get something else that I wouldn't be able to fry so quickly, hence the external amp upgrade. The HK 3490 is rated at 4ohms and 150wpc. Its in your users manual. From Harman Audio: www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/productspecs.asp?product=HK%203490Product Specs Audio Stereo Mode Continuous Average Power (FTC) Per Channel 120 Watts per channel, 20Hz – 20kHz @ <0.07% THD, both channels driven into 8 ohms 150 Watts per channel, 20Hz – 20kHz @ <0.2% THD, both channels driven into 4 ohmsInput Sensitivity/Impedance, Linear (High-Level) 200mV/47k ohms Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF-A) 95dB Frequency Response at 1W (+0dB, –3dB) 10Hz – 110kHz High Instantaneous Current Capability (HCC) ±45 Amps Transient Intermodulation Distortion (TIM) Unmeasurable Rise Time 16 µsec Slew Rate 40V/usec __________________________ I've driven my ERTs (4ohm load) with the smaller 3390 with good results. I owned a 3480 until a few years ago and drove the ERTs with that too - same amplifier section as the 3490 - no problems whatever. FWIW I doubt you'll notice much difference - and maybe none at all with the UPA-200 but you'll at least be able to free up the HK 3490 for some other use. Oh - welcome to the Lounge. |
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Post by unclebert on Feb 15, 2013 19:42:39 GMT -5
The HK isn't 4ohm stable so I wanted to get something else that I wouldn't be able to fry so quickly, hence the external amp upgrade. The HK 3490 is rated at 4ohms and 150wpc. Its in your users manual. D'oh! Not sure how I ever missed that. Well, then...at least the UPA-200 has those cool blue lights and I can sell the HK to get a dedicated CD player. |
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Post by knucklehead on Feb 15, 2013 20:00:48 GMT -5
Give Emo a call - they have a 'secret warehouse sale' going on thru tomorrow. Basically its a scratch and dent sale with signifigant price reductions from new but with the same 5 year warranty. I picked up a mini-x amp for the garage. Since you are a member of the Lounge we can let you in on this little 'secret'. You may have seen this thread. They have some excellent prices on the ERC-1 and -2 CD players. Very well constructed - and the lights will match your amp.  |
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Post by creimes on Feb 15, 2013 20:10:50 GMT -5
Welcome friend, congrats on the UPA-200 purchase, hopefully you will be impressed also I'm suprised there isn't a lot of love on the Polk forum since there are quite a few here with Polk products...including myself. What is the big amplifier talk and recommendations on the Polk forum.
Chad
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Post by unclebert on Feb 15, 2013 21:08:09 GMT -5
What is the big amplifier talk and recommendations on the Polk forum. Chad Krell, McIntosh, Linn, Pass Labs, all stuff I can't afford!  |
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Post by audiofile on Feb 15, 2013 21:13:12 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, Bill!
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Post by creimes on Feb 15, 2013 21:24:31 GMT -5
What is the big amplifier talk and recommendations on the Polk forum. Chad Krell, McIntosh, Linn, Pass Labs, all stuff I can't afford! Yikes lol, Polk has some nice stuff but I can't see the majority of Polk owners spending that much coin on that level of gear..... |
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Post by ÈlTwo on Feb 16, 2013 0:31:26 GMT -5
Welcome to another fellow Long Islander!!!!!
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Post by unclebert on Feb 17, 2013 10:01:25 GMT -5
Welcome to another fellow Long Islander!!!!! Hello, there! Suffolk, Nassau? I'm in Western Suffolk. Nice gear you have there. How do you like that Adcom? |
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Post by ÈlTwo on Feb 17, 2013 11:31:04 GMT -5
Northport, like it says waaaaaay under my Avatar  , for those reading along, I'm also in Western Suffolk. The Adcom is very nice, picked it up used for a song. |
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Post by unclebert on Feb 21, 2013 10:12:28 GMT -5
Finally got delivery on my UPA-200 Tuesday night. I hooked everything up and was really looking forward to hearing what this thing could do but, unfortunately, channel 2 was DOA. I checked all interconnects and speaker wires, swapped things out, did some point-to-point checks with a meter but it's definitely in the amp. There's amplification to Ch. 2 but it's not seeing any input. Probably an issue at the PCB level. Shame. This is one beautiful piece of equipment. Wife was even impressed!
Anyhoo, called Emotiva and the replacement comes tomorrow. A big disappointment but at least I got a first hand experience of Emotiva's exceptional customer service. What a pleasure to talk to actual people on the phone who want to help their customers.
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Post by garbulky on Feb 21, 2013 10:14:02 GMT -5
Glad you like their CS. They've been good to me too
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Post by ÈlTwo on Feb 21, 2013 12:00:01 GMT -5
I hate it when new toys don't work right out of the box.
They'll treat you right
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, for those reading along, I'm also in Western Suffolk.
