digi
Minor Hero
Posts: 41
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Post by digi on Jul 15, 2014 7:50:37 GMT -5
I recently replaced my upa-1 amplifiers with ta pair of xpa-1 for my main speakers. What are peoples thoughts on having a mono-block for a center channel? I was going to trade in the upa-1 with the new emotiva trade in program but would one of those or a new xpa-1L make a noticeable difference in SQ for movies? My other thought was to replace the xpa-5 currently feeding my surrounds with an xpr5 at some point down the road. In addition, it did not take long for me to fall in love with the xpa1's for music. Everything just sounds more open and dynamiuc with the extra headroom. My speakers were fairly efficient at 93db but it has made a difference nonetheless.
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Timster
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Posting from Scarsdale, Vic, Australia
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Post by Timster on Jul 15, 2014 8:10:51 GMT -5
For what it's worth, I run three UPA-1 across LCR, and very happy. The UPA-1 has the same x series modules as used in the. XPA series, ( as far as I recall) but just not the same power as you now possess. Have you tried it?
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Post by Dark Ranger on Jul 16, 2014 0:14:45 GMT -5
I recently replaced my upa-1 amplifiers with ta pair of xpa-1 for my main speakers. What are peoples thoughts on having a mono-block for a center channel? I was going to trade in the upa-1 with the new emotiva trade in program but would one of those or a new xpa-1L make a noticeable difference in SQ for movies? My other thought was to replace the xpa-5 currently feeding my surrounds with an xpr5 at some point down the road. In addition, it did not take long for me to fall in love with the xpa1's for music. Everything just sounds more open and dynamiuc with the extra headroom. My speakers were fairly efficient at 93db but it has made a difference nonetheless. Hi digi, I run 3 XPA-1L for LCR. I've always wanted to own monoblocks and thought it would be great to have three identical amplifiers for the front speakers. Previously, my center channel was connected to a UPA-500 (and a Denon AVR before that). The jump from the Denon AVR to the UPA-500 was huge and well worth the cost, but the upgrade from UPA-500 to XPA-1L was much more subtle. Of course, the XPA-1L amp provides plenty of headroom and clean power, but it also seemed to bring slightly better bass definition and control, as well as a slightly smoother top end compared to the UPA-500. Was it worth upgrading the center channel from UPA-500 to XPA-1L? Well, it was a lot of money for a little bit of improvement. I'm not confident I could pick out the 1L in a blind test compared to the multichannel amp. But that's OK, because the upgrade was more about fulfilling a life-long dream. It carries more intangible value than tangible. Would I buy the XPA-1L for the center channel again? Absolutely.
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stiehl11
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Post by stiehl11 on Jul 16, 2014 0:30:40 GMT -5
For what it's worth, I run three UPA-1 across LCR, and very happy. The UPA-1 has the same x series modules as used in the. XPA series, ( as far as I recall) but just not the same power as you now possess. Have you tried it? The XPA-2 and XPA-1 have different modules than the XPA-3 and XPA-5. The modules in the UPA-1 and UPA-2 are the same that are in the XPA-3 and XPA-5.
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Jul 16, 2014 0:51:43 GMT -5
I vote for getting the XPR-5. As you can see I have a XPA-2 and the XPR-5 is a much better amp. Based on what I heard, monoblocks are somewhat overrated and I personally feel that money can be used elsewhere. Now if you have unlimited funds and want monoblocks, that's a diff story.
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digi
Minor Hero
Posts: 41
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Post by digi on Jul 16, 2014 4:39:22 GMT -5
Thnaks everyone for your input. Since i just made the xpa1 upgrade I am looking for what the next improvement will be and since I have yet to send the upa-1's back to emotiva for trade-in i was considering using one. I do think I am going to send them back and consider the xpr5 at a future date especially if another 20% off discount comes up down the road. I can't justify it now since the surrounds do not need the power that the fronts do so my xpa5 handles things well enough for now. I need to keep some momney asside for the xmc or more than likely wait awhile for the reference (aka RMC-1) and a new subwoofer which is the weak link in the system. What is everyone running for subwoofers? I am quite intriqued by the Powersound Triax which is overkill but it will never need to be upgraded again since it will have the headroom for any situation though the electrical to the room may need an upgrade.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2014 5:21:04 GMT -5
Sorry, I'm a little late with my comment. My philosophy for all mutli-channel systems is to have the front LCR soundstage as perfectly voice/timbre and power matched as possible even though for practical purposes a side resting center speaker is usually required. The center speaker should blend perfectly with the L&R including in the critical vocal range. If one thinks that the center is for dialog only, turn off the center and see how much of the center dialog and other sounds you hear in the other two front channels and visa versa. In short I would always have the same exact mono amp or multi-channel amp drive all three LCR's. Having a matching center speaker with the L&R (same brand and series) is a must IMO.
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Timster
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Posting from Scarsdale, Vic, Australia
Posts: 140
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Post by Timster on Jul 16, 2014 6:47:14 GMT -5
For what it's worth, I run three UPA-1 across LCR, and very happy. The UPA-1 has the same x series modules as used in the. XPA series, ( as far as I recall) but just not the same power as you now possess. Have you tried it? The XPA-2 and XPA-1 have different modules than the XPA-3 and XPA-5. The modules in the UPA-1 and UPA-2 are the same that are in the XPA-3 and XPA-5. Thanks for the clarification I knew there was some connection! Cheers Tim
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Post by bluemeanies on Jul 16, 2014 8:13:44 GMT -5
I am a late entry here but I thought I would throw in my 2c. As mentioned by Chunkienut having the LCR channel speakers match is very important in the movie spectrum and also in three channel stereo. A few months ago I purchased two XPA1's for my mains and I am still running my center and surrounds with my Outlaw 7700. The combination works very well. Personally, I think you should save your money buying a monoblock for your center channel speaker unless you are intending only two be listening to music in a three channel setup which by the way is very enlightening. Switching your XPA5 out for the XPR5 is of course your decision. However I always thought that the reason for updating equipment should be for the better end. What I mean by that is how much better do you think your surrounds are going to be with the XPR 5? Investment wise is it worth it?
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digi
Minor Hero
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Post by digi on Jul 16, 2014 8:22:28 GMT -5
Thank you for your opinions Chuckie and Bluemeanies. I do have matching speakers for the LCR ans I am running Definitive Tech speakers for my entire setup except the sub, which does need an upgrade. I am using the Mythos ST for the LR and the mythos10 I belive for the center. Movies do sound excellent and the ST's have never sounded better since adding the xpa1. It is good to see someone confirm my thoughts that upgrading the surround amplifiers would not offer much improvement to SQ or movie dynamics. I had thought about adding one of the upa1's I was going to trade in to the setup but that probably wouldnt add much to the center channel as it is a similiar amplifier setup as the xpa5 and just take up more space. My next purhcase will most likely be a subwoofer and I am thinking of this powersound but will probably end up downsizing to something less extreme. www.powersoundaudio.com/products/triax My room is fairly large at 27'x14' with the seating position in the center area and I want to avoid that hassle of a multi sub setup.
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Post by bluemeanies on Jul 16, 2014 9:40:13 GMT -5
Thank you for your opinions Chuckie and Bluemeanies. I do have matching speakers for the LCR ans I am running Definitive Tech speakers for my entire setup except the sub, which does need an upgrade. I am using the Mythos ST for the LR and the mythos10 I belive for the center. Movies do sound excellent and the ST's have never sounded better since adding the xpa1. It is good to see someone confirm my thoughts that upgrading the surround amplifiers would not offer much improvement to SQ or movie dynamics. I had thought about adding one of the upa1's I was going to trade in to the setup but that probably wouldnt add much to the center channel as it is a similiar amplifier setup as the xpa5 and just take up more space. My next purhcase will most likely be a subwoofer and I am thinking of this powersound but will probably end up downsizing to something less extreme. www.powersoundaudio.com/products/triax My room is fairly large at 27'x14' with the seating position in the center area and I want to avoid that hassle of a multi sub setup. Nice looking sub. I am not familiar with that label. Just a thought, JL Audio has some very efficient subs that I think would be worth you looking into. I believe they started a new series sub...E-series www.jlaudio.com/
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digi
Minor Hero
Posts: 41
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Post by digi on Jul 16, 2014 9:53:40 GMT -5
I am aware of JLAudio. I have one in my car now and will be demoing the E-series at a local shop when I am in the area. Powersound gets great reviews and is an internet audiophile favorite for quaility and bang for the buck. Only time will tell what I end up getting.
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Post by audiofile on Jul 16, 2014 20:46:23 GMT -5
I use a UPA-1 for my Vienna Acoustic Maestro center channel. It's a good match and I picked that combo because of how the speaker needs and the amp's output compliment one another.
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a2058
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Post by a2058 on Jul 16, 2014 20:57:05 GMT -5
I use two RPA-2s for my LCR. I tried different amps for the center, but I could alway hear the difference, so had to match them.
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Post by sahmen on Dec 9, 2016 15:19:06 GMT -5
I currently use 2 XPA-1 Gen 2s on my Front Left and Right speakers in my main HT system, The center and surrounds are currently driven by an XPA-5, and all seem to blend fine. I have just seen an XPA-1 Gen-1 that I could pick up to drive the Center Channel speaker, but I am wondering whether the change would make an audible difference for HT movies and for music playing in 5.1/7.1 channel mode.
By the way, the current XPA-1 Gen 2s replaced 2 XPA-1l's, and the difference was quite substantial, in case one is wondering.
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novisnick
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CEO Secret Monoblock Society
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Post by novisnick on Dec 9, 2016 15:33:39 GMT -5
IMHO if your not listening to 5.1 music through your system its a waist of space time and money. I could find he sensitivity of that speaker but if its easy to drive I donsee the need for a MONOBLOCK for the center channel for HT.
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Post by sahmen on Dec 9, 2016 17:09:14 GMT -5
Wow Nick! I can't believe my eyes or ears! You mean that the Chairman and CEO himself of the Secret Monoblock Society does *not* recommend a monoblock? Am I reading this correctly? If so, then this a momentous occasion that must go down in the annals of Emolounge history
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novisnick
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CEO Secret Monoblock Society
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Post by novisnick on Dec 9, 2016 17:16:53 GMT -5
Wow Nick! I can't believe my eyes or ears! You mean that the Chairman and CEO himself of the Secret Monoblock Society does *not* recommend a monoblock? Am I reading this correctly? If so, then this a momentous occasion that must go down in the annals of Emolounge history I pray that you have read my disclaimer. The XPA-5 is sufficient for driving a smaller center channel speaker fot HT only! NOT for SACD or 5.1 music. There better uses for your money in such an instance. Room treatments for example. Now, can I get you a sedativea and a drink?
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Post by sahmen on Dec 9, 2016 17:47:08 GMT -5
Yes, Nick , I saw the disclaimer... However, I am myself reluctant to take the plunge, because I cannot fully justify it, so there is that. And FWIW I use a Polk Audio LSIM 706c for a center: Specs info: Polk Audio LSIM 706c Sensitivity Rating = 87.7db; Impedance : 3.5/5 Ohms (minimum/nominal), according to Sound & Vision Test Bench results
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Post by vneal on Dec 9, 2016 17:51:52 GMT -5
I would get the XPA 2,3,5,7 for other channels needed. Usually mono amps are reserved for critical listening in an 2 channel system of serious HT system
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