Best use of LPA-1

[incloud]

Last night I disconnected my UMC-200 and swapped in my Yamaha RX-V765. The UMC just had too many glitches and was too unreliable with my setup. Although my system is running amazing now and the sound is quite impressive, I feel as though I could be getting more from my equipment. As of now I have the bi-amp feature of the RX-V765 on and am powering my Front Polk RTI-A5 set with it. As stated, the sound seems much fuller with power going to both sets of posts. I then have an XPA-100 powering my Polk CSI-A6 center. I also have an LPA-1 that is being used to power my surrounds in a 5.1 setup. The sound is quite pleasing overall but I feel as though I am wasting the LPA-1 by using only 2 channels of light load for surrounds. That said, I would love some feedback from the gurus here on a possible configuration to better utilize my equipment. My thoughts are to mimic the bi-amp feature of the RX-V765 by using a Y-Splitter off of the AVR left and right front pre-out to separate channels of the LPA-1. I am not sure if that is possible, would damage, or is worth the effort or not. My logic is that the Yamaha delivers 95 watts per channel, shared of course, and as a bi-amp configuration is feeding the lows and highs of the fronts. Would the LPA-1 running in a similar configuration provide even better performance as far as dynamics. The goal I am trying to achieve is not massive volume but rather the highest quality of sound and dynamics with what I have. Any and all suggestions on this matter are welcome and Thanks in advance for your time and support!


As a note and not mentioned above, I am using all speakers set to small along with an SVS PB-2000 sub for lows.

[kse]

Nov 3, 2014 11:19:45 GMT -5 incloud said:

Last night I disconnected my UMC-200 and swapped in my Yamaha RX-V765. The UMC just had too many glitches and was too unreliable with my setup. Although my system is running amazing now and the sound is quite impressive......,

Gasp!!!!!? Blasphemy!!! A paltry AVR sound better??? Not possible...
(Tongue planted firmly in cheek.)

Regarding your question, not sure I follow what it is you are trying to accomplish?

[incloud]

Basically, instead of running the 2 fronts off of the receiver in a bi-amp configuration, use 4 channels with a splitter to the LPA-1. Then just use the receiver to power the surrounds. A Y-Splitter from the front left and rights to 2 channels (left,right) of LPA-1. Understand?

[kse]

Nov 3, 2014 11:35:56 GMT -5 incloud said:

Basically, instead of running the 2 fronts off of the receiver in a bi-amp configuration, use 4 channels with a splitter to the LPA-1. Then just use the receiver to power the surrounds. A Y-Splitter from the front left and rights to 2 channels (left,right) of LPA-1. Understand?

I guess... Why complicate things? LPA-1 is 125x6 channels, right? There you go, one to each speaker, leaving one vacant, or if you want to keep that mono amp on your center, do that and use the LPA for the rest.

Definitely would utilize your amp over bi-amping your receiver.

[incloud]

Right, but can I bi-amp the LPA-1 to use both sets of posts on the speakers. That's why I am using the receiver as of now.

[kse]

Lots of good info here:

www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/the-difference-between-biamping-vs-biwiring

[creimes]

Back about 4 years ago I went from a Yamaha RXV-1065 internal amps to using two UPA-1 amps and have never looked back as it was the most significant jump in overall sound quality I have experienced in my system to date, I found the Yamaha's amp sterile compared to my UPA-1's. I have a buddy here who went from a Onkyo receiver to a UMC-200 with no problems or glitches and he now has a XMC-1 with no known issues either. I have a LPA-1 that I use for my rears and zone speakers and it works great and sounds great as well, and I paid only $250 for it . I myself have no future interest in using a receiver ever again but everyone has different experiences so do what you find best for your system and ears

Chad

[bootman]

Nov 3, 2014 11:31:45 GMT -5 kse said:

Nov 3, 2014 11:19:45 GMT -5 incloud said:

Last night I disconnected my UMC-200 and swapped in my Yamaha RX-V765. The UMC just had too many glitches and was too unreliable with my setup. Although my system is running amazing now and the sound is quite impressive......,

Gasp!!!!!? Blasphemy!!! A paltry AVR sound better??? Not possible...
(Tongue planted firmly in cheek.)

A stable system ALWAYS sounds better.
HDMI is such a PITA.

[novisnick]

Nov 3, 2014 12:24:00 GMT -5 bootman said:

Nov 3, 2014 11:31:45 GMT -5 kse said:

Gasp!!!!!? Blasphemy!!! A paltry AVR sound better??? Not possible...
(Tongue planted firmly in cheek.)

A stable system ALWAYS sounds better.
HDMI is such a PITA.

I am rather bias when it comes to my Yamaha for HT!
for two channel , I'll stick to my XSP-1 gen 2

But the sound is rather nice from the Yamaha.

[incloud]

I have read the article above a few times. Good info! As far as pre pro vs receiver, of course I'd prefer to use the UMC but in my experience and setup it has proven to be of lesser quality. So I'm just trying to get the most out of my existing amps. I use a PS3 and PS4 as primary sources for streaming and movies. I think the problem lies within those devices more so than the UMC. They work much better with my Yamaha is all. My days of spending hours trying to make things work right are gone. Just want to watch a movie and relax to stable sound.