Mixing UPA-5 and XPA-5 (Gen2) in the same theater

[Canuck_fr]

I am starting to build me dream theater. I have the room, I have the new BENQ projector, now am looking to improve my amplfication. Since I am preparing for Atmos and others, I want to prepare for a 9.2.4 setup.

If you look at my signature, I already own a 5 channel amp : the Harmon Kardon PA-5800 (5 x 80 watts 29 db gain) which I will keep to amplify my 4 in ceiling speakers

I want to buy a new XPA-5 to power my front 3 + 2 surround channels. I found a used UPA-5 which is tempting me, however because is has a 32 db gain, I am wondering if it will be a good mix with the XPA-5 + my existing PA-5800 or if I should wait a little longer and buy 2 XPA-5?

Anyone have experience with mixing amps with different gain structure?

Thanks in advance for your help / advice

[creimes]

You can level match with the UMC-1 or whatever processor you go with next for atmos, different gain amps can work in one system.

[Canuck_fr]

Would you just decrease by 3 db the speakers driven by that amp? or would you do semthing else?

[vcautokid]

Mar 14, 2015 12:13:29 GMT -5 creimes said:

You can level match with the UMC-1 or whatever processor you go with next for atmos, different gain amps can work in one system.

100% true. Many systems encompass different gain amplifiers, and using your processor, you can adjust the level so they are uniform across the board with ease. So don't worry it will work great with your setup with Atmos.

[knucklehead]

EmoQ should level match the speakers for you. Any room correction will do that - or make a stab at it. You could do it manually with a sound level meter if you want. Personally I used EmoQ that came with the UMC-1 and was less than impressed with the results - I ended up using my RS SPL meter. Same with the UMC-200. Very different results each time I ran the setup. Distances and speaker levels were not close to reality. Not even 'horseshoe' reality.

[Canuck_fr]

Ok, In my current setup, I am very happy with the results of my settings (done through EMOQ + heavy manual settings) If I insert the UPA in the mix, can I be successful by just lowering the gain -3db?

[knucklehead]

Volume from one amp to the next isn't as great as you might think. It takes a doubling of power to increase the sound level 3db. If you had a 10w amp paired up with a 1000w amp you could still balance out the sound as long as the trim levels in your prepro are wide enough. Most have -10 to +10 for a total of 20db of adjustment. The UPA-5 will fit in just fine.