UPA-2 Amazing Stuff

[augustus]

I'm in the process of upgrading my Home Theater system and started with acquiring a pair of NHT 4 floorstanders. John from NHT was kind enough to advise me to bi-amp my speakers instead of getting a subwoofer. I decided to go this path and first purchased an NHT X2 electronic crossover. Being on a budget, I started looking in ebay for power amps I could use for driving the 10" drivers of the NHT 4's.
What really surprised me was the Yamaha's, Carver's and Haflers which were 10 years or older were going for close to $300. I stumbled upon the Emotiva brand while researching at audioholics.com which led me to purchase the UPA-2.
All I can really say is AMAZING! I popped in the Quantum of Solace Bluray disc and the opening car chase scene literally shook the living room and felt the vibrations on the sofa. The Amp was only slightly warm and had loads of power to spare.
I am very satisfied with the UPA-2 and am planning on purchasing the UMC-1 in the near future to replace my existing receiver. Emotiva really provides amazing hardware at an affordable price.

[Robert]

Did you buy two UPA-2's? What is the max power of your NHT-4's? Also what size room do you have?
I've bind waiting to hear what people think about bi-amping with the UPA. I have B & W speakers, and my room is 12 X 16. The speakers max power is 600W.

[augustus]

I only got one UPA-2 and each channel connected to an NHT-4. The NHT-4 is rated at 250 watts and has an impedance of 6 ohms. Size of room is 25 x 18. NHT is recommending the use of their own amp called the NHT A1 to bi-amp the NHT-4 (one amp per speaker). These are Class G rated at 250 watts. So it really surprised me that the UPA-2 which is rated at 125 watts/channel at 8 ohms is more than capable of driving the two 10" subs.

[Deleted]

there are real watts and faux watts . . . Emotiva is one of those companies that quote real watts . . I really have to look into this amp . . so much praise . . congrats

[JayDee]

Hi everyone. I'm really new to Emotiva and already I'm being consumed by Emotiva upgradeitis. I just got the UPA-7 and now want a UPA-2 for a pair of Mirage Omnisats in my den. So sorry for the stupid questions. How hot does the UPA-2 get? Could I rest a Toshiba HDDVD player or similar component on top of it? The cabinet I have is from studiotech & it is pretty full. I have enough room on 1 shelf left for a UPA-2 but it would have to share space with another component. There is some air getting in there though.

Thanks and advise when you can.

[monkumonku]

Apr 20, 2009 20:57:58 GMT -5 @JayDee said:

Hi everyone. I'm really new to Emotiva and already I'm being consumed by Emotiva upgradeitis. I just got the UPA-7 and now want a UPA-2 for a pair of Mirage Omnisats in my den. So sorry for the stupid questions. How hot does the UPA-2 get? Could I rest a Toshiba HDDVD player or similar component on top of it? The cabinet I have is from studiotech & it is pretty full. I have enough room on 1 shelf left for a UPA-2 but it would have to share space with another component. There is some air getting in there though.

Thanks and advise when you can.

My UPA-2 runs very cool. But then there is nothing on top of it and I don't play it at ear-shattering levels. However, it doesn't even come close to being warm. I have an Onkyo 706 and even with it used solely as a preamp the thing gets very warm.

[hemster]

My UPA-2 is stacked directly on top of my XPA-5. I use the UPA-2 for the rear surround channels.
After watching a long movie the UPA-2 gets warm to the touch. The rear surround channels usually do not get much action so I was surprised. The XPA-5 is barely warm - certainly not anywhere near the UPA.

I think it may be the combined heat from both amps that make the UPA-2 warm. Still I can bear to place my hand on top without getting burned. I will look into adding a fan (as my stuff is in a cabinet).

[augustus]

My UPA-2 is used to drive 2 10" subs. We were watching 2 DVD's
last weekend back to back and was running for close to 4 hours. It was only slightly warm to the touch and an electronic crossover sits on top of it.

[jedinite24]

Hey you guys.

Thanks for your input it was really helpful. Upon further review of the space left in my cabinent I'm forced to stack my HDDVD player on top of my incoming UPA-2. I'm going to use the UPA-2 to power 2 speakers for my 7.1 surround. I won't be playing too loud but as a precaution I'm going to take 4 120mm Antec case fans and push air L to R. I'm going by what the reviewer said in Audioholics in regards to the heat sinks.

The cabinet has screens for improved air flow on the sides.

I don't think the UPA-2 will get hot as I don't have the time to watch movies for hours on end but better safe than sorry. I know I'm probably babying the amp but I'm new to premium amps. Thx again

[edmondwolfman]

I would place whichever component gets the hottest on top since heat rises. In a lot of the magazines where companies are selling a combo of cd and amp or pre and amp they have the amp on top for just that reason. The post above that states his UPA-2 is on top of the XPA-5 is correct in thinking that he is getting heat from both in the top unit.