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Post by escape on Nov 23, 2009 0:47:29 GMT -5
I bought a pair of Paradigm Studio 100 three weeks ago. Speakers are nicely broken in but suddenly my Yamaha RX-2300's 110 watts per channel seem to be inadequate for the paradigms.
I started with looking at 5 channel outlaw audio and then I stumbled upon emotiva website and got convinced of buying XPA-5 but then started reading about XPA-2. I listen to music 80%.
I also see recommendation for running XPA-2 +(XPA- 3 or XPA-5) as an option to get better music quality on Front L/R
The reason I wanted XPA-5 is to power additional pairs of surrounds if i buy a blue ray player and a new processor some day.
I also read in this forum that XPA-5 when used with only three channels will output 250 watts each. Which sounded good deal because it could then match center channel output with Front L/R/ However, I could not find such an information on the Product page or owner manual. So i called emotiva. A technician told me that using XPA-5 for only three channel is not recommended because it is not designed to work only in 3 channel mode and that it would stress the system (his exact words). So he recommended for my case to buy a XPA-3.
But I am confused about what he is saying. If this is true, how do people listen to 2 channel stereo music using XPA-5? Wouldn't that be stressing the amp?
It would be great to hear other's feedback on this topic
------------ HT - In progress ------------ Front Paradigm Studio 100 v5 Center - Infinity Primus C125 Surrounds - Definitive Technology BP6B (my old Front speakers!) XBox 360 to stream music from computer and Netflix instant watch
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Post by strindl on Nov 23, 2009 0:53:23 GMT -5
This is the second time someone has posted that they have been told by someone at emotiva that running an XPA-5 with less than 5 channels in use is not a good idea. I don't understand that at all. It makes no sense to me.
It would be great if one of the grand poobaahs at emo headquarters would shed some light on this. I think lots of us would like to know if this is true, and if so, the reasoning behind it.
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Post by Mike Ronesia on Nov 23, 2009 1:02:57 GMT -5
I use mine for 2 channel a lot. I don't see why it would be a big deal as most 5 channel stuff is still mostly the front 3. I would also like to hear from Dann or Lonnie on this.
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RSavage
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Post by RSavage on Nov 23, 2009 1:34:35 GMT -5
So i called emotiva. A technician told me that using XPA-5 for only three channel is not recommended because it is not designed to work only in 3 channel mode and that it would stress the system (his exact words). So he recommended for my case to buy a XPA-3. Did you get this 'tech's' name? I find it hard to believe my XPA-5 is THAT fragile. (That's a nice way of saying I'm throwing down the BS card) R
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Post by stillearning on Nov 23, 2009 1:37:48 GMT -5
I thought one of the plusses to the xpa5 was that it increased output to the driven channel's when less channel's were driven? In fact i'm pretty shure i was told this by Chris before i completed my xpa5 order Something seem's fishy
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Post by strindl on Nov 23, 2009 3:45:39 GMT -5
receivers are driven with their power amp sections either not used at all, or used with less than all channels all the time. This is really a question that needs to be addressed by those who know at Emotiva. If it had only been posted here once..ok..some misunderstanding...but this is the second time and the OP sounds like he knows what he's talking about.
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MSchoen
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Post by MSchoen on Nov 23, 2009 4:50:37 GMT -5
I second that.. I'd like to know too! I plan on using xpa-5 for 2channel and HT frequently.
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Post by bigred7078 on Nov 23, 2009 5:05:00 GMT -5
well IMO that does not make any sense...
You should be more than fine when only running 2 channel.
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Post by Delaney on Nov 23, 2009 5:20:48 GMT -5
well IMO that does not make any sense... You should be more than fine when only running 2 channel. I second that. And if Lonnie seconds (thirds? ) that as well, he should correct this 'tech' person, to avoid this kind of confusion.
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Post by Nemesis.ie on Nov 23, 2009 5:34:28 GMT -5
I think Cathy (@ Emotiva) posted at one point that not having all channels used was no problem. It's always a good idea to get a name when you call anywhere. Or is there a difference if channels are connected? i.e. you could have all 5 connected to speakers, but when running in 2 channel mode, you do not disconnect any, so there is "still a load" attached? Given that the amp is described as "protected from all fault conditions" I would think that if it didn't like having a channel not attached to anything it would trip a fault light? I would also like to know as my next HT room will likely have the XPA-5 only powering 4 speakers at some point.
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Post by glock3540 on Nov 23, 2009 7:13:03 GMT -5
I am now only using 4 of my XPA-5's channels. I just bought an XPA-1 to power my center speaker that my XPA-5 had been powering. I have not had any problems and my system sounds great, but it has only been a few days. I remembered a month or so ago that a similar question came up and the general concensus was, it was NOT a problem if you only wanted to use Some of the 5 available channels..... Blessings,Brian
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goodwinaj
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Post by goodwinaj on Nov 23, 2009 8:33:17 GMT -5
Not a problem at all.
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Post by escape on Nov 23, 2009 9:09:30 GMT -5
Sorry I forgot to write the tech's name down. I will call again and try to get to talk to that person again.
Like nemesis said, i am curious to know if there is difference between not all channels connected at all Vs all channels connected but no signals provided. In my case, if i buy XPA-5, and XPA-2, two channels will not be connected at all.
I am concerned about this because should something happen to the XPA-5 because of this, say 2 years down the line, is eMotiva going to deny the warranty claim?
I will ask for the tech and will request if he could reply to this thread with a formal explanation.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2009 9:12:21 GMT -5
I would also ask to speak someone higher up the chain of command. I think what he told you is 100% wrong.
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Post by Nemesis.ie on Nov 23, 2009 9:20:24 GMT -5
I am now only using 4 of my XPA-5's channels. I just bought an XPA-1 to power my center speaker that my XPA-5 had been powering. I have not had any problems and my system sounds great, but it has only been a few days. I remembered a month or so ago that a similar question came up and the general concensus was, it was NOT a problem if you only wanted to use Some of the 5 available channels..... Blessings,Brian Not to go OT, but did you notice any difference with the XPA-1 on the centre?
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Post by 2infinity on Nov 23, 2009 10:00:31 GMT -5
well IMO that does not make any sense... You should be more than fine when only running 2 channel. I'm with Red. I asked the same question when I bought my XPA-5 and the explanation I got from Emo was that while it was a 5ch amp, running it in 2ch is fine. Any shortening of life span would be miniscule and that would only be if you run 2ch for a large % of the time (I guess more than 50-60%). That being said, I run mine in 2ch all the time (not as much as 5 ch) and it sounds great and barely breaks a sweat. My preamp gets hotter than the xpa-5 even when brought to ear damaging levels so I have to agree with red, it doesn't make sense. Just my 2 cents
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Post by monkumonku on Nov 23, 2009 10:13:36 GMT -5
well IMO that does not make any sense... You should be more than fine when only running 2 channel. It makes no sense to me, either. However, it does provide the perfect post-purchase justification for the XPA-2 I got last week. ;D
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Post by Nemesis.ie on Nov 23, 2009 10:46:56 GMT -5
well IMO that does not make any sense... You should be more than fine when only running 2 channel. I'm with Red. I asked the same question when I bought my XPA-5 and the explanation I got from Emo was that while it was a 5ch amp, running it in 2ch is fine. Any shortening of life span would be miniscule and that would only be if you run 2ch for a large % of the time (I guess more than 50-60%). That being said, I run mine in 2ch all the time (not as much as 5 ch) and it sounds great and barely breaks a sweat. My preamp gets hotter than the xpa-5 even when brought to ear damaging levels so I have to agree with red, it doesn't make sense. Just my 2 cents Hmmm, if you don't have channels connected, then they would not be used 100% of the time. I think this would be the main concern - when not actually connecting anything for a permanent install. Such as might happen to me using an XPR-7 + XPA-5.
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Post by 2infinity on Nov 23, 2009 11:14:26 GMT -5
I'm with Red. I asked the same question when I bought my XPA-5 and the explanation I got from Emo was that while it was a 5ch amp, running it in 2ch is fine. Any shortening of life span would be miniscule and that would only be if you run 2ch for a large % of the time (I guess more than 50-60%). That being said, I run mine in 2ch all the time (not as much as 5 ch) and it sounds great and barely breaks a sweat. My preamp gets hotter than the xpa-5 even when brought to ear damaging levels so I have to agree with red, it doesn't make sense. Just my 2 cents Hmmm, if you don't have channels connected, then they would not be used 100% of the time. I think this would be the main concern - when not actually connecting anything for a permanent install. Such as might happen to me using an XPR-7 + XPA-5. Sorry bout that nemisis, not trying to give bad advice, I just assumed from the original post that he listens to music ~80% and might go more towards HT if he gets a BDP. Harming the amp might be a concern if nothing were ever connected to it, but it sounds like he might want to connect for 5.1 down the road. My point was only that even if you neglect the other channels, I got the impression from a conversation with an EMO tech that the shortened life span would be miniscule at worst. But someone correct me if I am off base here. I am definitely not the highest authority in amps
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Post by slbenz on Nov 23, 2009 11:59:14 GMT -5
Whoever the tech is, must have been misinformed. If this were the case, there would also be quite a few AVRs having problems with channels not being used let alone multi-channel amps with unused channels. For years, I mostly listen to two channels of my 5 channel Parasound amp until earlier this year when I routed most of the channels to the front for biamping duties. Now that I have an XPA-5 that replaced the Parasound, I am constantly using 4 of the 5 channels and the remaining channel powers my center. My 2 channel needs represent 90% of the time and the XPA-5 is running cooler than my Pioneer Elite AVR working as the pre/pro. If the tech is correct, there would be quite a few disgrunted owners and it would most certainly impact Emotiva as a company in a negative way. But when I spoke to Nick, one of Emotiva's techicians about what I wanted to do with the XPA-5 in my Magnepan system, he agreed with me that I should go with the XPA-5 over the XPA-2 since I wanted to take advantage of the biamping capabilities of my Magnepans.
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