pczach
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Post by pczach on Mar 9, 2010 19:00:02 GMT -5
I just got my XPA-5 about a week ago. I used the pre-outs on my 12 year old Yamaha RX-V995 receiver to hook up the XPA-5. There was an immediate improvement in sound quality, power, speaker control, bass accuracy and power, and better imaging and headroom. All this for only $799. I'm sure the UPA-5 would sound very good, but when you enjoy music and movies the way you obviously do, and you're going to use this equipment for years, why not spend just a few more dollars and get the additional power. The XPA-5 will easily power just about any speaker you would ever consider upgrading to down the road. To me it just makes more sense. Take it from me. I was in your shoes just a couple weeks ago! The other thing is, the longer you listen to it after you get it, the more you'll notice how much more detail, bass, and soundstage you've gained. Have fun! Pete
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Post by slbenz on Mar 9, 2010 20:20:29 GMT -5
Gelinas, I think this article will be of interest to you. www.ultimateavmag.com/avreceivers/608yam663/index7.htmlYour Yamaha in 5 channel mode only produces 60 watts per channel and only 47 watts in 7 channel mode. So even the UPA-5 will be much more than your Yamaha. So any of the Emotiva amps will produce more power and authority than your Yamaha.
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Mar 9, 2010 20:32:49 GMT -5
Certainly slbenz is correct in that any Emotiva amp will produce more output than the Yammie AVR. Pete, I'm glad that you got the XPA-5 though as it provides clean solid sound and has the headroom required to handle any transient peaks that emanate from your music or movie selection. I myself had considered getting something else but have absolutely no regrets with the XPA-5 which is a keeper!
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gelinas
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Post by gelinas on Mar 10, 2010 8:39:15 GMT -5
What I'd really like to know is if there is any sound quality difference between the xpa and upa series.
On top of that, will I notice any benifits of having 200 v.s. 125 watts at lower listening levels? That is to say, at a given volume level (below the max limit of the upa-5) wouldn't the upa-5 and xpa-5 output exactally the same amount of power?
If this is the case, wouldn't the advantage of the xpa be just a few extra db's at the very top? I'm new to seperates so please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Post by bfisher on Mar 10, 2010 9:33:29 GMT -5
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gelinas
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Post by gelinas on Mar 10, 2010 9:46:47 GMT -5
thanks bfisher, that was quite helpful, while at the same time I can't make up my mind. I am also toying with the idea of just getting an xpa-3 and letting my reciever power the surrounds.
For some reason when I searched "UPA-5" I got no results. I think this forum's search function must be a bit quirky.
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Post by tonymc on Mar 10, 2010 10:08:00 GMT -5
bfisher's review is what lead me to decide on the UPA-5. For my listening habits it just seemed perfect. Also, and maybe bfisher can confirm, I heard the the UPA-5 was a little more laid back than the XPA-5 and that's what I'm looking for. Between my Yamaha receiver and Polk speakers it's bright enough.
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Post by bfisher on Mar 11, 2010 8:32:48 GMT -5
I listen to my UPA-5 every day in my office - I'm thrilled with it. It's a great amp, not a single complaint. Definitely two thumbs up
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Post by tonymc on Mar 12, 2010 15:28:54 GMT -5
I listen to my UPA-5 every day in my office - I'm thrilled with it. It's a great amp, not a single complaint. Definitely two thumbs up Good to hear. My UPA-5 was sent out yesterday. Will be here on Tue. ;D Having it delivered to my office so my wife doesn't have to help the poor Fed-Ex guy lift the beast.
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Post by RightinLA on Mar 12, 2010 22:05:53 GMT -5
With 8 ohm speakers, the UPA-5 should work fine, but if you are using 4 ohm rated speakers definitely go with the XPA-5 as it can better provide the required current. The XPA-3 and UPA-5 makes for a good HT combination.
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gelinas
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Post by gelinas on Mar 16, 2010 5:45:31 GMT -5
After much back and forth I decided to go for the xpa-5 and ordered one this morning. I knew if I got the upa I would always wonder, "What would the xpa sound like". Hopefully it doesn't take too long to ship, when I was checking out there was a message that the xpa-5 is out of stock. I'm crossing my fingers that it is a typo since there is no mention of it being out of stock on the main product page. Needless to say I am very excited and can't wait to get the new amp. I'm crossing my fingers that it provides noticable improvement for not only me but my wife.
If any Emotiva Salespeople stumble across this thread, please let me know.
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Post by tonymc on Mar 16, 2010 11:14:36 GMT -5
Congrats on the amp gelinas. Now you just have to play the waiting game until it arrives. I'm sitting here in my office staring out the window looking for the fed-ex guy. ;D
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gelinas
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Post by gelinas on Mar 16, 2010 11:24:37 GMT -5
Thanks tony, My order status has changed to backordered... Hopefully it won't be too long a wait, emotiva has not updated the product page with an eta yet.
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Post by tonymc on Mar 16, 2010 11:54:06 GMT -5
Thanks tony, My order status has changed to backordered... Hopefully it won't be too long a wait, emotiva has not updated the product page with an eta yet. Have you called to see when they will be available? Hopefully not to far off. My UPA-5 arrived a minute ago. This thing is flipping huge(and heavy). Unfortunately I won't be able to hook it up until tomorrow evening. The U series interconnects sure look nice. They come with a ton of different colored o-rings to coordinate the input/outputs.
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gelinas
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Post by gelinas on Mar 17, 2010 8:23:26 GMT -5
I got in touch with emotiva and they should be getting a new shipment of xpa-5's friday. So the bad news is that I cannot enjoy my amp this weekend, but the good news is that it is not backordered till 4/15 like some of the other amps Emo sells. I can't wait to get it.
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Post by tonymc on Mar 17, 2010 15:06:41 GMT -5
gelinas. I cleared my schedule yesterday because I couldn't wait until today to get this amp hooked up. Got it all hooked up, trigger worked flawlessly. Had to recalibrate speakers, but it was done and my wife and I poured a couple glasses of wine and enjoyed a Diana Krall session. So far I'm loving it. ;D
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gelinas
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Post by gelinas on Mar 17, 2010 16:56:21 GMT -5
gelinas. I cleared my schedule yesterday because I couldn't wait until today to get this amp hooked up. Got it all hooked up, trigger worked flawlessly. Had to recalibrate speakers, but it was done and my wife and I poured a couple glasses of wine and enjoyed a Diana Krall session. So far I'm loving it. ;D awesome, what differences are you/your wife hearing?
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Post by tonymc on Mar 17, 2010 20:41:11 GMT -5
gelinas. I cleared my schedule yesterday because I couldn't wait until today to get this amp hooked up. Got it all hooked up, trigger worked flawlessly. Had to recalibrate speakers, but it was done and my wife and I poured a couple glasses of wine and enjoyed a Diana Krall session. So far I'm loving it. ;D awesome, what differences are you/your wife hearing? So far it sounds great. Highs are clear and clean, mids are tight, but the low dropped out of it. I suspect it to be a limitation of my budget polks(looking at some B&W 603s). As far as volume goes... It's LOOOOOOOUUUUUUDDDD!!! ;D ;D ;D I had a problem with the rear L channel, but it turned out to be a bad(Emotiva U series) cable. Swapped it out and all is good. I'll give it a week and then I'll go into details.
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gelinas
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Post by gelinas on Mar 24, 2010 7:16:40 GMT -5
My xpa-5 is on the fed-ex truck and will be delivered today. I'm excited to get this new amp hooked up and give it a listen.
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pczach
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Post by pczach on Mar 25, 2010 13:25:48 GMT -5
My xpa-5 is on the fed-ex truck and will be delivered today. I'm excited to get this new amp hooked up and give it a listen. I'm sure you're excited. I think you're going to love this amp. That avatar is awesome! I've been laughing since I saw it a couple minutes ago! ;D
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