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Post by sputter on Oct 16, 2010 9:18:36 GMT -5
My setup currently consists of: Jamo C-807s 6ohm Jamo E8-cen 6ohm Jamo C-80 surrs 6ohm Mirage Omni S10 sub Pioneeer VSX-9040TXH Pioneer BD120 XPA-5 amp
Ordering to Canada door to door was spot on. Hooking it up was simple (heavy sucker though). No odd noises/missing lights etc when I turned it on.
I recalibrated my setup via the Advanced MCACC. I use 75db as my reference lvl.
For listening I used Alice Cooper Live in Montreux, Dark City and Ironman 2. (on blu-ray all)
The change in sound was immediate. It was fuller and more detailed. My jamos started to perform as they should. ;D Alice Cooper and Dark City i've watched a number of times prior so I had a fair idea of the changes I was hearing.
I'm only into my second week of owning the amp, so far i've not been disappointed.
Mileage may vary depending on your equipment. ie it's not going to make your "Best Buy flavour of the month speakers" better. Actually, it's more likely to point out its flaws. However, it will allow any decent speaker to "open up" over using most AVRs.
my 2 cents anyways.
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Post by sancho89 on Oct 16, 2010 9:45:03 GMT -5
I agree, emotiva equipment revealed the flaws in my Axiom speakers.
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Post by copperband on Oct 16, 2010 13:44:25 GMT -5
Hi sputter,
Congratulations on your new XPA-5!
I see you have the same receiver as mine. I am thinking about the XPA-5 too....hope to grab it around Christmas. I am glad to know you hear immediate difference as I have been wondering if a power amp really worth the money to improve sound quality.
Is there anything I need to know when pairing the Pioneer 9040 with the XPA-5? I am a newbie and still learning. I used a SPL meter to do the setup. What do u mean setting reference lvl at 75db? I find the 9040 a bit overwhelming to me as there are many features and functions which I don't know how to use them.
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Post by sputter on Oct 16, 2010 17:36:01 GMT -5
Hi sputter, Congratulations on your new XPA-5! I see you have the same receiver as mine. I am thinking about the XPA-5 too....hope to grab it around Christmas. I am glad to know you hear immediate difference as I have been wondering if a power amp really worth the money to improve sound quality. Is there anything I need to know when pairing the Pioneer 9040 with the XPA-5? I am a newbie and still learning. I used a SPL meter to do the setup. What do u mean setting reference lvl at 75db? I find the 9040 a bit overwhelming to me as there are many features and functions which I don't know how to use them. Thanks. Nothing to know man. Setup is straight forward and made easier using banana plugs. I bought their x-rca cables (1 meter). I could have rumaged through my old cables but I just felt better going fresh. Nice cables btw, solid. When you hookup the 12v trigger cable don't forget to turn that option on in the 9040. What I mean is, after I run through the calibration I manually set all my speakers to 75db (with a spl meter). You can set your left (default) channel to 75db or whatever prior to calibrating. The 9040 has a lot of options, some are bells and whistles but others are useful. Since the AVR is bright, i'm interested on what you did to adjust for it. Anyways, i'm far from being an expert and if I can answer any questions I will.
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Post by sputter on Oct 16, 2010 17:42:24 GMT -5
Hi sputter, Congratulations on your new XPA-5! I see you have the same receiver as mine. I am thinking about the XPA-5 too....hope to grab it around Christmas. I am glad to know you hear immediate difference as I have been wondering if a power amp really worth the money to improve sound quality. Is there anything I need to know when pairing the Pioneer 9040 with the XPA-5? I am a newbie and still learning. I used a SPL meter to do the setup. What do u mean setting reference lvl at 75db? I find the 9040 a bit overwhelming to me as there are many features and functions which I don't know how to use them. I noticed your Mirage setup. Nice. I always thought they looked cool.
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Post by solarrdadd on Oct 16, 2010 21:02:29 GMT -5
I agree, emotiva equipment revealed the flaws in my Axiom speakers. Funny, I had the exact opposite experience with my 5 V3 Axioms, they sound incredible being powered by the XPA-5. so far, all of my guest, my family even the guy from Geek Squad who came to fix my TV have loved the look and the sound of the Axioms. But like you said, in a post where you were trying to sell them (did you) "they were bright in your room" and while i'm sure for you that was the case, for me i wouldn't part with either my Emo amp or my Axiom speakers.
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Post by sputter on Oct 17, 2010 9:46:21 GMT -5
I agree, emotiva equipment revealed the flaws in my Axiom speakers. Funny, I had the exact opposite experience with my 5 V3 Axioms, they sound incredible being powered by the XPA-5. so far, all of my guest, my family even the guy from Geek Squad who came to fix my TV have loved the look and the sound of the Axioms. But like you said, in a post where you were trying to sell them (did you) "they were bright in your room" and while i'm sure for you that was the case, for me i wouldn't part with either my Emo amp or my Axiom speakers. Maybe his AVR is colouring them? I know my Pioneer is what I would call "Bright".
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pczach
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Post by pczach on Oct 20, 2010 17:47:11 GMT -5
Hey sputter, I'm glad you're pleased with the XPA-5 with your Jamo's. One of the biggest improvements for me was the control the clean power gives to the bass my speakers produce. It's a very clean, clear, tight bass that has more slam. The overall improvement in clarity and the sense of "air" became very apparent after the power upgrade. As for the amp revealing flaws with your speakers, I'm not so sure it's the speakers it is revealing. I believe it reveals bad recording over your speakers more noticably than your receiver's amp did. Some people here will say any impovements you hear will be imaginary. Don't let the haters make you doubt the things you're hearing with your own ears.
Good luck with your new amp. My 809's likey the clean power, I'm sure your 807's will too. Enjoy!
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Post by sputter on Oct 20, 2010 18:06:22 GMT -5
Pczach, it was a nice improvement. The 807's are much happier now.
btw, how do you like your sub? My next upgrade is going to be the F15HP.
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pczach
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Post by pczach on Oct 21, 2010 5:37:14 GMT -5
Pczach, it was a nice improvement. The 807's are much happier now. btw, how do you like your sub? My next upgrade is going to be the F15HP. I love my Rythmik sub. Very tight, musical bass. With the PEQ, it helped to dial in the F15 in my room. I would recommend a Rythmik to anyone with no hesitations. Having not heard Rythimik, I bought the sub on reputation and reviews. I have been amazed from the first time I hooked it up. I'm very happy. I think it would be a big improvement over your Mirage Omni. Not that it's a bad sub, it's just that the output from a quality 15" sub will feel much more substantial and effortless. I guess I'll be waiting for that review too! ;D
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Post by sputter on Oct 21, 2010 6:18:35 GMT -5
Pczach, it was a nice improvement. The 807's are much happier now. btw, how do you like your sub? My next upgrade is going to be the F15HP. I love my Rythmik sub. Very tight, musical bass. With the PEQ, it helped to dial in the F15 in my room. I would recommend a Rythmik to anyone with no hesitations. Having not heard Rythimik, I bought the sub on reputation and reviews. I have been amazed from the first time I hooked it up. I'm very happy. I think it would be a big improvement over your Mirage Omni. Not that it's a bad sub, it's just that the output from a quality 15" sub will feel much more substantial and effortless. I guess I'll be waiting for that review too! ;D The Mirage is a nice sub for what it is. I'm looking for a sealed sub(maybe a pair) this time around. Brian at Rythmik was very approachable and forthcoming with answering my questions. HSU was on my short list as well, I just didn't get the same sense from them.
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Post by sputter on Oct 21, 2010 6:22:00 GMT -5
To stay on topic. I watched Dark City again. (one of my favorite sci-fi films) and the detail is awesome over not having the XPA-5.
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pczach
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Post by pczach on Oct 22, 2010 14:44:12 GMT -5
I love my Rythmik sub. Very tight, musical bass. With the PEQ, it helped to dial in the F15 in my room. I would recommend a Rythmik to anyone with no hesitations. Having not heard Rythimik, I bought the sub on reputation and reviews. I have been amazed from the first time I hooked it up. I'm very happy. I think it would be a big improvement over your Mirage Omni. Not that it's a bad sub, it's just that the output from a quality 15" sub will feel much more substantial and effortless. I guess I'll be waiting for that review too! ;D The Mirage is a nice sub for what it is. I'm looking for a sealed sub(maybe a pair) this time around. Brian at Rythmik was very approachable and forthcoming with answering my questions. HSU was on my short list as well, I just didn't get the same sense from them. Yeah, it's always great when you can pick up the phone and talk to the guy that makes and designs the products you are buying. Brian was very cool to deal with, and he was happy to give advice as to which sub or amplifier option to go with based on your own situation. You know you're getting substance when you talk to Brian, not just some pimple-faced kid reading from a list of approved responses to your question. That's one of the things that has drawn me to internet direct sales.
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Post by copperband on Oct 22, 2010 19:20:42 GMT -5
Hi sputter, Congratulations on your new XPA-5! I see you have the same receiver as mine. I am thinking about the XPA-5 too....hope to grab it around Christmas. I am glad to know you hear immediate difference as I have been wondering if a power amp really worth the money to improve sound quality. Is there anything I need to know when pairing the Pioneer 9040 with the XPA-5? I am a newbie and still learning. I used a SPL meter to do the setup. What do u mean setting reference lvl at 75db? I find the 9040 a bit overwhelming to me as there are many features and functions which I don't know how to use them. I noticed your Mirage setup. Nice. I always thought they looked cool. Hi Sputter, Yeah I have the Mirage cherrywood and it looks very nice as a decoration, besides being a speaker! Thank you for your explanation. Never watch Dark City, perhaps I will try it next time.
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Nov 1, 2010 9:32:59 GMT -5
The XPA-5 definitely is a huge improvement over the receiver amps - especially at higher volumes, the sound is defined as effortless. :-)
But if you can't hear the difference, then I don't see a reason for you to upgrade. It would be a waste of money.
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