XPA-5 vs UPA-5

[airballwall]

I first heard of Emotiva about a year ago and now I have an (Em)obsession. In the past year I've picked up the UPA-1, XPA-2, XPA-5, and 4 Ultra 12 subs. And just recently I used my $100 from the UPA-1 to buy the UPA-5 for an insane price of $299.

So my question is...how will the UPA-5 compare to the XPA-5? Will it pale in comparison or will it hold its own? How well does the UPA-5 sound when just powering 2 speakers?

I actually bought the UPA-5 for my son as a starting point for him to build his own system. However, soon after I bought the UPA-5 the XPA-3 went on sale. Should I have gotten that instead? Sorry I packed so many questions in there. I appreciate all thoughts and opinions.

[NorthStar]

The UPA-5 for what you paid is the real deal!

Your son should be proud of his Dad. Besides, the UPA-5 can also be used as a three-channel amp when you bi-amp your Front L & R mains (lot more power then ) and single-amp your Center speaker.

Also, according to the masses, the UPA-5 sounds a little more refined that it's counter-part series, the XPAs.
But for brute force and impact, when necessary (demanding speaker loads) and loud volume level, the XPA series is it!

If my speakers were not so demanding (4 Ohms and 2.7 Ohms, plus 84.5 dB sensitivity), I would surely have gone for the UPA series.
And I bet even then, with 185 watts into 4 Ohms with the UPA-5, my front main speakers would have sound very nice and refined (they cannot be bi-amp, as they have only one set of binding posts).
But because they are recommended with amps up to 350 watts, I went for the XPA-2 for those.
I would love to try two UPA-1s and see if I can notice some sound refinement. I keep an eye open on this. Life ain't over yet! ;D

[monkumonku]

Oct 18, 2010 10:36:56 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

The UPA-5 for what you paid is the real deal!

Your son should be proud of his Dad. Besides, the UPA-5 can laso be use as a three channel amp when you bi-amp your Front L & R mains and single-amp your Center speaker.

Also, according to the masses, the UPA-5 sounds a little more refined that it's counter-part series, the XPAs.
But for brute force and impact, when necessary (demanding speaker loads) and loud volume level, the XPA series is it!

If my speakers were not so demanding (4 Ohms and 2.7 Ohms, plus 84.5 dB sensitivity), I would surely have gone for the UPA series.
And I bet even then, with 185 watts into 4 Ohms with the UPA-5, my front main speakers would have sound very nice and refined (they cannot be bi-amp, as they have only one set of binding posts).
But because they are recommended with amps up to 350 watts, I went for the XPA-2 for those.
I would love to try two UPA-1s and see if I can notice some sound refinement. I keep an eye open on this. Life ain't over yet! ;D

Well now that brings up a question from me, when you say the UPA series sounds more refined than the XPA series (actually you were referring to the UPA-5 in particular but I will just be sloppy and generalize for you). Is this "refinement" of the UPA's reflective of accuracy, or is it modifying the sound? Maybe the XPA is more accurate but the UPA is more pleasing to the ears on some material? Which then brings up the question, which is better - accuracy or something your ears like? Am I giving you a headache? ;D

Of course I bring this up since I am an XPA owner defending his equipment.

[NorthStar]

The word "refinement" here has this definition from me (be sure to realise that it is only from reading other people's impressions);
-> Smooth sailing from a gentle breeze of the Sahara desert, with no sand blowing or water dripping.
As if noise from the environment was at a still stand, like in pause, without transformation taking place in another dimension.
Just as the lips of a beautiful woman reaching out for yours.

That's what I meant.

I wouldn't be so concern myself as we both don't own such a thing, and have to be content by what we have.
Only by experiencing the UPA amps series in our own system can we become assertive of our own condemnation. ;D

[monkumonku]

Oct 18, 2010 11:12:21 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

The word "refinement" here has this definition from me (be sure to realise that it is only from reading other people's impressions);
-> Smooth sailing from a gentle breeze of the Sahara desert, with no sand blowing or water dripping.
As if noise from the environment was at a still stand, like in pause, without transformation taking place in another dimension.
Just as the lips of a beautiful woman reaching out for yours.

That's what I meant.

I wouldn't be so concern myself as we both don't own such a thing, and have to be content by what we have.
Only by experiencing the UPA amps series in our own system can we become assertive of our own condemnation. ;D

;D Well said. I think. ;D All the different amps are sort of like all the different actors who have played James Bond. Sean Connery is the UPA, I would say. Maybe Pierce Brosnan for the XPA. Other brand amps are played by Austin Powers. ;D

[NorthStar]

Yup, you got it, that's the picture without any interference, like in slow motion... ;D

[eljaycanuck]

So my question is...how will the UPA-5 compare to the XPA-5? Will it pale in comparison or will it hold its own? How well does the UPA-5 sound when just powering 2 speakers?

I can't compare the UPA-5 to the XPA-5, but I have read that XPA-series amps may (will?) provide a bit more punch at lower volume levels.

That being said, I've had my UPA-5 for roughly five months now and I have no regrets about buying it. It works very well with both two-channel and multi-channel audio. And the louder I go, the better it sounds. ;D

[Nooff]

Oct 18, 2010 11:57:10 GMT -5 @eljaycanuck said:

So my question is...how will the UPA-5 compare to the XPA-5? Will it pale in comparison or will it hold its own? How well does the UPA-5 sound when just powering 2 speakers?

I can't compare the UPA-5 to the XPA-5, but I have read that XPA-series amps may (will?) provide a bit more punch at lower volume levels.

That being said, I've had my UPA-5 for roughly five months now and I have no regrets about buying it. It works very well with both two-channel and multi-channel audio. And the louder I go, the better it sounds. ;D

It's the other way around. The UPA sounds better at lower volume levels

[sharkman]

An interesting topic, and certainly not the first one that compares the sonics of the UPA and the XPA line. As far as the XPA having a little more punch at low volumes, some may regard that as a plus and some others may not. I am presently mulling over an amp upgrade, going from the XPA-3 to either an XPA-2 or 2 UPA-1's(2 channel system). I keep hearing that the XPA-2 has more brute power which gives you more dynamics and bass output whereas the UPA-1, with its higher cap value, gives you a smoother output instead. I want both qualities and can't decide!

[broncsrule21]

Doesn't the UPA series have a lower "noise floor". Maybe this has to do with the so called "refinement"? I'm just throwing it out there. I don't own any X series amps. I will say I like the R series and the U series though.

[roadrunner]

Sharkman

If you want both qualities from the same amp you are in luck. The XPA-1 has both -- in spades. It is the ideal amp for those who want the ultimate in brute power while exhibiting exceptional refinement. To a slightly lesser degree, the discontinued RPA-2 had these same qualities with just a tad less dynamic response. I might also mention that the UPA-1 mono-block amp offers more refinement than all the current amps... save the XPA-1.

Now that you are drooling at the possibilities it is only fair to tell you that all the Emotiva amps share the same sonic signature and any differences you hear, other than brute power, are a matter of nuance. If you have high quality supporting equipment/speakers you may be able to discern the slight differences when listening to material you are very familiar with, but it will like take a concentrated effort. Most people describe the difference as "they feel a more refined sound" or the "feel the increased dynamic punch".

[sharkman]

Well, that makes me feel re-assured that there isn't large differences between the options. After all the difference between 2 and 300 watts is going to be less than 2 decibels.

Thanks roadrunner. Maybe I should wait to see what the XSP would do before an amp upgrade.