ok..i'm confused. HUGE difference in sound ???

[rocketboy]

ok. SO..... I have an Emotiva UPA-7 that I just got..and it's great. As good as the LPA-1 I had before and I love it. That being said....

I just picked up a McIntosh MC7106 that I have bridged to 320wpc @ 8 ohms. and let me tell you it sounds a thousand times better!

I have never been a believer in different sound from one amp to the next..but I have to admit that maybe I was wrong.

I realize that the power is more than doubled, and maybe that's what would account for the improvement in sound quality? I have always believe that more power and head room is key to good SQ but maybe there IS something to the difference in amplifiers by themselves?

Any thoughts on this because honestl I'm at a loss. I love my Emotiva amp..but if the sound is that much improved by having a McIntosh amplifier...well...then I'll probably find some more and get rid of the Emotiva UPA-7.

TIA...and NO I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything. This is an honest and serious question.

[Deleted]

I think that the mcIntosh vs 3 xpa-1s would be a more fair comparison both price and performance wise. How do they compare with the Mcintosh in 100watt mode?

[rocketboy]

Aug 6, 2011 7:49:40 GMT -5 @rdperry said:

I think that the mcIntosh vs 3 xpa-1s would be a more fair comparison both price and performance wise. How do they compare with the Mcintosh in 100watt mode?

I'm going to try that tonight....didn't have enough time last night and besides..i was enjoying the music so much i didn't have the heart to shut it off

[Deleted]

Interestingly, the one amp that had a particular sound for me was back in the '70s when I borrowed a Mc amp and it sounded awful. Admittedly it was the first gen of solid state amps for Mc. Since then I've thought I heard subtle differences between amps but nothing ground breaking.

[cgolf]

Difference in sound is subjective and in the ear of the listener. If you hear a difference then you hear a difference!! If you don't hear a difference then you don't hear a difference!!

Whether it's really there or not, if you hear it or not is what makes the difference................... ;D

[jamrock]

When you say you heard a huge difference, explain what differences you heard. And, were the outputs of both amps matched to produce the same dB output from the speakers?

Both amps have very low noise floors and measured flat 20Hz - 20Khz. Unless one of them is, or near clipping, (in that case, the McIntosh would not even begin to break a sweat when the UPA-7 is wheezing), you should have heard no differences. Even a 1dB difference in output can give the impression that one component is better than the other.

I would definitely like to hear from you just how you had this comparison conducted. To say the least, with all due respect, I'm very skeptical as you already figured!

[rocketboy]

I understand and I agree it might be purely a case of more db than anything, but it sure sounded better. the sound was richer, fuller, less strained for sure at higher volumes and much much clearer.

I'm running Onix Rocket RS760's sigs up front (was listening in 2 channel)

all I did was unplug the rca's and speaker cables from the UPA-7 and plug them into the McIntosh MC7106 didn't change anything else. I know it's probably just in my head...but I had one of these amps before when I had my LPA-1 and I experienced the same feeling/sound difference.

[DYohn]

Do you have an SPL meter? Set the system to the exact same volume level with each amp and compare them.

[wizardofoz]

if you dont want the UPA-7 I will take it of your hands...I miss mine

[flamingeye]

Double the power will definitely make a audible difference, increase your headroom and detail of the music

[rocketboy]

Aug 6, 2011 10:03:33 GMT -5 wizardofoz said:

if you dont want the UPA-7 I will take it of your hands...I miss mine

I might consider it..but I'd want top dollar for the unit as it's mint and still under warranty etc with double box paper work etc.

[jamrock]

Aug 6, 2011 9:21:56 GMT -5 rocketboy said:

I understand and I agree it might be purely a case of more db than anything, but it sure sounded better. the sound was richer, fuller, less strained for sure at higher volumes and much much clearer.

I'm running Onix Rocket RS760's sigs up front (was listening in 2 channel)

all I did was unplug the rca's and speaker cables from the UPA-7 and plug them into the McIntosh MC7106 didn't change anything else. I know it's probably just in my head...but I had one of these amps before when I had my LPA-1 and I experienced the same feeling/sound difference.

The limited experimentation you did of simply exchanging I/C & speaker cables, would definitely give a different output using each amp. Hence the perception of one being better than the other. You also mentioned hearing a difference at higher volumes. Surely. The Mc has more power and more headroom and would be less strained at higher volumes.

You have 2 good power amps. Albeit, one more powerful than the other and, therefore, better able to handle more complex loads at higher volumes. However, when both amps are matched properly and playing at levels within clipping, there should be no difference heard. However, the McIntosh would be the better amp to drive your speakers to their extremes. Good luck! ;D

[stiehl11]

I noticed a difference between the UPA-5/7 and the XPA-5 when I auditioned them at the Emotiva office in Franklin, TN in February 2010. That was the big reason that I did not go with the UPA amps. This was using all Emotiva equipment and the only change was the amps. The SQ was "thinner" with the UPA series. Later I added the XPA-2 and had to re-EQ my system for the added SQ change that occurred. Again, the sound was "thinner" with the XPA-5 than with the XPA-2. Yes, there was a measurable change in SQ. The UPA-5/7 and the XPA-5 (and the XPA-2) are not built the same so why should they sound the same???

I believe rocketboy when he says he hears a difference in amps. And, I agree with rdperry when he said that a better comparison would be between a McIntosh and XPA-1. It could be that the McIntosh amp has more available Class A amplification than the UPA-7 he was using and that may very well be the "difference" (and I in my example) he is experiencing.

[NorthStar]

Aug 6, 2011 7:34:56 GMT -5 rocketboy said:

ok. SO..... I have an Emotiva UPA-7 that I just got..and it's great. As good as the LPA-1 I had before and I love it. That being said....

I just picked up a McIntosh MC7106 that I have bridged to 320wpc @ 8 ohms. and let me tell you it sounds a thousand times better!

I have never been a believer in different sound from one amp to the next..but I have to admit that maybe I was wrong.

I realize that the power is more than doubled, and maybe that's what would account for the improvement in sound quality? I have always believe that more power and head room is key to good SQ but maybe there IS something to the difference in amplifiers by themselves?

Any thoughts on this because honestl I'm at a loss. I love my Emotiva amp..but if the sound is that much improved by having a McIntosh amplifier...well...then I'll probably find some more and get rid of the Emotiva UPA-7. >>> Now, don't be so "Out of Control"! <<< ;D

TIA...and NO I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything. This is an honest and serious question.

I just quoted your post so you can reread it!

Now I believe you're smart enough to see the reality clearly!

[NorthStar]

Aug 6, 2011 9:55:24 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Do you have an SPL meter? Set the system to the exact same volume level with each amp and compare them.

...And just do like David mentioned just above.

[stiehl11]

Bob, now I'm confused.

[villock]

Aug 6, 2011 12:13:44 GMT -5 stiehl11 said:

I noticed a difference between the UPA-5/7 and the XPA-5 when I auditioned them at the Emotiva office in Franklin, TN in February 2010. That was the big reason that I did not go with the UPA amps. This was using all Emotiva equipment and the only change was the amps. The SQ was "thinner" with the UPA series. Later I added the XPA-2 and had to re-EQ my system for the added SQ change that occurred. Again, the sound was "thinner" with the XPA-5 than with the XPA-2. Yes, there was a measurable change in SQ. The UPA-5/7 and the XPA-5 (and the XPA-2) are not built the same so why should they sound the same???

I believe rocketboy when he says he hears a difference in amps. And, I agree with rdperry when he said that a better comparison would be between a McIntosh and XPA-1. It could be that the McIntosh amp has more available Class A amplification than the UPA-7 he was using and that may very well be the "difference" (and I in my example) he is experiencing.

I couldn't agree more. My first amp was an LPA-1, sold that and got an XPA-5 and later on added an XPA-2 to drive my mains. Each step up the ladder is as you describe here it is a "thinner" sound. So when I read on some threads that all Emo amps sound pretty much the same, I don't agree.

[NorthStar]

Aug 6, 2011 12:29:11 GMT -5 stiehl11 said:

Bob, now I'm confused.

Please, do elaborate on the subject of your confusion! ;D

[NorthStar]

Aug 6, 2011 12:26:00 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

Aug 6, 2011 7:34:56 GMT -5 rocketboy said:

ok. SO..... I have an Emotiva UPA-7 that I just got..and it's great. As good as the LPA-1 I had before and I love it. That being said....

I just picked up a McIntosh MC7106 that I have bridged to 320wpc @ 8 ohms. and let me tell you it sounds a thousand times better!

I have never been a believer in different sound from one amp to the next..but I have to admit that maybe I was wrong.

I realize that the power is more than doubled, and maybe that's what would account for the improvement in sound quality? I have always believe that more power and head room is key to good SQ but maybe there IS something to the difference in amplifiers by themselves?

Any thoughts on this because honestl I'm at a loss. I love my Emotiva amp..but if the sound is that much improved by having a McIntosh amplifier...well...then I'll probably find some more and get rid of the Emotiva UPA-7. >>> Now, don't be so "Out of Control"! <<< ;D

TIA...and NO I'm not trying to start a flame war or anything. This is an honest and serious question.

I just quoted your post so you can reread it!

Now I believe you're smart enough to see the reality clearly!

^ Does this help?

[stiehl11]

There are two types of people who say dissimilar amps sound the same:

• Those who do not have the ear to hear the difference.
  
• Those that do not have the equipment to reproduce the difference for their measuring equipment to measure.
  

After hearing some of speakers that some posters have listed in their signatures I think the second applies more often than not. YMMV