Post by fantaxp7 on Nov 23, 2011 14:17:03 GMT -5
First off my setup:
Definitive Technology Mythos STS's
Definitive Technology Mythos 10 Center
Definitive Technology Mythos Gem XL's Rears
Onkyo 809
My only media sources are my Xbox 360 and my HTPC. The HTPC gives me live tv, movies, tv shows, music and it is hooked up via an HDMI to the Onkyo. Video and audio quality and compression is about 90-100% the same quality as full blu ray. I say 100 because I have a few blu ray ISO's that I play, the rest is in .MKV format. This setup works very well but I have no experience with other players like dedicated CD or blu ray players.
So the XPA-5 is my first amp. I have had zero experience with amps and probably only have listened to a handful. I was very curious to see the benefits of this 80 lb beast. When setting the amp into place I had no problems. It feels very well built and the finish is top notch. I go to the gym but I guess I can understand why some have trouble lugging this thing around ;D.
My first frustration came with my cabling. I had read somewhere once that someone had purchased a component plus audio cable and used it for a five channel amp, so I did the same thinking it was a good idea to have one giant string of wires between the amp and receiver. I was scratching my head for some time before I realized the reason three of my channels weren't working was because those were using the component connections. Guess I'll be purchasing some emotiva cabling soon.
Now that it was in place and connections were set, I ran Audyssey. I am a bit surprised at what it crossed my speakers at, my center channel is at 80 and my towers at 100...The speakers manual says the center should go down to 60 and the towers full range (probably because of an internal crossover?). What should I be setting my speakers at here?
OK now to the sound. All of the audio I have played are in FLAC format. I should also note that the audio player in Windows Media Center is known to not be the greatest, however I have a reference point in using it because before the XPA-5 I was using it...So I figure I should continue to use it for my initial impressions. I played some Norah Jones, I am not too familiar with all of her work, but the song Sunrise has sounded particularly nice on my system in the past. With the XPA-5 I things seemed warmer and less harsh. I am beginning to understand exactly what distortion is (or was) and headroom is. I would turn up the volume and things seemed enhanced almost rather than a gain in volume. I guess I would associate some of the distortion I would hear as louder sound. I thought that what I was hearing was in the recording or a flaw in my speakers...but...nope ;D.
Now for songs that I know. Dave Matthews Band. I am a huge fan and have listened to every song 100 times. I put on Live at Radio City with Tim Reynolds, and excellent acoustic project that is a good recording. I heard everything that I knew should be there and all of the small things were enhanced. This put a big smile on my face. Each stroke of the guitar became more real.
So in summary thus far I had no idea what to expect from this amp and what I assumed was almost completely wrong. I see it now as almost a high quality filter in a way...Things are cleaned up. I am sure as time goes on I will notice more attributes but for a semi-audiophile it is a whole other level of gear and I am glad I took it. I'm also glad that I purchased this amp because I have first hand experience with an internet direct company. I have read for months about various ID companies but the personal experience is what counts. Emotiva gets an A+ in my book.
By the way, my free t-shirt is an XL and looks about the size of a small flag. I guess they thought I was obese ;D
Questions so far:
1. Crossover settings? More detailed up above in my post.
2. Emotiva x series cables, are the sale prices listed? When I go to the store it appears that they are regular prices as they aren't slashed or red or anything.
3. Any tips on Onkyo related settings? I want to make sure I have as optimal settings as I can.
Definitive Technology Mythos STS's
Definitive Technology Mythos 10 Center
Definitive Technology Mythos Gem XL's Rears
Onkyo 809
My only media sources are my Xbox 360 and my HTPC. The HTPC gives me live tv, movies, tv shows, music and it is hooked up via an HDMI to the Onkyo. Video and audio quality and compression is about 90-100% the same quality as full blu ray. I say 100 because I have a few blu ray ISO's that I play, the rest is in .MKV format. This setup works very well but I have no experience with other players like dedicated CD or blu ray players.
So the XPA-5 is my first amp. I have had zero experience with amps and probably only have listened to a handful. I was very curious to see the benefits of this 80 lb beast. When setting the amp into place I had no problems. It feels very well built and the finish is top notch. I go to the gym but I guess I can understand why some have trouble lugging this thing around ;D.
My first frustration came with my cabling. I had read somewhere once that someone had purchased a component plus audio cable and used it for a five channel amp, so I did the same thinking it was a good idea to have one giant string of wires between the amp and receiver. I was scratching my head for some time before I realized the reason three of my channels weren't working was because those were using the component connections. Guess I'll be purchasing some emotiva cabling soon.
Now that it was in place and connections were set, I ran Audyssey. I am a bit surprised at what it crossed my speakers at, my center channel is at 80 and my towers at 100...The speakers manual says the center should go down to 60 and the towers full range (probably because of an internal crossover?). What should I be setting my speakers at here?
OK now to the sound. All of the audio I have played are in FLAC format. I should also note that the audio player in Windows Media Center is known to not be the greatest, however I have a reference point in using it because before the XPA-5 I was using it...So I figure I should continue to use it for my initial impressions. I played some Norah Jones, I am not too familiar with all of her work, but the song Sunrise has sounded particularly nice on my system in the past. With the XPA-5 I things seemed warmer and less harsh. I am beginning to understand exactly what distortion is (or was) and headroom is. I would turn up the volume and things seemed enhanced almost rather than a gain in volume. I guess I would associate some of the distortion I would hear as louder sound. I thought that what I was hearing was in the recording or a flaw in my speakers...but...nope ;D.
Now for songs that I know. Dave Matthews Band. I am a huge fan and have listened to every song 100 times. I put on Live at Radio City with Tim Reynolds, and excellent acoustic project that is a good recording. I heard everything that I knew should be there and all of the small things were enhanced. This put a big smile on my face. Each stroke of the guitar became more real.
So in summary thus far I had no idea what to expect from this amp and what I assumed was almost completely wrong. I see it now as almost a high quality filter in a way...Things are cleaned up. I am sure as time goes on I will notice more attributes but for a semi-audiophile it is a whole other level of gear and I am glad I took it. I'm also glad that I purchased this amp because I have first hand experience with an internet direct company. I have read for months about various ID companies but the personal experience is what counts. Emotiva gets an A+ in my book.
By the way, my free t-shirt is an XL and looks about the size of a small flag. I guess they thought I was obese ;D
Questions so far:
1. Crossover settings? More detailed up above in my post.
2. Emotiva x series cables, are the sale prices listed? When I go to the store it appears that they are regular prices as they aren't slashed or red or anything.
3. Any tips on Onkyo related settings? I want to make sure I have as optimal settings as I can.
