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Post by roadrunner on Aug 3, 2012 14:50:11 GMT -5
Just a quick update here. I heard back from Emotiva support. My original message: Response: "Direct replacement" could mean a couple of things, but I'm still looking forward to the XPA-200 release. In any case, it does confirm part of my assumption that the 200 is the replacement for the UPA-2. Whether it's an modified or upgraded version has yet to be determined... Hmmm, that has got my curiosity working overtime. Where the XPA-100 is replacing the UPA-1 since the UPA-1 was using an XPA power module, I would have expected the XPA-200 to be the replacement of an amp that was also using XPA power modules -- like the XPA-2. While scratching my head, I now wonder if the XPA-?00 series amps are going to be low powered new amps being added to the XPA series??? That is likely to cause a lot of confusion between the X-Series amps and the U-Series amps. I guess I will need to add this to my list of Qs to ask Lonnie during Emofest. |
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Post by Dark Ranger on Aug 3, 2012 16:01:31 GMT -5
Now i'm really confused. You have the upa-2 at 125 wpc and now you have the upa-200 at 125 wpc and the xpa-200 is a direct replacement for the upa-2? I'm still waiting for it to all make sence. Hopefully at emofest we we willl get the sence part of it. It certainly can be confusing since we don't have all the details yet.  Hmmm, that has got my curiosity working overtime. Where the XPA-100 is replacing the UPA-1 since the UPA-1 was using an XPA power module, I would have expected the XPA-200 to be the replacement of an amp that was also using XPA power modules -- like the XPA-2. While scratching my head, I now wonder if the XPA-?00 series amps are going to be low powered new amps being added to the XPA series??? That is likely to cause a lot of confusion between the X-Series amps and the U-Series amps. I guess I will need to add this to my list of Qs to ask Lonnie during Emofest. I think that's a reasonable theory and one I considered myself. Some folks might not want the lower-priced, lower-powered amps from the new Ultra series, but don't have the spare coin or need for the higher-priced, high-powered XPA-1/2/3/5 amps. Consider that, at present, the only monoblock available is the XPA-1. The UPA-100 is planned, but that leaves a big price/performance gap that could be filled with the XPA-100. It's a similar case with the 2-channel flavor, but the price/performance gap isn't as wide as with the monoblocks. A 2-channel XPA-200 could fit nicely in there with perhaps 150 - 200 watts into 8 ohms. I am aware that a "baby brother" to the XPA-1 was mentioned, but we don't have any hard details on that yet. In any case, I'm hoping Lonnie and Dan share some details on the two announced XPA-100/200 models in an upcoming podcast since I cannot make it to Emofest. |
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Post by garbulky on Aug 3, 2012 22:53:00 GMT -5
Fantastic. We are due a worthy sequel to the well-known UPA-2. If the upa-200 can already compare well to the upa-2 (and best it somewhat in 4 ohm loads), then I am very excited to see what the xpa-200 can deliver? I think that this would be a perfect fit. I'm prevented to go all out on the high powered xpa-2 lines and this gives people that are now given a middle of the line option between the u-series and the current x-series combining the best of both worlds. Hopefully they don't drop the ball on these two amps as they could emotiva's best selling and best "reasonable" amps.
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Post by kurt2012 on Aug 9, 2012 20:58:22 GMT -5
Hello fellow emotiva users. I'm a newbie here and just got lucky to have a mint condition UPA-2. Just want to ask what is the ideal setting for the volume knob at the back of the amp. Currently, I set it at 12 o'clock and already happy with the result. But I want to get inputs from you guys if I should crank it up to full volume. I might be missing something if I set the volume halfway only. Is there any side effect if the volume is always at maximum?
For additional info., I am using a separate pre-amp to control the master volume.
Thanks and more power to the emotiva group!
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Post by garbulky on Aug 10, 2012 6:07:49 GMT -5
The ideal setting for the volume knob is at its maximum (turned all the way) where it doesn't turn anymore. The upa-2 is a power amplifier and it's designed to work optimally this way at maximum. The volume knob is really designed for level matching and not meant as a quality volume knob for instance if you are using the amp to power surround speakers which have a different efficiency. So, if you don't have a special instance, turn it all the way up When I turned the upa-2 volume knob down ( a whole lot) with my xda-1, I encountered distortion which wasn't there before. Hope this helps. |
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Post by Dark Ranger on Aug 10, 2012 10:36:02 GMT -5
I'll add a bit more info to clarify the gain/output control. Here is the description taken from the UPA-2 manual:
3. Level/Output Control – This rotary dial controls the output level of the UPA‐2. This is recommended for use when the output level of the UPA‐2 (32db) exceeds the output level of other amplifiers being used in the same system. Example: You are using the UPA‐2 to drive your main left and right speakers, and letting an AV receiver power the rest of your setup. The output of the UPA‐2 is much higher than the receiver, causing the system to sound out of balance. Use the Level control to adjust for this by turning it counterclockwise until your system sounds well integrated.
If you have other power amplifiers with different gain structures, you can use the knob to match the output level for a smoother integration. Try running at max gain and see how you like it compared to 12 o'clock. If you have high-efficiency speakers, you might prefer a lower setting. Go ahead and experiment to see what you like best.
My $0.02.
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Post by garbulky on Aug 10, 2012 10:42:05 GMT -5
If he has high efficiency speakers, the best method to adjust the volume would be using his pre-amp rather than the level matching knob on the upa-2 (IMO).
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Post by kurt2012 on Aug 10, 2012 21:00:48 GMT -5
Thank you so much garbulky and Dark ranger.....greatly appreciated your responses. I will adjust the volume settings tonight. Well, I'm using the amp for two channel stereo replacing my old NAD amp and I'm very happy with the sound improvement. I found the punch, dynamic and wide soundstage that I was looking for. I agree that this is one hell great amp with a great price value. I'm now able to enjoy more my music collection. |
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Post by rob80b on Feb 13, 2013 12:02:46 GMT -5
Just took possession of a UPA-2 to power my surrounds but thought I’d compare it to my Bryston 4BSST. After about 4-5 hrs with various types of music I can confer with the review that the UPA-2 is indeed a very good amp having come up with similar observations.
Although my Dynaudio Special 25s can be extremely revealing, the UPA-2 showed none of the faults normally found with lower priced amps and held its own against the Bryston 4BSST, the Bryston pulling ahead with slightly richer harmonics which lends itself to a somewhat truer rendition of the original recording, but at more than 10x the price difference.
Power wise in my 10 x 15 room the UPA-2’s 125 (185W 4ohms) watts stood head to head with the Bryston 300 watts (500W 4ohms) showing no congestion or strain even at higher than normal listening levels with complex music.
Later on I tried it out in its designated position, running the surrounds, a pair of 4ohm Dynaudio Contour 1.3MKIIs, with some heavy HD DTS sound tracks, excellent once more without breaking a sweat.
Also have a UPA-1 running my Dynaudio Contour centre.
Great stuff.
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Post by broncsrule21 on Feb 13, 2013 12:34:53 GMT -5
I bought my UPA-2 (my first Emotiva purchase) about four years ago at the RMAF. It started of running my L/R in my HT set-up. Then moved on to Bi-amp (passive) my center channel. Then my 2 channel amp in my stereo room, now to my surrounds in the HT rig. Very versatile, like said above, never breaks a sweat.
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Post by rob80b on Mar 1, 2013 11:45:53 GMT -5
Just a follow up after getting my XPA-200 and for those who are deciding to either pick up an used UPA-2 or go for the newer XPA-200.
To make this short, as noted above I found the UPA-2 very good but the XPA-200 ups the ante and is IMHO on par with my 4BSST in my room with my set-up.
Mind you in a much larger room the additional 260 watts at 4ohms of the 4BSST or the XPA-2 would most likely make a difference especially with HT, but with music the Xpa-200s wattage would go a pretty long way.
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