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Post by gunnett on Jan 11, 2013 10:57:23 GMT -5
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Post by garbulky on Jan 11, 2013 11:12:50 GMT -5
Most people that have switched to power amps from recievers have noted an improvement. Remember the onkyo does not have an all channels driven rating for a reason...because it's not that good. I can't tell you though whether it would be an upgrade as I haven't heard it. My advice is when you buy emotiva to spend as much as you can because even their entry level products bring so much to the table that spending more is very worth it in the quality for your buck angle. For instance any of the XPA-2,3,5, amps (not the xpa-200) can easily be the last amplifiers you will ever buy. Any of them will bring the house down. I was worried my upa-2 (the older version of the xpa-200) would not be powerful enough but it sure delivered the juice  It was around $300 and the amount of refinement and detail it can put out is really something. I never heard "dynamics" until I heard the emotiva amp. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2013 11:36:16 GMT -5
*Because* even the "lesser" Emo amps bring so much to the table, I would recommend you stay with the UPA line of amps. Or, buy a used XPA series - with Emo's 5-year transferable warranty you certainly would not be taking much of a risk - amps *rarely* break. Either way you will improve the quality of your system...
-RW-
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Post by garbulky on Jan 11, 2013 12:03:06 GMT -5
It would also be helpful to know your speakers, amount you're willing to spend etc.
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Post by remo on Jan 11, 2013 12:07:20 GMT -5
It would also be helpful to know your speakers, amount you're willing to spend etc. Dido, are trying to drive 4, 6, or 8 ohm loads? The 806 isn't bad at all. Here are the 5 and 7 channels driven measurements for that receiver. Note that the distortion levels are higher than that of the UPA-500, but does being even more inaudible really mean anything? I'd suggest going with the XPA-5 if you want some real improvements over your current receiver (for 8 ohm speaker anyway) Onkyo TX-SR806 A/V Receiver HT Labs MeasuresHT Labs Measures Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads: 0.1% distortion at 107.2 watts 1% distortion at 123.4 watts Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads: 0.1% distortion at 79.6 watts 1% distortion at 106.4 watts EDIT: Emotiva even uses 0.1% for some of their amps. The XPA-1 , 2 , 3 ,and 5 are rated at 0.1% for example. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2013 12:25:05 GMT -5
Well, now that I see that the 5 and 7 channels driven specs are really not bad at all, if you're looking for a marked step up you'll need to go with an XPA series amp...That or replace your current speakers with ones that are at least 3db more efficient.
-RW-
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Post by gunnett on Jan 11, 2013 12:27:24 GMT -5
I currently have a KEF 2005.2 5.1 System. I just replaced the faulty KEF PSW 2150 sub with a SVS PB1000. I have 3 Ascend Acoustic CBM-170 SE on the way, which will replace the front 3 KEF's.
My theater room is very small 10' x 14'.
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bootman
Emo VIPs 
Typing useless posts on internet forums....
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Post by bootman on Jan 11, 2013 12:46:19 GMT -5
What exactly are you trying to achieve?
What is missing?
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Post by gunnett on Jan 11, 2013 13:31:20 GMT -5
I currently have an Onkyo TX-SR806 paired with KEF 2005.2 5.1 System and I'm in the process of doing some upgrades. I just purchased the Ascend Audio CBM-170 SE's to replace my front three and a SVS PB1000. I have recently purchased the PanasonicTC-P55ST50 and DMP-BDT220. Other devices include Xbox 360 Original (Component Only), Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD Player, DirecTV R22 w/ HD. I wanted to upgrade my receiver to support 3D.
I have always liked Onkyo so the TX-NR818 seems like the obvious choice. I must say I've become concerned with quality issues with Onkyo over the past few years. I love the features of the 818 and I hear nothing but good things about Audyssey X32T. My room is small (10' x14'), is nearly a perfect rectangle so I'm not sure how important calibration really is. I also like the idea of having separates and I like the idea of the Upgrade for Life that Emotiva offers on their Processors.
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Post by remo on Jan 11, 2013 13:53:28 GMT -5
I currently have an Onkyo TX-SR806 paired with KEF 2005.2 5.1 System and I'm in the process of doing some upgrades. I just purchased the Ascend Audio CBM-170 SE's to replace my front three and a SVS PB1000. I have recently purchased the PanasonicTC-P55ST50 and DMP-BDT220. Other devices include Xbox 360 Original (Component Only), Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD Player, DirecTV R22 w/ HD. I wanted to upgrade my receiver to support 3D. I have always liked Onkyo so the TX-NR818 seems like the obvious choice. I must say I've become concerned with quality issues with Onkyo over the past few years. I love the features of the 818 and I hear nothing but good things about Audyssey X32T. My room is small (10' x14'), is nearly a perfect rectangle so I'm not sure how important calibration really is. I also like the idea of having separates and I like the idea of the Upgrade for Life that Emotiva offers on their Processors. LOL this ^ ^^^^ should have been you Original post. Now we know what you are really looking for. Not just a simple UPA-500 VS Receiver anymore. Its OK you are just suffering from upgradeitus.... we all have it. There is not cure, only a well thought out treatment program will help you survive the infliction. It'll be ok, we're here to help. |
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Post by gunnett on Jan 11, 2013 14:00:45 GMT -5
Its OK you are just suffering from upgradeitus.... I'm afraid you're right  The holiday sale ending the 15 is making it that much worse... |
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Post by knucklehead on Jan 11, 2013 15:36:19 GMT -5
There is nothing wrong with the NR818 if you can put up with the 24P frame rate problem. I haven't experienced it with mine yet but I don't use it that much since I use a hybrid two/multi channel setup.. And FWIW most other users haven't experienced it either. Be patient and NewEgg and Amazon will get into another price war and bring the price down under $700 again. Electronics offer their own sound quality jump but speakers will give you more 'bang for the buck' than an amp or AVR/Prepro unless your current one is total junk - which the 806 is not as long as it's operating as it should. The 818 drives the center and surround speakers just fine. The Crown amp is used in both configurations. |
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Post by gunnett on Jan 12, 2013 16:40:07 GMT -5
I think I am going to direct my attention to a XBMC system for now
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It was around $300 and the amount of refinement and detail it can put out is really something. I never heard "dynamics" until I heard the emotiva amp. 
The holiday sale ending the 15 is making it that much worse...