XPA5 or XPA3 & XPA2 or XPA3 and 2x XPA-100

[juzzmee]

Hi guys,

Looking to startup my HT route and need some advise here. Currently I have in mind the XSP-1 (audio) and the UMC-200 (HT) to hook up a 5.1 ch HT system. The only thing i'm unsure which combination would better suit my MA RX6 (front), RX1 (Rears), RX Center & Sub? Pls feel free to add any inputs which you feel might be better than what i have in mind.

I'll be using the above system 60% for movies (samsung 3d blueray player) and 40% music (might consider the ERC2 CDP). System will basically be setup in the living area the size 3300x4600 (LxB)

Understand that there's a new XMC-1 soon, is it worth the wait since a couple of the above are out of stockl now or UMC200 sufficient?

thanks for any inputs.

[creimes]

I have the same mains as you and the XPA-5 would easily run your setup, I had UPA-1 mono's for my mains but recently sold them and am selling my UPA-500 to a buddy and I have the XPA-5 on delivery right now, down the road I plan on getting either the XPA-2 to power my mains and use the 2 spare channels to run my 2nd zone or maybe just grab a UPA-200 for my 2nd zone speakers.

Really it depends on needs I'm prob more music then movies so I would like to have a dedicated 2 channel for mains and let 5 channel run surrounds and 2nd zone, basically what I had before with my UPA-1's and UPA-500 but I'm just going with added power now, not that the RX6's need it but felt the UPA-500 a little weak for center channel duty but I turn it up pretty loud hehe.

If you are looking at the XSP-1 it would be nice like I said to have a dedicated 2 channel or mono's running off it, if you went ERC-2+XSP-1 then 2 XPA-1's would give you a fully balanced system which I have never personally owned but seems beneficial from what I have heard here on the forum.

By the way welcome to the lounge and the Emo addiction self help page..... , and maybe one day I'll stop changing gear and get the matching centre for my mains, I'm just having a hard time justifying paying $800 for the RX centre from the dealer where I purchased my RX6's from.

Chad

[juzzmee]

Hi Chad, nice to hear that someone is on the RX6s.

Does it make any differences (audio wise) to pair the XSP1 with either the XPA2 or 2xXPA100? So i should be going this route, UMC200 (or XMC1 if it ever gets released) + XPA3 for the surrounds and center. And the XSP1+ERC2+XPA2 or 2 x XPA200 for the main L+R speaker. Lastly, the sub to the UMC200 and I'm done.

Do you think this setup will sound reasonable or is something missing?

Ad

[creimes]

Hey Ad,

I think going with the XPA-2 is a better value, I'm not putting down the XPA-100's as I loved my UPA-1's but like I said with that setup in mind and if the funds are there XPA-1 mono's would keep everything Balanced from source to amp, are you running a second zone at all and if so then for the pricepoint the XPA-5 would be a better choice then the XPA-3, I look at it like it's not a bad thing to have those extra channels for a 2nd zone or for adding speakers/zones in the future.

The XPA-2 is out of stock until march I believe so 2 XPA-100's would be a great choice as well and supposedly they are coming out with another monoblock sin the near future the XPA-1L.

So yeah if you are not in need of any extra channels then XPA-3 and 2 XPA-100's would be a very nice way to go with the UMC-200 and XSP-1.....decisions decisions lol.

I'm sure there will be more recommendations coming your way from some really experienced guys here on the lounge so wait it out for a bit to get some more info but in the end it's up to you.....not too much pressure now lol.

Chad

[wizardofoz]

I forgot to mention the XPA-100 to you when we spoke...as I havent ever owned a pair to try and its still a fairly new item in the amps lineup. It too is NOT fully balanced like the other XPA amps...Only the XPA-1's carry that off...but again your space and weight restrictions will apply first no matter what you would 'like' to get. Still can come and be poisoned at the wizard's place

[Porscheguy]

It makes no difference. All these amps are more or less the same, and sound the same. Choose your amp based on channel needs. Emotiva makes all these models based on marketing decisions...

Unless you want balanced connections but those offer no SQ advantages..

Mono blocs are cool, no cross talk and for showing off......... Like me :-)

[hemster]

^ Show off! ;D

[geebo]

Start with the XPA-5. You won't be sorry. It's not a whole lot more than an XPA-3 and you could always add the XPA-2 or monoblocks later if you decide that's what you want to do.

[juzzmee]

Hey wizard, after speaking to my ID, space shdnt be a problem. Have sufficient space on the consoe, only thing is it's not a proper rack.

Hey porscheguy, wizard did a detailed explanation to me and I guess bal or not it would not be so impt to my untrained ears.

Hi geebo, any significant effect if I choose a xpa5 with the xsp1 and umc200 for ht and stereo in comparison to the xpa2 and xpa3 to rrive the same?

[creimes]

Doubtful you will hear any difference between the 2 or 5 with our speakers

Chad

Sent from my SGH-I747M using proboards

[kse]

Jan 25, 2013 7:53:41 GMT -5 Porscheguy said:

It makes no difference. All these amps are more or less the same, and sound the same. Choose your amp based on channel needs. Emotiva makes all these models based on marketing decisions...

Unless you want balanced connections but those offer no SQ advantages..

Mono blocs are cool, no cross talk and for showing off......... Like me :-)

Spot on. Do what you have the space/budget/desire to do. Everything else will come out in the wash.

[bootman]

XPA-5.
The other amps are really meant to supplement those with AVRs that need to upgrade LCR performance.

[garbulky]

Why don't you try first without the xsp-1 and see if you really need it for your setup? The UMC-200 has a fine volume control. An XSP-1 will be mainly of benefit with a standalone CD player or a standalone DAC not for one with a volume control. With the 900 saved you could get a second sub or if you dont ahve a sub a higher quality one.

[juzzmee]

I'll most probably be adding on the erc2 as well. So the xpa5 shd be able to handle the ht (umc200) as well as the xsp1 (hifi)?

[creimes]

If your budget allows then yeah XSP-1 would be nice for stereo listening, use the analog balanced outs from the ERC-2 to the balanced inputs of the XSP-1 or even grab a XDA-2 for external DAC

[peterk]

Everybody keeps miss-spelling the amplifier. It is NOT XPA-5, it IS XPR-5!!
;-)

[DYohn]

If I was in the market for a new amp right now I'd go for the XPR line.

[juzzmee]

Just 1 question, if I pair up the xsp1 with 2 x xpa1 to drive the front 2 speakers. For ht, can I pair the umc200 with the xpa2? If so, am I right to say that the xpa2 will only drive the 2 rear surrounds? What about my center and sub? M looking for a 5.1 system? Or if i choose the xpa3 which will drive the rears and center, will i lose out on anything as compared to the xpa2? Any advise?

Thanks,

[ocezam]

Jan 27, 2013 9:00:00 GMT -5 juzzmee said:

Just 1 question, if I pair up the xsp1 with 2 x xpa1 to drive the front 2 speakers. For ht, can I pair the umc200 with the xpa2? If so, am I right to say that the xpa2 will only drive the 2 rear surrounds?

Yes, you are right. You need 5 channels of amplification. In this example you only have four. Instead of the XPA-2, get an XPA-3 to power center, and surrounds.

Jan 27, 2013 9:00:00 GMT -5 juzzmee said:

What about my center and sub?

The sub is usually self powered. It has an amp in it.

Jan 27, 2013 9:00:00 GMT -5 juzzmee said:

Or if i choose the xpa3 which will drive the rears and center, will i lose out on anything as compared to the xpa2? Any advise?

You'll lose a very small amount of power per channel. Doubtful that you'll miss it.

[creimes]

Hey, juzzmee

Are you planing on having a second zone in your house, if so grab an XPA-5 instead of the XPA-3, takes up the same amount of rack space and like I have previously said it's always good to have the extra amplifier channels when needed, personally XPA-5 with the XPA-1's would be my choice but hey the choice is yours.