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Post by shibumini on Feb 20, 2013 19:53:07 GMT -5
Last year I moved to Denon AVR 3312ci from an old Denon AVR 2807. My dedicated media room is 22x20x10 in size. My 7.1 setup consists of 2 Axiom M60's (FL and FR), Axiom VP150 as centre channel, 4 Axiom QS8's as surrounds and one Axiom EP350 as Sub.
When I moved from Denon 2807 to 3312, I was expecting a significant improvement in the sound dynamics, but I only feel a marginal improvement.
My question is whether adding an Emotiva XPA-5 as a power amp for the first 5 speakers into my setup will improve the sound quality? Does anyone has a similar setup and seen significant improvement when they moved to XPA-5? Please advice.
Thanks
George
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USAFRetired
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Post by USAFRetired on Feb 20, 2013 20:08:59 GMT -5
I have the XPA-5 with my Denon 2807 driving my B & W's and yes it makes a big difference. I don't know the specs on the 3312 but from reviews I have seen in Sound and Vision receiver's amplifiers ratings are based typically on two or less channels driven. When all 5 or 7 channels are driven the amps ratings fall far below those specs. Usually less than half the rated power. The XPA-5 is rated with all 5 channels driven at 200 WPC. See where I am going with this?
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Post by larlane on Feb 28, 2013 20:05:02 GMT -5
I used to own Axiom T60's and a VP150 run with a Denon 2808. I first switched the speakers for PSB T6 and a Psb C4 center. I still have my QS8's. I enjoy the PSB's better than the the Axioms. Still wanted to know if there was more to be gained from a separate amp, so, I purchased an XPA-5 amp and noticed a huge improvement in clarity as compared to the Denon which I still am using as a processor.
You simply will not find many who go from a Denon AVR to an Emotiva seperate that aren't raving about the difference.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2013 0:09:17 GMT -5
It will enable you to turn you axioms up louder but in terms of some magical huge SQ improvement, not gonna happen. The added headroom is worth the price of admission though IMO.
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Post by Gary Cook on Mar 1, 2013 1:30:38 GMT -5
From memory a Denon 2807 is 110 watts (actually around 85 watts all channels driven) and a 3312 is 125 watts (actually around 95 watts), so I'm not surprised you don't notice much difference. I went from 120 watts of Denon (around 90 watts) to 200 watts of XPA-5 and the difference is outstanding. You'll notice it I'm sure.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2013 1:34:34 GMT -5
Shibumini, welcome to the Emotiva lounge!
When you made the move from the 2807 to the 3312 you actually made a pretty much lateral move.
2807 weight 30 lbs, spec 110 watts/8 ohms,
3312 weight 26 lbs, spec 125 watts/8 ohms, actual 82.5 watts/8 ohms, 5 ch-ACD (all channels driven)
The actual 82.5 watts into 8 ohms on the 3312ci was from a HT Magazine review with 5 channels driven. I could not find a review on the 2807, but I'm guessing the spec'd power might have been slightly more conservative so these two AVR's would be almost equal in power.
EMO XPA-5, 200 watts/8 ohms, actual 209 watts/8 ohms, 5 ch-ACD
The actual 209 watts into 8 ohms was from Emo's published AP test with 5 channels driven.
So you would be going from about 82.5 watts to 209 watts into 8 ohms with 5 channels driven. That is an increase of about 2.5 times the power. That is a very significant increase! You might not be able to hear a lot of difference at background levels but you will have a huge amount of extra headroom power for louder and dynamic volume peaks. Remember the XPA-5 is a power amp only and weighs about 73 lbs.
IMO, the move to the XPA-5 is a huge no-brainer! ;D
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Post by mickeyharlow on Mar 1, 2013 2:26:11 GMT -5
Shibumini, welcome to the Emotiva lounge! When you made the move from the 2807 to the 3312 you actually made a pretty much lateral move. 2807 weight 30 lbs, spec 110 watts/8 ohms, 3312 weight 26 lbs, spec 125 watts/8 ohms, actual 82.5 watts/8 ohms, 5 ch-ACD (all channels driven) The actual 82.5 watts into 8 ohms on the 3312ci was from a HT Magazine review with 5 channels driven. I could not find a review on the 2807, but I'm guessing the spec'd power might have been slightly more conservative so these two AVR's would be almost equal in power. EMO XPA-5, 200 watts/8 ohms, actual 209 watts/8 ohms, 5 ch-ACD The actual 209 watts into 8 ohms was from Emo's published AP test with 5 channels driven. So you would be going from about 82.5 watts to 209 watts into 8 ohms with 5 channels driven. That is an increase of about 2.5 times the power. That is a very significant increase! You might not be able to hear a lot of difference at background levels but you will have a huge amount of extra headroom power for louder and dynamic volume peaks. Remember the XPA-5 is a power amp only and weighs about 73 lbs. IMO, the move to the XPA-5 is a huge no-brainer! ;D ;D |
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Post by garbulky on Mar 1, 2013 3:33:54 GMT -5
I use UPA-2's with my axiom m80's and they drive them to loud levels in my medium-small smize living room. The UPA-2's are also very clear and do not distort audibly (clip) when driven at its max rating. If I'm right, the upa-2 has an x-series blade on it. The XPA-5 has 5 of these, so I don't think you'll have a problem with power.  BTW, since I use axiom and the m80's use similar drivers, I've found speaker placement makes a huge huge amount of difference. Even adjustments of less than an inch made as much difference or more than buying new equipment. It is annoying but it also means there's more to be got out of the speaker. The most important thing I did was figuring out toe-in and increasing the distance from the rear walls. It's been years and I still haven't figured out the optimal toe in angle. Most of the time, the toe-in will sound fine with sort of a center/10 and 2 o clock stage. Then get placement just right and it becomes gelled and the soundstage sort of connects itself more seamlessly without prominence. Moving them away from the walls helped with depth. I moved them past front plane of my tv. Removed coffee tables, ottomans, side couches, stuff in the way between the speaker and me. Also widening the distance up to a point helped (and then it hurts when it's too much and your sitting too close). Hope that helps. |
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Post by shibumini on Mar 4, 2013 6:43:15 GMT -5
Thanks Everyone, I have ordered XPA-5 last weekend |
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USAFRetired
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Post by USAFRetired on Mar 4, 2013 8:37:15 GMT -5
Congrats. You won't regret it other than it is where lots of us started and none of us quit buying from Emotiva.
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Post by solarrdadd on Mar 4, 2013 9:19:20 GMT -5
Thanks Everyone, I have ordered XPA-5 last weekend congrats on your purchase, you will be very happy. i have a 7 channel system, all axiom speakers. my main 5 are powered by the XPA-5 and the back two are powered by a UPA-2. despite what some folks say, i run my front 3 (two M80v3's & VP180v3) full range and the sound is powerful, with all the low frequency I can handle (i'm no bass head so it's more than plenty for me). those three 4 ohm speakers give that XPA-5 a workout! i also have a pair of QS8v3 surrounds on the XPA-5. all my surrounds are crossed at 90hz. you will have plenty of power to drive those 60's & 150 you have. try different frequencies too and see how you like them now that you have the power to drive your speakers to them. you will now be able to truly drive them to where the receiver could not have depending on the frequency you have them crossed over at! keep us posted. |
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Post by creimes on Mar 4, 2013 11:12:28 GMT -5
Very nice choice, I had some buddies from work over on Friday and put on Tron Legacy and they couldn't believe how loud and clear the sound was, they were pretty much drooling hahaha. It's always fun introducing someone to an actual well structured and powered HT, they always think their boxstore receiver system or HT in a box is outstanding, hah guess again my friends.......
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Post by frenchyfranky on Mar 4, 2013 12:57:10 GMT -5
Thanks Everyone, I have ordered XPA-5 last weekend Congrats, your Axiom speakers set will come alive, articulate, better separation and dynamics with the XPA-5. Enjoy it and let us know your appreciation.  |
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Post by phatfos1 on Mar 4, 2013 14:19:04 GMT -5
Hello. I have the Denon 3808ci and I recently went the separate route with the XPR-5 (the XPR is quite a bit different than the XPA, I also had an XPA in the mix for a while and liked it as well, although it was a little bright in my system). The difference is mind boggling from before I had the amp to after. The Denon just doesn't have the juice to really control 5 (or 7) speakers at moderate volume levels. The improvement in dynamics, imaging and overall transparency was night and day. I have another small Denon two channel system in my kitchen/family room where the Denon (1913) is running a pair of Polk LSI-9. I can really do a side-by-side comparison with these two systems when I'm playing the same song over Airplay. Although I'm running LSI-25s in my main listening room the difference is quite obvious and startling at all frequencies.
You cannot go wrong integrating a separate amp and I really think you'll find it's worth the money. I'll bet you'll be really surprised by the improvement, and if you're not you can always send the amp back.
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Post by deltadube on Mar 17, 2013 0:38:51 GMT -5
Thanks Everyone, I have ordered XPA-5 last weekend i have the denon 3313 ci .. i order up an xpa 3 wow i was totally impressed in 3 seconds flat.. night and day wow .. how you liking your up grade? cheers.. |
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Post by garbulky on Mar 17, 2013 1:10:32 GMT -5
So did you get your xpa-5's? How did it sound?
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Post by audiohead on Mar 17, 2013 6:51:30 GMT -5
The XPA-5 is one of the best values that EMO has.200 X 5 into 8ohms or 300 X 5 into 4 ohms That amp is a steal at $899.00.Plus the 5 years on it.Think awesome sound stage,everything a lot more detailed and clean power.Emotiva = Value.May the power of the watts be with you.
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Post by deltadube on Mar 17, 2013 23:30:45 GMT -5
The XPA-5 is one of the best values that EMO has.200 X 5 into 8ohms or 300 X 5 into 4 ohms That amp is a steal at $899.00.Plus the 5 years on it.Think awesome sound stage,everything a lot more detailed and clean power.Emotiva = Value.May the power of the watts be with you. i like it more on sale at 769 ! wonder when the xpa 2 will go back on sale.. cheers.. |
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Post by shibumini on Mar 31, 2013 13:22:11 GMT -5
So did you get your xpa-5's? How did it sound? Its simply Superb !!! The difference is really huge. I also went for a Axiom VP-160 center channel and that is making it sound sweet even more. If anyone is at borderline and thinking about moving to a poweramp, don't think twice .. just go ahead and get it .. |
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Post by garbulky on Mar 31, 2013 13:31:14 GMT -5
Nice!!!! I couldn't do without my emotiva amps. I managed to get a direct comparison this week between it and a vintage amp that was just as heavy but with less watts (40 watts total) powering a pair of KLH bookshelves. There was just no comparison. It indeed was like a veil has been lifted. ;D ;D
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