XPA-5 vs XPR-5 for an Onkyo 3008

[tommy457]

I have Def Tech towers, center and surrounds that is currently being driven by my Onkyo TX-NR3008. And after reading forum after forum, it is evident that I dont have the "real" power to drive all my Def Tech speakers.  The specs say 135w per 2 channels driven, my guess is that I am getting around 70 to 80w.

Towers rate 20w-500w
Center Channel rates 20w-400w
Surrounds rate 15w-350w

I am going to purchase an XPA-5 (probably used), and I would eventually get an XPA-2 to "feed" my towers even more power, but am thinking about the XPR-5.
Of course, my DREAM amplifier would be the XPR-5. Seriously?? 400 watts per channel. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. But honestly, is the XPA-5 more than enough for my system?  Would I even see a big enough difference to justify the cost for the XPR-5 or the XPA-5?

400 watts would be at the limit of my Center Channel and it would also exceed the limit of my surrounds. 

But, when it comes to stuff like this, I am seriously lacking in the knowledge department.  (hence why I "thought" I had an AV that cranked out 135w for ALL channels.)

So, any advice you guys have would be greatly appreciated.  This is the last piece to my HT theater puzzle.  Well, not really, but that is what I keep telling my wife.  Then I turn around and buy something else. 

Tx!!!!

Tommy

[AudioHTIT]

Have you had the HDMI board replaced on your 3008 yet? I had a 5008 and a friend the 3008, we both had to send them in for repair, it was common for those models (luckily ours were in warranty). While the 3008 is a nice unit you might go for the XPA-5 with the thought that you could get a UMC-200 or XMC-1 in the future.

[tommy457]

I have not had the HDMI board replaced. It does worry me that this has been an issue on these models. Fortunately or not, I haven't had a problem, yet. I do have an extended warranty, good til 9/14, and have called the warranty department about the "potential issue", but they said they can't do anything about it until it actually happens. I called onkyo as well to see if there was a recall on this model, hoping to get it fixed that way, but there wasn't one. I am thinking of just upgrading to the TX 1009 or 1010, but would have to sell this one first.

[bootman]

Jul 27, 2013 22:10:05 GMT -5 tommy457 said:

I have Def Tech towers, center and surrounds that is currently being driven by my Onkyo TX-NR3008. And after reading forum after forum, it is evident that I dont have the "real" power to drive all my Def Tech speakers. 

Really?
Are you actually experiencing compression or distortion when you play music or movies?
If not, don't believe everything you read.
Just believe what you actually hear in your own room.

[Deleted]

The XPA-5 is *plenty* of amp for your system. The XPR-5 is absolutely not needed. Take the price differential and use it to improve the system in other ways...

-RW-

[paintedklown]

+1 to the XPA-5.

While I have not heard the XPR-5, I can say that the XPA-5 would be more than enough power for most any system. Unless you have a very large room, inefficient speakers, AND like to play at ear bleed volume (and nothing less) then I simply cannot imagine the XPA-5 not being enough for you. Especially if your are already relatively pleased with your Onkyo.

Having said that, if I could afford to upgrade my XPA-5 and 1's to the XPR series, I would do it without thinking twice!

Good luck with whatever you choose.