Need advice on whether a UPA-500 is worth it in my situation

[gadgtfreek]

Need input on whether the UPA is a good move, I just do not have the room to accommodate a XPA.

Speakers:
Klipsch RC-62 II Center Speaker (1)
SENSITIVITY: 98dB @ 2.83V / 1m
POWER HANDLING: 150W RMS / 600W Peak

Klipsch RF-82 II Floorstanding Speaker (2)
SENSITIVITY: 98dB @ 2.83V / 1m
POWER HANDLING: 150W RMS / 600W Peak

AVR:
Denon AVR-X4000
Rated 125W channel at 0.05%THD

Room:
Counting kitchen and dining room that area opens up into, its roughly 8300cuft

I figure wattage between the two is actually close, so I was more curious if the UPA-500 would give more headroom when driven hard (I watch movies loud, usually 0.0db reference level on Denon) or would it not matter, especially with the sensitive Klipsch speakers.

[pedrocols]

I used the UPA-500 with paradigms studio 100v3 for several months. My listening space is about 16x12 with open kitchen and it was loud enough to disturb my neighbors.

[flamingeye]

I've went from separates to AVRs back to separates , I always found that separates sound way better then AVRs even the top tier AVRs , but that probably doesn't help you ha

[creimes]

Your speakers are very easy to drive and will sound great using the UPA-500, I have used the UPA-500 in my system before and it sounded great at all volume levels, you will hear lots about headroom and such but your current speakers do not need the headroom that some other speakers would need.

Also welcome to the lounge, we are all here to help each other so don't be shy.

Chad

[gadgtfreek]

Thanks. All that being looked at, is it a sideways move with the UPA vs the X4000? Im all about toys , just no need to buy it if I dont need.

I do know one consistency, people seem to always feel the sound is opened up with a separate amp vs an AVR.

[gadgtfreek]

And BTW, the UPA-500 has been ordered LOL

[dally]

Unfortunately I think the UPA 500 would be a sideways move in your situation. Your denon has a decent amplifier section in it according to audioholics.I think you would need to get an xpa-5 to gain a significant advantage over your denon.

[gadgtfreek]

That was my figuring. Hell, for $400 it should be interesting anyways, never owned a dedicated amp.

[repeetavx]

This will be interesting. Most of us are betting that you'll hear an aggravating increase in sound quality. Why Aggravating? Because even though it is a "sideways" move in power, we're betting that the increase in sound quality will have you questioning all of your other pieces of equipment.

[gadgtfreek]

Thanks. Not knowing enough about amps, that is one thing that confuses me. I see quite often in comments that an amp with roughly equal power still offers a more clean sound. Not that it'll play louder, just more cleanly.

Can you explain?

[flamingeye]

I agree with Klipsch speakers you do not need a real powerful amps, but a clean amp with a low noise floor is key with Klipsch speakers, when you don't have to run your amp at peak levels all the time it will sound better and limit it's clipping at peaks . depending on how hard your driving your amps in the denon at peak points in the music and or movies will depended on how much better the Emotiva amp will sound. the only way to really no is try the Emo amp for your self in your room you have 30 days free trial to figure it out . minus the return shipping

[gadgtfreek]

Thanks.

Just an FYI, I regularly listen to blu-rays at 0.0db on the Denon volume setting. Many times a 7.1 lossless track requires me to go to +2.0 db. It's not making me deaf or anything, sounds about right for a blu-ray movie, I think part of it is the room size and ceiling height. I wonder at that volume load, how is the Denon amp going to act vs the Emotiva.


And what would a "low noise floor" be?

[repeetavx]

Sept 19, 2013 12:26:48 GMT -5 gadgtfreek said:

Thanks. Not knowing enough about amps, that is one thing that confuses me. I see quite often in comments that an amp with roughly equal power still offers a more clean sound. Not that it'll play louder, just more cleanly.

Can you explain?

You'll hear people comment on "clearer" and "more open". It's hard to understand some of the differences until you hear them. Then, like the rest of us, you'll hunt for words to describe the difference.

[creimes]

There's more to an amplifier then just power specs, I used to run my system on a Yamaha receiver and switching up to 2 UPA-1's even at low volumes had an increase in depth, soundstage, clarity or whatever you call it. You could even buy an XPR-5 if ya wanted as I'm sure it would have better sonic capabilities then the UPA or XPA series but like you mentioned you have limited space and a budget.

One thing that is nice is Emotiva has a 30 day trial to allow you to try it out in your home.

Chad

[Chuck Elliot]

I have the older UPA-5 and UPA-2.

I also have Klipsch.

The difference between the AVR(Onkyo in my case) and the UPA was night and day for me!

[gadgtfreek]

Thanks guys. I think I understand the concept of "cleaner" and "more open", I just need to hear it myself.

I wish I could have gotten an XPA-5, but that requires a new tv stand. The current stand is a low pro Sanus, so Im having to drill holes to change shelf mounting for this little change LOL. We also plan on building and a HT room is on the list, so I dont want to get too crazy to room modifications for a larger frame amp.

I figure running the X4000 as a pre pro, the UPA-500, and adding the second sub now that I have XT32 is gonna make for some fun.

[Dark Ranger]

Let us know what you think of the UPA-500 amplifier compared to the X4000.

Are you using surround speakers? I didn't see any listed. In any case, the UPA-500 will also allow you to run stable 4 ohm loads, something the X4000 is not designed for. Klipsch indicates the RC-62 II and RF-82 II speaker impedance is "8 ohms compatible," which doesn't offer a lot of detail. Klipsch doesn't provide an impedance curve on their website. However, the UPA-500 should give you more authority driving your speakers, plus the flexibility of stable 4 ohm loads if you decide to upgrade speakers in the future. The amp should also handle dynamic bursts and transients better than the AVR due to a more robust power supply.

I own the UPA-500 and it's a fantastic amp. It was my first step into quality multichannel amplification many moons ago. The difference between it and my six year old Denon AVR (at the time) was very noticeable in several areas.

[gadgtfreek]

Thanks. No surrounds yet, so itll have plenty of juice for 3 channels. Ive read claims that the Klipsch are rated at 8phms, but actually drag down lower, so I was sure if that was the case the UPA would have the advantage over the Denon there.

[dally]

When you do get surrounds, one advantage you will have with the UPA-500 is the ability to "share the load" between your denon and your amp. What I mean by this is you can leave your mains and center connected to the UPA-500 and use your denon to drive your surrounds. This will give you more headroom than if the UPA-500 was carrying the whole load.

Enjoy your new amp. Looking forward to hearing your impressions of the UPA-500 vs. your Denon.

[gadgtfreek]

How hot does the UPA get? I need to figure out my shelf situation and shelving above it.