|
Post by chev265 on Apr 9, 2014 0:24:17 GMT -5
Hey Gary, people didn't complain about the discount prices during the emotiva sales. Of course not, but the level of discount in Emotiva Sales is rationaliseable. Keeping in mind the $NZ exchange rate, freight, duty and GST this one is somewhat more interesting than simple end of season, new model coming etc pricing. If it is in fact broad based and not product specific then I'd be looking for any hidden reasoning, like change of distribution, move to direct selling model, change of manufacturing source etc. Cheers Gary
The way I was seeing it was that standard pricing for Parasound here is just simply over priced that it's not funny. I wouldn't even consider purchasing Parasound NZ new at normal pricing, especially when I know what it really should be based on US pricing. After taking in to account shipping, tax, duty, and exchange rate the NZ retail price is about 55% higher than I figure it should be! So to me, the big discount they are offering just shows how much additional markup they normally put on. And I know it could be more reasonable because the Sunfire amps e.g. TGA-7401 are actually cheaper in NZ than the US even when not counting shipping costs.
I must admit that when I opened this thread I thought I'd hear about the Emotiva mono block being touted as the better option over a multi-channel Parasound, when both had comparable pricing. But mono block advantage hasn't really come so far...
|
|
|
Post by wizardofoz on Apr 9, 2014 4:52:17 GMT -5
Monoblocks are great if you have the space, but come with additional power connections and placement issues.
I used to have 4 xpa-1's and 4 upa-1's driving my linkwitzlab.com lx521's but now I have 2 xpa-5 g2's one for each speaker and this works great. I am however using a parasound p7 to drive the setup with surrounds being driven by the remaining 5th channel on each of the xpa-5's and the centre on an xpa-1
|
|
Lsc
Emo VIPs
Posts: 3,348
|
Post by Lsc on Apr 9, 2014 7:05:05 GMT -5
With all due respect to Lonnie, I'd take John Curl's design any day if the price is equal. Plus, you have local support.
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Apr 9, 2014 8:38:49 GMT -5
With all due respect to Lonnie, I'd take John Curl's design any day if the price is equal. Plus, you have local support. They must have heard you. Looks like their prices just went up.. "ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRICE INCREASES ON APRIL 1 - Prices will increase on selected Halo & New Classic models on April 1, 2014. The average price increase is 7%."
|
|
Lsc
Emo VIPs
Posts: 3,348
|
Post by Lsc on Apr 9, 2014 14:38:30 GMT -5
With all due respect to Lonnie, I'd take John Curl's design any day if the price is equal. Plus, you have local support. They must have heard you. Looks like their prices just went up.. "ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRICE INCREASES ON APRIL 1 - Prices will increase on selected Halo & New Classic models on April 1, 2014. The average price increase is 7%." Interesting. I never understood why audio gear and cars' prices go up every year while items like TVs go down. No matter to me though...I got my Emotiva Amps! I'm all set for a while.
|
|
|
Post by chev265 on Apr 9, 2014 14:46:31 GMT -5
With all due respect to Lonnie, I'd take John Curl's design any day if the price is equal. Plus, you have local support. Thanks for the advice Lsc. Appreciate your opinion on this.
Going to try and make a decision on this today... Based on the bulk of feedback to date I'm leaning towards the Parasound. Although still liking the thought of having big mono blocks (space isn't an issue for me).
|
|
|
Post by chev265 on Apr 9, 2014 14:48:45 GMT -5
Just to complicate things a little, a new question for the group; How would you rate the Sunfire TGA-7401 (7x 400W per channel) up against the Emotiva XPA-1's and Paraound A21/A51? The Sunfire is a good example of an amp that is reasonably priced in NZ at $4,400 USD new.
|
|
Lsc
Emo VIPs
Posts: 3,348
|
Post by Lsc on Apr 9, 2014 16:13:26 GMT -5
With all due respect to Lonnie, I'd take John Curl's design any day if the price is equal. Plus, you have local support. Thanks for the advice Lsc. Appreciate your opinion on this.
Going to try and make a decision on this today... Based on the bulk of feedback to date I'm leaning towards the Parasound. Although still liking the thought of having big mono blocks (space isn't an issue for me).
Sounds good. I only give advice I'd take myself. If the XPRs were an option, it's an easy decision but since it's not...you'll be plenty happy w the parasound. It certainly won't be the amp holding you back if you upgrade your speakers in the future etc. I know what you mean. 600 watts per channel and 60 in class A is very tempting I agree. Decisions decisions
|
|
|
Post by Gary Cook on Apr 9, 2014 16:31:24 GMT -5
Of course not, but the level of discount in Emotiva Sales is rationaliseable. Keeping in mind the $NZ exchange rate, freight, duty and GST this one is somewhat more interesting than simple end of season, new model coming etc pricing. If it is in fact broad based and not product specific then I'd be looking for any hidden reasoning, like change of distribution, move to direct selling model, change of manufacturing source etc.
The way I was seeing it was that standard pricing for Parasound here is just simply over priced that it's not funny. I wouldn't even consider purchasing Parasound NZ new at normal pricing, especially when I know what it really should be based on US pricing. After taking in to account shipping, tax, duty, and exchange rate the NZ retail price is about 55% higher than I figure it should be! So to me, the big discount they are offering just shows how much additional markup they normally put on. And I know it could be more reasonable because the Sunfire amps e.g. TGA-7401 are actually cheaper in NZ than the US even when not counting shipping costs.
I must admit that when I opened this thread I thought I'd hear about the Emotiva mono block being touted as the better option over a multi-channel Parasound, when both had comparable pricing. But mono block advantage hasn't really come so far...
You want an Emotiva XPA-1 monoblock sales pitch, easy; 1. Total and complete channel separation with absolutely zero chance of cross talk 2. Location of them close by their respective speakers for short cables, hence lower resistance, less chance of external interference and the look of total stereo dedication 3. Ability to supply each amp on a separate power circuit 4. 1,000 watts RMS @ 4 ohms or 600 watts RMS @ 8 ohms 5. 60 Watts of Class A purity 6. No shared power supply, each channel has its own 1,200VA toroidal transformer and 120,000uF of filter capacitance 7. A damping factor exceeding 500 into 8 ohms 8. If one channel ever needs servicing it's only one channel, not all channels, lost during the service period 9. If resale time ever comes mono blocks are far more attractive to high end buyers 10 XPA-1's are fully balanced 11. Fully discrete 12 Quad differential 13 Ultra high current 14 Short signal path I have more if you want Cheers Gary
|
|
|
Post by chev265 on Apr 9, 2014 17:52:53 GMT -5
The way I was seeing it was that standard pricing for Parasound here is just simply over priced that it's not funny. I wouldn't even consider purchasing Parasound NZ new at normal pricing, especially when I know what it really should be based on US pricing. After taking in to account shipping, tax, duty, and exchange rate the NZ retail price is about 55% higher than I figure it should be! So to me, the big discount they are offering just shows how much additional markup they normally put on. And I know it could be more reasonable because the Sunfire amps e.g. TGA-7401 are actually cheaper in NZ than the US even when not counting shipping costs.
I must admit that when I opened this thread I thought I'd hear about the Emotiva mono block being touted as the better option over a multi-channel Parasound, when both had comparable pricing. But mono block advantage hasn't really come so far...
You want an Emotiva XPA-1 monoblock sales pitch, easy; 1. Total and complete channel separation with absolutely zero chance of cross talk 2. Location of them close by their respective speakers for short cables, hence lower resistance, less chance of external interference and the look of total stereo dedication 3. Ability to supply each amp on a separate power circuit 4. 1,000 watts RMS @ 4 ohms or 600 watts RMS @ 8 ohms 5. 60 Watts of Class A purity 6. No shared power supply, each channel has its own 1,200VA toroidal transformer and 120,000uF of filter capacitance 7. A damping factor exceeding 500 into 8 ohms 8. If one channel ever needs servicing it's only one channel, not all channels, lost during the service period 9. If resale time ever comes mono blocks are far more attractive to high end buyers 10 XPA-1's are fully balanced 11. Fully discrete 12 Quad differential 13 Ultra high current 14 Short signal path I have more if you want Cheers Gary Thanks Gary. A reminder of the XPA specs does help. Those are certainly very cool amps.
Being from Sydney, you'll be running 240V like we are in NZ. Has this caused any issues with your Emotiva amps which most of the time are bought and reviewed by people in the US on 120V lines? The thing that I really don't want is any transformer hum and I was worried that the extra line voltage might make something like that more noticeable. If I've got a few of them lined up and each has a little hum I'm imagining the sound being like a mini power station!
Looking for something that is dead silent from the amp itself, as well as no audible "hiss" from the speakers at low volume (or high for that matter). My speakers are roughly 90dB efficient, and I understand that if there is even a small amount of noise from the amp at low volume this can be more apparent with high sensitive speakers.
Thanks again for all your advice. Not making my decision any easier, but certainly feeling like I'll be going in to this more informed.
Cheers.
|
|
novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,230
|
Post by novisnick on Apr 9, 2014 17:59:41 GMT -5
There always room for an additional member of " The MONOBLOCKS Society " Emotiva owners always make great members!
Note, The membership Committy will meet at Emotiva headquarter at the next Emo Feaste,,,,,,,,,,,that is all
|
|
|
Post by chev265 on Apr 9, 2014 18:07:49 GMT -5
There always room for an additional member of " The MONOBLOCKS Society " Emotiva owners always make great members! Note, The membership Committy will meet at Emotiva headquarter at the next Emo Feaste,,,,,,,,,,,that is all ha ha. I was wondering when/if you might pop by this thread. Have read your posts through out the community and have heard about your "Monoblock Society"!
Gotta say, the mono blocks are appealing even if it were just because, well... because. The Parasounds have got a pretty darn big following though, and excellent reputation, so finding it hard to pass those up when they have comparable pricing to the Emotiva's in NZ (most others seem to choose Emotivas in the end because they are significantly cheaper, but not so for me unfortunately). Maybe the mono block aspect trumps it though...
|
|
|
Post by Nodscene on Apr 9, 2014 18:52:22 GMT -5
Honestly I don't think you will made a bad choice if your decision is between Emotiva, Parasound, or the Sunfires for that matter. I guess this post doesn't help too much concerning your decision but you have put yourself in a good position with those three options. Best of luck with your choice and let us know what you end up with.
|
|
novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,230
|
Post by novisnick on Apr 9, 2014 19:05:39 GMT -5
There always room for an additional member of " The MONOBLOCKS Society " Emotiva owners always make great members! Note, The membership Committy will meet at Emotiva headquarter at the next Emo Feaste,,,,,,,,,,,that is all ha ha. I was wondering when/if you might pop by this thread. Have read your posts through out the community and have heard about your "Monoblock Society"!
Gotta say, the mono blocks are appealing even if it were just because, well... because. The Parasounds have got a pretty darn big following though, and excellent reputation, so finding it hard to pass those up when they have comparable pricing to the Emotiva's in NZ (most others seem to choose Emotivas in the end because they are significantly cheaper, but not so for me unfortunately). Maybe the mono block aspect trumps it though... Anyone that has chatted with me knows that even with all the fancy wiring ,,,,and supposed separation in multichannel amps and blah,blah, blah,,,,,,,,,,,there is nothing so sweet as a " Fully discrete, quad differential, fully balanced,,,,,,,well ,,,you know the rest! But that's just me. Need I say more? CEO MONOBLOCK SOCIETY : ) Edit: It's not "my" society,,,,,,,,it's "our" society,,,,,,,for what it's worth,,,,,,,,,,he,,,,,,,he,,,,,,,,,,
|
|
|
Post by Gary Cook on Apr 9, 2014 19:14:59 GMT -5
Thanks Gary. A reminder of the XPA specs does help. Those are certainly very cool amps.
Being from Sydney, you'll be running 240V like we are in NZ. Has this caused any issues with your Emotiva amps which most of the time are bought and reviewed by people in the US on 120V lines? The thing that I really don't want is any transformer hum and I was worried that the extra line voltage might make something like that more noticeable. If I've got a few of them lined up and each has a little hum I'm imagining the sound being like a mini power station!
Looking for something that is dead silent from the amp itself, as well as no audible "hiss" from the speakers at low volume (or high for that matter). My speakers are roughly 90dB efficient, and I understand that if there is even a small amount of noise from the amp at low volume this can be more apparent with high sensitive speakers.
Thanks again for all your advice. Not making my decision any easier, but certainly feeling like I'll be going in to this more informed.
Cheers.
Yep, we're lucky, none of that wimpy 110 volts around here. I've had 5 Emotiva power amps and 6 other bits of Emotiva hardware and all of them love 240 volts. No noise, no hum, no earth loop issues, they're dead silent and have plenty of grunt. Cheers Gary
|
|
|
Post by repeetavx on Apr 9, 2014 21:37:58 GMT -5
Actually I've considered having an electrician run a "220" line to where my set up is at. I think that my XPA-2s would run on that, and maybe, with potentially more muscle.
|
|
|
Post by wizardofoz on Apr 9, 2014 23:15:22 GMT -5
240V here is Singapore and most of Asia for that matter bar a few places.
I did have an XPA-5 that rattled a bit might have just been something that got out of whack moving it but the new owner didn't have any issues so maybe was just in my cabinet... but had 3 others that didn't and 5 XPA-1's that were all fine and 5 UPA-1's that are all fine too.
I also had a Sunfire 5x200W old school from when Bob Carver ran the show - great amp but the power supply in those days was complex and I sold it off due to being older and hard to repair. I still got good money for it 2nd hand. Not sure how the newer designs stack up.
I love the XPA amps. Still have 2 XPA-5 G2's as I mentioned. While the 30Day return doesn't work well outside the USA they are still great VFM.
|
|
|
Post by chev265 on Apr 10, 2014 16:51:10 GMT -5
240V here is Singapore and most of Asia for that matter bar a few places. I did have an XPA-5 that rattled a bit might have just been something that got out of whack moving it but the new owner didn't have any issues so maybe was just in my cabinet... but had 3 others that didn't and 5 XPA-1's that were all fine and 5 UPA-1's that are all fine too. I also had a Sunfire 5x200W old school from when Bob Carver ran the show - great amp but the power supply in those days was complex and I sold it off due to being older and hard to repair. I still got good money for it 2nd hand. Not sure how the newer designs stack up. I love the XPA amps. Still have 2 XPA-5 G2's as I mentioned. While the 30Day return doesn't work well outside the USA they are still great VFM. Great to hear that. Makes me a little less worried having now heard from a couple of people saying that the XPA's are nice and quiet (when they should be of course) on 240V
Went to check out the Sanders Sound Systems Magtech amps yesterday. Wow, those things are amazing. Unlimited power, completely neutral, dead silent. Those are my dream amps, but they're going to be more than I want to spend I think.
|
|
|
Post by deltadube on Apr 10, 2014 17:00:42 GMT -5
Hi All,
I have been reading through these forums for a while now, soaking up as much information as I can handle. I am just starting out on my home audio journey, but I have decided and purchased almost everything with the exception of amplifiers. I have narrowed the choices down to two options but am hoping to get some advice from you fine people as to which would be the best way to go.
Because I live in New Zealand the pricing and availability of amplifiers is quite different to the US and has limited my options somewhat and also makes the benefit of one amp over another a little different when cost is taken into consideration, hence the dilemma I now face…
Option 1 at $8,000 USD (Retail price in NZ is $13,200 USD so this is a significant discount!) 1x Parasound A51 (Surround and Centre) 1x Parasound A21 (Front Left/Right)
Option 2 at $7,000 USD (Retail price + Tax and Shipping) 3x Emotiva XPA-1 (Front Left/Right/Centre) 1x Emotiva XPA-5 (Surrounds with 1 channel spare)
Possible Option 3 at $10,600 USD (If I were to entertain the idea that passive bi-amp would be a good thing) 3x Emotiva XPA-1 (Front Left/Right/Centre – Mid/Bass) 3x Emotiva XPA-1L (Front Left/Right/Centre - Highs) 1x Emotiva XPA-5 (Surrounds with 1 channel spare)
The Parasounds Halo amps seem to have a great reputation and a lot of people rave about them. A big following of Emotiva amps and I really like the idea of mono blocks (mainly just because they are cool), although warranty support is harder over here and the 30 day trial doesn’t apply...
Often the advice given on other posts has been to save the money, go with Emotiva because the Parasounds at 2-3x the price are not 2-3x better. But with the price being pretty close after importing the Emotiva, tax etc. compared with a discounted (new) Parasound option, the decision becomes a little harder for me. Or maybe it’s easier? Maybe it’s just “Which option is better with cost being relatively equal”…
My equipment I have purchased to date (unused so far); Anthem MRX 300 as a pre/pro (they don’t have the MRX310 in NZ yet) Fronts: Paradigm Studio 100 V5 Centre: Paradigm Studio CC690 V5 Surrounds: Paradigm Studio 20 V5 Rears: Paradigm Studio 20 V5 Subs: 2x Paradigm Studio 12 with PBK
I will be using it for 80% Home Theatre, and 20% listening to music both from a Home Theatre PC running XBMC over HDMI. It’ll all be set up in my lounge which is 5m x 5m with one side open to the rest of the house. I plan to put in some room treatments, but haven’t done so yet.
Would love to hear your advice! Thanks in advance.
Hi Chev welcome to emo forum.. love your speakers very good taste!!!!!! they look like the ones I have .. xpa 1s x 2 xpa 5 x 1 save some cash bro less you got cash to burn .. get an extra mono block.. since you 80% movies.. great package or jump upto xpr 5 and xpr 1s if you got more but my xpa s sound great to me... cheers..
|
|
|
Post by deltadube on Apr 10, 2014 17:04:55 GMT -5
adding in the xsp 1 instead of the 3rd xpa 1 took my system to another level for clean beautiful 2 channel play back..
cheers
|
|