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Post by dasanto2 on Jul 11, 2014 11:43:37 GMT -5
Greeting to the Emotiva Community,
I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I recently acquired a pair of Martin Logans Motion 40 floor standing speakers. These are rated at a sensitivity resting of 92db/2.83 volts/meter. The recommended power is between 20 and 300 watts (4 ohms). Im really eager to purchase something from emotiva, after a couple of months of research and constant browsing of their page I'm becoming more convinced that this may be the company for me. Im currently considering the XPA-200 and UPA-200, but I'm open to any other suggestions to power these towers. Im a student and thus on a tight budget, but I'm a sucker for good deals so I'm open to any other suggestions. In advance, thank you for your time and advice, it is much appreciated, and I hope to soon become an Emotiva customer.
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fxe02
Minor Hero
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Post by fxe02 on Jul 11, 2014 11:56:24 GMT -5
Greeting to the Emotiva Community, I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I recently acquired a pair of Martin Logans Motion 40 floor standing speakers. These are rated at a sensitivity resting of 92db/2.83 volts/meter. The recommended power is between 20 and 300 watts (4 ohms). Im really eager to purchase something from emotiva, after a couple of months of research and constant browsing of their page I'm becoming more convinced that this may be the company for me. Im currently considering the XPA-200 and UPA-200, but I'm open to any other suggestions to power these towers. Im a student and thus on a tight budget, but I'm a sucker for good deals so I'm open to any other suggestions. In advance, thank you for your time and advice, it is much appreciated, and I hope to soon become an Emotiva customer. Lonnie and nick reccomended xpa1-l's for my esl's.it made the martin logan's even better ! was using an outlaw! |
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HDSapper
Emo VIPs 
"Any problem on earth can be solved with the careful application of high explosives."
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Post by HDSapper on Jul 11, 2014 12:15:46 GMT -5
You may have missed the part where he said "I'm a student and thus on a tight budget."  BTW, dasanto2, welcome. I think you'll like it here. |
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Post by garbulky on Jul 11, 2014 12:27:23 GMT -5
The motion 40 are not esl's so most amps would handle it. Personally as they are reasonably pricey I would go with an XPA-2 to match price and performance. BUT both the UPA-200 and XPA-200 will do well with it. If budget is a concern, post a Want to buy ad in the emporium for an XPA-2 gen 1. Best value on the market for 2 channel imo.
I would also pay attention to what kind of source you are feeding it. What are you using for your source/DAC?
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Post by Axis on Jul 11, 2014 12:36:53 GMT -5
For a good deal you can't go wrong with a UPA-200. The UPA-2 that I have had for over 5 years has the same RCA Jacks and Binding Post as the UPA-200. I have had no issues with my UPA-2 and it gets used a lot.
The XPA-200 has better RCA Jacks and Binding Post and there is something to be said for the extra Capacitance but the extra watts are of little value for volume. With the sensitivity of your speakers you will be fine with the output of the UPA-200.
Put it this way, if something happen to my UPA-2 I would not have any problem replacing it with a UPA-200 and I am not on a budget. Get what you can afford but you don't need big expensive Mono-Blocks to power your speakers. All of Emotiva's amplifier's are a bargain and the UPA-200 might look to small compared to the other amps but I have no doubt that a UPA-200 sounds as neutral as an XPA-200 and will provide you with all the output you need.
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Post by garbulky on Jul 11, 2014 12:43:05 GMT -5
For a good deal you can't go wrong with a UPA-200. The UPA-2 that I have had for over 5 years has the same RCA Jacks and Binding Post as the UPA-200. I have had no issues with my UPA-2 and it gets used a lot. The XPA-200 has better RCA Jacks and Binding Post and there is something to be said for the extra Capacitance but the extra watts are of little value for volume. With the sensitivity of your speakers you will be fine with the output of the UPA-200. Put it this way, if something happen to my UPA-2 I would not have any problem replacing it with a UPA-200 and I am not on a budget. Get what you can afford but you don't need big expensive Mono-Blocks to power your speakers. All of Emotiva's amplifier's are a bargain and the UPA-200 might look to small compared to the other amps but I have no doubt that a UPA-200 sounds as neutral as an XPA-200 and will provide you with all the output you need. Interestingly the UPA-2 you have, which I own as well and love it, is actually the XPA-200. The old UPA-2 has two X-series amp blades covered by dual heat sinks from the XPA-5 in it and no fans. The main difference between the UPA-2 and the XPA-200 are that the XPA-200 has XLR connectors, a bit more capacitance and a different gain (29db XPA-200 vs 32 db UPA-2). It is missing the pre-amp passthrough of the UPA-2 and the gain matching knob at the back. But despite it, if you look at the interior they look nearly identical - which is great imo. The UPA-200 is a completely different design, and uses a single amp circuit and has a fan in it. Not saying it's bad or anything. B;zilla had the UPA-500 had really liked it. |
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Post by brubacca on Jul 11, 2014 12:44:07 GMT -5
For 4 Ohm speakers I would get an X series amp. Whichever your budget fits, mini-X, XPA-200 or XPA-2.
I own a upa-200 and a Sherbourn version of the mini-x. Sonically they are similar, the x series is better. I wish that I had gotten the xpa-200 instead of the upa-200, although the UPA is a really good amp also.
Good luck..I kind of equate it this way, buying the upa series gets you into a nice mid-fi brand like rotel, NAD, adcom.... The XPA series is like moving up to the Brystons of the world.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 11, 2014 12:54:11 GMT -5
Welcome to the Lounge dasanto. Let you're budget guide you and don't buy more than you can comfortably afford. Either amp should drive your speakers and if buying the UMC-200 will allow you to get something else you need then that's a good reason to get it. If you think of this more like a long term investment then the XPA-200 has a better design, build quality, a little more power, and a couple more features. Either way you'll be building a nice two channel system for enjoying your music.
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Post by deltadube on Jul 11, 2014 13:56:48 GMT -5
welcome to the forum... the more power you can buy the better eh.. take the student loan and get the xpa 1 mono blocks ... free membership in the mono block society see Nick for details eh.. cheers |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2014 14:04:18 GMT -5
Greeting to the Emotiva Community, I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I recently acquired a pair of Martin Logans Motion 40 floor standing speakers. These are rated at a sensitivity resting of 92db/2.83 volts/meter. The recommended power is between 20 and 300 watts (4 ohms). Im really eager to purchase something from emotiva, after a couple of months of research and constant browsing of their page I'm becoming more convinced that this may be the company for me. Im currently considering the XPA-200 and UPA-200, but I'm open to any other suggestions to power these towers. Im a student and thus on a tight budget, but I'm a sucker for good deals so I'm open to any other suggestions. In advance, thank you for your time and advice, it is much appreciated, and I hope to soon become an Emotiva customer. So I suppose you'll be looking to Obama to excuse your student loan?  PS: I went thru 5 years (don't ask) of University on less spent for beer than you are thinking about spending on speakers and amps.  |
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Post by Andrew Robinson on Jul 11, 2014 14:12:40 GMT -5
Either the XPA-200 or the XPA-100 will work just fine for the Motion 40s. Now, if you could stretch it, the XPA-1L monoblocks are on close out for $549/ea. (even less if you're E-Club). You don't have to go with the XPA-1Ls mind you, but they're really good and likely enough amplifier to last you a good long while, even if you change your loudspeakers in the future. But if money is tight (when is it not, right?) either the XPA-200 or the XPA-100 products will meet your needs.
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Post by dasanto2 on Jul 11, 2014 18:21:56 GMT -5
What a pleasant surprise to see such great feedback in so little time. Thank you all for your input. In terms of my source I'm currently on the fence between getting a quality CD player or DAC. If I get a DAC I would burn my CD's to FLAC and have them on an external hard drive. After reading a couple of the comments, Im starting to lean towards something from the X-Series; My thoughts being that It's probably best to spend more now for a product that will serve me for many years to come. While many people prefer compact amplifiers I personally find the size of the XPA-2 enticing -- it screams quality and power. On the other hand the XPA-200 provides much more power and is obviously more affordable. Somebody mentioned the class A mono blocks, while this is out of my budget, I hope to one day listen to this amp, up until now I've only owned T amps and Class D amplifiers. Anyone a millionaire-club member? If so I would love to become your new best friend and bearer of hand-me-downs  |
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Post by garbulky on Jul 11, 2014 20:15:31 GMT -5
What a pleasant surprise to see such great feedback in so little time. Thank you all for your input. In terms of my source I'm currently on the fence between getting a quality CD player or DAC. If I get a DAC I would burn my CD's to FLAC and have them on an external hard drive. After reading a couple of the comments, Im starting to lean towards something from the X-Series; My thoughts being that It's probably best to spend more now for a product that will serve me for many years to come. While many people prefer compact amplifiers I personally find the size of the XPA-2 enticing -- it screams quality and power. On the other hand the XPA-200 provides much more power and is obviously more affordable. Somebody mentioned the class A mono blocks, while this is out of my budget, I hope to one day listen to this amp, up until now I've only owned T amps and Class D amplifiers. Anyone a millionaire-club member? If so I would love to become your new best friend and bearer of hand-me-downs The XPA-2's are a beast. When you get it and try lifting it - you will know it ain't no joke! Now it really does like a dedicated pre-amp but won't sound bad without it - in fact it will sound amazing. Just letting you know for the future. The XPA-2's do at least 5 watts of class A output before switching over - at least the gen 1's did. The XPA-200 (or at least its predecessor the UPA-2 - not upa-200) and the XPA-2 actually have slightly different sound signatures. They are both GOOD. The XPA-2 has a an obvious power advantage just pushing out that sound, it has a little more bass and is slightly more agressive and just the tiniest bit up front. It's channel separation is better - the soundstage is more coherent like it's a cohesive whole. Without having ever heard it, you would never know that there was a difference or that it's even possible as the XPA-200 is very good. It also has a noticeably faster response. When an instrument plays faster there is less "mush" in dynamics sort of zero to hero and then back to zero compared to soft and loud. It's subtle but noticeable especially with a dedicated pre-amp. Lonnie the cheif designer confirmed that it wasn't my imagination and attributed it a little indirectly to the slew rate. The XPA-200 has a more laid back soundstage. Very pleasant to listen to. And it's just honestly a treat. A nice relaxed sound with really nice dynamics. It really is nice to my ears. I found the XPR-2 to share some similar qualities with the XPA-200 (UPA-2) sound signature compared to the XPA-2. Having said that the XPA-2 is the superior amp compared to the XPA-200 though not by a dramatic amount. As for DAC's. I had an XDA-1 DAC direct to a UPA-2. I then had two different setups in my room. One had the XDA-1 mated to a USP-1 (stunning dynamics) mated to an XPA-2 (great amp!). The other time I had a DC-1 direct to my UPA-2. Both setups bought significant improvements to what I had and both paths were very worth the money. Truth be told, in terms of how much the sound improved. There was MORE improvement in sound simply improving my DAC - the DC-1 direct to my UPA-2 than the upgrade of the USP-1 and XPA-2 amplifier. I've auditioned all of Emotiva's DAC's. If you do plan to go the DAC route, go straight to the DC-1, don't skimp. It is simply a heck of a performer. Hope that helps. Either way, you win. |
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Post by knucklehead on Jul 11, 2014 20:22:03 GMT -5
Greeting to the Emotiva Community, I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I recently acquired a pair of Martin Logans Motion 40 floor standing speakers. These are rated at a sensitivity resting of 92db/2.83 volts/meter. The recommended power is between 20 and 300 watts (4 ohms). Im really eager to purchase something from emotiva, after a couple of months of research and constant browsing of their page I'm becoming more convinced that this may be the company for me. Im currently considering the XPA-200 and UPA-200, but I'm open to any other suggestions to power these towers. Im a student and thus on a tight budget, but I'm a sucker for good deals so I'm open to any other suggestions. In advance, thank you for your time and advice, it is much appreciated, and I hope to soon become an Emotiva customer. Lonnie and nick reccomended xpa1-l's for my esl's.it made the martin logan's even better ! was using an outlaw! Join the Emotiva E Club for $49 then buy the UPA-200 for $251.20. Its a solid 2 channel amp that can drive most speakers. Yours are relatively easy to drive and unless you like ear splitting sound levels the UPA-200 will work fine. |
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Post by willcycle on Jul 12, 2014 7:02:09 GMT -5
I would recommend the XPA200 over the XPA2 (Gen 1). I own both and find the XPA200 sound to be more musical and easier to listen to over a longer period of time. The XPA2 sounds a little strident by comparison.
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Post by dasanto2 on Jul 12, 2014 10:54:25 GMT -5
Lonnie and nick reccomended xpa1-l's for my esl's.it made the martin logan's even better ! was using an outlaw! Join the Emotiva E Club for $49 then buy the UPA-200 for $251.20. Its a solid 2 channel amp that can drive most speakers. Yours are relatively easy to drive and unless you like ear splitting sound levels the UPA-200 will work fine. How well does the stealth dac double up as a pre-amp? |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 12, 2014 11:17:04 GMT -5
Join the Emotiva E Club for $49 then buy the UPA-200 for $251.20. Its a solid 2 channel amp that can drive most speakers. Yours are relatively easy to drive and unless you like ear splitting sound levels the UPA-200 will work fine. How well does the stealth dac double up as a pre-amp? The XDA-2 works very well this way, and is my favorite way to use it. Most who own the DC-1 like it even better, and if you're thinking turntable it can accept the XPS-1, but a pair like the XDA-2 and XPA-200 would make a very nice system which you can get right now for a song. |
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Post by sonicextreme on Jul 12, 2014 12:31:44 GMT -5
I recently bought motions 20's and I am looking to buy the xpa-200. With the price drop and 20% e club is going for 359$. I have to call Monday as I get error while ordering. Here are a few things since you are student. Xpa-2's are huge and weight a ton. Trying lugging that around. Xpa-200 smaller and thinner still a bit heavy but the depth is 19" too so might be a issue. The upa-200's depth is 16". Easier to put in many places. The choice is yours. But for your 40's I would go for the xpa series.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 12, 2014 12:36:46 GMT -5
I recently bought motions 20's and I am looking to buy the xpa-200. With the price drop and 20% e club is going for 359$. I have to call Monday as I get error while ordering. Here are a few things since you are student. Xpa-2's are huge and weight a ton. Trying lugging that around. Xpa-200 smaller and thinner still a bit heavy but the depth is 19" too so might be a issue. The upa-200's depth is 16". Easier to put in many places. The choice is yours. But for your 40's I would go for the xpa series. Nice and well thought first post sonicextreme, welcome to the Lounge. |
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Post by garbulky on Jul 12, 2014 14:12:42 GMT -5
Join the Emotiva E Club for $49 then buy the UPA-200 for $251.20. Its a solid 2 channel amp that can drive most speakers. Yours are relatively easy to drive and unless you like ear splitting sound levels the UPA-200 will work fine. How well does the stealth dac double up as a pre-amp? Compared it to its actual competition - regular recievers, other DAC's, it's good. It has an output impedance of 47 ohms (!) Which is good. Its pre-amp also is able to deliver a lot of clarity compared to routing through a dedicated pre-amp around $500-1000. It's got more control over power amplifiers than the other Emotiva DAC's, and some other DAC's I've listened to. By control, I mean the soundstage feels more coherent, there is more dynamic control and the bass swings in well rather than smear a little bit. However, compared to dedicated pre-amps - namely the XSP-1, it is not quite as balanced top to bottom in quiet sections when going direct to a power amp - in my setup. But if you've never used a dedicated pre-amp, this is likely something that you will NEVER notice - ever. So if you can't imagine a deficiency in pre-amp in your current setup, then truth be told the DC-1 will likely outperform its pre-amp section whatever you've got and you won't be able to hear any kind of issue when you get it. The DC-1 has also a really nice headphone amp (for the price) which rivals entry level standalone headphone amplifier units costing $150 + . |
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