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Post by repeetavx on Aug 15, 2014 11:29:24 GMT -5
what benefit/advantage would an XPA-5 have over a UPA-5? The answer is hardware and design. The XPA series has different and more output devices than the UPA series. They also have stronger power supplies. As you move up the XPA series you add more output devices. Six per channel for the XPA-3 and XPA-5. Twelve for the XPA-2, and twenty four for the XPA-1. This allows for a lower output impedance which gives the amp better control of your speakers. The differences this makes can be described by the comments above and reacts differently with each different speaker. You're going to be really happy with an XPA-5
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Post by scubadiver on Aug 15, 2014 11:52:13 GMT -5
what benefit/advantage would an XPA-5 have over a UPA-5? The answer is hardware and design. The XPA series has different and more output devices than the UPA series. They also have stronger power supplies. As you move up the XPA series you add more output devices. Six per channel for the XPA-3 and XPA-5. Twelve for the XPA-2, and twenty four for the XPA-1. This allows for a lower output impedance which gives the amp better control of your speakers. The differences this makes can be described by the comments above and reacts differently with each different speaker. You're going to be really happy with an XPA-5
Thanks for the info.... Hoping I am happy... I'm moving away from an Adcom GFA-7000 that has served me very well for almost 20-years - I just want to try something different. And I need more amps for my new HT, but can't bring myself to spend almost as much on a 10-20 yr old used Adcom as I would on a brand-new Emotiva. It will be interesting to listen to the Adcom and the Emotiva side-by-side. I'm not expecting to hear much of a difference (esp. with my current "processor"), but I sure hope I'm surprised!
If the XPA-5 works, my plan is to purchase 2 more so I can have 15 channels. I want to bi-amp my front L and R and use the remaining 11 channels for the rest of my speakers. (I have 13 total). I wired for Dolby ATMOS. Like it or hate it, Dolby ATMOS is interesting to me, and I want to play with it once worthy processors start to emerge....
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Post by thepcguy on Aug 15, 2014 13:36:16 GMT -5
Waste of money. You need power for the lower frequencies and that could be handled more efficiently by a POWERED Subwoofer.
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Post by frenchyfranky on Aug 15, 2014 16:30:38 GMT -5
Well... I just drank the Kool Aid and ordered my first piece of Emotiva gear - XPA-5 Gen2.
Thanks to all who offered comments above! You definitely helped me make my decision....
Bob
You'll won't be disappointed. Welcome to the Emo junkies club.
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Post by sct on Aug 15, 2014 16:32:54 GMT -5
ScubaDiver wrote: "Well... I just drank the Kool Aid and ordered my first piece of Emotiva gear - XPA-5 Gen2. "
Ya did good, son! The XPA-5 is a very good amp and among the best values on the market today!
SCT
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Post by frenchyfranky on Aug 15, 2014 16:59:30 GMT -5
Waste of money. You need power for the lower frequencies and that could be handled more efficiently by a POWERED Subwoofer. And what about all the freq above the sub crossover setting 60Hz or 80Hz to 20kHz, they don't need power? They play alone without amplifier? Are you that kind of guys that they pretend all amp sounds the same? If yes, sorry, I will never agree with you.
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Post by thepcguy on Aug 15, 2014 18:40:40 GMT -5
Waste of money. You need power for the lower frequencies and that could be handled more efficiently by a POWERED Subwoofer. And what about all the freq above the sub crossover setting 60Hz or 80Hz to 20kHz, they don't need power? They play alone without amplifier?Are you that kind of guys that they pretend all amp sounds the same? If yes, sorry, I will never agree with you. Yes, if you use headphones I guess you missed my point. Think about it this way: Audiophiles LOVE tube amps, right? How much power on average TUBE amps have?
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Post by frenchyfranky on Aug 15, 2014 20:34:32 GMT -5
And what about all the freq above the sub crossover setting 60Hz or 80Hz to 20kHz, they don't need power? They play alone without amplifier?Are you that kind of guys that they pretend all amp sounds the same? If yes, sorry, I will never agree with you. Yes, if you use headphones I guess you missed my point. Think about it this way: Audiophiles LOVE tube amps, right? How much power on average TUBE amps have? I think that a 200w tube amp with heavy PSU like a Carver will sonically better than a 50w tube. It will have a better control, manage easier the fast transients and very complexes and dynamic passages and most important will saturate and start clipping at higher volume.
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Post by thepcguy on Aug 15, 2014 21:00:27 GMT -5
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Post by frenchyfranky on Aug 15, 2014 22:28:23 GMT -5
As you pointed out so well, waisting money is relative to everyone, that said I don't think buying an amp at 1000$ vs 400$ for the majority of the passionate audiophile is a waist of money for the added benefits.
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Post by mr on Aug 16, 2014 11:02:04 GMT -5
ScubaDiver wrote: "Well... I just drank the Kool Aid and ordered my first piece of Emotiva gear - XPA-5 Gen2. " Ya did good, son! The XPA-5 is a very good amp and among the best values on the market today! SCT Just installed my new XPA-5, replacing the UPA-7, yesterday. With the 20% e-club discount and the $250 trade-in, gaining the additional build quality and the headroom was a no brainer for me. Giving it a workout tonight. BTW, the install was postponed until I could get a new Salamander box to house it. Worth the wait.
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Post by frenchyfranky on Aug 16, 2014 11:58:40 GMT -5
Waiting for your impressions
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DYohn
Emo VIPs
Posts: 18,356
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Post by DYohn on Aug 16, 2014 12:19:24 GMT -5
"Waste of money?" Ha, that cracks me up. First off, there is no such thing in Audio: if it's what you want then it's worth every dime. Second, while it is true that very efficient speakers will never require all the output capability from a large amp to reach normal listening levels, there is no replacement for headroom. If you have a system that can reproduce the largest dynamic peaks in recorded music without clipping or producing audible distortion, then you win.
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Post by Priapulus on Aug 16, 2014 12:40:37 GMT -5
> Aug 14, 2014 13:10:45 GMT -4 scubadiver said: > what benefit/advantage would an XPA-5 have over a UPA-5?
I considered buying either the UPA-5 or XPA-5. I finally decided on the XPA-5, mostly because the XLR connectors on the back appealed to me (anticipating the XMC-1). The UPA-5 supplies more power that most of us will ever need; the XPA is really power overkill. I probably don't use more than 10 watts of power most of the time. But I'm in my early 60's (age), and this could be the last amplifier I ever buy. I know it will be able to supply enough power to drive anything I throw at it in the future, no matter how deaf I may become....
Sincerely /b
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Post by mr on Aug 17, 2014 12:04:51 GMT -5
> Aug 14, 2014 13:10:45 GMT -4 scubadiver said: > what benefit/advantage would an XPA-5 have over a UPA-5? I considered buying either the UPA-5 or XPA-5. I finally decided on the XPA-5, mostly because the XLR connectors on the back appealed to me ( anticipating the XMC-1). The UPA-5 supplies more power that most of us will ever need; the XPA is really power overkill. I probably don't use more than 10 watts of power most of the time. But I'm in my early 60's (age), and this could be the last amplifier I ever buy. I know it will be able to supply enough power to drive anything I throw at it in the future, no matter how deaf I may become....Sincerely /b Could not agree more. Last night was the first time I have had the chance to work the XPA-5 that replaced my UPA-7. The key word here is "seems". The 5 seems tighter, more controlled than the 7. Bass seems more full, round and warm. Quicker off the mark. Played the new ABB "Live at Fillmore" DTS discs and some redbook Steely Dan CDs thru my RF-7s and Senn cans. I was impressed and happy with my purchase/upgrade. Maybe, if I am to believe those who say the extra power makes no real difference, I am living/listening in a Fool's Paradise. If that's true, I am doing so with a big smile on my face . I don't expect everyone to endorse my choices. Like Priapulus, I am in my 60s; once I add the XMC-1 (October?), I am likely at the end of my 40 year upgrade search. I have to stop somewhere, and I am pleased with my destination!
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Post by flatpicker on Aug 17, 2014 13:22:20 GMT -5
Maybe, if I am to believe those who say the extra power makes no real difference, I am living/listening in a Fool's Paradise. If that's true, I am doing so with a big smile on my face . I don't expect everyone to endorse my choices. Like Priapulus, I am in my 60s; once I add the XMC-1 (October?), I am likely at the end of my 40 year upgrade search. I have to stop somewhere, and I am pleased with my destination! Well, fellow geezers, I too, have crossed over into my 7th decade... I'm still stunned by that fact... did I sleep through a couple of decades or what? ....oh, no, that was just my career time, now I remember... I am enjoying a little festival of audio/visual catch-up, now that I have more time. One thing I like about stepping up to more powerful Emo amps is that, I sense a more effortless transient response and cleaner bass, and a larger headroom kind of feeling. We're getting better dialogue too, but that might be more due to the Maggies, I dunno.... and by the way, those Maggies demand a stout amp to do their best. I like your choice of the ABB @tf... I've often included that in my A-B comparisons... for such an old recording, it has an impressively "live" quality. I am looking forward to my XMC-1's though I'll be happy if they make it before Christmas, since I was an early March, 2014 signup. Though, I'm much happier than I've ever been with our current setups, I don't really feel like this is the final configuration when the XMC-1 comes. I'm content there will still be a stream of temptations, and that keeps it fun... and a reason to visit here to see what folks are sharing. I do think however, that when the XMC-1 does finally get to our household, there will be a pause and plateau... unless! ...the XMC-1 is so, so cool, that it makes me want to chase after a Maggie 3.7i or something... and then the merry-go-round just keeps on churning. I value the opportunity to pursue my follies and money pits! :-)
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