Using XPA 200 and XDA-2 in HTS

[nags2014]

Hi all, I am newbie here, having ordered the XPA-200 and XDA-2 waiting impatiently to experience the Emotiva pleasure of sound, 2 more days to receive my first products from emotiva.

Currently I have HTS 5.1 set up consisting of Denon X1000 AVR with Tannoy V4 FS ,centre and surround speakers, Velodyne impact 12 being the subwoofer. I wanted to have decent stereo set up for listening to music, hence ordered DAC and Amp. But I need your valuable suggestions on how can I connect these to my system without the need for changing the wires every time?
Because my denon AVR does not have pre outs. I have LG and Sony Bluray players with network capability , which i will connect to XDA-2 using Co ax and Optical cables. XDA-2 will be connected to XPA 200 using balanced out puts, which powers the front Tannoy v4 Floor standers. I am thinking of connecting unbalanced out put from DAC to Sub using RCA cables, Volume control and crossover settings will be adjusted over velodyne manually. This will complete my 2.1 stereo set up.

Now during movie watching my AVR will be used to drive only center and surroundings, the input being HDMI cable, this is where i am not sure how this will work?? even my front speaker will get all sound(Stereo) input from DAC.

So i need expert advice  / any one having similar set ups... Does my system is missing something here???

Thanks in advance for your valuable suggestions

Nagaraj

[garbulky]

Sept 16, 2014 6:20:28 GMT -5 nags2014 said:

Hi all, I am newbie here, having ordered the XPA-200 and XDA-2 waiting impatiently to experience the Emotiva pleasure of sound, 2 more days to receive my first products from emotiva.

Currently I have HTS 5.1 set up consisting of Denon X1000 AVR with Tannoy V4 FS ,centre and surround speakers, Velodyne impact 12 being the subwoofer. I wanted to have decent stereo set up for listening to music, hence ordered DAC and Amp. But I need your valuable suggestions on how can I connect these to my system without the need for changing the wires every time?
Because my denon AVR does not have pre outs. I have LG and Sony Bluray players with network capability , which i will connect to XDA-2 using Co ax and Optical cables. XDA-2 will be connected to XPA 200 using balanced out puts, which powers the front Tannoy v4 Floor standers. I am thinking of connecting unbalanced out put from DAC to Sub using RCA cables, Volume control and crossover settings will be adjusted over velodyne manually. This will complete my 2.1 stereo set up.

Now during movie watching my AVR will be used to drive only center and surroundings, the input being HDMI cable, this is where i am not sure how this will work?? even my front speaker will get all sound(Stereo) input from DAC.

So i need expert advice  / any one having similar set ups... Does my system is missing something here???

Thanks in advance for your valuable suggestions

Nagaraj

I don't think this method is going to work (for movies with the AVR).

[nags2014]

Thanks garbulky... Any suggestions for better way??

[garbulky]

Nothing that won't cost you unfortunately.
You could send the XDA-2 back and purchase a fusion 8100. You can call Emotiva and find out if they havea b-stock unit (which is refurb with full warranty for lower price) or you can buy one used off the forums.
It will still allow you to use the XPA-200.

[drtrey3]

Hey nags, I have the UMC and XDA as well. I run the analog outs from the XDA to my UMC and listen in either direct mode, which is 2 channel straight from the XDA, or in stereo mode which re-digitizes the XDA signal and adds subwoofer. I can easily switch back and forth, and often do, as on some program material one sounds better than the other. I think this is because the room correction really helps my room, and I probably run the XDA with that setup up 60% of the time. The rest I just run it direct.

You could try taking the hdmi out from your UMC and putting it into your Denon. That MIGHT work on movies! Or, you could just get a 3 or 5 channel amp from Emotiva and ditch the Denon. That is what I did.

Trey

[garbulky]

I don't think he has a UMC

[frenchyfranky]

Hi Nagaraj,

Welcome to the lounge. As your Denon AVR don't have pre-out it will be quasi impossible to setup something with external amp.

[nags2014]

Thanks for warm welcome...I am planning to get rid of denon AVR and go for all emotiva. In this case what should buy for HTS?
Sent from my RM-998_im_india_910 using Tapatalk

[nags2014]

Sept 16, 2014 9:28:25 GMT -5 drtrey3 said:

Hey nags, I have the UMC and XDA as well. I run the analog outs from the XDA to my UMC and listen in either direct mode, which is 2 channel straight from the XDA, or in stereo mode which re-digitizes the XDA signal and adds subwoofer. I can easily switch back and forth, and often do, as on some program material one sounds better than the other. I think this is because the room correction really helps my room, and I probably run the XDA with that setup up 60% of the time. The rest I just run it direct.

You could try taking the hdmi out from your UMC and putting it into your Denon. That MIGHT work on movies! Or, you could just get a 3 or 5 channel amp from Emotiva and ditch the Denon. That is what I did.

Trey

Thanks Trey... May be I will replace Denon with 5 channel amp and UMC later, I am also thinking of adding 2 more front speaker so that denon will do duty on HTS, emotiva set up for stereo, What's your take?

[frenchyfranky]

Sept 16, 2014 19:00:46 GMT -5 nags2014 said:

Thanks for warm welcome...I am planning to get rid of denon AVR and go for all emotiva. In this case what should buy for HTS?
Sent from my RM-998_im_india_910 using Tapatalk

UMC-200 and UPA-500, with your XPA-200 for the front you'll have two extra channels on UPA-500 for a zone 2 or for future expansion to 7.1 HT.

[nags2014]

thanks frenchyfranky, UMC-200 and UPA-500 looks better for my set up and may be I will start saving for them..only worry is UPA 200 80 waat/channels will be sufficient for HTS ?? is UMC-200 is future proof for couple of years?

[drtrey3]

The power ratings on the Emotiva amps are given for all channels driven. That means the amp can put out 85 watts a channel, 5 or 7 channels at a time. The receiver power ratings are typically given for two channels driven at a time. So while the Denon may list at 125 watts, mine does, it does not provide the power that the UPA amp provides to all channels of my surround rig. There was an immediate improvement in the clarity and treble of my surround channels when I upgraded. I think you will find the pairing tasty, then you can save up to upgrade the stereo amplification!

Trey

[garbulky]

Yes. If you've been using a Denon, the UPA-500 will be a step up. Also remember, your surrounds usually only use a few watts. Most of the power is used either by the center or the stereo speakers. Any unused power is (mostly) diverted towards the channels it is needed.
So for instance at typical usage your stereo and center consumes the most and the surrounds consume - welll very very little. So imagine most of the power reserve of the UPA-500 basically going direct to the center. You will have a pretty healthy amount of power from it.

Is the UMC-200 future proof for a couple of years? Absolutely not. Neither is pretty much every reciever out there currently.
HDMI 2 is coming out along with 4K blu ray and streaming 4k standards and the first Dolby atmos surround sound codecs (7.4 channels) are coming with transformers 4 on blu ray. The UMC-200 will do none of it in the way those new codecs are intended to be presented. (Neither will your current system).

If you want to be future proof, there is no such thing that will likely ever be. But if you wait about an year then the next generation should be finalized and you can get a product that will last you a bit longer.

Basically: In the next yearif you plan to buy an HDMI 2 4K 3d tv and a 4k blu ray player and internet streamer, and if you plan to install ceiling speakers for Dolby atmos you may want to hold off on your purchase of the UMC-200.
These new products will likely benefit from a different unit. If you don't plan to purchase these things and just watch blu rays and the current stuff I think you'll be fine

The UMC-200 passes the HDMI video signal to your tv. It can't do certain types of 4k which would be the issue. But you may be able to use an HDMI splitter for that.
The Dolby atmos is backwards compatible with regular blu ray audio so unless you plan on ceiling speakers you can stick with the UMC-200. Does that help?

[nags2014]

Thanks garbulky, yes definitely enlightening...I think right now lot of things are happening in AVR reciever front..It is worth to wait and watch for a year or so that things will settle down. So I will continue to hold onto Denon for time being, even my listening patterns are changing with less movies and more stereo music listening. So, I will not think about updating HTS, will enjoy my XDA-2 and XPA-200 for some time. Thanks to everyone for your inputs. I will come back later with my Emotiva experience.

Nagaraj

[frenchyfranky]

Enjoy listening your new toys nags2014 , I know you will. But for waiting the things settle down in the audio video world, IMO you'll have to wait the rest of your life...

[nags2014]

Still waiting impatiently for delivery, Poor customer service by FedEx, waiting for customs clearance for more than 1 week without valid reasons. I am unable to send mail to bongous, can anyone share their email ID? I bought over emotiva.com which directed to bongo for international purchase and payment done without any registration to bongous website. So my purchase is not found either on their website or on emotiva website. whom should I contact?

Sent using Tapatalk

[mercury]

I too have the XPA-200 and the XDA-2 using XLR output but only use them for my 2nd 2.0 audio setup. Sometimes I hook up my blu-ray player thru the dac.

[nags2014]

At last got my Emotiva delivered!!!! Could not listen much,waiting for festive holiday season to begin here to test the toys and enjoy...May be little review over week end!

I have few questions, hope you all help me out

Setting it up was easy except was not knowing how to make remote work, first time i am looking at a remote as solid as this and also need to remove screws to pull out the paper covering batteries!!

1. I have kept DAC over Power amp, is it OK? does it block heat generated from power amp? i need your advice

2. Connected Balanced output from DAC to Power amp(using XLR cable) and Unbalanced output from DAC to my velodyne Sub using RCA cable. Is this correct or do I need to change? please suggest...

3.How can I add / post photos here?

Thank you all

Nagaraj

[hemster]

Congrats on your latest toys! See responses to your questions in red below.

Oct 1, 2014 3:55:37 GMT -5 nags2014 said:

At last got my Emotiva delivered!!!! Could not listen much,waiting for festive holiday season to begin here to test the toys and enjoy...May be little review over week end!

I have few questions, hope you all help me out

Setting it up was easy except was not knowing how to make remote work, first time i am looking at a remote as solid as this and also need to remove screws to pull out the paper covering batteries!!
>>The remote can double up as an anti-intruder device! 

1. I have kept DAC over Power amp, is it OK? does it block heat generated from power amp? i need your advice
>>The amp would get warm during use and it's best to leave some space on top of it for ventilation. Refer to the manual. I would place it side by side if possible or if not, then atop the DAC. 

2. Connected Balanced output from DAC to Power amp(using XLR cable) and Unbalanced output from DAC to my velodyne Sub using RCA cable. Is this correct or do I need to change? please suggest...
>>That should be fine 

3.How can I add / post photos here?
>> Refer to the post here --> How to upload photos

Thank you all

Nagaraj

[nags2014]

Hi, Thanks to all for your inputs. Initial impressions with my Emotiva...

I wanted to have a separate Stereo set up and was looking for
1. Clarity at low volumes--Fantastic, I wont miss even small bits..Vocals are Just amazing..I love this..musical for long hours listening without any strain!!
2. Improve staging ( Compared to my denon AVR)- I listen to the sounds from exact place as if in concert
3. I wanted to use my velodyne sub in the set up ie as 2.1--I have connected my XDA2 to amp by balanced and velodyne through unbalanced..so my wish of perfect 2.1 set up. But what i did not expect was the quality bass!!! Even if you raise the volume to higher level, you hear just tight bass..No boomy bass..True tight bass has added a different dimension to my stereo sound...Just i cant stop listening ...Thanks Emotiva...Its true..High end Audio at affordable price..

Now this has made me to become little more greedy...I just connected my cell phone to XPA200 Amp directly--- using Headphone out from phone to unbalanced input on Amp directly with RCA cable, blown over with sound and clarity, but worried whether this is proper connection?? does this harm my amp in any way? please let me know..

Thanks once again..

Nagaraj