Considering adding an XPA-3

[dandieleman]

Ok everyone, I am new here and I wanted to ask some advice. I know everyone here loves Emotiva and I think that is for good reason. I am currently running an Onkyo TX-nr808 powering the following speakers

Fronts: Polk Audio RTi10
Center: Polk Audio CSiA4
Surrounds: Polk Audio F/XiA6
Sub: DIY stonehenge box, 18" driver running at 2600 watts limiter.

I am considering getting the XPA-3 to run the front stage. I was told by emotiva that the fronts during multi channel was running around 40-45 watts per channel. In Stereo and in multichannel I think the system as a whole sounds great, but the fronts are very bright and seem to be lacking some midbass and low bass, obviously the sub made a huge improvement on this front, crossing over the mains at 80hz helped with the midbass and sub bass alot and the sub was all tuned using REW with a dayton measurment mic so I can visually confirm what it added to the system compared to my old Polk Audio DSW pro 500 sub

I am not sure what to expect from the XPA-3 or if I should expect anything. Do you guys think id be wasting the money on the XPA-3 considering my Onkyo is rated at 135wpc with 2 channels driven, or should I expect to notice a difference, even though I have probably never even hit 135wpc in stereo, I have had it cranked up past reference to +5 before and have not heard any distortion.

I look forward to hearing some input and advice on the subject, I may be making a purchase tonight for the XPA-3 on Amazon but I havent decided for sure yet.

[dandiele]

any advice? My account was finally verified so I am lurking here waiting to see what the popular opinion is..

[repeetavx]

You should hear a noticeable difference with the Emotiva amp. I'd definitely try it. But beware. After you hear it, you'll find yourself second guessing about not up buying to monoblocks.

[novisnick]

Welcome out into the light,,,,,he,,,,he,,,,he,,,,,.

But really, so glad your here! Lots of smart people here with varying amounts of knowledge, but all good friends!
I've learned so much here and continue to do so dayly!!

It's seams you know a lot as well,,,REW and dig subs!!,,,,got to love Ya man!!!

I do think you'll hear more detailed sound with better control of the drivers.
Two channel begs MONOBLOCK s IMHO!

We have lots of opinions!!! 8). Trust me,,,,he,,,,he,,,he,,,,

Have fun and glad your here!

[dandiele]

thanks for the input guys, I plan on running the left and right and center with the XPA-3 and I think the surrounds will be served well with the power my onkyo can provide. I am about to order but I am curious, do you guys use normal speaker wire from the amp to the speakers or do most use speaker cables with banana plugs?

[dandiele]

ooooooh just clicked place order. I am excited!

[villock]

Welcome to the forum!

I used to run my RTi12's first with the LPA-1, then the XPA-5 (which I believe is the same as the XPA-3 but 2 more channels, And I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong ) and finally the XPA-2. Each amp along the way was stellar with my 12's. I think you will love the XPA-3 and will notice a very big difference over your Onkyo. One think about the Polks, they LOVE power. So my guess is that you will be so impressed with the 3 that it will soon be relegated to center and surround duty and you will step up to the XPA-2 or something similar. Heck you may even follow some other's advice and get those 10's on some blocks Let us know how much you like your new amp when you get it.

[kse]

Welcome. The XPA-3 was my introduction to Emotiva and separates also. As you can see by my signature, it didn't stop there.

Your most notable improvements will be in your center channel definition. Enjoy.

[mshump]

I hung the XPA3 on my Onkyo and was hooked right then and there. You should be pleased. Then comes the fever and the rest is history !!

[repeetavx]

I started with spades for my speaker wire, but now I've switched to locking bananas. I believe that once you expand them in place, that they're just as good as spades without the danger of them shorting together.

[Chuck Elliot]

I also used the Onkyo 808. It has been recently replace with a XMC-1.

I got a UPA-2 and a UPA-5 to replace the power amp section of the 808. Night and day difference.

The XPA-3 would be sweet!

[dandiele]

Nice, I am excited to get the amp, I just ordered 3 6ft RCA cables for interconnects and will use simple speaker wire for the amp to the speakers for now. I would like to eventually upgrade to a 2 channel amp and run the center and surrounds with the xpa-3 but that will be down the road. I ordered the xpa-3 on amazon so I can make payments on it, and finally pay it off at tax time so maybe when this is paid ill get the xpa-2 for the main left and right channels.

I am excited, I wanted this amp last year and was convinced by the guys at AVS that I needed a better sub....which I did, went from a polk dsw pro 500 to the DIY 18" sub made a HUGE improvement, but ever since then I have had a craving for an emotiva amp.

Saturday cant come soon enough!!!

BTW I know there oldschool now days, but polk audio has RTi12's on there ebay store for 800$ for the pair!

[dandiele]

Ok guys, I need a quick answer! Should I just cancel now and get the XPA-5? Wife approved?!

[dandiele]

Ahhh did it, cancelled the xpa-3 and got the xpa-5 instead. that way later I can get a different pre/pro and not have to worry about adding another amp! I may just run it 3 channel anyway to have even more wattage to the fronts haha

[novisnick]

Oct 30, 2014 21:02:07 GMT -5 dandiele said:

Ahhh did it, cancelled the xpa-3 and got the xpa-5 instead. that way later I can get a different pre/pro and not have to worry about adding another amp! I may just run it 3 channel anyway to have even more wattage to the fronts haha

That's the most INTELLIGENT thing I've heard all day week!! 

I like like your thinking!!!!

[aerodude73]

Can someone tell me the difference(s) between the Gen 1 & Gen 2 units? Wattage, when each First came out/was available for purchase, which one might be the best to go with, etc.? I'll be getting an XPA-3 soon, but most I've found (used) are Gen 1's, & generally, 2+ years old. My buddy works in an HT installation store & says the Gen 1's are great Amps, & would do me just fine. Obviously, I assume the Gen 2's are the latest/newest/best performing of the two, but before I shell out $800, I'd like to know What the Main benefits would be, versus saving $2-300 & getting a Gen 1. The XPA-3 will be powering my L/C/R Front sound-stage, & my 2 PA-120 Subs, & my Onkyo 838 will be powering my Side & Rear Surrounds. (L & R are new Polk Audio RTIa5's, & the Center is currently a CS2, tho' I "may" be upgrading to a CSi5/Polk, just not sure at this time).

Thanks!

[hlevinson]

Apr 18, 2015 20:56:44 GMT -5 aerodude73 said:

Can someone tell me the difference(s) between the Gen 1 & Gen 2 units? Wattage, when each First came out/was available for purchase, which one might be the best to go with, etc.? I'll be getting an XPA-3 soon, but most I've found (used) are Gen 1's, & generally, 2+ years old. My buddy works in an HT installation store & says the Gen 1's are great Amps, & would do me just fine. Obviously, I assume the Gen 2's are the latest/newest/best performing of the two, but before I shell out $800, I'd like to know What the Main benefits would be, versus saving $2-300 & getting a Gen 1. The XPA-3 will be powering my L/C/R Front sound-stage, & my 2 PA-120 Subs, & my Onkyo 838 will be powering my Side & Rear Surrounds. (L & R are new Polk Audio RTIa5's, & the Center is currently a CS2, tho' I "may" be upgrading to a CSi5/Polk, just not sure at this time).

Thanks!

i doubt u will be able to hear any significant difference between the G1 and G2.

i own a XPA-3 (G1) and love it. i was using an onkyo tx-nr1007 for my 7.2 system running KEF Reference 105.3 (Front and rears). the KEFs are very low impedance speakers and are very power hungry. the onkyo was ok ( i also had high end yamahas and denons in the past) but always felt that when really pushed i was not getting 100%. after getting the XPA-3 i have certainly found the missing few %, the onkyo now powers the sides and rears (Which are much less demanding) and acts as a pre-amp for the fronts.

emotiva used to run a factory sale every few months, but i have not seen it in a while. i only paid $500 for my XPA-3 direct from emotiva.

[monkumonku]

May 7, 2015 19:42:21 GMT -5 hlevinson said:

Apr 18, 2015 20:56:44 GMT -5 aerodude73 said:

Can someone tell me the difference(s) between the Gen 1 & Gen 2 units? Wattage, when each First came out/was available for purchase, which one might be the best to go with, etc.? I'll be getting an XPA-3 soon, but most I've found (used) are Gen 1's, & generally, 2+ years old. My buddy works in an HT installation store & says the Gen 1's are great Amps, & would do me just fine. Obviously, I assume the Gen 2's are the latest/newest/best performing of the two, but before I shell out $800, I'd like to know What the Main benefits would be, versus saving $2-300 & getting a Gen 1. The XPA-3 will be powering my L/C/R Front sound-stage, & my 2 PA-120 Subs, & my Onkyo 838 will be powering my Side & Rear Surrounds. (L & R are new Polk Audio RTIa5's, & the Center is currently a CS2, tho' I "may" be upgrading to a CSi5/Polk, just not sure at this time).

Thanks!

i doubt u will be able to hear any significant difference between the G1 and G2.

i own a XPA-3 (G1) and love it. i was using an onkyo tx-nr1007 for my 7.2 system running KEF Reference 105.3 (Front and rears). the KEFs are very low impedance speakers and are very power hungry. the onkyo was ok ( i also had high end yamahas and denons in the past) but always felt that when really pushed i was not getting 100%. after getting the XPA-3 i have certainly found the missing few %, the onkyo now powers the sides and rears (Which are much less demanding) and acts as a pre-amp for the fronts.

emotiva used to run a factory sale every few months, but i have not seen it in a while. i only paid $500 for my XPA-3 direct from emotiva.

I'd say the main advantage to a Gen 2 would be you'd probably have a longer warranty remaining if you bought it used, versus a Gen 1. Otherwise I don't think you'd hear any difference.

[transchris1]

Oct 30, 2014 19:33:57 GMT -5 villock said:

Welcome to the forum!

I used to run my RTi12's first with the LPA-1, then the XPA-5 (which I believe is the same as the XPA-3 but 2 more channels, And I am sure I will be corrected if I am wrong ) and finally the XPA-2. Each amp along the way was stellar with my 12's. I think you will love the XPA-3 and will notice a very big difference over your Onkyo. One think about the Polks, they LOVE power. So my guess is that you will be so impressed with the 3 that it will soon be relegated to center and surround duty and you will step up to the XPA-2 or something similar. Heck you may even follow some other's advice and get those 10's on some blocks Let us know how much you like your new amp when you get it.

I'm running my RTI12'S WITH AN XSP1 AND XPA2..SOUNDS INCREDIBLE!!!

[JKCashin]

It must be very loud with you having to YELL LIKE THAT.

Sorry, couldn't resist