fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
|
Post by fmzip on Nov 11, 2014 15:29:50 GMT -5
My Home Theater Setup:Rotel RMB 1077 Amp (bi-amping the 703's, center and rears) Anthem AVM-20 Pre/Pro (Classe SSP-300 to be delivered tomorrow) B&W 703 Mains B&W HTM7 Center B&W DS7 Rears REL Strata III Sub Oppo BD-105 Bluray I'm considering upgrading the amp for mains. Monoblocks or XPA2 or XP3 to include the center?? Would it be a waste to use the Rotel RMB-1077 for the center and rears? Here's what me setup looks like, I am about 11 feet away from the fronts and like to listen to my music loud in 2 channel
|
|
|
Post by Axis on Nov 11, 2014 15:42:16 GMT -5
Prepare yourself for a lot of different answers on this and Wow what a awesome looking room !
|
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs
Honorary Emofest Scribe
Posts: 14,690
|
Post by klinemj on Nov 11, 2014 15:58:12 GMT -5
Want real power? Go to the monoblocks...XPA-1's especially. Or, if you really want no concern on power at all, go XPR-1's.
Mark (and I echo axis...nice room!)
|
|
|
Post by dally on Nov 11, 2014 16:11:03 GMT -5
Great setup! My only concern would be how well Emo monoblocks will mix with B&O ice modules. Also what is your budget, and are you looking to fit the amps in your cabinet or will they be placed by the speakers?
|
|
|
Post by djoel on Nov 11, 2014 16:37:02 GMT -5
NICE space, I so want my own place one day, very clean and beautiful color scheme! Oh amps, I think your B&W's would be happy with solid 200 wpc. I use to own the 802N HTMS Center, 805N and the XPA-5 was plenty power for my 20 X 14 X 9.5 height ceiling!
Good luck
Dan
|
|
|
Post by bluemeanies on Nov 11, 2014 17:08:24 GMT -5
Absolutly beautiful room and setup. Like mentioned, budget is an important factor. If you can swing the XPR's go for it. There is nothing wrong with having power even more power than you need. I currently have the B&W804S and the XPA1's gen2 gave me ample headroom. I am going to make some changes with my system and speakers maybe one of them. Having the XPA's I am not worried if I will have enought power. In closing, I leave you with one word....MONOBLOCKS!!
|
|
|
Post by Gary Cook on Nov 11, 2014 17:47:04 GMT -5
Classe SSP-300 to be delivered tomorrow Is that correct, a 10 year old processor, or should it be an SSP-800? Cheers Gary
|
|
fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
|
Post by fmzip on Nov 11, 2014 22:48:58 GMT -5
Hey Guys, First, thanks for the compliments. The entire Emotiva lineup looks affordable to me although I think the XPR's are way over the top for my speakers. I would like to fit the amps in the cabinet. I can remove the 400 disc DVD changer if necessary, there is also more room in that closet behind the scenes I could sell the Rotel for $750 or so used so I could just go all Emotiva. The thing is I thought I'd maybe try the XPA 2 for the fronts first or mono blocks and see how they blend with the Rotel for rears and center. Which monoblocks? And yes, I bought an SSP-300. I thought the sound of the Anthem AVM-20 that replaced my Rotel RSP-1068 was a bit bright for my taste. I've had the Anthem for about 3 years As I don't care about anything more than 5.1 and I am using my Oppo BDP-105D for all my music in 2/6 channel analog anyway, I don't need the latest pre/pro is in my near future. What I've learned is to stay 7-10 years behind the curve, then you can buy hi-end gear like pre/pro and amps for a fraction of the original retail price. Glad to see some folks with better B&W speakers than mine happy with their Emotiva amps. Can I ask what amps/ pre's you used before the Emotiva and how the sound compared? I am not looking to brighten the sound stage at all.
|
|
|
Post by Axis on Nov 11, 2014 23:02:50 GMT -5
My best advice I can give you is you do what you think is best for yourself because you have 30 days to try it out and to me the X series offers everything you need for your speakers. The Ultra series is what I will be getting with my XMC-1 and there are guys here that really know there stuff that are using the Ultra series. You can not go wrong with Emotiva gear and when you get it in your hands and take a listen I have no doubt you will be happy you spent your money wisely and bought this gear.
Cheers, Mike
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Nov 12, 2014 0:58:16 GMT -5
I imagine price isn't a massive concern? If so, I recommend a minimum of an XPA-2 or a pair of XPA-1 L's or XPA-1's. The XPA-1's would be ideal. And buy an XPA-3 for your center and surrounds. This way where it counts - front right and left, gets the best amplification. You like your two channels? I would reccomend an XSP-1 gen 2. A very nice pre-amp. But only try it with your classe when it is delivered and see if you notice a difference. If not, send it back. For two channel only, you may also want to consider a really good DAC. But I have heard the oppo 105 connected directly to an XSP-1 and it sounded really nice. (Without the XSP-1, it wasn't quite as good though). I would also ABSOLUTELY reccomend room treatments. Just sticking some on there without thinking too much about it will be an improvement. They come in different colors. Even one behind the couch works (but more is better). www.atsacoustics.com/item--ATS-Acoustic-Panel-24-x-48-x-2--1001.htmlAlso if that interferes with your aesthetics, you can get them to send you a panel that looks like a painting - any painting www.atsacoustics.com/art-acoustic-panels.htmlThat large glass cofee table would help the sound if it was removed. Your setup looks really nice. Welcome to the lounge.
|
|
|
Post by repeetavx on Nov 12, 2014 1:15:15 GMT -5
Prepare yourself for a lot of different answers on this and Wow what a awesome looking room ! Yup. I am really satisfied with my setup of vertical passive biamping with a pair of XPA-2s. That's 600 watts per tower with double that in Volt/Amp reserve. The same number of output devices per tower as there would be using an XPA-1. Of course the XPR line uses an upscale component set. (Higher quality resistors, transistors, and capacitors).
|
|
|
Post by bluemeanies on Nov 12, 2014 7:55:07 GMT -5
Glad to see some folks with better B&W speakers than mine happy with their Emotiva amps. Can I ask what amps/ pre's you used before the Emotiva and how the sound compared? I am not looking to brighten the sound stage at all. If you are referring to me I was using an Outlaw 990/7700 combo which sounded pretty nice but I thought that I could get more out of the 804S speaker. My investment paid off with the XPA1gen2. A lot more headroom in which case to my hearing gave me more openness and a bit more detail. Not bright at all IMO. Right now I am considering upgrading my system. At first I was thinking speakers...going to the 804D or perhaps something totally new to me the Salk or Funk speaker. However now I have been reading a few articles about people having the 804S and upgrading to a quality preamp which really improved the sound. If I were to do that I would consider Classe' In truth not sure what I will do at this point and I am taking my time to make a final decesion.
|
|
fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
|
Post by fmzip on Nov 12, 2014 8:34:52 GMT -5
Budget? I'd like to keep it around $2K but I'd rather not spend more than I need to. The majority of the time we are watching directv but I do want to have the ability for real solid two channel listening. I'd rather not be a watt-hog driving up my electric bill for no reason either I have been offered a used pair of Gen 2 XPA-1's delivered for $1400. Does that seem reasonable? Does the warranty period go by the serial number I assume? When did the Gen 2's get introduced? I am not sure the wife would go for room treatments or removing the coffee table. Regarding behind the couch, that's a bay window with a full drawn full length pleated shade so that helps with the glass. I was pretty fortunate that the house and all the furnishing were mine as I've been a bachelor for the past 47 years. I am fortunate to have this room stay the way it is without any complaints The XPA-1L seems like a great choice too. Has anyone heard both the XPA-1 versus the XPA1-L? Any difference? I was thinking to eliminate the pre-amp all together and use just the Oppo as I really only use that for steraming/cd/dvds/netflix and I could plug my DirectTV receiver right into it. I am really quite pleased with that Oppo, the ESS Dac's are really nice which is why I don't really need the latest pre/pro either.
|
|
|
Post by vneal on Nov 12, 2014 8:56:53 GMT -5
First of all nice job with the room. I would go with the XPA-7's and be done with it. They are plenty of power for the B&Ws and your room size. Take the extra 2 channels and bi amp the front speakers
|
|
fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
|
Post by fmzip on Nov 12, 2014 10:13:01 GMT -5
Glad to see some folks with better B&W speakers than mine happy with their Emotiva amps. Can I ask what amps/ pre's you used before the Emotiva and how the sound compared? I am not looking to brighten the sound stage at all. Right now I am considering upgrading my system. At first I was thinking speakers...going to the 804D or perhaps something totally new to me the Salk or Funk speaker. Yikes man! Your B&W's do not compare aesthetically to either of those speakers. The Salk or Funks look like they came out of Italian art gallery, too cheesy for my tastes (I am Italian)
|
|
|
Post by vonhess on Nov 12, 2014 10:53:51 GMT -5
Of course sound quality is of the utmost importance when you are watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
|
|
fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
|
Post by fmzip on Nov 12, 2014 11:11:45 GMT -5
Of course sound quality is of the utmost importance when you are watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. That's E entertainment, the fashion show was a few months ago.
|
|
|
Post by bluemeanies on Nov 12, 2014 11:27:07 GMT -5
Right now I am considering upgrading my system. At first I was thinking speakers...going to the 804D or perhaps something totally new to me the Salk or Funk speaker. Yikes man! Your B&W's do not compare aesthetically to either of those speakers. The Salk or Funks look like they came out of Italian art gallery, too cheesy for my tastes (I am Italian) You are funny man fm zip. LOL. I won't argue the design of the Salk speaker at least with a couple of models that aesthetically it could take some time to get use too however Jim Salk will build you a speaker of your own design if you want him too. The Funk speakers however are a pretty nice piece. With both of these speakers one has to audition them at an audio show or traveling to Pontiac Michegan and Canada that means airfare and THAT MEANS LESS MONEY TO SPEND ON MY UPGRADE. The closest audio show to me would be the Big Apple and New Jersey. It seems nothing like an audio show comes to the Philadelphia area. Oh, about your electric bill going thru the roof I would not worry about that. I have had my XPA's for several months and I have not noticed any increase in my electric bill to warrant giving them up wishing I had not made the investment.
|
|
|
Post by restless on Nov 12, 2014 11:57:32 GMT -5
I have the B&W 704 speakers and have driven them with a Anthem MRX-500 (not enough power), the MRX + Emo XPA-3, then an EMO XPA-2 and it was quite nice. Current set up is a EMO XMC-1 feeding XPA-1 monoblocks for the 704's. No problem with power now, and very seldom see more than 4-5 lights active out of the 10 lights on the XPA-1 mono blocks, and that is quite loud.
With the right source equipment, the sound is exceptional. But the XPA-2 was more than enough power.
|
|
fmzip
Minor Hero
Posts: 85
|
Post by fmzip on Nov 12, 2014 13:51:53 GMT -5
I have the B&W 704 speakers and have driven them with a Anthem MRX-500 (not enough power), the MRX + Emo XPA-3, then an EMO XPA-2 and it was quite nice. Current set up is a EMO XMC-1 feeding XPA-1 monoblocks for the 704's. No problem with power now, and very seldom see more than 4-5 lights active out of the 10 lights on the XPA-1 mono blocks, and that is quite loud. With the right source equipment, the sound is exceptional. But the XPA-2 was more than enough power. Good info! I am leaning toward a used pair XPA-1's. Then I will see how the Rotel pairs with the center and rear and like swap that out for XPA-3 You only have a 2.1 setup? What was the XPA-3 used for?
|
|