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Post by aschmoldt on Feb 10, 2015 22:44:49 GMT -5
I'm new to Emotiva products . My current set up is TX-NR 838 receiver with Klipsch RF-82ll fronts, RC-62 center, and RS-42ll rears. I'm considering the XPA-3 to power the fronts and center. I use my system 50/50 for music and movies. Would there be a large difference in sound quality? The majoity at klipsch forums think a separate amp would not make a big difference with my set up but I am very intrigued by the Emotiva amps and positive reviews. Anyone else use Emotiva to power Klipsch? Any advice is much appreciated.
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator 
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,846
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Post by LCSeminole on Feb 10, 2015 23:04:36 GMT -5
Until you actually try it out for yourself, you'll never know. Personally, the Emotiva XPR power amplifiers are overkill for my Klipsch Legends front stage and Reference surrounds, but I can sure tell at reference levels that there is a fullness that most(if not all) receiver's amplifier sections just can't replicate. Yes at lower levels you probably won't tell a difference, but it is always nice to have headroom and you just never know what speakers you'll have down the road that may just be hard to drive.
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Post by creimes on Feb 10, 2015 23:29:49 GMT -5
Like LC mentioned above the best one to tell you is you yourself, if you are in the U.S. there is a 30 day trial and you can send it back if not satisfied, everyone's experience's are different as we ourselves are different and have different rooms/gear, in all honesty for $200 more I would just get the XPA-5 and have the same amp powering all your speakers, it's only $200 more unless you have a budget you can't stretch. My biggest and best change in my system was going from my Yamaha amp section in my receiver to some UPA-1 monoblocks so of course I will say go for it as it was change for the better for me.
Chad
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Post by novisnick on Feb 11, 2015 0:03:48 GMT -5
aschmoldt, welcome to the zoo man!! So glad your here!
I could go on for hours about Klipsch and amps! I'll save you by being brief. I've run a lesser set of towers, KF 28 from Best Buy. I did like there sound and fell in love with horns for sure! Brief,,,,,oh yeh!,,,,,,,,,,,,amp does make a difference to me, I've run the XPA-5, XPA-1L MONOBLOCKS and a set of XPR-1s through my Klipsch.
Each was a step up not only in power but refinement and controll. If your budget watching, as we all are these days, I would start with either a set of XPA-1Ls for great 2 channel and let the AVR fill the other channels till a later date. But if we're in a hurry for better HT get the XPA-5 as crimes says. He's been through a bunch of gear also and knows a lot about their sound ( amps that is , as well as other gear )
Personally I dont/can't find a use for the XPA-3, for the price of a XPA-5, a little more $$$ but a lot more benefits, you don't have to use all 5 channels today. More power for the three channels you use , with expandability.
MONOBLOCKS rock the world in all music genre!! Slow build will always get you a better system!!
OK,,,,what happened to brief?? 8)
Ask , if you need more feedback, we're all here for you!
novisnick
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Post by teaman on Feb 11, 2015 1:22:30 GMT -5
I'm new to Emotiva products . My current set up is TX-NR 838 receiver with Klipsch RF-82ll fronts, RC-62 center, and RS-42ll rears. I'm considering the XPA-3 to power the fronts and center. I use my system 50/50 for music and movies. Would there be a large difference in sound quality? The majoity at klipsch forums think a separate amp would not make a big difference with my set up but I am very intrigued by the Emotiva amps and positive reviews. Anyone else use Emotiva to power Klipsch? Any advice is much appreciated. Welcome to the forum, and to Emotiva in general. From experience, I think the Klipsch speakers sound even better when pushed by Emotiva amps. I have experimented with plenty and I am happy to report no ill effects from the horns with these amps. The RF 28 speakers I found a bit tinny and bright for my liking but the 82's sound great with the Emo amps. I also agree with both posters before me, if you can afford to power all of your speakers with an Emotiva amp....or amps go for it. If your budget is tight, leave the receiver to power the rear speakers and power your front three with an amp....or amps. |
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Post by repeetavx on Feb 11, 2015 1:30:25 GMT -5
I choose the XPA-3 for my system. If that's all that you need, it is an excellent amplifier. If you get the XPA-3 and love it, you could still return it for credit against an XPA-5. That is if you find the XPA-3 soooo excellent that you want all five channels to sound like that.
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Post by novisnick on Feb 11, 2015 2:02:51 GMT -5
I'm new to Emotiva products . My current set up is TX-NR 838 receiver with Klipsch RF-82ll fronts, RC-62 center, and RS-42ll rears. I'm considering the XPA-3 to power the fronts and center. I use my system 50/50 for music and movies. Would there be a large difference in sound quality? The majoity at klipsch forums think a separate amp would not make a big difference with my set up but I am very intrigued by the Emotiva amps and positive reviews. Anyone else use Emotiva to power Klipsch? Any advice is much appreciated. Welcome to the forum, and to Emotiva in general. From experience, I think the Klipsch speakers sound even better when pushed by Emotiva amps. I have experimented with plenty and I am happy to report no ill effects from the horns with these amps. The RF 28 speakers I found a bit tinny and bright for my liking but the 82's sound great with the Emo amps. I also agree with both posters before me, if you can afford to power all of your speakers with an Emotiva amp....or amps go for it. If your budget is tight, leave the receiver to power the rear speakers and power your front three with an amp....or amps. RF 28s, can't argue with what they sounded like in your room but your not far off. Good value for what I spent for a pair. id love to hear the 82's or even 7s but fell in love with the 100s from Paradigm. All that said, Klipsch with clean power can take all you ears can stand. Good luck with your decision. like I said, lots of great friends here with great advice. |
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Post by deltadube on Feb 11, 2015 2:23:43 GMT -5
the beauty of the xpa 3 when you set it up.. it will knock your socks off!!!!! then you will be wondering... about the mono blocks
so the xpa 3 moves over to the centre and surrounds and the new mono blocks take over for 2 channel magic..
cheers eh
ps free membership in the mono block society see novisnick for details eh!!
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Post by wizardofoz on Feb 11, 2015 2:55:46 GMT -5
as said before...the XPA-5 will give you better milage $4$ but if its stereo you are really going for then the XPA-2 or the stealth 250 amp would be my bet. The Klipsh's are quite sensitive IIRC so don't take a lot of driving. Either way 2/3/5 channels will blow your current AVR away...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2015 2:59:57 GMT -5
I agree with Chad, forget using the Onkyo 838 as an amp and go directly to the XPA-5 for all five Klipsch speakers. Those RS-42II's are nice surround speakers and can use plenty of clean power. When you upgrade in the future to a separate pre-pro you will be set with a great 5 channel amp.
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Post by indyscammer on Feb 11, 2015 7:02:07 GMT -5
I run the Emotiva UPA-7 amp (125 Wpc) on my RF-35's (older version of the 82's). Clean power will be nice and you will really like it when you turn it up. I got more SONIC improvement when I ditched my Yamaha AVR and went to the separate pre-pro.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2015 7:55:09 GMT -5
in short YES!!!
I have an xpr5 running my PSA speakers that are 95db sensative...overkill? yes...but sweet sounding? heck yeah!
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Post by valgolfs on Feb 11, 2015 9:38:54 GMT -5
Years back I added a UPA7 to drive Klipsch RF7s and RC7. That bump in power from my RCVR was dramatic. Just 125/CH was noticeable in all the ways other people have described in this thread. Now in my latest system I just added an XPA5 to drive Paradigm's and man oh man, like the fast food chain says, I'm lovin it!
Good luck to you and enjoy.
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Post by maseline98 on Feb 11, 2015 10:39:48 GMT -5
Watts to Decibels:
1 - 98
2 - 101
4 - 104
8 - 107
16 - 110
32 - 113
64 - 116
128 - 119
256 - 122
Theoretically, your RF82s will be able to play at or above 120 dbs...you start to damage your ears at around 125db...You will be fine with the xpa3, but as mentioned above, you should consider the xpa5 for expandability
My xpa5 never even gets warm. My speakers can play mind-numbingly loud....
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Post by vcautokid on Feb 11, 2015 11:19:21 GMT -5
The additional control, and dynamics any of the X series Emotiva amps heard on your Klipsch's will be an eye opener. Any receiver needs the muscle of a power amplifier, as most are a bit wanting in the amplification area. I look at receivers as processors that included an amp by the way.
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Post by maseline98 on Feb 11, 2015 15:43:20 GMT -5
Klipsch Reference + Emotiva XPA = Effortless....It's basic math...
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Post by sparky14 on Feb 11, 2015 15:52:28 GMT -5
I'll be a dissenter  For me, my Emo XPA-200 does not match well with my Reference RB-62ii speakers at louder volumes. The top end gets too piercing. I got the 62s thinking they'd be the best loud rocking bookshelves, but I can't stand to listen to them loud. This was my first return to Klispch after having Heresy's and Forte's way back when. Those were great in my large rooms. Now, I have a small room, and I think I am wasting my XPA-200 with the 62s. But...I don't know where to go next with the system....so I am working on my desktop rig instead. |
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Post by maseline98 on Feb 11, 2015 16:00:54 GMT -5
I'll be a dissenter For me, my Emo XPA-200 does not match well with my Reference RB-62ii speakers at louder volumes. The top end gets too piercing. I got the 62s thinking they'd be the best loud rocking bookshelves, but I can't stand to listen to them loud. This was my first return to Klispch after having Heresy's and Forte's way back when. Those were great in my large rooms. Now, I have a small room, and I think I am wasting my XPA-200 with the 62s. But...I don't know where to go next with the system....so I am working on my desktop rig instead. I think the horn is an acquired taste. Some people don't like it at all because it can be "fatiguing". For me(and my wife for that matter), most setups I've heard tend to muddy. I would actually like to try my RFs with a tube amp to see what the outcome would be...Tubes tend to be warmer than solid states(at least from what I've read). |
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Post by macromicroman on Feb 11, 2015 16:01:50 GMT -5
I use an XPA-5 to power RF-7ii Left and Right, RC-64 center and RS-52iis surrounds. An XPA-200 powers RB-61iis rear surrounds. When I added the XPA-5 the sound just got better. Each note took on a life of its own. The biggest difference I noticed in my room and system is when I went from RF-82ii to RF-7iis.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2015 17:14:45 GMT -5
I'll be a dissenter For me, my Emo XPA-200 does not match well with my Reference RB-62ii speakers at louder volumes. The top end gets too piercing. I got the 62s thinking they'd be the best loud rocking bookshelves, but I can't stand to listen to them loud. This was my first return to Klispch after having Heresy's and Forte's way back when. Those were great in my large rooms. Now, I have a small room, and I think I am wasting my XPA-200 with the 62s. But...I don't know where to go next with the system....so I am working on my desktop rig instead. I think the horn is an acquired taste. Some people don't like it at all because it can be "fatiguing". For me(and my wife for that matter), most setups I've heard tend to muddy. I would actually like to try my RFs with a tube amp to see what the outcome would be...Tubes tend to be warmer than solid states(at least from what I've read). This should only be limited to reference klipsch. They use cheap parts hence the piercing upper end. I was also skeptical of all horns. Then I bought psa horns and there is NO harshness to them reguarsless the level. I have heard the same about JtR hsu and reaction. Horns should not be directly equivalent to harsh. The only klipsch I know of that aren't harsh are the klipschorns |
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