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Post by gadgtfreek on Apr 7, 2015 17:39:56 GMT -5
I have got around $2000 (left over bonus) and have been scheming all day how to spend it on audio upgrades.
I currently have a Denon 4520ci as a preamp and XPA-3 powering klipsch reference II towers and center, along with dual VTF15's.
We hope to build next year and a dedicated HT room is in the plan. I am trying to buy stuff that translates in the move, whether it be the living room or HT room. I am in the e-club and forgot all about the trade in deal. I have been back and forth on getting a Marantz preamp ($1999), better speakers (Klipsch RF-7 and RC64 center), etc...
Looking at the trade in, I can grab the XPA-5 for a little over $600 if I understand the plan, and then use the balance on a RC-64 center, which should be a nice upgrade. When we move I can use the 4520 for the living room, get the preamp then, and use the XPA-5 with it in the HT room. All I have to do then is buy a few more speakers.
Any thoughts? One thing I noticed is the XPA-3 seems to have THD of 0.1 while the XPA-5 is 0.05. I thought the 3, 5 and 7 were all the same. If you look at the test charts the 5 seems less noisy than the 3 as well. I'm sure these levels are no big deal, and I am not an expert, just thought it odd since I thought they were the same. I knew the XPA-2 was a different animal.
Thanks.
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Post by gadgtfreek on Apr 7, 2015 17:53:50 GMT -5
I also notice the XPA-5 (1.8v input sensitivity) needs more voltage to reach full power than the XPA-3 (1.0v). My 4520 rated output is only 1.2v. Is that an issue?
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Post by solarrdadd on Apr 7, 2015 18:01:11 GMT -5
hey buddy, just wanted to let you know i'm everywhere!  nice to see you here too!  |
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Post by teaman on Apr 7, 2015 18:36:32 GMT -5
Maybe keep your XPA-3 and add a pair of XPA1L's? They should mesh nicely and won't break your bank. Especially if they still have them at Emotiva on closeout prices!
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Post by gadgtfreek on Apr 7, 2015 18:41:41 GMT -5
I thought about mono's, but would personally probably prefer an XPA-5 or XPA-7. If I go 7 it kinda stops this process, but I do have a badass amp and the future covered!
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Post by gadgtfreek on Apr 7, 2015 18:42:02 GMT -5
hey buddy, just wanted to let you know i'm everywhere! nice to see you here too! LOL, awesome! |
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Post by quattroll on Apr 7, 2015 18:42:54 GMT -5
Closeout prices, really? If anyone can fill me in id appreciate. Are we talking gen 1 or b stock?
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Post by teaman on Apr 7, 2015 18:44:20 GMT -5
Closeout prices, really? If anyone can fill me in id appreciate. Are we talking gen 1 or b stock? I called today and bought an XDA-2 Gen 1 for $180 shipped. Sounded like they had other components as well. You have to Call Emotiva for them to let you know what they still have available. |
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Post by gadgtfreek on Apr 7, 2015 18:53:12 GMT -5
Thats sweet.
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Post by brubacca on Apr 7, 2015 19:16:06 GMT -5
Keep the XPA-3. Get a xmc-1.
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Post by vcautokid on Apr 7, 2015 21:40:51 GMT -5
I am of the thought of the XPA-1L on the front stage. Use the XPA-3 for the center, and surround speakers. Your front left and right speakers with the XPA-1L's connected will let you not only fully realize your movies, but your music especially. Yeah I hear the Mono Block Club lookers lurking about, but in all seriousness, and candor, you cannot beat the XPA-1L with the additional Class A to A/B selection that will have you hearing your music again for the first time. All the right reasons for the Mono blocks, also, the XPA-3 continues deservedly the love for the center, and surrounds.
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Post by gadgtfreek on Apr 8, 2015 19:35:13 GMT -5
I read somewhere that Emotiva recommends you do not run your amp without used channels? That makes no sense to me and that has to be someone just stirring the pot. Why would their be an issue running a XPA-5 in stereo or 3 channel?
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Post by knucklehead on Apr 8, 2015 19:46:04 GMT -5
I've never read that anywhere. Why would it matter if one or two channels are idle while others are being utilized? I had a UPA-7 for three years and used mainly 2 channels of it and only 5 channels for movies. It worked flawlessly the entire time.
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Post by gadgtfreek on Apr 8, 2015 20:08:36 GMT -5
Thats what I thought. Some people just post random stuff. I guess plants or trolls.
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hemster
Global Moderator 
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,920
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Post by hemster on Apr 8, 2015 20:11:49 GMT -5
I read somewhere that Emotiva recommends you do not run your amp without used channels? That makes no sense to me and that has to be someone just stirring the pot. Why would their be an issue running a XPA-5 in stereo or 3 channel? It does an amp absolutely no harm at all to run it with all channels not driven. Otherwise mine would've been destroyed ages ago! I listen to 2 channels a lot more than wathing movies these days. Don't believe everything you read on the world-wide interweb.  |
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Post by gadgtfreek on Apr 8, 2015 20:31:59 GMT -5
Didnt make any sense to me. Goes against any other amp Ive read about...
I got an email back from Emotiva today. All I have to do is call and spend a little $$$ to get a XPA-5 sent to me and the XPA-3 returned.
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Post by brand on Apr 8, 2015 20:46:18 GMT -5
To be honest I've never seen the point of the XPA 3 (except being inbetween the 2 and the 5 price wise), the XPA 5 is the same size and depending on if there's a sale or not max 200 more expensive.
XPA-3 3 all channels driven 200w for 800 USD -> 266 USD per channel
XPA-5 5 all channels driven 200w for 1000 USD -> 200 USD per channel
And all that with the exact same size. They might differ in two channel performance I think it's 275w for the XPA-5 not sure what the power is for the XPA-3 concering 2 channel performance but it doesn't matter anyway.
In my experience you can always use the extra channels even if it's for a second setup.
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Post by gadgtfreek on Apr 8, 2015 20:57:17 GMT -5
Yeah, I have been reading. XPA-5 Gen 1, driving 3 channels, was 250w/channel. I am currently only running a 3.2, so that is gobs of power and headroom. I went with the XPA-3 because I wanted to try it and I got it on sale in Dec with th e-club discount. Now I think Im ready for a 5.
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Post by deltadube on Apr 8, 2015 23:15:20 GMT -5
I am of the thought of the XPA-1L on the front stage. Use the XPA-3 for the center, and surround speakers. Your front left and right speakers with the XPA-1L's connected will let you not only fully realize your movies, but your music especially. Yeah I hear the Mono Block Club lookers lurking about, but in all seriousness, and candor, you cannot beat the XPA-1L with the additional Class A to A/B selection that will have you hearing your music again for the first time. All the right reasons for the Mono blocks, also, the XPA-3 continues deservedly the love for the center, and surrounds. nothing like membership in the mono block society eh!!!!! you can beat the xpa 1ls with a great pair of xpa 1s bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they go great with an xpa 3 for movies too... I would not trade in the xpa 3 for an xpa 5.. just buy an xpa 5 and keep the xpa 3... you will really notice the difference having the rears amplified ... the airplanes will fly right though the living room with authority !!!! cheers eh.. |
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nice to see you here too! 
