Post by smokinhaze on Dec 24, 2016 0:30:42 GMT -5
Had my 3 channel version for 2 weeks and I just wanted to share my impressions with it so far. Sorry, can't compare it to any other versions or amps for that matter because this is the first I'm incorporating an external amp to my home theater setup. For those wanting to know, my theater consists of an 11.2.4 Dolby atmos setup using a Marantz sr7009 as a pre amp for the LCR's with the Marantz powering everything else. My speakers are the Bic Accoustec PL 980 towers, PL 28ii center and the PL 66 for SR's and SRB's, 2 PL 200 handling sub duties and lastly 4 JBL Control One outdoor speakers for the overhead sounds. Didn't feel the need at the time to go for expensive speakers just for overhead sounds but may consider changing this in the future.
Now on to my impressions. After rerunning Auydssey, the sound quality in both movie and music listening has changed dramatically. With the Emotiva now doing the heavy lifting up front, so much more detail and nuances can be heard. Not only up front, but with all my other speakers as well because the Marantz is now more capable of driving the surrounds and overheads. One of the biggest difference is the bass extension. Although my speakers are very efficient I can now see or hear for that matter how more power was needed to put out the bass that I always felt was lacking from my system and thought it was a limitation of my speakers until I got the XPA Gen3. Especially in 2 channel listening. With such a boost to my listening experience I will definitely be adding more channels to my amp in the future.
Now to the bad. I know that I am probably one of the very rare cases but none the less it was very unsettling to me, especially as a first time customer of Emotiva. I had the amp for 2 weeks then all of a sudden when I fired it up 2 days ago the amp was stuck in protect mode. I tried everything from disconnecting everything and connecting one item at a time to troubleshoot to connecting it all back up on a different breaker to see if maybe I was getting a DC leak into my AC line but still no luck so I called tech support. After a brief diagnosis, the tech agreed that I have a faulty unit and emailed me a return shipping label and put in an order for a new 3 channel amp for me that I should have in about 10 days. Although I'm still in my 30 day home trial window I feel that they still would've given me that first class support and take care of me had I been outside the window. Best part is once I receive the new amp I will still have 2 weeks left to audition it should I feel dissatisfied and want to send it back for a full refund however from what I heard so far I don't think I'll be sending it back. I will be adding more channels and will be hopefully enjoying the amp and maybe a second one once all 7 channels are filled up on the first one, for years to come.
Now on to my impressions. After rerunning Auydssey, the sound quality in both movie and music listening has changed dramatically. With the Emotiva now doing the heavy lifting up front, so much more detail and nuances can be heard. Not only up front, but with all my other speakers as well because the Marantz is now more capable of driving the surrounds and overheads. One of the biggest difference is the bass extension. Although my speakers are very efficient I can now see or hear for that matter how more power was needed to put out the bass that I always felt was lacking from my system and thought it was a limitation of my speakers until I got the XPA Gen3. Especially in 2 channel listening. With such a boost to my listening experience I will definitely be adding more channels to my amp in the future.
Now to the bad. I know that I am probably one of the very rare cases but none the less it was very unsettling to me, especially as a first time customer of Emotiva. I had the amp for 2 weeks then all of a sudden when I fired it up 2 days ago the amp was stuck in protect mode. I tried everything from disconnecting everything and connecting one item at a time to troubleshoot to connecting it all back up on a different breaker to see if maybe I was getting a DC leak into my AC line but still no luck so I called tech support. After a brief diagnosis, the tech agreed that I have a faulty unit and emailed me a return shipping label and put in an order for a new 3 channel amp for me that I should have in about 10 days. Although I'm still in my 30 day home trial window I feel that they still would've given me that first class support and take care of me had I been outside the window. Best part is once I receive the new amp I will still have 2 weeks left to audition it should I feel dissatisfied and want to send it back for a full refund however from what I heard so far I don't think I'll be sending it back. I will be adding more channels and will be hopefully enjoying the amp and maybe a second one once all 7 channels are filled up on the first one, for years to come.
