jgun64
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8 
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Post by jgun64 on Jul 13, 2017 9:42:44 GMT -5
Hello everyone! Brand new to the forum and I'm seeking some information. I am a couple of days away from pulling the trigger on a new 3 channel amp. I am looking at the Emotiva XPA-3 Gen3 and the Monoprice Monolith 3. I am leaning towards the XPA but am a bit concerned about the switching power supply design and since it is new, how it holds up over time. Is there anyone out there that has owned one for a while that can give me some feedback?
Thanks in advance for any insight!
-Jeff
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Post by adaboy on Jul 13, 2017 9:48:45 GMT -5
I'd go with tried and true transformers. Monolith it is!
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Post by copperpipe on Jul 13, 2017 11:47:11 GMT -5
I'd go with Emotiva. These are their current flagship amps, I have to think they put some serious time/energy/research into making them sound good. Monoprice is a new player in the amp game, you have no idea if they will still be there 2 years from now. Monoprice is using someone else's design, Emotiva has full control over everything.
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Post by rbk123 on Jul 13, 2017 11:51:33 GMT -5
These amps have been out for 2'ish years now? One thing I do know is if there was even a hint somewhere of someone with a power supply issue, it would have been plastered all over this board because of the mass fear of going away from torroids. Since that isn't the case, it's pretty obvious the power supply has proven itself.
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jgun64
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by jgun64 on Jul 13, 2017 16:03:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses guys. I appreciate it.
-Jeff
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Post by vneal on Jul 13, 2017 18:50:31 GMT -5
EMOTIVA Gen 3
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Post by BlueHusky57 on Jul 14, 2017 8:08:03 GMT -5
My XPA-5 gen 3; continues to perform flawlessly each & every day since delivered past January 2017. It serves double duty both as our Music amp (Vinyl and Digital) and Theatre amp(Blu-ray & Netflix) sound is clean and full of detail. BTW have been an Emotiva customer since 2012, my experience from day one, has been very positive.
Have noted that when an issue has arisen, within their product line they tackled the issue head on to resolve. Perhaps due to their size, their forum is very active. Where you can learn of any issues folks may have, as well on how it is addressed. This is refreshing in these times that we are living to be treated as an individual and not as another number.
In case you were not aware, Emotiva is manufacturing their Quality Products in the USA, at the Franklin, Tennessee HQ's. My friends that have bought from Emotiva, all have thanked me after setting up and hearing the sound. Good luck, Jeff
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jgun64
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by jgun64 on Jul 15, 2017 1:34:12 GMT -5
Thanks bluehusky, you have described exactly what I will be using mine for also.
I frequently listen to vinyl and CD's so it is just as important to me that it sounds good reproducing 2 channel stereo. I spent years in the music industry followed by years of selling mid to upper mid grade audio and video equipment so I have a fairly critical ear (and eye). I have a pretty decent mid/upper mid system...a Yamaha RX-A2060 running left and right front pre out to an Adcom GFA-555 power amp which drives a pair of ADS L810's. Wonderful sound. The Yammy drives all the other channels; a Paradigm center channel, two pairs of KEF Q10's for the surrounds and rear surrounds and a pair of KEF ceiling speakers for the Atmos channels. My sub is a PSA V1500 but I use it exclusively for watching films, not for music. I love the tight punchy bass those old ADS produce when listening to music!
The Adcom is getting a bit long in the tooth and is beginning to produce a hum. I figured if I am going to replace it I should get a 3 channel amp since so much of the audio mix in films comes through that center channel. It'll be nice to have equal power all the way across the front as well.
Again, thanks for the feedback. I believe I will go with the Emotiva. If I'm unsure after I hook it up and listen for a few days I may order a Monolith also so I can do a comparison. If I'm happy with the Emotiva I'll stick with it. No point in muddying up the waters by introducing something else when I'm happy with what I've got 🙂
-Jeff
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Post by garbulky on Jul 15, 2017 1:56:55 GMT -5
The best amp I have heard is the XPA-1 gen 2. It's a great sounding no holds barred no compromise amp. It's more expensive than the others in the line up, but there's a reason for that imo.
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Post by adaboy on Jul 15, 2017 2:58:28 GMT -5
The best amp I have heard is the XPA-1 gen 2. It's a great sounding no holds barred no compromise amp. It's more expensive than the others in the line up, but there's a reason for that imo. That is the old emotiva standard issue Gar, and now it's their flagship? Hilarious, remember when the XPR's were the cream of the crop? Now the gen 2 XPA is? That should be all anyone needs to know. |
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jgun64
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by jgun64 on Jul 15, 2017 19:12:52 GMT -5
Well after much consideration and internal debate I pulled the trigger on a Gen 3 XPA-3. I actually looked around for a Gen2 but the only one I could find came with no warranty and no return policy. I got burned for $425.00 buying a used amp on Audiogon a while back so no returns is a deal breaker for me. I'm going to give it a hard listen and see what I think. I still have a little voice that is telling me to follow adaboy's advice and stick to the tried and true layout of the Monolith but I like the modular upgradability of the Emo and with a 5 year warranty if I do have a problem it'll be covered. If I have any doubts or concerns after I spend some quality time with it I will order a Monolith, have a shootout between the two and return the one that I prefer less.
Thanks to everyone for their input! I appreciate all of it. I'll keep you all posted on how it goes.
-Jeff
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jgun64
Seeker Of Truth
Posts: 8
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Post by jgun64 on Jul 15, 2017 19:30:36 GMT -5
One more note...I also received some input from Jeff over at AccuCal who did a calibration on my system a few months ago. He highly recommended the Emotiva also. He hadn't spent any time with the Monolith amps but said they looked like they were excellent. I have to give him a plug here. If you are serious about your setup and have never had a professional calibration done on your system I would highly recommend giving him a call. He travels around the country doing them and the difference he made with mine was profound. If you really want to get the most out of what you've got it will be well worth the money you spend. He did both my audio and video setups and I couldn't be happier. www.accucalav.comIf you want more detail on what he was able to do for my setup send me a message and I'll fill you in. |
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Post by leonski on Jul 16, 2017 14:43:27 GMT -5
One quick note:
I looked over the specs of the Monolith 200x7 amp. impressive for the price. The one photo I saw of the interior seems to indicate plenty of
Heat Sink, too. Always a good idea.
One minor point, however. It has OVER 2.2KVa worth of transformer. That tells me it needs a 20 amp service. At least for those who Demand Full Power.
1400 OUT (7x200) Divided By 2200 IN gives about 0.63 or 63% which is considered on the high / correct side for the efficiency of an A/B amp.
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Post by novisnick on Jul 16, 2017 14:46:41 GMT -5
One quick note: I looked over the specs of the Monolith 200x7 amp. impressive for the price. The one photo I saw of the interior seems to indicate plenty of Heat Sink, too. Always a good idea. One minor point, however. It has OVER 2.2KVa worth of transformer. That tells me it needs a 20 amp service. At least for those who Demand Full Power. 1400 OUT (7x200) Divided By 2200 IN gives about 0.63 or 63% which is considered on the high / correct side for the efficiency of an A/B amp. Very rarely in HT does anybody EVER demand the full potential of any amp. Just sayin! 😁 |
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Post by leonski on Jul 16, 2017 15:11:28 GMT -5
100% Agree.
But it must be said that the ILLUSION of all that power is what drives many to that purchase.
Many would be better served by a lesser-powered amp which would meet spec from a 15 amp service.
But I will say again, Yes, it is rare to the point of Never Happening (except on a test bench) that full-power would be required from
ALL SEVEN channels at once. Can you imagine how loud that would be? Or potential cost of Damaging your speakers?
And than? Most testers will use a High Current Variac to stabalize line voltage to whatever they think is the 'nominal value'.
Trying a full-power test at home will 'SAG' a 15 amp line badly.
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Post by adaboy on Jul 16, 2017 21:47:01 GMT -5
100% Agree. But it must be said that the ILLUSION of all that power is what drives many to that purchase. Many would be better served by a lesser-powered amp which would meet spec from a 15 amp service. But I will say again, Yes, it is rare to the point of Never Happening (except on a test bench) that full-power would be required from ALL SEVEN channels at once. Can you imagine how loud that would be? Or potential cost of Damaging your speakers? And than? Most testers will use a High Current Variac to stabalize line voltage to whatever they think is the 'nominal value'. Trying a full-power test at home will 'SAG' a 15 amp line badly. Let do it, I will know you are testing when the grid collapses 😂😂 |
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Post by leonski on Jul 16, 2017 23:10:12 GMT -5
During Normal Summer usage, the voltage at my house, measured by a plug-in Kill-A-Watt meter Bottoms out UNDER 115 while winter high is over 119
I'd expect problems if my house voltage dropped much lower. That would be the Dreaded Brown Out.
Right now, at 2100, the voltage is a low as I've seen it this year. As more All-Electric cars need charging at night (lowest rate) problems will get worse and
less opportunities exist for the power companies to do normal Scheduled maintenance on OffLine equipment.
The local WalMart has at least 10,000 sq.ft. of Solar Cells to take the edge of their summer cooling bill. At least 1/4 the homes in my neighborhood have Solar, as well.
California has a large installed capacity which works out to maybe 1 good sized power plant.
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,274
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Post by KeithL on Jul 19, 2017 13:42:54 GMT -5
NOTE: The part of this thread that drifted over to solar power has been moved to the Green Room The new thread there is called: "Solar Power - is it really worth it?"  |
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Post by novisnick on Jul 19, 2017 13:44:08 GMT -5
NOTE: The part of this thread that drifted over to solar power has been moved to the Green Room The new thread there is called: "Solar Power - is it really worth it?" Thats a BRIGHT idea! 😋👍 Pun intended. |
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Post by leonski on Jul 19, 2017 17:41:53 GMT -5
Stereo measurements is still a work in progress. When I saw some early measurments of 'D' amps, they had to install a filter ahead of the measurment system. SMPS can effect audible sound. The screen snap I saw of 10khz square wave was SAWTOOTHED on the top and bottom of the wave (flat top /bottom) Each had 40 bumps. Will, the Switching Frequency was about 400khz acccounting for the sawtooth. www.stereophile.com/content/ps-audio-gcc-100-integrated-amplifier-measurementspart way down is the SAME measurment WITH and WITHOUT filter. Can such artifacts be Audible? I suspect so. |
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