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Post by rommel on Feb 3, 2018 0:43:54 GMT -5
Well after recovering from Christmas & purchase of Martion Logan Motion front 3, I'm saving up for an amplifer to relieve my Marantz SR7005 of these duties. I'm considering the XPA-2 Gen3 in a FIVE-3-1S configuration or XPA-DR3(as a start)to power my 5.1 setup. I'm all over the board in thinking of which amp & configuration to start with. I've been considering anything from : Anthem MCA-325, MCA 225, NAD M22v2, M27, Parasound Halo A-21, A31, Benchmark AHB-2, PS Audio Stellar M700, S300, Yamaha MX-A5000, Monolith 3x200 and of course Emotiva's offerings. My primary concern is for stereo SQ for the Motion towers and flexibility for theater secondary. So any input or suggestions would be appreciated!!!
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Post by localnet on Feb 3, 2018 6:39:23 GMT -5
5.3 set up here... Love my Emotiva amps, the XPA-2 and XPA-3, no complaints on sound or volume. The best upgrade was the new Denon X4400H which is surprisingly musical when compared to my other Denon gear. You can see what I am running below in my signature. No complaints here, and Emotiva is a joy to work with, their customer service is beyond stellar, as is their gear. Yes, I am a Kool Aid drinker. ;-)
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Post by broncsrule21 on Feb 3, 2018 10:15:03 GMT -5
A good 2-channel amp is something that will last a very long time. Everything else can be adjusted around that. Your money goes the the farthest with Emotiva amps, without sacrificing quality. Enjoy!
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Post by kybourbon on Feb 3, 2018 10:29:38 GMT -5
A good 2-channel amp is something that will last a very long time. Everything else can be adjusted around that. Your money goes the the farthest with Emotiva amps, without sacrificing quality. Enjoy! Agreed. Speakers and amps are worth the money. They don't get outdated nearly as easily. |
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Post by flamingeye on Feb 3, 2018 10:43:27 GMT -5
Emotiva amps are one of my most prized gear in my system and the only way I would replace it is if it ever went down and I couldn't get it fixed
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Post by socketman on Feb 3, 2018 11:27:51 GMT -5
Word of warning, most of us here dont understand the word restraint .  Having said that be sure to buy an amp that will pair easily with your second amp so you end up with the correct number of channels. I started with an XPA 3and it made no sense to add a 2 channel amp so i got an XPA 5 then i had 8 channels for a 7.1 now i am going atmos and adding a third amp would take up too much room so now i have an XPA 5 and XPA 6 and sold the 3 channel. A normal person would use 3 mono modules for the front 3 and stereo modules for the rest and then upgrade the amp when they move to ATMOS. I am not normal and want big power all the way around. some here even use monoblocs. So for typical use i say get 3 mono's for the front and then 2 stereo for the rest which is more than enough power. You can configure what you want on the amp purchase page. |
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Post by knecht on Feb 3, 2018 12:42:13 GMT -5
I have an XPR-5 and a Parasound A21 and feel the 2 channel of the A21 is superior to the XPR-5. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the XPR. Just think the Parasound outshines it.
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Post by Gary Cook on Feb 3, 2018 16:10:45 GMT -5
Power amps last a long time, decades even, a good power amp today will always be a good power amp, there never really go out of date or be superseded by some new digital processing format. If you do a reasonably amount of stereo, be it 2.0 or 2.1, listening then the is no substitute for a pair of monoblocks. As previous posters have suggested it's then a matter of choosing an amp that has the number of channels you need. Fortunately there is plenty of flexibility in configuring XPA Gen 3's, just chose the number of channels.
My configuration is to have the monoblocks close by their respective speakers with long interconnects, preferably XLR balanced for external noise elimination. Together with short speakers cables for the lowest possible impedance and again external noise minimisation. The multichannel amplifier/s obviously can't have that sort of advantage, so mine is located in the rack with the other gear.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by teaman on Feb 3, 2018 16:33:49 GMT -5
Keep an eye on the Monolith amps, they just had a B-Stock sale with amps nearly half off with full warranty. I would most likely look to them if I was in need of any amps at this time.
Tim
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Post by pknaz on Feb 3, 2018 16:38:56 GMT -5
Keep an eye on the Monolith amps, they just had a B-Stock sale with amps nearly half off with full warranty. I would most likely look to them if I was in need of any amps at this time. Tim Other than their appearance.....they are OEMed from ATI - so they're pretty solid amps. |
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Post by teaman on Feb 3, 2018 16:48:17 GMT -5
Keep an eye on the Monolith amps, they just had a B-Stock sale with amps nearly half off with full warranty. I would most likely look to them if I was in need of any amps at this time. Tim Other than their appearance.....they are OEMed from ATI - so they're pretty solid amps. Exactly pknaz, throw in that they cost 2/3 less than the top line ATI amps and it definitely presents a good product at an affordable price point. Outlaw amps are another brand I would look at, outside of the M2200 which I didn't care for, there are still a few amp manufacturers representing good bang for the buck. I might even aim for a Schiit or PS Audio. Sorry to say but I think Emotiva jumped out of the comfort zone and put itself into a price point it doesn't really compete in. I would buy a Parasound if I were spending Emo money these days. |
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Post by garbulky on Feb 3, 2018 16:51:22 GMT -5
Other than their appearance.....they are OEMed from ATI - so they're pretty solid amps. Exactly pknaz, throw in that they cost 2/3 less than the top line ATI amps and it definitely presents a good product at an affordable price point. Outlaw amps are another brand I would look at, outside of the M2200 which I didn't care for, there are still a few amp manufacturers representing good bang for the buck. I might even aim for a Schiit or PS Audio. Sorry to say but I think Emotiva jumped out of the comfort zone and put itself into a price point it doesn't really compete in. I would buy a Parasound if I were spending Emo money these days. Yep. The price point is definitely more uncomfortable now. That's why I have my eye on the gen 2's. |
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Post by teaman on Feb 3, 2018 16:58:34 GMT -5
Exactly pknaz, throw in that they cost 2/3 less than the top line ATI amps and it definitely presents a good product at an affordable price point. Outlaw amps are another brand I would look at, outside of the M2200 which I didn't care for, there are still a few amp manufacturers representing good bang for the buck. I might even aim for a Schiit or PS Audio. Sorry to say but I think Emotiva jumped out of the comfort zone and put itself into a price point it doesn't really compete in. I would buy a Parasound if I were spending Emo money these days. Yep. The price point is definitely more uncomfortable now. That's why I have my eye on the gen 2's. I see people selling used Gen 2 on Ebay and Audiogon, etc for more than they sold for new. They still seem like bargains paying full price for three year old amps compared to the new Gen 3 amps. Even more so when you look at something like the XSP-1. My God, the same piece of gear has jumped by $400 retail in two years with no improvements. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2018 17:17:01 GMT -5
XPA-3 & let the receiver do the rest
The A-5175 looks good too
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Post by socketman on Feb 3, 2018 21:36:25 GMT -5
Other than their appearance.....they are OEMed from ATI - so they're pretty solid amps. Exactly pknaz, throw in that they cost 2/3 less than the top line ATI amps and it definitely presents a good product at an affordable price point. Outlaw amps are another brand I would look at, outside of the M2200 which I didn't care for, there are still a few amp manufacturers representing good bang for the buck. I might even aim for a Schiit or PS Audio. S orry to say but I think Emotiva jumped out of the comfort zone and put itself into a price point it doesn't really compete in. I would buy a Parasound if I were spending Emo money these days.I have to disagree, Emotiva is still very cost effective and relevant for us Canadians. The closest i can find in canada with the same power and no blue lights is Axiom and that amp would cost me 4700 somalies. I have heard good things about the Axiom amps but i dont have that kind of scratch. 6 channels from Emo is 2500 much easier to take. |
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Post by rommel on Feb 3, 2018 23:37:59 GMT -5
So between the Emotiva XPA-2 Gen3 in a FIVE-3-1S configuration or XPA-DR3 for driving my front three is the XPA-DR3 worth the extra coin?? Also, I just feel like if I don't save up and go with the NAD M22v2 I'm going to kick myself, something about that amp speaks to me. At the same time $3k would get me a lot of Emotiva for my current setup with change left over.
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Post by socketman on Feb 3, 2018 23:57:57 GMT -5
I myself dont have the technical chops to help you decide which amp could potentially sound better with your current set up. I can say i came from a Denon 3311 and added the XPA 3 and i felt the difference was dramatic.I also dont believe that spending more necessarily gets you more. For HT i feel the Emotiva is a great investment and i dont have any complaints about its 2 channel abilities either. There is a lot of technical jargon about the superiority of the DR3 whether it will enhance your movie experience i can not say. I know its a tough decision but for me the XPA 3 checks all the box's of price,power,quality I would also add that i would really like to try a class D / ncore before i layed down my hard earned money.
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Post by creimes on Feb 4, 2018 0:32:40 GMT -5
I would go with this amp over the NAD, 8 channels that can be bridged would give you options of different power per channel, like 6 channels bridged and two unbridged for a total of five channels, many options but will run you a lot more than going the Emotiva route. www.nuprimeaudio.com/product/mch-k38/Chad |
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Post by rommel on Feb 4, 2018 0:41:05 GMT -5
I would go with this amp over the NAD, 8 channels that can be bridged would give you options of different power per channel, like 6 channels bridged and two unbridged for a total of five channels, many options but will run you a lot more than going the Emotiva route. www.nuprimeaudio.com/product/mch-k38/Chad That looks nice! I had looked at this one for just a stereo amp: www.nuprimeaudio.com/product/st-10/Another to add to the mix. At least I have a 2-3 months to save up& decide!! |
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Post by emofrmcgy on Feb 4, 2018 0:43:29 GMT -5
Keep an eye on the Monolith amps, they just had a B-Stock sale with amps nearly half off with full warranty. I would most likely look to them if I was in need of any amps at this time. Tim +1 And to add. These are very nice. Very small company. Hand built in the USA. www.classdaudio.com/ |
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Having said that be sure to buy an amp that will pair easily with your second amp so you end up with the correct number of channels. I started with an XPA 3and it made no sense to add a 2 channel amp so i got an XPA 5 then i had 8 channels for a 7.1 now i am going atmos and adding a third amp would take up too much room so now i have an XPA 5 and XPA 6 and sold the 3 channel. A normal person would use 3 mono modules for the front 3 and stereo modules for the rest and then upgrade the amp when they move to ATMOS. I am not normal and want big power all the way around. some here even use monoblocs. So for typical use i say get 3 mono's for the front and then 2 stereo for the rest which is more than enough power. You can configure what you want on the amp purchase page.
