XPA-3 Review

[twilkins]

I posted this originally in the amplifier section:

Received the XPA-3 today to drive my Klipsch f-3s and C-2. My Onkyo 806 will take care of the surrounds in my 5.1. I'm officially back to separates for the first time since the 1960s. I also received the ET-3. Since the Onk has no switched outlet or 12V trigger other than zone 2 I'll plug the ET-3 into a Smart Strip (switched outlet) so that the XPA-3 powers on with the Onk. I thought I was prepared for the size and weight but this thing is really a beast. Just carrying it upstairs was a challenge. I'll hook it all up tomorrow and am looking forward to the experience.

Some observations:

1) Front stage has a lot of punch. I do notice more clarity from the center channel.
2) All five channels utilizing the Emo & the Onkyo for surrounds blend very nicely together. I was kicking around the idea of using the UPA-2 for the surrounds but the Onkyo seems to do the job and is probabley delivering more wpc over 2 channels.
3) The ET-3 works great with a smart strip if your receiver does not have 12V trigger or switched outlet.

Glad I made the purchase. Someday I hope to power the fronts with the XPA-2 and pair it with the XPA-3 which will power the center and surrounds. Don't know if it would help as far as home theater but my 2 channel music experience might improve.

[SticknStones]

Enjoy! Let us know on your sound test. I too have a similar setup to you with the Denon running surrounds until the XMC comes out and then will add the XPA2. I like the modular approach!

[Indycolts]

I was using my Yamaha receiver for rear surrounds and for some reason I was using my XPA-5 to just power my 3 front speakers thinking that I would be getting plenty of power using my receiver for the surrounds plus the extra watts that I would get pushing my mains and center . It is a 5 channel amp for a reason, I could not believe how huge of a difference it was when I finally hooked up the surrounds with my XPA-5, they are actually a very important necessity in surround movies that I had really never experienced before. Please do not think your receiver can out do an amp, not even in the same ball park use your amp for surrounds if possible.

[altpensacola]

Jun 10, 2009 9:44:52 GMT -5 Indycolts said:

I was using my Yamaha receiver for rear surrounds and for some reason I was using my XPA-5 to just power my 3 front speakers thinking that I would be getting plenty of power using my receiver for the surrounds plus the extra watts that I would get pushing my mains and center . It is a 5 channel amp for a reason, I could not believe how huge of a difference it was when I finally hooked up the surrounds with my XPA-5, they are actually a very important necessity in surround movies that I had really never experienced before. Please do not think your receiver can out do an amp, not even in the same ball park use your amp for surrounds if possible.

What speakers do you have?
Most folks keep posting that you can leave your surrounds on the receiver...so I thought about that and using the two other amp slots (XPA5) for some B speakers (another room). But now I don't think I'd even bother.

[broncsrule21]

Jun 10, 2009 17:08:32 GMT -5 altpensacola said:

Jun 10, 2009 9:44:52 GMT -5 Indycolts said:

I was using my Yamaha receiver for rear surrounds and for some reason I was using my XPA-5 to just power my 3 front speakers thinking that I would be getting plenty of power using my receiver for the surrounds plus the extra watts that I would get pushing my mains and center . It is a 5 channel amp for a reason, I could not believe how huge of a difference it was when I finally hooked up the surrounds with my XPA-5, they are actually a very important necessity in surround movies that I had really never experienced before. Please do not think your receiver can out do an amp, not even in the same ball park use your amp for surrounds if possible.

What speakers do you have?
Most folks keep posting that you can leave your surrounds on the receiver...so I thought about that and using the two other amp slots (XPA5) for some B speakers (another room). But now I don't think I'd even bother.

I would use the amp to power the surrounds and the receiver to power the second zone.

[Indycolts]

altpensacola, exactly what broncsrule21 says, the receiver for the second zone and the amp for the surrounds. Trust me on this one.

my speakers that I am currently using.
B&W 604 SERIES 2 - FRONTS
B&W LCR600 - CENTER
B&W 302 - REAR
KLIPSCH 12" SUB