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Post by routlaw on Feb 5, 2019 14:43:56 GMT -5
I wonder how these would compare sonically to the PS Audio Stellar M700 Mono Blocs other than the price. They have enjoyed outstanding reviews, but at a considerable cost though. Thanks for the review Boom, sounds interesting.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Feb 5, 2019 15:01:45 GMT -5
...This makes it sound like the PA-1 is the first to do that. It might be, as you say in the opening, the first you have heard that do this. But, sorry...Bruno P beat Emotiva to that a long time ago (and as chicagorspec notes...these ICE modules have been around for a while). Bruno's creations in the Class D space have long been touted as groundbreaking with regard to Class D for audiophiles. And, while the price of an assembled version is...ridiculous. The kit price is fantastic...Mark You're absolutely right, Mark - on all points. But since most cannot and will not consider kits, this product does make the Emotiva PA-1 the first affordable Class-D with audiophile sound. I get you on the kit comment. In the case of the Hypex, the kit is one of the easiest things to assemble I could have imagined. For me, even with custom cases I made, mine were just a little over 2x what the PA-1's cost. Making the custom cased took far longer than wiring up the parts. And, the sound was better than my Gen 1 XPA-2. I would love to hear some PA-1's vs. my Hypex, but I wouldn't spend the $ to hear them as I am very satisfied with what I have. If someone dropped a pair off at my house, I'd sure give them a try though! That said...if I were to go to Atmos...I'd love a multichannel class D amp for my center, surrounds, and heights/widths. My Gen 1 XPA-5 would retire and hopefully be replaced by a smaller box that used less power. (And, I have loved my XPA-5...still a great amp!) Mark |
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Post by DavidR on Feb 5, 2019 15:26:41 GMT -5
So how long will they last (stay) in your system before being changed out? That's what I want to know.
Might be the way to go for my center channel.
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Post by Casey Leedom on Feb 5, 2019 15:26:49 GMT -5
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 5, 2019 15:36:42 GMT -5
So how long will they last (stay) in your system before being changed out? That's what I want to know. Might be the way to go for my center channel. The PA-1s are still with me. |
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Post by pedrocols on Feb 5, 2019 15:39:11 GMT -5
Personally I don't see the value of an 200 wpc D amp for that kind of money. I think the money could be better spend on speakers. |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Feb 5, 2019 16:17:33 GMT -5
No - I am happy with what I have - no reason to change at this point. Love my nc400 amp modules and their SMPS600 power supplies. They have sounded great and pack a punch since day 1. Mark |
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Post by Casey Leedom on Feb 5, 2019 17:14:16 GMT -5
Mostly I was just thinking about your multi-channel Atmos comment ...
Casey
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Post by rbk123 on Feb 5, 2019 17:30:45 GMT -5
So how long will they last (stay) in your system before being changed out? That's what I want to know. Might be the way to go for my center channel. The PA-1s are still with me. That wasn't the question. |
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 5, 2019 18:00:01 GMT -5
But that's still the answer. I don't plan to let these go.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Feb 5, 2019 21:54:27 GMT -5
Mostly I was just thinking about your multi-channel Atmos comment ... Casey Gotcha...for the surrounds and height/width, I'm not convinced that "the ultimate" amps are needed. Seems like low power, reasonable quality would be good enough for most needs. The ATI products look pretty pricey even for 5 channels, so it's a lot of $ for what I consider "lower demand" channels. It's clear that 5 PA-1 based boards in 1 box would be a lot cheaper than the ATI equivalent. And, 10 would still likely be cheaper than their 5...and likely sound just as good. For the center and FR/FL...I'm willing to invest more because I think they count more. But, that's just me. Mark |
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Post by Casey Leedom on Feb 5, 2019 22:40:50 GMT -5
I agree. But isn't this hobby all about Over-The-Top? :-)
Casey
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Post by rbk123 on Feb 5, 2019 23:49:17 GMT -5
But that's still the answer. I don't plan to let these go. Of course you don't, that's what we love about you. |
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Post by audiobill on Feb 6, 2019 6:11:10 GMT -5
Good review, Boom. An interesting alternative to the real deal.
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 6, 2019 6:21:26 GMT -5
Thanks, audiobill - Coming from you, I consider that high praise, indeed! |
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 6, 2019 14:22:21 GMT -5
D-Sonic amps are a real price/performance leader. 400 wpc for less than $1500. And for that price I could buy five (count'em - 5 - that's FIVE) Emotiva PA-1 amplifiers! I'm not saying that D-Sonic amps aren't a bargain, but they can't touch Emotiva's price to performance ratio. Now if you NEED 400 watts, as opposed to just thinking you do, then yeah, D-Sonic will fix your Jones. But since most home audio listening (stereo not HT) is done at ONE watt or less, and with 10 watt maximums if you're playing REALLY loudly, then 140 watts is not only adequate, but actually wretched overkill for the purpose. Boomzilla |
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Post by rbk123 on Feb 6, 2019 14:43:57 GMT -5
Have to agree with Boom here. Mark's Maggies would warrant a more powerful amp due to their complex load, but most non-planars are more than efficient enough for 140W. I assume that 140W limit is already designed into the cards themselves pre-built from B&O, so Emo would have to buy different modules to make something more powerful.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 16:56:18 GMT -5
Glen, question:
As you well know 100 watts sound varies greatly between higher voltage vs high current amps.
We like that full, even dynamic range sound of Emotiva high current amps, do the class D have that high current A/B sound?
JZ
edit- you mentioned “class-D midrange emphasis,” with tube preamp.
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Post by garbulky on Feb 6, 2019 17:07:47 GMT -5
Glen, question: As you well know 100 watts sound varies greatly between higher voltage vs high current amps. We like that full, even dynamic range sound of Emotiva high current amps, do the class D have that high current A/B sound? JZ edit- you mentioned “class-D midrange emphasis,” with tube preamp. I'm not sure what the high current sound is. But the short answer is that it depends. (Subjectively) The PA-1 tends to have a really nice sound. So it's not shouty or anything like that. The XPA-1 has a slightly fuller and larger sound. While the PA-1 gives a better impression of speed and clarity. Think of it like an XPA-1 but with a lighter touch. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 17:54:12 GMT -5
garbulky, so the answer is 'no' to "fuller and larger sound".
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