LPA-1 vs AMC2445

[soulrider4ever]

I recently sold my pair of AMC2445 for an LPA-1. The AMC2445 were setup as 90wpc x 3 (L/R/C) and 45wpc (RR/RL).

The difference in the upgrade was immediately apparent. Although the AMC2445 was a HUGE upgrade over a receiver; the upgrade to the LPA-1 was a nice step up.

The biggest differences were the imaging of my speakers. The AMC amps just couldn't bring these speakers to create a nice stereo image. As soon as I used the LPA-1, the speakers opened up a bit more, sounded more natural in movies. The center channel benefited the most - the voices of the people in the movies just 'sounded' a lot more like the actual voices they represtented. In cars - Owen Wilson's voice was unmistakable.

The amc amps while very 'musical' they also sounded a bit harsh. The Emotiva amp got rid of both, and instead of everything being 'musical' - only the musical music sounded musical. The highs were much less abrasive and more coherent.

Overall, I really like this amp - and will hold onto it as long as I can before upgraditis kicks in and an XPA-5 comes wooing me away

It just sounded even more like a real movie theater - all I need now is more popcorn!

[soulrider4ever]

I've now had some more play time with this amp. I've also taken time to redo my EQ settings in Vista for room correction, which helped considerably - highly recommend some kind of room correction if you've got it - use it!

Music - 2.0 > Diamond 9.1's

REM - Losing my religion

While I love this song for the simple fact that it's just a classic. The AMC amps sounds more sterile, while the LPA-1 was more full bodied. The AMC amps had a tint of thinness in the sound despite only powering bookshelfs. The LPA-1 again dominated in pure imaging - I have to double check the center channel is off because the voices are coming dead center. The AMC's wouldn't do that.

Clarity - the signal was just coming through the speakers clearer. I could hear quieter background noises with less strain.

The added Bass became immediately apparent when I played Norah Jones feat. Peter Malick group - New York City; a track I downlaoded from hdtracks.com (very nice) in Flac.

The begninning of the track gave so much more bass and authority over the speaker that I had to confirm the sub was off. When I turned the sub on - it only went a bit deeper; but it was shocking just how much power was making it's way to these speakers.

The LPA-1 just keeps the signal nuetral, I'm not hearing an amp as much as I'm hearing what my speakers should sound like.

Movies - 5.1
Spiderwick Chronicles

With the proper EQ dialed in, I can't take the volume past 20% without making the wife upset. The sound is clear, I hear all the footsteps clearly. All of those lovely noises that previously hid themselves in the background are now clear as a bell.

During dialog scenes just hearing the actors taking breaths between lines.

The LPA-1 was a winner, and the UPA-7 I'm sure is a winner as well.

What are you waiting for? Go buy 1