Amp for B&W CM9s?

[jjeckelxz5]

Currently they are running on a Pioneer Elite SC-63 receiver but I would like to switch to a dedicated amp. Currently I'm leaning toward Emotiva XPA-100s or XPA-2 since they seem to be the best value. Would like to hear peoples thoughts on Emotiva amps and also if there are any suggestions? Budget is $1000, but may go up to $1500.

Thanks

 

[TLS Guy]

Currently they are running on a Pioneer Elite SC-63 receiver but I would like to switch to a dedicated amp. Currently I'm leaning toward Emotiva XPA-100s or XPA-2 since they seem to be the best value. Would like to hear peoples thoughts on Emotiva amps and also if there are any suggestions? Budget is $1000, but may go up to $1500.

Thanks

This is right in your budget. These are fantastic power amps and I now own 8 of them. The buy it now is a very good price. These are extremely reliable amps and have super sound. This will be perfect for your application.

This will be a purchase you will not regret.

 

[GIEGAR]

Currently they are running on a Pioneer Elite SC-63 receiver but I would like to switch to a dedicated amp. Currently I'm leaning toward Emotiva XPA-100s or XPA-2 since they seem to be the best value. Would like to hear peoples thoughts on Emotiva amps and also if there are any suggestions? Budget is $1000, but may go up to $1500.
Thanks

Hi JJ, what are you hoping to achieve with the addition of a power amp? The best value power amps are the ones you actually need.

Confirmation bias aside, a power amp is not going to make any improvement to sound quality if your Pioneer is already capable of cleanly powering your B&W's to beyond your preferred maximum volume level. Do you suspect that the Pioneer is clipping at the maximum volumes you enjoy?

The Pioneer Elite SC-63 is 4Ω rated and Sound+Vision testing on it's near identical twin SC-61 indicates it's capable of delivering at least 100W into 8Ω and 200W into 4Ω with minimal distortion on a continuous basis. Hooked up to the 89dB/2.83V(1W)/1m B&W CM9's, 100W (20dBW) gives 109dBSPL per speaker at 1m. At (say) a 10ft listening distance in a typically furnished room, that equates to around 104dBSPL per speaker or 107dBSPL for a stereo pair. (That's based on continuous rated power, not dynamic/short-term power.) By comparison, THX/Dolby cinema reference level peaks (ie. at 0dB master volume) are theoretically 105dBSPL per channel at the main listening position. These 105dBSPL program peaks would require 21dBW or ~130W bursts of power per channel from the amps into your B&W's; a figure which should be well within the dynamic capabilities of the SC-63's amps.

Do you listen this loud, or would you like to listen this loud? We could have a crack at what your theoretical power needs are if you let us know: what your preferred maximum volume levels (dBMV) are for say music and movies; your seating distance from the speakers; and a general description of the room. Whether you run a sub or not could be useful too.

Then again, you might just love the idea of having a power amp, and that's cool. But there's probably more effective, less expensive ways of hunting down improved audio performance.