Emotiva MPS-1

[ParadigmDawg]

I am by no means an expert on audio/video gear or the lingo that relates to it; I do however have a good ear and eye for it. I will briefly give my opinion on my newly acquired amp.

The Emotiva MPS-1 arrived at my house in 3 boxes. One box contained the chassis, one box contained 2 power modules and the 3rd contained 1 power module. Upon opening the boxes I was very impressed with the packaging provided to protect the equipment. The chassis was wrapped in a good quality cloth bag, then inside a heavy foam structure and then double boxed. The modules were in a heavy foam slid-in enclosure that was sealed on all ends and then in a single box. I got the impression that I could throw these off my roof with no damage what so ever. You can order the amp to meet your needs as the modules come separately. I chose to go with 3 modules to power my LCR and liked the ability to add 4 more modules if ever I need/want them. Assembly of the amp was quick and very straight forward. All that was needed was a #2 Phillips screwdriver. Simply remove the 4 screws in the back, remove the blank cover, slide in the module and secure with the screws. This is done for each module and took less than 30 minutes. The amp can be triggered by 12v, signal or just manually turn on and off. I went with the 12v trigger from my Yamaha and it works very well.

I am impressed with this amp and have tested it out quite a bit over the past 3 days. The addition of this amp has added detail and separation to my speakers that I never had before. Like I said earlier, I am uncertain if I am using the proper language here but I hear more instruments at a greater level of detail even at lower volumes. When I turn the volume up it fills the room a lot better than before. It used to seem like something was missing at high volumes and the music was just running together. Now it seems effortless and clean. I have hammered on this amp at volumes too high to listen to for long periods. Yesterday I left it at 95 db at the listening area for 3.5 hours while I was out of the room. When I came back in I listened for the fans and to my surprise; they were still not on. I then touched the amp and it was barely warm. The other main thing I have noticed was the clarity of my center channel when watching movies. I would say that this has improved by 20%, very clean and crisp.

For 900 bucks; I don’t see how you can go wrong using this as a 3 channel amp and I am certain it would make a great 5 or 7 ch amp too if you are so inclined.

More to come later on acoustic panels and the new DLP

 

[Adam]

Thanks for the review, Greg. I'm interested in that amp myself, so it's good to read as many opinions as I can.

As you might remember, I got the RPA-1. I had the same impression of it when I started to use it, so it's great to hear that the MPS-1 is having the same impact on your system.

 

[obscbyclouds]

You guys aren't helping, I'm trying to decide between these two amps myself . In all seriousness though, thanks for the review Greg.

 

[Adam]

You guys aren't helping, I'm trying to decide between these two amps myself .

(Not to hijack, Dave...so sorry if this seems like that.)

Here's my thinking: if you only want two channels, get the RPA-1. If you want more than two channels, get the MPS-1. See, it's easy.

I got the RPA-1 because (a) it was my first outboard amp and the MPS-1 was a little rich for my inexperienced blood, and (b) the MPS-1 was out of stock, and I'm an instant gratification kind of guy. Now that I know how good that additional amplification sounds when I turn the system up loud, I kinda wish that I would have gotten at least three channels like Greg. The two amps look pretty similar, but the MPS-1 is deeper so make sure that your cabinet can take it.

 

[Adam]

Not to hijack, Dave...

Ummm, I meant "Greg."

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You can hijack my thread all you want. Like I said; I don’t know a lot about the technical end of this “sport” so I was uncertain if this little “review” would be beneficial at all.

Ummm, I meant "Greg."

 

[rnatalli]

Congrats on your purchase and welcome to the Emotiva club

 

[bigbangtheory]

*saving up the pennies and eBay'ing musical gear as we speak*

So ready to try some gear from Emotiva!!! Glad to hear news from satisfied customers.

 

[cfrizz]

Congrats & welcome to the wonderful world of separate amplification Greg!

You described the benefits of it just fine & in plain language that everyone can understand.

Enjoy!

 

[stratman]

Good to hear you're enjoying your amp, descriptive and straight to the point, good job.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Thanks guys.

By the way; the blue light issue fixed itself. I called Emotiva and they gave me some explaination on what was going on and said it wouldn't occur again but it was a little too deep for me to try and relay here. They are great to do business with!

 

[obscbyclouds]

Well, I think you have convinced me to go with the MPS-1, instead of the RPA-1. Glad to hear Emotiva's customer service is up to par with their products.

On a side note....got a big enough TV there?!?!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The TV is getting close to the size I want

Well, I think you have convinced me to go with the MPS-1, instead of the RPA-1. Glad to hear Emotiva's customer service is up to par with their products.

On a side note....got a big enough TV there?!?!

 

[jcPanny]

Emotiva amps

Enjoy the MPS-1.
Even Emotiva's entry level LPA-1 amp was an upgrde over the internal amps on my Yamaha receiver, especially with 4 ohm speakers.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Thanks, I think I will enjoy it

Enjoy the MPS-1.
Even Emotiva's entry level LPA-1 amp was an upgrde over the internal amps on my Yamaha receiver, especially with 4 ohm speakers.

 

[AVRat]

Now no more lushing and listening. EH, EH!!!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That only applies to Pure Direct mode

Now no more lushing and listening. EH, EH!!!

 

[Jey Jockey]

Just you wait my friend!!

Hi there and congrats on your new purchase, The MPS-1 is indeed an awesome and heavy duty but gorgeous piece of gear.

Warning: if you think upgrading your amp sounds good, just add the DMC-1 pre/pro or any other of their pre/pros and you will be blown away. Honestly, my system sounds so good I still cannot believe the sound that comes from my speakers. Really a great value indeed.

Customer service is second to none, how many Presidents of companies pick up the phone and actually engage in a conversation with a customer??? I have had the pleasure of speaking with Dan Laufman (Emo Big Dog) several times myself.

I cannot recommend Emotiva equipment highly enough, they just flat out rock!

As a side note, if you are also looking for really amazing top notch speakers to compliment your Emo gear, another fantastic internet direct company is Axiom. I am lucky enough to own the M80v2( top of the line floorstander) and cannot say how pleased I am with them, its as though they were designed to match the Emo "Big Dogs", this is sonic bliss
I have not heard their center channels but some folks including the reviews here on Audioholics think they are not quite up to par with the rest of their gear. I can say though that the speakers I own(floorstanders) are simply breathtaking for music and HT alike.

Congrats and enjoy!!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am keeping an eye out for some updated pre/pro's to come out from EMO

I am quite happy with my speakers so they will be staying around for some time.

Hi there and congrats on your new purchase, The MPS-1 is indeed an awesome and heavy duty but gorgeous piece of gear.

Warning: if you think upgrading your amp sounds good, just add the DMC-1 pre/pro or any other of their pre/pros and you will be blown away. Honestly, my system sounds so good I still cannot believe the sound that comes from my speakers. Really a great value indeed.

Customer service is second to none, how many Presidents of companies pick up the phone and actually engage in a conversation with a customer??? I have had the pleasure of speaking with Dan Laufman (Emo Big Dog) several times myself.

I cannot recommend Emotiva equipment highly enough, they just flat out rock!

As a side note, if you are also looking for really amazing top notch speakers to compliment your Emo gear, another fantastic internet direct company is Axiom. I am lucky enough to own the M80v2( top of the line floorstander) and cannot say how pleased I am with them, its as though they were designed to match the Emo "Big Dogs", this is sonic bliss
I have not heard their center channels but some folks including the reviews here on Audioholics think they are not quite up to par with the rest of their gear. I can say though that the speakers I own(floorstanders) are simply breathtaking for music and HT alike.

Congrats and enjoy!!

 

[TRT]

Thanks guys.

By the way; the blue light issue fixed itself. I called Emotiva and they gave me some explaination on what was going on and said it wouldn't occur again but it was a little too deep for me to try and relay here. They are great to do business with!

Make sure you have a quality audio rack or amp stand. That baby is HEAVY!