Power Amp For My New Speakers, Emotiva, Behringer?

[oppman99]

Yes, thats the amp.

I have an old Arcam Xeta8(my brothers, Ive never used it...). I really dont know much about hooking up a power amp and pre amp. I want to use this old Arcam for now as a preamp, untill I get a really good AV receiver. Does anyone know how to hook these two amps up, and if I need any special cables etc?

I'm not familiar with your Arcam. You will need to be sure it has preouts to use it with an external amp. If it has them, you just connect the L/R preouts on the Arcam to the inputs on the amp.

 

[Swerd]

Yes, thats the amp.

I have an old Arcam Xeta8(my brothers, Ive never used it...). I really dont know much about hooking up a power amp and pre amp. I want to use this old Arcam for now as a preamp, untill I get a really good AV receiver. Does anyone know how to hook these two amps up, and if I need any special cables etc?

Thanks so much for any help!

I'm not sure if the Arcam Xeta8 is a preamp or a receiver. Look on its rear panel for red & white (right & left) RCA type jacks on the back labeled "pre-amp out", "line out", something similar. Connect to similar input RCA jacks on the back of the amp. Use standard audio interconnect cables with male RCA plugs on either end. Exotic and expensive cable brands are not required.

You can download the Parasound owner's manual on the bottom of that page I linked.

 

[mibson]

I sold a Parasound HCA-1200 a few months back. It still worked like new and is near the same age as the one you are looking at. You might want to check out the Emotiva UPA-2. It is on sale through the end of the year for $249 + $25 shipping. You'd get a 5 year warranty and a brand new amp. I prefer the Emotiva to the older Parasound, but that's just my opinion.

I have been thinking about Emotiva, Ive heard mixed reviews regarding their reliability...any thoughts?

 

[oppman99]

I have been thinking about Emotiva, Ive heard mixed reviews regarding their reliability...any thoughts?

I've owned an XPA-2 and currently run a pair of the monoblocks. Never had any issues. I've only heard of a handful of people having issues with their amps and those were fixed under warranty. I would estimate that 95% of Emotiva buyers are more than happy with their purchase. If you aren't, there is always the 30 day return policy. Some may call me a fanboy if they want, but I have nothing but good things to say about the company. Have I heard better? Yes, but only for A LOT more money. I haven't tried pro amps though.

 

[mibson]

Yamaha M45? Any Good?

I found a used Yamaha M45amp and C45 preamp, and I cant seem to find much info on this amp. Can anyone tell me what they think of it?

I can get it for $350.

Thanks for any help

 

[mibson]

I want a UPA-2

Ive decided on the UPA-2. Ive totally blown my budget on speakers (PSB platinum T8).

I hope its enough power, however I can use it for surrounds or center channel in the future if I find a need to upgrade power (XPA-2 in the future if necessary).

Im excited to get this system going in a few weeks!

 

[Swerd]

Ive decided on the UPA-2. Ive totally blown my budget on speakers (PSB platinum T8).

I hope its enough power, however I can use it for surrounds or center channel in the future if I find a need to upgrade power (XPA-2 in the future if necessary).

Im excited to get this system going in a few weeks!

Good choices all around ! I suspect you may be worrying too much over the power question, and there is such a thing as Analysis Paralysis.

Did your Salk listening session happen, or did you forget that when you decided on the PSBs?

 

[mibson]

Salk listening didnt happen

Jim Salk said he contacted someone in my area to ask about a listening session, but I have not heard back...

With the good deal Im getting on demo versions of PSBs I just decided to go for them, Im pretty sure they will fill my room with music...

 

[mibson]

Salk

By the way, I did hear back from Jim. But I decided to get PSBs since I found a good deal on them.

Just didnt want to "dis" Salk...

 

[JJMP50]

Emo vs Outlaw

I've been kicking around the idea of using my Yamaha 659 as a prepro and picking up a power amp. I have dealt with Outlaw before and had a very good experience. That being said, the Outlaw 7125 is twice the price as the XPA 5. Yes the Outlaw is a 7 channel amp vs the XPA5s 5 but I only run a 5.1 system. Any thoughts between the two?

 

[oppman99]

Both brands have a good reputation. I haven't specifically heard the Outaw. If you think the Outlaw is twice as good as the Emotiva, then go for it. I'd take the cash I saved buying the less expensive amp and use it to upgrade another part of my system (second sub, room treatments ect.).