Maggies and amps (Emotiva)

[bhodge]

Hi All,

My current speaker setup is maggies 1.6s for L/R and the MC1 for center. Currently do not have surrounds, but looking to purchase in the near future, probably some PSBs.

With the UMC-1 coming out (on the preorder list), I've decided to go with separates. From searching around it appears that Emotiva amps have quite the bang for the buck and fit nicely within my budget and have found quite a few good reviews of the emotiva amps with the maggies, but curious if anyone had other suggestions for amps.

My first inclination was to buy the XPA-5 as I will most likely stick with a 5.1 system for my HT. But looking around, it appears that a better setup might be to use monoblocks for everything. While I think that would be outside my budget (not to mention the additional space and power requirements), I could foresee buying a 3 channel amp (say the XPA-3) and use my current receiver to run the rears. Then purchase a 2 channel amp down the road to drive my 1.6s, leaving my 3 channel amp for the center and surrounds. Does this sound like the best plan of action?

Budget wise to drive my fronts and centers, I would like to stay under $800. I can currently get a B stock XPA-5 for $699, which $100 more than the XPA-3.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Monoblocks would be ideal, but as you mentioned they cost more money and space ($1,500 for 5 x UPA-1, 20" high, 130 lbs).

I would get the XPA-5.

 

[GlocksRock]

I wonder why Emotiva didn't just keep the MPS-1 around, it was expensive, but it offered 200x7 in a single chassis. So glad I got an IPS-1 while they still made them.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I wonder why Emotiva didn't just keep the MPS-1 around, it was expensive, but it offered 200x7 in a single chassis. So glad I got an IPS-1 while they still made them.

I kind of regret selling my MPS-2. I should have kept it.

 

[GlocksRock]

Yeah, that definitely was a nice amp... almost wish I had gotten it instead of the IPS-1, but I didn't feel the extra 50 watts a channel was worth the extra money, especially when my speakers have a good sensitivity.

 

[jostenmeat]

Budget wise to drive my fronts and centers, I would like to stay under $800. I can currently get a B stock XPA-5 for $699, which $100 more than the XPA-3.

If the XPA5 is truly as good, per channel, as the XPA3, it seems like a much better buy. Only $100 more for 2 channels more of the same power.

What monoblocks were you thinking of that actually fit into your budget?

While finally depending on which surrounds you buy, whether PSB or not, and what receiver you currently have, my guess is that would work fine. In fact, all of your solutions work. As far as space, a vertical rack requires minimal footprint. As far as power, if you have just a single dedicated circuit for the HT do I think you are most likely perfectly fine (unless you have a seriously mad, multiple subwoofer setup).

I like the idea of multiple amps. More flexibility. You never know, you may go 7.1 one day. Or 9.1, like I am thinking. Maybe you win the lottery, get a huge room, and go 11.1. If any of the amps have a problem, and needs to be sent in for service, at least you will have some usable channels at your service.

Anyways, I would get the most power that I can for the Maggies. Low impedances, and very low sensitivity.

Which PSB were you thinking of?

 

[bhodge]

If the XPA5 is truly as good, per channel, as the XPA3, it seems like a much better buy. Only $100 more for 2 channels more of the same power.

That was my initial thinking and from my limited knowledge of amps, just by looking at the specs, they seem to be comparable on almost everything. In fact they are the same size even (not weight)

What monoblocks were you thinking of that actually fit into your budget?

The only other amp I have come across in my posts that people seem to really like is the Outlaw 2200 M block. They have a deal, if you buy 4 the 5th is free. It puts at just over $1300, but I would be willing to do this it what worth twice as much as the XPA-5 in terms of quality

I like the idea of multiple amps. More flexibility. You never know, you may go 7.1 one day. Or 9.1, like I am thinking. Maybe you win the lottery, get a huge room, and go 11.1. If any of the amps have a problem, and needs to be sent in for service, at least you will have some usable channels at your service.

My thinking exactly, which was why I was thinking a 3 + 2 channel amps but the XPA-5 is priced right for going single amp. But I'm not too versed in the amp world so not sure much of what is out there in terms of bang for the buck. Emotiva is pretty much all I have been seeing/reading lately and people do seem to love them but I am open to other suggestions as well.

Which PSB were you thinking of?

Not sure yet, I was asking the guys where I bought my maggies what speakers I should purchase for my surrounds and they suggest PSB, but haven't gone much further than that. Been a bit side tracked with other things but once I am ready to bite that bullet, I'm sure I will come running for more advice

FYI my system consists of the 1.6s L/R, MC1 center, SVS PC13-Ultra, Onkyo TX-SR703, 50" Pioneer KURO.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The only other amp I have come across in my posts that people seem to really like is the Outlaw 2200 M block. They have a deal, if you buy 4 the 5th is free.

The 2200 is normally $350 ea. But as you pointed out, it's cheaper if you buy 5.

Emotiva is coming out with the UPA-1, which is even BETTER than the 2200. The UPA-1 will have a normal price of $299 ea. But as Dan (Emotiva) mentioned, they will also have Early intro deals. I think possibly combo deals like the Outlaw 2200, but cheaper overall.

If it's buy 4, get 1 free, like Outlaw, the UPA-1 would be $1,200 for 5 monoblocks.

Oh, the UPA-1 is a balanced monoblock class A/B 200W 8ohms/300W 4ohms amp w/ SNR of 117dB.

The 2200 is more like a class A/B/G; up to 80W it is A/B, but above 80W, it switches to class G. SNR here is 113dB.

So the UPA-1 sounds like a better amp to me in both price and performance. Dan says it will be out in 2 - 3 weeks.

 

[bhodge]

So the UPA-1 sounds like a better amp to me in both price and performance. Dan says it will be out in 2 - 3 weeks.

I can certainly wait 2-3 weeks to purchase (especially since who knows then I will get the UMC-1) to see what specials they are running but it still begs the question will 5 UPA-1's be significantly better than an XPA-5? It looks like the specs for the UPA-1 are the same as the XPA-5 per channel. Thanks.

 

[bhodge]

Emotiva is coming out with the UPA-1, which is even BETTER than the 2200. The UPA-1 will have a normal price of $299 ea. But as Dan (Emotiva) mentioned, they will also have Early intro deals. I think possibly combo deals like the Outlaw 2200, but cheaper overall.

So I found the thread over at Emotiva about the UPA-1
http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=amps&action=display&thread=7928&page=1

Looks like all in all I can't go wrong either way I go, right now I would be leaning more towards the XPA-5 more for space conservation and $ (although 5 mono's stacked would look cool). Looks like the main advantages of the mono blocks are no crosstalk and better ch separation but doubt I will notice much of a difference especially after upgrading from my current receiver its going to sound great regardless. Please correct me if I am wrong. And if I feel compelled I could always get 2 UPA-1s for my 1.6s and use the XPA-5 to drive a the rest of a 7.1 system.

Are there any other options out there besides Emotiva that I should be considering based on my budget or is Emotiva in a class all its own when it comes to budget Amps?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Looks like the main advantages of the mono blocks are no crosstalk and better ch separation but doubt I will notice much of a difference especially after upgrading from my current receiver its going to sound great regardless.

No Crosstalk at all and better SNR (111dB XPA5 vs 117dB UPA1) is always a plus.

Now if you talk about "practicality", then it's a mute arguement. But it's like how a $30K Mark Levinson amp gets a -120dB crosstalk @ 20kHz, while the XPA5 gets a -60dB crosstalk @ 20kHz.

So technically, the UPA-1 has better crosstalk than the Mark Levinson.

To me, the MAIN advantage in monoblocks is convenience and versatility.

If one of your UPA1 amps go bad, you just have to fix ONE amp.

If one of your amp channels go bad in a XPA5, you have to send the ENTIRE 5Ch amp.

 

[bhodge]

Well, I just ordered the XPA-5, its the best deal $ wise with 200 watts per channel and I can't really spend the money right now that I would like to do 5 mono blocks, even with the UPA-1's coming out.

I figure once I'm ready, I could go with 2 mono blocks for my 1.6s strictly for music.

Thanks!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So I found the thread over at Emotiva about the UPA-1
http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=amps&action=display&thread=7928&page=1

Looks like all in all I can't go wrong either way I go, right now I would be leaning more towards the XPA-5 more for space conservation and $ (although 5 mono's stacked would look cool). Looks like the main advantages of the mono blocks are no crosstalk and better ch separation but doubt I will notice much of a difference especially after upgrading from my current receiver its going to sound great regardless. Please correct me if I am wrong. And if I feel compelled I could always get 2 UPA-1s for my 1.6s and use the XPA-5 to drive a the rest of a 7.1 system.

Are there any other options out there besides Emotiva that I should be considering based on my budget or is Emotiva in a class all its own when it comes to budget Amps?

I would say it's between Emotiva & Outlaw, but I give the edge to Emotiva.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, I just ordered the XPA-5, its the best deal $ wise with 200 watts per channel and I can't really spend the money right now that I would like to do 5 mono blocks, even with the UPA-1's coming out.

I figure once I'm ready, I could go with 2 mono blocks for my 1.6s strictly for music.

Thanks!

I think you made a wise decision!

I think if both the XPA-5 & XMC-1 were available today and I had to replace my Denon 5308, I would get the XPA5 & XMC1.