NAD or Mckintosh?

[clouso]

IMO there is no such thing as having to much power.

Ok lets say then that i wanna stay in the 5.1 channel system can i sell my pioneer to get the Emotiva XPA-5 and audio video processor UMC-1?...would i benifit from that?...would that be an upgrade compared to my pioneer??....i need to get rid of my pioneer to get those ... the pioneer needs to go elswhere! so i can fit the two other things in my furniture.. lol!...either i sell it or give it to my brother lol..but pls someone tell me if it would be a good move!...

 

[Rickster71]

Ok lets say then that i wanna stay in the 5.1 channel system can i sell my pioneer to get the Emotiva XPA-5 and audio video processor UMC-1?...would i benifit from that?...would that be an upgrade compared to my pioneer??....i need to get rid of my pioneer to get those ... the pioneer needs to go elswhere! so i can fit the two other things in my furniture.. lol!...either i sell it or give it to my brother lol..but pls someone tell me if it would be a good move!...

Your Paradigm studio 60's dip down to 3 Ohms at times and your Pioneer isn't 4 Ohm stable.
The Emotiva's can easily play into 4 Ohms; so yes that's a good move.
I'd buy an XPA-3 to feed the fronts and the center, and use the Elite as a pre pro and to power the rears and feed the sub.

 

[clouso]

Your Paradigm studio 60's dip down to 3 Ohms at times and your Pioneer isn't 4 Ohm stable.
The Emotiva's can easily play into 4 Ohms; so yes that's a good move.
I'd buy an XPA-3 to feed the fronts and the center, and use the Elite as a pre pro and to power the rears and feed the sub.

Ok so my pioneer would still serve me as audio video processor and feed my surrounds and sub and then the XPA-3 feed my fronts and center?...but if i get the XPA-5 it could feed all my speakers but i could keep my pioneer as audio video processor?..is that right or im still lost? lol....

 

[clouso]

But the sub would still go trough my pioneer!...?

 

[Warpdrv]

Yes. SUb through the pioneer, it has it's own amp.

Better do your research on the umc-1.
Major issues with that device. Their amps are solid though.

 

[emorphien]

For the original question I'd go NAD... but that's mostly because I don't like McIntosh's blue gaudiness that terribly much (so shoot me!).

Anyway, seems like everyone has given you better advice regardless.

 

[clouso]

Yes. SUb through the pioneer, it has it's own amp.

Better do your research on the umc-1.
Major issues with that device. Their amps are solid though.

So i guess i need to connect all my speakers in the amp and then what connection goes from the amp to the av receiver?...sorry im still trying to understand!?...lol

 

[walter duque]

Unless I've missed something, but is your budged?

 

[Rickster71]

So i guess i need to connect all my speakers in the amp and then what connection goes from the amp to the av receiver?...sorry im still trying to understand!?...lol

Sounds like you have to look at your Elite manual; it will show how to use it as a pre pro.
That will help your familiarize yourself with the process.

 

[Pyrrho]

Your Paradigm studio 60's dip down to 3 Ohms at times and your Pioneer isn't 4 Ohm stable.
The Emotiva's can easily play into 4 Ohms; so yes that's a good move.
I'd buy an XPA-3 to feed the fronts and the center, and use the Elite as a pre pro and to power the rears and feed the sub.

Two things:

According to this:

http://stereophile.com/content/paradigm-reference-studio-60-v5-loudspeaker-measurements

the Paradigm Studio 60's have a minimum impedance of 3.6 ohms.

Second, just because an amplifier isn't rated for a particular impedance, that does not mean that it cannot deal with it. According to this:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/pioneer-vsx-82txs/measurements-analysis

one model lower than his Pioneer can output 190 watts into two channels at 4 ohms.

Again, if the current setup is not audibly distorting, there is no benefit to upgrading to a better amplifier.

Of course, he may spend his money on things that will not make an audible difference if he wants.

 

[Warpdrv]

He clearly stated that he is pushing his speakers hard and his receiver is getting too HOT to touch and its shutting down. That is a clear indicator that his receiver is not able to handle the load properly, where an external amp would be far more efficient at driving the speakers.

A simple upgrade to an XPA-3 would be a good investment to relieve the amp load as well as insure he is not clipping the speakers which would result in damage...

 

[clouso]

He clearly stated that he is pushing his speakers hard and his receiver is getting too HOT to touch and its shutting down. That is a clear indicator that his receiver is not able to handle the load properly, where an external amp would be far more efficient at driving the speakers.

A simple upgrade to an XPA-3 would be a good investment to relieve the amp load as well as insure he is not clipping the speakers which would result in damage...

I agree and damn i really dont wanna damage those speakers...happy i still had the monitor11 v5 when it happend!....i am seriously considering the Emotiva's now....

 

[billy p]

I agree and damn i really dont wanna damage those speakers...happy i still had the monitor11 v5 when it happend!....i am seriously considering the Emotiva's now....

Not telling you what to do here but Emotiva do have some quality issues? Just remember they're in the States and ID ...so you'll likely have some boarder issues and cost outta pocket later on, if that were the case.

 

[Pyrrho]

Ok thx for all the replies!...first yes it is for HT but also music! but i dont really listen to 2 channel stereo music most of the time i listen to music on ''ext stereo'' mode which means all speakers are playing that is because i prefer that more envelloping sound...now a little story about my pioneer....3 weeks ago or so i had a party here at my place (wich happend quite often lol)....and about 30 mins after i cranked the volume up the pioneer stopped playing !!...it was so hot i could bake an egg on it!!...i said to me self...woohh that should not happend again!...i think it lacks power for my use and if every time i crank the volume up it stops i will be very pissed!!...that is why i want to upgrade...and all people that no better then me about it including you guys here seems to agree that i would benifit from upgrading also my local dealer would agree with you that i would get a better sound also using a pre pro or pre amb and an amp!...clipping receiver because i crank the volume up... NO thx!.

Okay, in that case, probably more power is in order (assuming that you want to continue playing things that loud, which is likely damaging your hearing; just search online for loud sounds and hearing loss, which typically shows up years after the damage is done). I say "probably", because it is also depending on whether you have blocked the vents on your Pioneer, which could cause this problem without it being inherently inadequate for driving the speakers at the desired volume.

Given Paradigm's recommendation regarding maximum input power for your Studio 60's, I would look for an amplifier that could output 200 watts continuously into both 8 and 4 ohms. More power capability would not hurt, but probably is unnecessary. Probably the cheapest way would be with professional amplifiers, but either of the brands that you have asked about in your opening post would be fine.

 

[clouso]

Okay, in that case, probably more power is in order (assuming that you want to continue playing things that loud, which is likely damaging your hearing; just search online for loud sounds and hearing loss, which typically shows up years after the damage is done). I say "probably", because it is also depending on whether you have blocked the vents on your Pioneer, which could cause this problem without it being inherently inadequate for driving the speakers at the desired volume.

Given Paradigm's recommendation regarding maximum input power for your Studio 60's, I would look for an amplifier that could output 200 watts continuously into both 8 and 4 ohms. More power capability would not hurt, but probably is unnecessary. Probably the cheapest way would be with professional amplifiers, but either of the brands that you have asked about in your opening post would be fine.

Well first the pioneer vents arent blocked! and loud volume to me means loud enough to have a party lol....btw even with blu-ray movies or when i listen to live shows the pioneer really gets hot!....now what about the Emotiva XPA-5?...i would gladly pay for the boarder thing since they are a lot cheaper then the 2 other brands i tought i could get!....i read one post here that says Emotiva can have quality issues!!...?

 

[Warpdrv]

Oh I didn't notice you were in Canadia !!!

There have been many happy customers with Emotiva's amps, but I will agree that they have seen their share of issues with their older amps, I think far less then the XPA series that I am aware of.... and I wouldn't touch one of their preamps personally..

Don't forget that you can easily buy used stuff up there at canuckaudiomart http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/classifieds/amplifiers/2

In fact there are a bunch of emotiva amps if you search, and you can search by province... Don't be afraid to buy used, lots of good savings to be had that way...


I have bought plenty of used gear from audiogon which is more of a US based used gear place, but I believe they may have Canadian sellers as well, its worth a look...

 

[clouso]

Oh I didn't notice you were in Canadia !!!

There have been many happy customers with Emotiva's amps, but I will agree that they have seen their share of issues with their older amps, I think far less then the XPA series that I am aware of.... and I wouldn't touch one of their preamps personally..

Don't forget that you can easily buy used stuff up there at canuckaudiomart http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/classifieds/amplifiers/2

In fact there are a bunch of emotiva amps if you search, and you can search by province... Don't be afraid to buy used, lots of good savings to be had that way...


I have bought plenty of used gear from audiogon which is more of a US based used gear place, but I believe they may have Canadian sellers as well, its worth a look...

Honestly i want brand new stuff but thx for your suggestion i already know canuckaudiomart....the thing is that i dont see and find anywhere to buy Emotiva products online or i cant find any canadian dealers i could audition them or buy them!......if you go on their web site the only country option you have to buy online is U.S.A.....

 

[oppman99]

Not telling you what to do here but Emotiva do have some quality issues? Just remember they're in the States and ID ...so you'll likely have some boarder issues and cost outta pocket later on, if that were the case.

Every brand can have quality issues. You just hear about them more often with an internet forum to post about them. If you look over on their forum, the positive review outnumber the negatives many times over. I own or have owned four different amps from the XPA line and have never had a quality issue with them.

 

[clouso]

Every brand can have quality issues. You just hear about them more often with an internet forum to post about them. If you look over on their forum, the positive review outnumber the negatives many times over. I own or have owned four different amps from the XPA line and have never had a quality issue with them.

I completly agree when you say ALL brands can at some point have quality issues...just look at panasonic and their 2009 plasma's and the rising black issues!...anyway i do want and im willing to buy the XPA-5 but for god sake will someone tell me where the hell i can i buy Emotiva products online!!...im in CANADA!...MY RESEACRH LEAVES ME TO NOTHING!.

 

[walter duque]

I completly agree when you say ALL brands can at some point have quality issues...just look at panasonic and their 2009 plasma's and the rising black issues!...anyway i do want and im willing to buy the XPA-5 but for god sake will someone tell me where the hell i can i buy Emotiva products online!!...im in CANADA!...MY RESEACRH LEAVES ME TO NOTHING!.

Simple, have some in the US by it for and send it to Canada. Not a big deal.