Which Amp and Why

[Steve81]

I think you may be mixing that up with the XPA-200 which is an upgrade to the UPA-2.

I am talking about the XPA-200, not the UPA-200 Jeff said he could pick that up for $367 and added it as an option.

To me saying an amp comes into its own with more efficient speakers is a "backwards complement".

Yes and no. The UPA-5 is obviously the more powerful amplifier between it and the UPA-500. OTOH, the 29dB gain of the UPA-500 makes it more suitable for higher sensitivity loudspeakers than Emo's older 32dB gain amplifiers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I find it gets the job done in my system well enough, at least IMO. Of course, the speakers I paired it with aren't the most difficult to drive either.


The only gripe I have there is the aesthetics, which is why I wrote it off. Of course, depending on one's taste, you could make that argument about Emo as well.


Yes, I know, you like shiny things like Kimber Kable Badges

Yep, pure personal preference. Aesthetic. Brand. All that.

 

[KEW]

I am talking about the XPA-200, not the UPA-200 Jeff said he could pick that up for $367 and added it as an option.


Yes and no. The UPA-5 is obviously the more powerful amplifier between it and the UPA-500. OTOH, the 29dB gain of the UPA-500 makes it more suitable for higher sensitivity loudspeakers than Emo's older 32dB gain amplifiers.

Thanks for setting me straight!
I'd consider the xpa-200 a much better option, but if I could get a us made amp, that would take precedence for me.

 

[ahblaza]

I'm really leaning towards the 602, like a few of you mentioned, I already have EMO and would like to diversify equal opportunity buyer. I have only one concern though with the 602, it's gain is 28dB, do you think the 809 pre-outs can drive the 602 to full power, I don't know the output voltage of the preamp stage of the Onk. 809. I think I found it: maximum is 4.6 V/470 Ohm (pre-out). Nice catch Kurt with the stealth sub insertion, they called today asking if my address (location) can accommodate an eighteen wheeler?. Waiting on a call back from Classic Audio on the made in USA 602, if it is, it will be mine.

 

[KEW]

Has anyone measured the xpa200? We know Audio Critic measured the AT6012 (12ch version of the 602) to be 85watts/8ohm, 137watts/4ohm @1% THD.

And I know the AT6012 is made in California (confirmed).

Since these are modular amps, it seems safe that the 602 is made in the same facility.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I guess I might offer my 2 cents on your amp choice.
If you are certain the ATI is enough power, I would call ATI and confirm it is made in the USA as stated in this link (and the classic audio says all ATI amps are made in the USA, but not under the 602 ad copy?)
AT602
If it is built in the US, that would clinch it for me.

Other considerations:
1) 7 year warranty for ATI - 7 years strikes me as a company that is especially proud of their designs/products (they would probably sell fine at 5 years warranty). I expect any amp I buy to last an easy 15 years, but given the way some people will load it, I think it matters.
2) Heat build up - I don't know which would run cooler. maybe someone here knows? This would really be worth investigation if you plan to put it somewhere where ventilation might be less than ideal.
3) Output devices - The relevance is over my head, but I find it a little troubling that Emotiva does not specify the number of "output devices per channel" as they do for their other amps. You might call and ask. ATI does specify "High-current, bi-polar output transistors with active bias circuits result in effortless operation."

But, again, the big caveat is does the ATI produce enough power. Nothing can compete with EMO for watts/$. Once you get into their higher XPA series, they start adding refinement while maintaining the watt/$ advantage! The old UPA-2 model specified output devices (triple darlington design, IIRC), so I keep getting hung up on it's omission on the UPA-200.

All ATI amps are made in the USA.

ATI doesn't mention the number of output devices used in the AT602 either. I wouldn't make too much of the number or the topology at this power level. The AT3000 uses a lot of devices because it is fully differential and high current, which is a complicated combination to achieve. If ATI told me the AT602 used only a single pair of devices per channel it wouldn't surprise me, though I suspect they are probably using two pairs per channel. Active bias means that the bias is being adjusted as the input signal level varies to save power, though ATI still lists their amps as Class AB, so exactly what they've implemented is not clear.

I popped the lid on my AT602 when I got it and I'm totally impressed with the build quality for the $300 price I paid, irregardless of where it is made. It looks silly-overbuilt for 60W/ch. I would say 80-90% of the 32lbs of net weight is in chassis, heatsinks, and transformer. I'm actually more impressed with the overbuilt nature of the AT602 than I am with the AT3005.

It is also nice that ATI included a 12v trigger. That made it very convenient for use with my Outlaw 975.

FWIW, that B-stock designation ATI uses on the classicaudioparts web site looks bogus; I couldn't find a mark on mine, anywhere. I suspect ATI is just selling regular production amps online at internet-direct prices and marking them B-stock so as not to conflict with independent dealers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm really leaning towards the 602, like a few of you mentioned, I already have EMO and would like to diversify equal opportunity buyer. I have only one concern though with the 602, it's gain is 28dB, do you think the 809 pre-outs can drive the 602 to full power, I don't know the output voltage of the preamp stage of the Onk. 809. I think I found it: maximum is 4.6 V/470 Ohm (pre-out). Nice catch Kurt with the stealth sub insertion, they called today asking if my address (location) can accommodate an eighteen wheeler?. Waiting on a call back from Classic Audio on the made in USA 602, if it is, it will be mine.

I was using a Denon 3310 with my AT6012. No issues at all.

I also used a Denon 3310 with my AT2004 & AT3005. No issues either. I think the voltage gain on the Denon is probably less than the Onkyo.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

All ATI amps are made in the USA.

FWIW, that B-stock designation ATI uses on the classicaudioparts web site looks bogus; I couldn't find a mark on mine, anywhere. I suspect ATI is just selling regular production amps online at internet-direct prices and marking them B-stock so as not to conflict with independent dealers.

Bought all 4 ATI amps from Classic Audio Parts too. Looks brand new to me.

 

[cpp]

I was using a Denon 3310 with my AT6012. No issues at all.

I also used a Denon 3310 with my AT2004 & AT3005. No issues either. I think the voltage gain on the Denon is probably less than the Onkyo.

I've also used my AT2002 with my Denon 4311, no issues either