Emotiva UPA 200 or XPA 200 to drive Sierra Towers

[Goliath]

I lit up the clipping indicators on some of the Piano solos.

Sure, how accurate are these clipping indicators really?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Sure, how accurate are these clipping indicators really?

It could have been defective.

 

[RichB]

I used my AT6012 (60WPC) amp with the Salon2 in 2.0 Pure Direct mode (no Sub/LFE) to a max volume of 94dB without any clipping or audible distortion.

Home Theater Magazine used an ATI 150 WPC amp to drive the entire Ultima2 system (Salon2, Voice2, Gem2) without any kind of problem.

So I don't see how an ATI 300 WPC amp could have issue unless there was something wrong somewhere. But my perspective is based on my own experience as well as others (Home Theater Magazine, other forum members).

Nothing was wrong with the ATI3000 other than the volume on the Marantz was at -3. That was the ticket. I'll locate the track and follow these instructions.

I'll call this test: "Keep turning up the volume until the clip lights come on"

- Rich

 

[PENG]

To nudge things back on track a bit...

In terms of basic audio quality, probably not. However, in addition to the marginal bump in output, the XPA-200 does feature a few minor perks over the UPA-200: better binding posts & RCA jacks, balanced inputs, and passive cooling versus the pair of fans in the UPA.

I would again, add that the XPA has much more storage capacitance so it could handle peaks a little more than it seems. Is it worth $100 more for the OP? Probably not.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Nothing was wrong with the ATI3000 other than the volume on the Marantz was at -3. That was the ticket. I'll locate the track and follow these instructions.

I'll call this test: "Keep turning up the volume until the clip lights come on"

- Rich

If you set the speaker trim level to +12.0, I guarantee you the master volume will seldom go beyond -20.0.

 

[PENG]

a lot of people like to just off hand say that you need to double the power (+6dB) to make a big difference in sound

Double the power gets you 3 dB more in SPL, not 6 dB. I guess you just made a typo or you just quoted someone else?