Amp receiver question

[psbfan9]

I admit his may be a little convoluted so I apologize.

Speakers: L/R and rear surrounds (all four) are DefTech 450 studio monitors.
Center: DefTech C/L/R 2002

80% music - 20%movies/tv

I'm thinking of upgrading my Onkyo 608 to something that allows me to use an external amp. I'm considering the YAMAHA RX-V867. Now the problem, or what I'm making a problem, is the amp selection. I'm looking at Emotiva's XPA-3 or the XPA-5.

Does the wattage need to be the same for All five speakers? Or can I power the left, right and center with the XPA-3 and let the Yamaha power the rears? Can/would this cause tonal imbalances or distinguishable differences in sound between the left, right and center and rears if the wattage isn't the same for all five speakers?

Or

Should I just get the XPA-5 and be done?

Thanks.
Barry

 

[timoteo]

If the Yamaha is only powering the rears it is probably capable of between 120-160 watts per channel with ONLY 2 channels being used. Combined with the fact that the rears will only ever see about 75 watts max, there will be no audible difference between you getting either amp.

That being said, i was in the same situation & i bought the XPA-5. I wanted all channels getting the same juice but also wanted to future proof. In case i decide to get 2 more surround channels or 2 front presence channels i wanted to have all the power needed at my fingertips. You can never have enough power, amps are a great investment in any sound system. So if you can afford the XPA-5 then by all means get it. If the extra money is just out of reach then the XPA-3 is still a wonderful amp.

With the setup you have right now, i dont think you'll notice any difference between the 2 amps.

XPA-3....will satisfy you 100% now
XPA-5....will future proof you a bit

Hole this helps!

 

[psbfan9]

Cost

Thanks Timoteo. Yes this helps.

Cost is definitively an issue. That's why I was hoping I could get the XPA-3 and that would give me the extra 'umph' I want.
I may be looking at other receivers though. I'm looking for Pandora,Slacker or internet radio on board. Now, I have to have my BluRay (for Pandora/Slacker) and receiver on at the same time. Ideally, I want one device on at a time.

 

[agarwalro]

Speakers: L/R and rear surrounds (all four) are DefTech 450 studio monitors.
Center: DefTech C/L/R 2002

80% music - 20%movies/tv

I would recommend using a 450 for the center as well. Since music is the majority of your listening, the center being 100% matched to L/R will give you a 100% seamless front soundstage. As a bonus, it will be cheaper than the CLR2002 .

You can get the XPA-3 for L/C/R and use the receiver for surrounds. Once you calibrate the system and have level matched the speakers, it will be as if the external amp did not exist in the chain.

 

[psbfan9]

I would recommend using a 450 for the center as well. Since music is the majority of your listening, the center being 100% matched to L/R will give you a 100% seamless front soundstage. As a bonus, it will be cheaper than the CLR2002 .

You can get the XPA-3 for L/C/R and use the receiver for surrounds. Once you calibrate the system and have level matched the speakers, it will be as if the external amp did not exist in the chain.

Thanks agarwalro!

I intended to get 5 450's. But, I mounted my tv to low and wouldn't have the clearance to use a 450 for the center. I think the 2002 is well matched and I listen to music, mostly, in stereo anyway.

Timoteo, in what position do you have your surrounds connected to the receiver? Do you have them in surround or front? Does it matter where they are connected?

 

[j_garcia]

I have been running my setup like this for about a year now with an XPA-3 for the fronts only and the receiver powering the rears. I just recently offloaded the rears to a separate amp as well.

 

[agarwalro]

I listen to music, mostly, in stereo anyway.

Cool!

Do you have them in surround or front? Does it matter where they are connected?

The Surrounds must be connected to the Surround Speaker connections. It absolutely matters because, by connecting surrounds to Receiver's Front/Main Speaker connnections, you will be giving them the same signal as L/R pre-outs and further, auto eq. will think that you have no surrounds connected at all.

 

[psbfan9]

The Surrounds must be connected to the Surround Speaker connections. It absolutely matters because, by connecting surrounds to Receiver's Front/Main Speaker connnections, you will be giving them the same signal as L/R pre-outs and further, auto eq. will think that you have no surrounds connected at all.[/QUOTE]

Thanks. This is what I thought. I of course meant after the L/R/C were connected to the amp.

 

[son-yah-tive]

Since you're going with the XPA-3, maybe you can ask Vincent there at EMO, about a 'B' Stock one. It can't hurt. It worked for me when I ordered the XPA-5. It took another hundred off the amp.