How about five XPA-1 vs POA-A1HDCI?
Yeah! But about those two rear surrounds?
And don't forget too, that with the POA-A1 you can bi-amp your three front speakers, and still have anough amps for the remaining four surround speakers.
Also, with the appearance of the new audyssey DSX, Denon knew what they were doing. There are so many nice possibilities for different system configurations here.
* But, about this: three XPA-1 for your three front mains, and four XPA-2 for the remaining eight channels (two side surrounds, two rear surrounds, two front wide channels and two front height channels).*
Option 1. The POA-A1 list for $7,500, but the street price is more like about $5,500 or so.
Option 2. Three XPA-1 is $3,000, and four XPA-2 is $3,200. Total list is $6,200, but I'm sure that you can make a deal with Emotiva for about $5,500 or so.
Now, with option 1, you have ten power amps for a 7.3-channel (with three SVS PB13-Ultra subs) system configuration with the three front mains in a bi-amp mode. Or a 10.3-channel system configuration with one power amp per channel, plus two front wide and two front height channels (the rear surround becomes only one channel, unfortunately).
Or with option 1, you can get an Emotiva XPA-1 for the front center channel, and then you have enough power amps with the POA-A1 to power all the remaining ten channels. But now the price adds $1,000.
With option 2, you are setup pretty good in my book. You have the power where it counts the most. And with a good deal from Emotiva (special sale or a discount of 20% from buying seven of their power amp products in a one time shot), you keep your total just below the $5,000 mark.
There are so many other possibilities too with other brand of amplifiers (like getting two 7-channel power amps (total = 14 channels), using six of these to bi-amp your three front mains, and you still have eight left for all the other channels.
Now, have fun assembling a system configuration with any type of power amplifiers (from any manufacturers), but try to power all these eleven channels, and remain below the $5,000 mark (street price of course).
OK, I know that some people will object on a eleven-channel system, but this is the new reality and it is here in the now. So, get a grip!
Then, the new system for the year 2009, is a 11.3-channel system configuration, period! And three subwoofers, for sure, no less (two on the two front corners preferably and the third one in the rear center of the room).
And lets forget shakers under the seats for just now (or they remain add-ons at the discretion of individuals).
So, to recap: 11.3-channel, but only to power the 11 main speakers for less than $5,000 street.
Cheers,
Bob
Note: For another matter, I just read early this morning about "The Missing Link", the 47 million years old ancestor of the Audioholic (look carefully, he's dancing and gesturing with his hands as if was playing a piano, and that long tail, seems to be a power cord). Or it could be that he is sitting at the piano, who knows? Quite interesting indeed. Here:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090519-missing-link-found.html