Emotiva MPS-1 Amplifier Review

[gene]

For our forum folks, here is a sneak peek at my review of the new Emotiva MPS-1 7CH amplifier. This will go online and get its format tweaks on Monday, but you guys get to see it first

Emotiva MPS-1 Amplifier Review

 

[Rob Babcock]

Very nice review! Looks like a nice amp.

 

[surveyor]

Gene, that was another kick but review, thanks!
It's again obivious that you are a master EE.
You explained in your review their use of all that capacitance, but I still can't totally grasp why Emotiva did that (series wired)? I guess they are just extravagently generous?? It looks like a very nice amp at an almost unbelievable Price.
That said, I'm still happy with my conventional class A/B amp.

Kelly

 

[gene]

You explained in your review their use of all that capacitance, but I still can't totally grasp why Emotiva did

Basically what they did was they connected two 50V caps in series for each rail to yield an equivalent working voltage of 100V. The downside of that is the total capacitance is now half that of just the single cap value since capacitors in series sum as follows: 1/Ceq = (1/C1 + 1/C2) much like how resistors in parallel add. The other downside is the Effective Series Resistance (ESR) also doubles when caps are placed in series.

Overall this was a good compromise to keep a low profile design. Otherwise, they would have had to choose single 80V caps for example which would have made it impossible for the amp modules to maintain their current height profile and you would wind up with a much physically larger amplifier. Also note they used all 105 deg C parts in this design. This is an uncommon but welcomed practice that I wish more manufacturers would adhere too.

 

[surveyor]

Basically what they did was they connected two 50V caps in series for each rail to yield an equivalent working voltage of 100V. The downside of that is the total capacitance is now half that of just the single cap value since capacitors in series sum as follows: 1/Ceq = (1/C1 + 1/C2) much like how resistors in parallel add. The other downside is the Effective Series Resistance (ESR) also doubles when caps are placed in series.

Overall this was a good compromise to keep a low profile design. Otherwise, they would have had to choose single 80V caps for example which would have made it impossible for the amp modules to maintain their current height profile and you would wind up with a much physically larger amplifier. Also note they used all 105 deg C parts in this design. This is an uncommon but welcomed practice that I wish more manufacturers would adhere too.

Ok, now I get their reasoning.
I did not know that would increase their temperature rating.
Thanks,

Kelly

 

[Rob Babcock]

The entry level version of the amp & prepro look like world beaters at the price! For $1200, you'll be able to get the 125 X 6 amp and what looks to be a pretty well-equipt preamp/processor. You gotta wonder how they're making any money on it; either that or you wonder how much profit the average vendor is making... Even by direct sales standards, that's a bargain, assuming it performs.

 

[Rowdy S13]

Very nice review, now you need to review the DMC-1 Preamp. That way Illl know to order the package.

Sean

 

[PENG]

Ok, now I get their reasoning.
I did not know that would increase their temperature rating.
Thanks,

Kelly

I think Gene was making two separate points, series two physically shorter 50V capacitors instead of one taller 80V capacitor, otherwise the enclosure may have to be taller. The use of 105 deg C rated components was a separate point he made, probably not related to the use of capacitors in series. Although one can argue that the use of taller capacitors would have resulted in a larger enclosure, therefore naturally better ventilated.

 

[gene]

Very nice review, now you need to review the DMC-1 Preamp. That way Illl know to order the package.

Clint is heading up the review of the DMC-1 which should be out in the next couple of weeks or so.

The use of 105 deg C rated components was a separate point he made

Yes I was merely pointing out that they used higher rated and incidentally costlier parts than what we typically see in consumer audio.

 

[blue]

Clint is heading up the review of the DMC-1 which should be out in the next couple of weeks or so.

Will the review of the pre-processor include pairing it with the Emotiva MPS-1 and other amps?

 

[Audioholics]

I'm pairing it with a Rotel RMB-1095 for the review. I will likely update the review one we install the RBH Sound CinemaSITE system in the new Reference System 2 and comment on 7.1 as well.

 

[blue]

I'm pairing it with a Rotel RMB-1095 for the review. I will likely update the review one we install the RBH Sound CinemaSITE system in the new Reference System 2 and comment on 7.1 as well.

Clint,
Thanks for the reply. I'm curious why you wouldn't pair it with the Emotiva amp? I could see wanting to see what it does with non-Emotiva amps, but the first thing I'm wondering is how they sound together (especially because AV123 has such a nice package price). Don't get me wrong, I'm eager for a review of the DMC in any circumstances.

I'd be curious as to whether the two were optimized for each other somehow (pure and utter non-technical theory here... but I flash to the story of how Anthem's AVM20 pre and MCA50 amp were "voiced" in development for and with Paradigm speakers).

 

[Audioholics]

I'm curious why you wouldn't pair it with the Emotiva amp?

We simply were not able to have the same person review both units due to scheduling, so Gene and I split it up.

I'd be curious as to whether the two were optimized for each other somehow (pure and utter non-technical theory here... but I flash to the story of how Anthem's AVM20 pre and MCA50 amp were "voiced" in development for and with Paradigm speakers).

That is nice marketing, but you have to understand that if a pre-pro or amp were ever "voiced" that would imply the manufacturer is messing with the frequency response, turning your amp or pre-pro into an expensive, forced, EQ. I personally would stay far away from anything that actually claimed that. Now it's possible they just meant they made sure the amps could drive their speakers, but a good amp should be able to drive any speakers, including those that are more inefficient than Paradigms. Again, thank their marketing department for wonderfully flowery language.

 

[Rowdy S13]

Ill just be happy to see another great review. Like I said before and someone else said I want to see if the pre-amp is a nice (Fingers Crossed) because they have a nice package price.

Eagrly Awaiting,
Sean

 

[perato]

In the past few months, Audioholics has reviewed Emotiva, Sherbourn, and Integra Research multichannel amplifiers. How do you think they compare? Are there any plans to review Outlaw Audio amplifiers? Outlaw's 770 is certainly price competitive.

Gene, if you like percussion solos, you might like Safri Duo. Their second album, Episode II, is very good.

 

[gene]

Perato;

The Integra Research RDA7.1 (aka ATI Amplifier) is truly a reference amp both on the bench and it function, as it should be considering it hefty price tag of $5k! The Emo amp, though not quite as powerful or pristine on the bench put forth an incredibly large soundstage, excellent stereo separation and dynamics while also being more mangeable in size and at less than half the cost of the RDA7.1. The Sherbourn was also a competant performer, more mangeable in weight and size than the other two amps you asked about, though I didn't feel it excelled in music quite as much. It's a more appropriate amp for home theater duty / casual music listening, or in situations where, price and size are more important to the end user.

Safri Duo.

Where do I score a copy?

 

[goodman]

From a listening standpoint, of what significance is the fact that the Emotiva posted an SNR of 82db, compared with an ideal 90db, earining an SNR rating of four stars?

 

[gene]

Goodman;

From a listening standpoint, of what significance is the fact that the Emotiva posted an SNR of 82db, compared with an ideal 90db, earining an SNR rating of four stars?

As I stated in the review, due to the amp topology and out of band switching noise, it likely polluted my measurement slightly, as did their inclusion of the limiting circuit (which I feel is a good trade off). In reality, if you couple this amp with a very clean pre/pro such as a Yamaha RXV-2500 it shouldn't present any real world problems. Granted, I was using 90dB efficient speakers in my tests. Users of ultra high sensitive 98dB+ speakers such as klipsh may have different results, but they likely wouldn't require such a powerful amp anyways

 

[KevinF]

Follow up question

In reality, if you couple this amp with a very clean pre/pro such as a Yamaha RXV-2500 it shouldn't present any real world problems. Granted, I was using 90dB efficient speakers in my tests.

As a point of reference, can you tell us what the SNR at 1W was for the 2500 (i.e., using the amps rather than just the preamp stage)? I saw reference to the concept in your review of the 2500, but couldn't find the actual number in the review or bench test. Also, in your listening tests, did you have much opportunity to listen at relatively modest volumes? I assume that is when it would show up most, if it was to show up at all. If it was to become an issue at modest volume, how would it manifest itself? Hiss? Flat sound?

Thanks.

 

[gene]

Kevin;

At the time we tested the RXV-2500 we didn't have the means to measure SNR. All I can tell you however, is the RX-V2500 has one of the quitest preamp sections we ever heard in a receiver/processor. This receiver mated with the Emo amp produced stellar results in my critical listening tests. I do most of my listening at low to medium volume levels and never found noise to be an issue with this setup.