Emotiva MPS-2 on my Rack Pics

[AcuDefTechGuy]

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[Highbar]

It's just so pretty. I'd prefer the 5 but they are both the same size, and absolutely beautiful. Hows it sound?

T

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

MPS-2 Mini-Review

It's just so pretty. I'd prefer the 5 but they are both the same size, and absolutely beautiful. Hows it sound?

T

Well, I'm glad you ask because here is my little review:

MPS-2 Review

Build Quality
Weighing almost 118 pounds, the MPS-2 is built like a tank. It feels like a tank too. Everything is tight and sturdy as can be. Nothing feels loose. I feel like this amplifier is extremely well built.

Fit & Finish
Everything fits together very well. I had to slightly push 2 of the modules a hair to the left to get the screw holes to line up for the screws insertion, but it was not a difficult task. The back of the modules are not completely flushed with the back of the amplifier, but they are all even with each other. Overall, the fit and finish is excellent.

Installation
After unpacking the 3 boxes and un-wrapping the 7 power modules and 1 chassis, it was time to assemble the unit and installing it into my audio rack. The careful and diligent process took about 2 hrs and this truly increases the “bonding” between the MPS-2 and me. I could have completely the assembly of the unit in less than an hour, but I wanted to be extremely cautious and thorough. Everything had to be done 100% correctly, because I sure did not want to have to redo anything afterwards! For example, each of the thin plastic film that covers the 7 power modules front electrical had to be removed or the amp will not work. I was determined not to make this mistake!

I first placed the 33 lbs chassis on my audio rack. Just the chassis alone weighs as much as some fully assembled amplifiers! There was no way I could have placed a fully assembled 118 lbs MPS-2 on my audio rack all by myself (each module weighs 12.125 lbs). Then I glided each module into its cage one by one and inserted the 4 screws for each module. That’s 28 total screws for all 7 modules. Afterwards I felt pretty proud of myself.

I connected the MPS-2 to my 3 ACURUS RL-11 preamps and my Definitive BP7000SCs mains, CLR3000 center, and BP7001SC surrounds.

Listening Test
So how does the MPS-2 sound? One word: Neutral. It sounds exactly like the way all great amplifiers should sound - neutral. It does not add or subtract any flavors of its own. It does not sound warm or cold or sweet or sour. The MPS-2 just delivers (200 WPC into 8 ohms, 300 WPC into 4 ohms, and 400 WPC into 2 ohms). The sound of music and soundtracks were unaltered. Rock music, Alternative music, Pop music, Classical music, loud action movies, and softer dramas all sounded great. And afterwards, the MPS-2 was still one cool daddy, literally. It never got hot playing several hours of 90 dB-C music and movies.

 

[Thaedium]

I'm glad you like it, though I'm a bit surprised you did not wait for their new products to come out this spring

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm glad you like it, though I'm a bit surprised you did not wait for their new products to come out this spring

I suppose I could still return the MPS-2 and pay for the shipping back to Emotiva.
The only thing I dread is actually taking that thing apart and reboxing everything!

But $800 for the XPA-5 vs. $1700 for the MPS-2 is kind of tempting, especially since I'm only using 5.1 HT!!!

You think I should, huh?

 

[GlocksRock]

Looks good, actually it looks exactly like my IPS-1, only a bit taller. I would just keep it and not return it for the XPA-5.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Looks good, actually it looks exactly like my IPS-1, only a bit taller. I would just keep it and not return it for the XPA-5.

You are right. Just thinking about even moving this 118 lbs amp makes me sweat. My muscle still hurts just from turning the amp horizontally 180 degrees. Man, it is HEAVY. 7 independent teroidal transformers/power supplies/mono-blocks. I feel a little bit too attached to this amp to return now. It's staying.

 

[trnqk7]

Tell you what, I'll buy an XPA-5 and trade you straight up even for the MPS-2

Unless you are just wanting to get some money back, I'd say keep it for sure. I doubt the quality of the XPA-5 is any better...and you're future proofed with the extra channels in case you ever decided to use them.

But still-if you don't want it, I'll be happy to take it off your hands

 

[Davemcc]

I guess running cool is a characteristic of class H amps. I wonder how much heat the XPA-5 will generate with it's class A/B amps.

On a side note, I've been rethinking my need for the Emo sub system. It's been five months already since I ordered and in that time I've solved my major bass issues. I don't know what I would do with the subs. I'm thinking that one of their new pre/pros with an XPA-5 would be money better spent.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Tell you what, I'll buy an XPA-5 and trade you straight up even for the MPS-2

Unless you are just wanting to get some money back, I'd say keep it for sure. I doubt the quality of the XPA-5 is any better...and you're future proofed with the extra channels in case you ever decided to use them.

But still-if you don't want it, I'll be happy to take it off your hands

Yeah, I think the MONEY part is the only thing in question.

But yeah, you are right about the future proof of the extra channels. As quickly as my mind changes, there is always a possibility I may go back to 7.1 when I buy a new house or something.

Have you guys heard about the new power modules that are 100 wpc x 2 each, so 7 modules installed inside the MPS would give you 100 wpc x 14 channels.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I guess running cool is a characteristic of class H amps. I wonder how much heat the XPA-5 will generate with it's class A/B amps.

On a side note, I've been rethinking my need for the Emo sub system. It's been five months already since I ordered and in that time I've solved my major bass issues. I don't know what I would do with the subs. I'm thinking that one of their new pre/pros with an XPA-5 would be money better spent.

That's another tempting idea right there. LMC-2 + XPA-5 = $1,500? Really tempting, isn't it?

But I'm keeping my MPS since it's already sitting pretty on my rack -- all 118 pounds of it -- now if were 40 pounds, I might be more tempted.

 

[Davemcc]

That's another tempting idea right there. LMC-2 + XPA-5 = $1,500? Really tempting, isn't it?

I'm thinking about the DMC-2. I mean, it's got my initials printed on it. It must be the machine for me.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm thinking about the DMC-2. I mean, it's got my initials printed on it. It must be the machine for me.

Oh, yeah, that's true.

The DMC-2 would bad A$$, but it might not be ready until the end of the year. I would love to see the specs & features on that one.

 

[Davemcc]

I'm OK with waiting. I'm on a good financial path that works best without interruptions, like hobbies. If things go well with our contract negotiations in October, I'm hoping to have a sizable down payment for an '09 CTS-V. By comparison, A/V is a distant second to that goal.

 

[adk highlander]

Very Nice At first I was supprised they changed the look to be like the IPS. (They said it was due to production costs). I think I like the look of the MPS-2 chassis over the MPS-1 now. I wonder how much they want to swap it out?

I agree with all of your comments about build quality and the neutral sound. I found the trick to loading the modules was to start at the center and then the outermost and work in from there. It kept the chassis from racking and made them all go in easier.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Very Nice At first I was supprised they changed the look to be like the IPS. (They said it was due to production costs). I think I like the look of the MPS-2 chassis over the MPS-1 now. I wonder how much they want to swap it out?

I agree with all of your comments about build quality and the neutral sound. I found the trick to loading the modules was to start at the center and then the outermost and work in from there. It kept the chassis from racking and made them all go in easier.

Well, they say you get 40% off for upgrades, so getting a new body MPS-2 is kind of an upgrade. The chassis itself can't be more than $300, you think? 40% off would be $180?

That makes sense regarding the center power module going in first! I never thought about that. Good one.

 

[Highbar]

That's a beast. I don't even think I have something sturdy enough to put it on. Hope it treats you well.

T

 

[64Bug]

That's a nice rig. I'm jealous!!!

That amp will last you a long time. And will probably drive almost anything you can throw at it.

I am patiently waiting of a XPA-5.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Dang ACCU, It took me about 10 minutes to put mine together, hook it up and play a song. What the heck were you doing that took 2 hours? If you had it in the bed with you and you were naked, then keep it to yourself!

 

[EJD]

Very nice - but the big question......

How does it compare to the Acurus amps?