Emotiva XPA-5 or Sunfire Cinema Grand 200~five?

[tomd51]

Well.... I'm debating on giving the Emotiva XPA-5 a trial run considering the holiday pricing, but I'm not so sure it's going to be able to keep up with the Sunfire Cinema Grand 200~5 I'm currently (pun intended ) using.

Some of the reasons for my consideration are the fact that I'm using Emotiva's MMC-1 processor (and will bump up to the XMC when it's available), which matched with the XPA-5 would be great aesthetically, but that's only a minor thing as I'm more concerned with performance than aesthetics. Another driving factor is that if the XPA-5 can come close to or even rival the clean output of the Cinema Grand, I might be able to make a couple hundred on the switch. Which of course would mean new BR player, uh, I mean more money to spend on others this Christmas.

Anyone had experience with both of these? I previously owned an Outlaw 755 which is also a 5 x 200w multichannel amp and may be similar to the XPA-5, which was a beast and put out the power, but I think the Sunfire does a bit better job and it stays as cool as the other side of the pillow, regardless of how it's used. I may just break down and give the XPA-5 a demo for a few weeks, but I hate to have to incur that return shipping if I don't think it measures up.

So... what say ye? -TD

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well I will buy your Sunfire if you are wanting to sell it...

But I am considering the same thing you are, but have reservations as well given what has been posted about the rather widespread reliability issues with Emotiva. Probably looking into getting a B & K Reference on Audiogon given the Emo debacle...

 

[MidnightSensi]

Keep the Sunfire.

 

[OttoMatic]

Hi there,

I would stick with the Sunfire (I have one as well). There's no real point in the change, and I don't really get that excited about the Emotiva gear. Enjoy what you have! (and, yeah, I know it's hard sometimes).

 

[tomd51]

Well I will buy your Sunfire if you are wanting to sell it...

But I am considering the same thing you are, but have reservations as well given what has been posted about the rather widespread reliability issues with Emotiva. Probably looking into getting a B & K Reference on Audiogon given the Emo debacle...

Not sure I want to sell it yet, but you'll be the first to know...

I'm on the Emo Forum (Emotiva Lounge) pretty frequently and haven't seen any 'widespread reliability issues' though. I've seen some folks have issues with some amps, but more frequently than not, their problems are self-inflicted.

If you have some reference to the problems, I'd be curious to check it out. Owning the MMC-1 pre/pro and ERD-1 surrounds, I haven't had any issues with them whatsoever, but like any electronics manufacturer, I'm sure they have their problems here and there... -TD

 

[Adam]

Hi, Tom. I can't speak to how widespread a reliability problem Emotiva has. I simply don't know. I was impacted by it on both amps that I bought from them, which was widespread enough for me. Other people have had nothing but good experiences with them. Obviously, everyone has to make up their own mind on the subject. The most comprehensive discussion of it on the forum that I've seen is in the thread linked here.

Best wishes with whatever you choose.

 

[tomd51]

Hi there,

I would stick with the Sunfire (I have one as well). There's no real point in the change, and I don't really get that excited about the Emotiva gear. Enjoy what you have! (and, yeah, I know it's hard sometimes).

Don't get me wroing, I absolutely do enjoy what I have, the Cinema Grand gives me more power than I can handle and it's clean as a whistle. The only driving force for the change would be to get similar performance while being able to pocket a couple of Benjamins.

Other than that, I agree it likely won't make much of a difference... -TD

 

[tomd51]

Hi, Tom. I can't speak to how widespread a reliability problem Emotiva has. I simply don't know. I was impacted by it on both amps that I bought from them, which was widespread enough for me. Other people have had nothing but good experiences with them. Obviously, everyone has to make up their own mind on the subject. The most comprehensive discussion of it on the forum that I've seen is in the thread linked here.

Best wishes with whatever you choose.

Thanks for the link and input, Adam. Sorry to hear you had issues with yours and you're right, all you have to do is have the problem yourself and that's widespread enough, particularly if it happens with a couple of units.

I'll check out the link, looks like the MPS-1s might have some design flaws... -DT

 

[itschris]

You gotta be kidding me.. right? The Sunfire is a fantastic amp. I've had mind forever and it still absolutely plows my system. There's something delicate in it's delivery that I think you'll have trouble finding in a more budget oriented amp.

You have a great amp that's still on a short list for many people looking for higher end equipment. There's a reason they hold their value so well. Save your dough.

 

[tomd51]

I agree Chris, I've been completely satisfied with the Cinema Grand's performance and reliability.

This was more one of those "what if" questions to see what others thought. I think my mindset has been (and likely will remain) that the XPA-5 would have to perform just as well if not better (if even possible) for me to replace the Sunfire.

Still good to see some of the feedback from others here just the same... -TD

 

[zumbo]

This may sound stupid, but I love the fact that my system has many different brands. I try to get the product that I feel is the best in it's class for my specific needs.

As amps go, I believe there is no audible difference between brands. As long as the amps are of of similar design, and equal power. I do prefer an amp that will double it's power under a 4ohm load, or come close to it.

In other words, I would keep the Sunfire. Or, I will also offer an interest in the purchase of your Sunfire.

 

[tomd51]

Having different brands isn't stupid at all and I agree, it gives you more flexibility to get a higher quality product in a similar price range. My constant battle (as is most, I'm sure) is to get the best performance for price, regardless of the component. If they don't match, no biggie, I'm not hung up on aesthetics like some are. I do like to keep things relatively neat in my setup, but whether one component matches another isn't neccessarily a concern.

I also agree that there really shouldn't be an audible difference in similarly designed and spec'd amplifiers, however I have experienced some variation in performance in the past. I just chalk this up to the lesser performing equipment not being able to meet their specified standards. Placebo effect doesn't usually get to me b/c I've tried so many different manufacturers over the years, I don't have much in the way of brand loyalty.

The fact that the Sunfire CG supposedly can double down for lower ohm loads does bode well, though without being able to verify this, it's tough to say it actually would in real world usage. Not saying that it won't, I just don't have the means (nor education or environment) to test something of this nature.

I do appreciate all the feedback on this guys, I'll keep both Chopin and yourself, Zumbo, in mind if I do decide to go another route w/my powering needs... -TD

 

[Bluesmoke]

Having gone through Parasound, Adcom, Rotel and having heard the Sunfire 5200, this is a no brainer sine you already own a Sunfire and unlikely to get any upgrade from what Emotiva offers!

I would take a sunfire ANY OF THE WEEK, including the lousy Smarch weather than an Emotiva.

 

[jostenmeat]

Tom, you have PM.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

So you still have the itch Tom...???

 

[tomd51]

Final Answer? Sunfire Cinema Grand!

So you still have the itch Tom...???

I'd call it more like a feeler, but after getting everyone's input, I think the response here is pretty unanimous, the Sunfire will be going nowhere soon!

Good to hear the response all the same, I think I was pretty much of the same mindset, just needed a sanity check... -TD

 

[Chopin_Guy]

No, I totally agree and understand....

For some reason, no matter how good the gear is we have there come those times when we get these nutty temptations to try something else....I suppose it's part of the audioholics addiction...

But for sure....the Sunfire is a keeper...

 

[tomd51]

For some reason, no matter how good the gear is we have there come those times when we get these nutty temptations to try something else....I suppose it's part of the audioholics addiction...

Man, you got that right! Don't know what it is, but that search for that audio nirvana is never ending!

I will say it is getting better over the years, I think the combination of getting more educated, being a bit smarter with my purchases and the improved equipment helps quite a bit. This one was more the question of can I get similar performance for less money, but it seems I'm likely better off standing pat and just enjoying what I have, which is exactly what I did earlier this evening... -TD

 

[agular]

Do it!

I just bought an Emotiva XPA-5 last week. This amplifier's sound is similar to the sound of my previous BAT VK-200. Up to now it has been the CLEANEST and most SILENT sounding amplifier I have listened to. Over the past few years this is a list of different Amplifiers I have owned. This is how I would rate them in order of preference. Bat VK-200, Integra Research RDA-7, Aragon 4004 MKII, Bryston 2B-LP, Adcom GFA-5802, Sunfire Stereo 325 watts. There were others but these are my favorites in order of preference. I am still doing my critical listening with the Emotiva. I really like what I am hearing. For the price and build quality, the sound is spectacular. With a 5 year warranty you can’t go wrong. Decision ,Decision, Decision .Wow what a Hobby I just love it.

 

[tomd51]

Meanwhile, back at the Hall Of Justice...

Well I couldn't leave well enough alone, but that's no surprise to me. I came to the conclusion that I'm rarely using this amp to it's full potential, so I might as well see if I can get away with lesss power and see if someone else can use it. I decided to grab an Emotiva UPA-7, they're currently on sale and take it for a test drive. It turns out my suspicions were fairly accurate, the UPA-7 does a more than adequate job in my room for everything I need. I get plenty of power with some to spare for both movies and music, so I'm going to see if I can sell the Sunfire.

I thought I'd update this thread in the event if anyone that chimed in would be interested, I'll give it a day or so and then post in the 'classifieds' section and toss it up on AudiogoN as well. If anyone is interested, shoot me a PM and we can go from there. This was a fun experiment that I'll likely do a write-up on when time permits. Just goes to show you might not need as much power as you think, but it never hurts to have extra... -TD