How good is this amp, preamp, and speakers?

[php111]

How is Emotiva XPA-3 amp with Emotiva USP-1 stereo preamp with a pair of Polk Audio RTI A3?


How good is that? Is it just OK? Or is it considered the best by most or all of the users on here?

 

[j_garcia]

The speakers make the biggest difference. I reviewed the RTiA3 and felt it was a pretty decent speaker, but in the price range there are a LOT of solid options. "Best" is personal preference, and you're not going to get a consensus on a speaker.

The XPA-3 is major overkill for those speakers too, plus, unless you intend to power a sub with the third channel, I don't see why one would go with it rather than the XPA-2 or 200. Not to mention, it is definitely a mismatch in funds allocation to go with speakers at that price point with far more expensive gear.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

waste of money imo
Way too much invested in electronics and way too little in speakers.
What's your total budget and goals? I could easily recommend dozen of systems which will sound better than your combo

 

[php111]

waste of money imo
Way too much invested in electronics and way too little in speakers.
What's your total budget and goals? I could easily recommend dozen of systems which will sound better than your combo

I haven't thought about a budget, but my goals are buying separates and not AV receivers, and it would be used for rock music like Pink Floyd and loud movies meaning movies that are made to be loud you know mafia movies for example.

and it would be for a personal bedroom.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

How is Emotiva XPA-3 amp with Emotiva USP-1 stereo preamp with a pair of Polk Audio RTI A3?
How good is that? Is it just OK? Or is it considered the best by most or all of the users on here?

None of those are considered in my book.

I would get a Denon X4000. Then Revel or KEF speakers. Then Subs. And if the application requires an external amp, then get an ATI amp. For example, I can get a brand new & authorized ATI AT1202 amp shipped for $680.

 

[j_garcia]

Start with the speakers, then find appropriate amplification for them to meet your needs.

 

[php111]

None of those are considered in my book.

I would get a Denon X4000. Then Revel or KEF speakers. Then Subs. And if the application requires an external amp, then get an ATI amp. For example, I can get a brand new & authorized ATI AT1202 amp shipped for $680.

This would be for my bedroom.

1.) what model of KEF speakers?

2.) what brand and model for a sub?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I haven't thought about a budget, but my goals are buying separates and not AV receivers, and it would be used for rock music like Pink Floyd and loud movies meaning movies that are made to be loud you know mafia movies for example.

and it would be for a personal bedroom.

Don't confuse your goals with the ways to achieve them. Listening to loud music and movies is a goal.
Going with Separates is not a goal, but an artificial limitation which should be avoided unless budget allows.

Regarding budget I call it a bs - you had already some idea then you were selecting these components which btw sum up to - $1630 - ok budget for 2.0, maybe even 2.1

This receiver: Onkyo TX-8050 2-Channel Network Stereo Receiver | Accessories4less
pair these of these speakers - KEF Q900 Q Series 8 inch Black Floorstanding Speaker Each | Accessories4less

Will give much better end result

 

[php111]

Don't confuse your goals with the ways to achieve them. Listening to loud music and movies is a goal.
Going with Separates is not a goal, but an artificial limitation which should be avoided unless budget allows.

Regarding budget I call it a bs - you had already some idea then you were selecting these components which btw sum up to - $1630 - ok budget for 2.0, maybe even 2.1

This receiver: Onkyo TX-8050 2-Channel Network Stereo Receiver | Accessories4less
pair these of these speakers - KEF Q900 Q Series 8 inch Black Floorstanding Speaker Each | Accessories4less

Will give much better end result

Thank you so very much!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

This would be for my bedroom.

1.) what model of KEF speakers?

2.) what brand and model for a sub?

I would go for bookshelf speakers + sub.

Like the KEF R-series bookshelf. You might be able to find some great prices out there.

For subs, something like the $600 Rythmik or $500 SVS or $500 HSU would work.

And I would just get an AVR. "Separates" won't sound any better and possibly sound worse if they don't have something like Audyssey XT32 Dynamic EQ.

 

[php111]

I would go for bookshelf speakers + sub.

Like the KEF R-series bookshelf. You might be able to find some great prices out there.

For subs, something like the $600 Rythmik or $500 SVS or $500 HSU would work.

And I would just get an AVR. "Separates" won't sound any better and possibly sound worse if they don't have something like Audyssey XT32 Dynamic EQ.

Are you talking about these KEF R-Series? KEF Q100R Bookshelf Loudspeakers - Rosewood (Pair):Amazon:Electronics

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Are you talking about these KEF R-Series? KEF Q100R Bookshelf Loudspeakers - Rosewood (Pair):Amazon:Electronics

No, that is the Q-series (Q100, Q300).

I mean the R-series (R100, R300).

KEF R300 Bookshelf Speaker Pair

 

[PENG]

And I would just get an AVR. "Separates" won't sound any better and possibly sound worse if they don't have something like Audyssey XT32 Dynamic EQ.

And it may increase the risk of getting the dreaded "hum".

 

[Pyrrho]

Start with the speakers, then find appropriate amplification for them to meet your needs.

Although j_garcia was not the first to say this in this thread, this is the clearest and best expression of the idea. Go out into the world, and audition as many types of speakers (e.g., ribbon, horn, dome, whatever) as you can find, of as many brands as you can stand to audition, with all of the types of music to which you listen, to music with which you are familiar (making a CDR for this is a good idea).

Plan on spending most of your money on speakers, as they matter more than any of your other equipment for how things sound.

 

[RichB]

Although j_garcia was not the first to say this in this thread, this is the clearest and best expression of the idea. Go out into the world, and audition as many types of speakers (e.g., ribbon, horn, dome, whatever) as you can find, of as many brands as you can stand to audition, with all of the types of music to which you listen, to music with which you are familiar (making a CDR for this is a good idea).

Plan on spending most of your money on speakers, as they matter more than any of your other equipment for how things sound.

I followed this philosophy when I bought my Revels.
As funds replenished, Preamp and amps were upgraded.
This process never really stops for me, but thankfully, I am at a lull.
Also, eBay is your friend

- Rich

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

And it may increase the risk of getting the dreaded "hum".

That's for sure.

Ground hum, transformer hum, and other hums are ubiquitous with amps.

If you have one amp (AVR) with very little (almost not audible) hum and you add another amp (or two or three) with very little hum, you might now have an audible hum, in addition to the dreaded ground hum.

 

[ImcLoud]

If you are going to be using it with movies and music I would go with an avr, 2.1 ht can be really nice if done correctly...

budget is the first thing to figure out, whats your max and whats your preferred?