Is Emotiva XPA-5 a good match with B&W 685?

[jremitio]

I'll be using an older receiver, HK 335 as processor. I'll be using this for 70% music and 30% HT.

For those who have the XPA-5 and B&W's, please chime in. I'm trying to save for the Emo amp but if not a good match, I may have to work harder if a matching amp is more expensive (such as a Rotel).

Thanks.

 

[cfrizz]

It should be just fine. I have had 3 different amps driving my speakers and none of them changed the sound. (nor should they) They simply amplified what is there so that it is clearer, better separation of instruments, more bass, clearer vocals, etc.

 

[greggp2]

I'm running an Emotiva XPA-2 with B&W 802's. Sounds great. I don't see why you would have any trouble with the XPA-5 and 600 series speakers. The thing you really should be more concerned with is the processor. The processors that aren't neutral can color your sound and that is where you could run into sound quality issues. A good amp will just deliver clean power. At least, that is what they are suppose to do...

I know very little and have no experience with HK receivers, so that really should be your focus. I would solicit opinions from people on their experience with that processor and it's ability to deliver good music quality

 

[CraigV]

HK is generally very musical. If most of what you’re listening to is music, you may want to consider a used Anthem or B&K amp. A 200 watt per channel 5 channel B&K amp can be had used from Ebay for about the same price as the Emotiva.