NAD or Emotiva?

[mouettus]

UPDATE:

Just went shopping. Bottom line is: would I benefit of an amp? My local audioshop salesperson said that I would benefit of a little more dynamics that's all. But that's what we want, no?

If so... I have 3 choices:
- NAD T973 (140w x 7ch) @ 1650$ used
- Emotiva XPA-5 (200w x 5ch) @ 800USD + shipping to Canada
- Rotel RMB-1085 (100w x 5ch (digital amp)) @ 1400$

He said digital amps is what's around the corner. No problems with less power drawn/heat and less space taken in my A/V rack (Not sure I want a behemoth). But would 100w be enough for my speakers?! Even though my speakers have 4 components each, they are pretty effective -- 100 Rotel/ICE watts vs 140 yamaha watts.

**Unit is beautiful lol And they are using the latest and greatest ICEPower modules (patent bought).

 

[rnatalli]

I still believe your Yammie has enough juice, but it doesn't hurt to try something else. NAD, Emotiva, and Rotel all make fine products. And don't forget that 100 watts is 100 watts. That said, it's likely an external amp will actually reach 100 watts into all channels where most receivers will not. And it's also important to remember that it's unlikely an HT will need that much current except for short periods of time. It's your decision. If I were in your shoes, I'd order an XPA-5, hook it up, and decide whether or not I hear a difference. Or pick up a Rotel and/or NAD from a local shop and give it a try as packing and shipping an XPA-5 isn't exactly a light job.

Digital amps are a different animal altogether. Try and audition the 1085 against the 1075 which is Class AB locally if possible.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Me too. These high end electronics should not affect the sound quality, just ask Acudeftechguy who has gone from Acurus amps, to Emotiva Amps, to Denon integrated amps currently, and he claims he can't hear one bit of difference between all his gear changes.

I definitely think so.

Looking back (just like 99% those professional reviewers who base their comparison by memory), I just can't say that there were any significant differences among the HK-247 receiver, Acurus preamp/amp, Emotiva, or Denon PMA. If they were all compared double-blinded, I don't think that I could tell the difference.

It all comes down to how much you are willing to pay to get the most aesthetically and "emotionally" pleasing components to you.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

would I benefit of an amp?

Since your receiver is the equivalent of the Yamaha-1800, I think you already have enough power.

So I don't see a "practical" benefit.

It will be a "fun" benefit, however.

 

[codexp3]

Let me offer my recent experience. I recently went from running 3 McIntosh 402s with a retail price of 18000 dollars to a Sunfire Tga 5200 with a retail price of 2800. The Macs are rated at 400w channel at 8/4/2 ohms, but the actual output is around 550w. The Sunfire is rated at 200wx5 at 8ohms.

I run Paradigm Signature S8v2 mains, C5v2 center, and S4v2 rears. The Signatures are very detailed and accurate. My processor is the Integra 9.8. I was expecting a huge drop in performance with the switch to the Sunfire. I can honestly say, I noticed very little difference. The McIntoshs are designed to have a signature sound, but with movie playback I don’t think I could pick it out in an A/B. I now subscribe to the school that amplifiers all sound pretty much the same.

 

[egreen1976]

If you want to try to save another $100 off the Emotiva and don't mind b-stock try this... I emailed Jennifer ("I think") at Emotiva and inquired about the availability of B-stock. 2 days later she called me and I saved another $100! There is your shipping at least

Thanks Jennifer You Were Wonderful!

 

[bandphan]

The McIntoshs are designed to have a signature sound, but with movie playback I don’t think I could pick it out in an A/B. I now subscribe to the school that amplifiers all sound pretty much the same.

i dont know about a signature sound,(outside of tubes) but power on demand for what ever is asked for

 

[egreen1976]

Also I am running my XPA-F with a Denon 985 (2807) and I will tell you that the external amp definitely adds punch. The sound is more robust and dynamic even at lower levels. I use to hear my receiver seemingly passivly drive my speakers in certain situations, now in the same instances my speakers sound more active. I must say I wanted a little more difference. I am powering paradigm studio 100s. To make sure I wasn't hearing what I "wanted" to hear I did a blind listening test and was able to pick out the amp + receiver over just the receiver every time.


On a personal note I am ACHING for a new pre/pro and the panasonic bd-50 or the newly announced Denon players. We need an Apple in the home audio arena!

 

[codexp3]

i dont know about a signature sound,(outside of tubes) but power on demand for what ever is asked for

I love McIntosh and would never get rid of my amps, but I'm currently working one year assignments and they're too heavy to move all the time (390lbs of amps). I parked them in my father’s system until I decide on something permanent. They have tons of headroom, but the Sunfire seems to drive the Sigs to ear bleeding levels with just as much ease. I was really worried that 200w wouldn’t cut it, but I can honestly say I don’t feel like I gave up anything in terms of dynamic headroom.

 

[ned]

Let me offer my recent experience. I recently went from running 3 McIntosh 402s with a retail price of 18000 dollars to a Sunfire Tga 5200 with a retail price of 2800. The Macs are rated at 400w channel at 8/4/2 ohms, but the actual output is around 550w. The Sunfire is rated at 200wx5 at 8ohms.

I run Paradigm Signature S8v2 mains, C5v2 center, and S4v2 rears. The Signatures are very detailed and accurate. My processor is the Integra 9.8. I was expecting a huge drop in performance with the switch to the Sunfire. I can honestly say, I noticed very little difference. The McIntoshs are designed to have a signature sound, but with movie playback I don’t think I could pick it out in an A/B. I now subscribe to the school that amplifiers all sound pretty much the same.

How do you like your sunfire? I heared it colors the sound ( tube like).

 

[jostenmeat]

moettus, please hold off for a bit. I'll try to do a little shopping for you, hopefully.

I bought my refurbed NAD T-973 for $1,200. And that was a year ago. You should be able to find better than $1650 in any case.

I agree that I've only heard great things about Sunfire. Outlaw is a nice consideration as well.

I love my amp. No worries about power considerations for me, which is pretty nice for my large HT. Im not familiar with that Yamaha, but compared to Onkyo stuff I've owned, its really nice to have what I perceive to be much better dynamics.

-jostenmeat

 

[jostenmeat]

Hm, the place where I got mine only has the 975 listed now. But, I glanced at Audiogon, and free shipping (to CA as well? hm) asking $1,000. Baltimore, MD.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1216393362

Save $650? Ad has been on for 9 days. Maybe I should've PMd this, because most audiogon ads Ive posted sell pretty fast.

j

 

[codexp3]

How do you like your sunfire? I heared it colors the sound ( tube like).

The sound is only “tube like” if you use the current-source which is user selectable. In normal voltage mode the sound is uncolored. I bought the amp based on its light weight (I simply don’t want to move my Macs two more times in the next two years). I was very apprehensive about the design, the tracking down converter almost scared me away. I've always had the monoblock type design. I have detailed speakers, and the amp adds nothing to the sound. I had the Classe 5200 on demo, and found the Sunfire delivered 100% of what it did, and at 100lbs lighter.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The sound is only “tube like” if you use the current-source which is user selectable. In normal voltage mode the sound is uncolored. I bought the amp based on its light weight (I simply don’t want to move my Macs two more times in the next two years). I was very apprehensive about the design, the tracking down converter almost scared me away. I've always had the monoblock type design. I have detailed speakers, and the amp adds nothing to the sound. I had the Classe 5200 on demo, and found the Sunfire delivered 100% of what it did, and at 100lbs lighter.

If Sunfire had made a hardcore, purist Class A stereo preamp, I would have bought 3 of them plus the 5400 amp. 400WPC/800WPC/1600WPC into 8/4/2 ohms is damn great.

It would have also helped if Sunfire made a SACD/DVD-A & Blu-ray Player since I'm really crazy with matching and stuff.

 

[tn001d]

Outlaw is a nice consideration as well.

I started an Outlaw vs Emotiva thread a while ago, and didnt seem to find a consenses as to which is better.

You seem to have not mentioned if you need a 5 channel amp or 7 channel amp? Emotiva is coming out with a new 7 channel amp soon, UPA-7 125 x 7 for only $649.

I just emotiva would get rid of those silver accents and manufacture an all black product. I guess they want to pretend to be like Mcintosh.

 

[egreen1976]

Emotiva people note.... NO to the all black idea! Silver faceplate would be nice

 

[GlocksRock]

I like the idea of all black, but the black and silver still looks great to me. I just wish I could have gotten the piano gloss black endcaps on my IPS-1 like they make for the MPS-1 so it would match my tv stand, audio rack, and def techs.

 

[jcPanny]

Emotiva asthetics.

I started an Outlaw vs Emotiva thread a while ago, and didnt seem to find a consenses as to which is better.

You seem to have not mentioned if you need a 5 channel amp or 7 channel amp? Emotiva is coming out with a new 7 channel amp soon, UPA-7 125 x 7 for only $649.

I just emotiva would get rid of those silver accents and manufacture an all black product. I guess they want to pretend to be like Mcintosh.

Simply loosen the two screws that hold the silver accents in place on both sides of the amp. Either leave them off, or spray paint them gloss black. I like the look of the Emotivas but it is impossible to please everyone.

 

[mouettus]

It's just that I'm starting to like the idea of a small unit that doesn't draw that much of energy. I think the idea is kinda cool...

Lighter, smaller, less power hungry (250w vs 800), less heat dissipation, looks cool

"What?! you think this box is able to push those speakers?!"
"well just listen to it! "

It's like a muscle car starts to rev at you at a red light with your suped up prelude. Interesting race. Big old block vs new technology. And don't forget: those digital amps use ICE's technology... you know the guys up there in the high-end...

I just wish they made a 200w unit... 100w seems kinda low but I'd have to listen. Numbers don't always tell everything. Besides, my speakers are fairly efficient. I've heard some reviews on the internet from owners that says that they don't feel the unit struggling at high SPL.

And for those who would know... how's the rotel sound vs Yamaha?

 

[bandphan]

http://www.d-sonic.net/