Opinion on Emotiva Amps

[maynardguy13]

Hello,
I would like some opinions on Emotiva Amps. I am thinking about purchasing the UPA-7.

Are these quality good sounding amps?

Are there any real benefits to shell out $1800 more on the Marantz 8 channel or another brand.

Thanks

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't think Emotiva amps will sound any differently than any other amps.

 

[sawzalot]

While the Emo Amps may not sound different from any other Amps , they will save you quite a few dollars depending on your other choices, money saved >not sounding any different>quality Amp>Go Emo Free Shipping and Holiday sales are in effect right now as well.

 

[rnatalli]

I'm not a fan of EMO processors, but their amps are top notch. I highly recommend them if you need an external amp.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Even though I don't like the Emotiva aesthetics and won't buy any more Emotiva products, the one amp I did get from them (MPS-2) was pretty good.

And do believe they will sound like any other amps out there.

 

[gene]

Emotiva UPA-7 Review

Not a bad little amp IMO

 

[KEW]

Hello,
I would like some opinions on Emotiva Amps. I am thinking about purchasing the UPA-7.

Are these quality good sounding amps?

Are there any real benefits to shell out $1800 more on the Marantz 8 channel or another brand.

Thanks

I believe you have received good advice for any normal situation, but could you please let us know:
1) what speakers you will be driving
2) how large your room is (cubic feet)
3) how loud you like to listen and
4) how much Music vs Home Theater

The UPA-7 is a very impressive unit, but if your speakers are power hogs and you have a large room and like to really crank it, it is possible for you to run out of headroom.

If this is the case, the 8 channel Marantz option (which seems to have effectively the same performance as the UPA-7) would not be a solution.

 

[GlocksRock]

I have an Emotiva amp and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[maynardguy13]

my room is about 2100 cubic ft.
As far as what I listen to my music to movie ratio is about equal with music being a little more.

I will be running either a 5.1 or 7.1 system with
ADS CM6-fronts
ADS MV15/S-surrounds
B&W CC6 S2-center
B&W ASW 1000-subwoofer (powered)
and possibly ADS CM5 (back surrounds)

the ADS are rated 4ohm ,100w

let me know if you think the Emotiva UPA 7 would work and sound good.

Thanks
for the help

 

[GranteedEV]

I think if you're seated about 6-7 ft away the UPA-7 will give you pretty much unclipped reference levels which is just fine (not many even listen at reference levels as it's very loud)

If you're seated 9-10 ft away you might want to swing for something like an XPA-3 for the fronts paired with a UPA-5 for the surrounds if you want those 105db reference peaks, although amplification alone may not be enough, as you begin to hit the thermal or excursion limits of your fronts. I

 

[KEW]

I'm not familiar with the ADC speakers but I have not headr anything about them being power hogs (like, say, Maggies).
That is a comfortably small room and I believe the UPA-7 would do the job.
Grant gave the exact same solution I would have (XPA-3 and UPA-5).
Since you were even considering the $$$Marantz, you may want to go with XPA/UPA combo and never give another thought to amplification. You'll never need the extra watts, but it is nice to know the extra is there. That is what I'd do in your shoes. The penalty is the cost (and space) associated with the XPA-3.

 

[Unobtainium]

Just ordered an XPA-2 for my studio 100's. Read a few good reviews,and did some reading on problems they have had and since fixed(led issues).
For the money,I couldn't find anything better. Outlaw was close, but just too many pieces to get the power I want.

 

[KEW]

Just ordered an XPA-2 for my studio 100's. Read a few good reviews,and did some reading on problems they have had and since fixed(led issues).
For the money,I couldn't find anything better. Outlaw was close, but just too many pieces to get the power I want.

The Studio100's are pretty efficient. I don't think you'll ever come close to working the XPA-2!

 

[Unobtainium]

The Studio100's are pretty efficient. I don't think you'll ever come close to working the XPA-2!

Yeah, I've heard they have some low spots, but I think you're right.
I'm just excited about having speakers that will like the power, this combo is likely to get along just fine, with nobody getting hurt!

 

[KEW]

Yeah, I've heard they have some low spots, but I think you're right.
I'm just excited about having speakers that will like the power, this combo is likely to get along just fine, with nobody getting hurt!

Yeah, Paradigm makes a pretty robust speaker. I think your ears will be the weakest link!

 

[just-some-guy]

just be aware, they are not perfect, like anything else. my xpa-3 just blew up.

 

[Jacksmyname]

Just ordered an XPA-2 for my studio 100's. Read a few good reviews,and did some reading on problems they have had and since fixed(led issues).
For the money,I couldn't find anything better. Outlaw was close, but just too many pieces to get the power I want.

Have the XPA-2 in my system for about 2 1/2 years now.
GREAT amp.

 

[Unobtainium]

just be aware, they are not perfect, like anything else. my xpa-3 just blew up.

Yep, just read that. I had a terrible time with HK stuff when I first started this HT stuff. 1 avr went away twice, the other one once, and my sig 2.1 center channel went twice in 6 months.(fine ever since the second fix). In the end, the 75 gave up the ghost again, out of warranty. That led to some swearing, and then "gentle disassembly" with various hand and power tools. Sold the AVR 5 off son after, went yammy, then pioneer without issue.
If it has an issue in the first 5 years, it will confirm my feelings about chinese stuff. If it fails outside the 5 years, I'm happy,and will replace with the next good deal. Just hope it makes me smile.

 

[klipschjunkie]

I just upgraded from an Emotiva UPA-2 to the XPA-3. They both sound great!! I am new to the forum but I love home theater equipment and music. I am a big Klipsch Fan and also an Emotiva fan too. I actually have the UPA-2 for sale. I'm asking 250 plus shipping. I have the original double box and power cord, 12V trigger cord, and manual. It is in mint condition. I am also going to sweeten the deal by throwing in a pair of Monster 600 RCA cables to hook it up with. These are also mint. Great 2 channel amp. Rated at 185watts (4 ohm) and 125 watts (8 ohm).

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The Studio100's are pretty efficient. I don't think you'll ever come close to working the XPA-2!

They do dip into the low 3 ohm range though. My sounded a lot better once I added an amp.