Please help to choose an Emotiva Amp Combo

[vgmbpty]

I would really appreciate your input, sorry for the long post.

Here is what I have so far for my new HT: Def Tech L/R BP7001, C/L/R 3000, SL/SR BPVX.

- I do 60% TV/movies, 20% gaming, 20% music
- As a musician aficionado I’m usually critical of how the instruments should sound, although I’m not fixed in 2 channel only listening.
- Room is average 14x18x8 feet
- Don’t need a lot of volume, has never endured my Yamaha RXV-565 with Bose 301s above -10dB.
- Will be doing 5.1 but plan want to buy 7 channels of amp
- For freight and duties issues I would like to purchase this one right from the beginning.
- Will be buying a Pre/pro as soon as I read comments on how good they behave. My favorites (on paper) are Marantz AV-7005, Onkyo PR-SC5508 or de Denon 4311 hooked as a Pre/pro.

What combination of Emotiva Amps do you recommend?
After reading so many threads I’ve come up with an Excel table with 14 different possibilities of either single or combinations of amps, LOL! My favorites (on paper) are:

1. (2) UPA-1s + UPA-5 / $1.2K. Awesome for channel separation and music, but worried about the center channel may not get enough power… movie dialogues, etc. How do I make the 3 amps to turn on/off at the same time?

2. (2) UPA-1s + XPA-5 / $1.5K. Awesome for channel separation, music, enough power for the center, but among the most expensive combinations. This looks like the best one to me, only concerned about ease of turning on/off 3 amps.

3. (1) UPA-2 + UPA-5 / $0.9K. Super price! Balanced L/C/R, but worried if it’s enough power for them. UPA-2 on wait list. Only two amps!

4. (1) XPA-2 + UPA-5 /$1.35K. Good power for L/R, good stereo, concerned about the center speaker getting enough power. Will music sound better than option 2? . Have read XPA-2 is very good but can be a little harsh. Only two amps.

5. Get and UPA-7 /$0.7K and call it a day? Single amp solution!

Have been suggested to try the XPA-3, but I have read several times the the XPA-2 or (2) UPA-1s sound better.

Thanks,

 

[vgmbpty]

I already had a post with this topic, sorry for the lapsus mentis.

 

[mpompey]

Are your amps going to be in the same room as the listening space. Why not go the pro-sumer route? Your speakers can certainly handle it.

If you want to go Emotiva, how about 2 XPA-5s? You'll have more than enough power for 7.1 plus you'll have extra channels for Dolby IIz when it arrives in full force.

 

[vgmbpty]

Well, certainly I have not purchased any amps yet, though I will very soon. I will be living overseas in an apartment, so for practical reasons I have to assume that the amps will be in the same room.

This will be my system for quite some time. I already have a Denon AVR 990 on the way ( I got a very good deal on one), as I realized that 3D is not an issue for me, and even if it is in the future, I can always go direct to the TV with it, and let the receiver handle the audio.

Now my last issue is amplification. The most basic route was an XPA-5 to handle the 3 front channels and let the Denon manage the 2 surrounds. Two XPA-5 is a little more than I had thought, as I would be using one amp and leaving the other one idle until i come back home (at least 2 years). Again, being an expat, probably I will not want to deal too many speakers at this point, that´s why I like the BP7001s (Me and my future neighbors can live w/o the additional subwoofer) and I was hoping that BPVXs being bipolar could do a good jot creating the surround.

 

[mpompey]

OK, I gotcha. If it was me in an apartment for at least 2 years then go for a single 7 channel amp. Outlaw Audio makes some good amps as well for a little bit more money (Model 7700). However, they tend to hold their resale value a little longer than the Emotiva. It should do you well.