Waiting on my new Amp!!

[timoteo]

So i finally was able to save up the cash & on tues i ordered an XPA-5. I have yet to actually hear one hooked up anywhere but am going on reviews & refferals. It is scheduled to come in on monday June 13th. Its gonna be hard to not think about it all weekend but i guess it will teach me patience (which i dont have).
So im running an RXA2000 & B&Ws as you can see from my signature. Am I to expect a nice little improvement?
Im not expecting a huge difference but just hope its worth the money. I believe my 683s dip to 3.2ohms at certain freq so it seems like they deserve more than just an AVR.
Well the weekend wait has just started. Any tips or thoughts are welcome! I will post some pics of my system once im dialed in.
Thanks for readin!

 

[PENG]

It depends on many factors. For example, if right now your typical volume setting is at no more than -15 to -20 you will not hear improvement other than the initial impression due to expectation/Placebo effect which few people are immune to. On the other hand it you routinely have to turn your volume to above -15 to -10 or louder, then the amp should get you more distortion free sound. Regardless, for those speakers I agree it is better to drive them with a powerful amp, at least for peace of mind.

 

[timoteo]

I typically listen at -6 to -3 & the occasional 0 with the rare movie that is mixed a little low. So thats all im really expecting is a bit more dynamic/open response at higher volumes. Sometimes it seems as if i turn it up but dont get more volume telling me im at my amps peak output. My room is about 300sqft but is open to a 500sqft backroom & the kitchen so its a big area to fill.

 

[PENG]

I typically listen at -6 to -3 & the occasional 0 with the rare movie that is mixed a little low. So thats all im really expecting is a bit more dynamic/open response at higher volumes. Sometimes it seems as if i turn it up but dont get more volume telling me im at my amps peak output. My room is about 300sqft but is open to a 500sqft backroom & the kitchen so its a big area to fill.

At that kind of SPL the XPA-5 should help for sure.

 

[DenPureSound]

Emo xpa-5

As an XPA-5 owner it made the world of difference -- PERIOD. You made a GREAT Choice there for the Power per cost ratio.

Enjoy it, one very nice AMP, and your B&W's will LOVE IT.

 

[sholling]

Congratulations! I own an XPA2 and XPA-3 and love them. I don't know how Yamaha's YPAO works their but with Audyssey (Onkyo, Denon, Marantz etc) the setup routine sets "0" to reference level (75db?) which really doesn't tell you what the amp has left.

 

[GlocksRock]

Yamaha's YPAO also uses 0 as reference level.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I typically listen at -6 to -3 & the occasional 0.

After you get the amp, please let us know if your volume is still -6 to 0.

DenPureSound as a great reason for getting the XPA-5: his Denon 3311 goes into protection mode without it!

And as PENG says, even if Dennis' AVR3311 did not go into protection, he was probably getting plenty of distortion @ >/= 0 volume anyway.
So the XPA-5 greatly alleviated that.

My family room is 18' x 20' x 10' ceiling, open to 3 sides. From 2 meters, with my Denon 3310 @ -10dB vol, I get 85dBA on Hotel California. But this is in 2.0.

Dennis is using 7 Ch Stereo Mode.

So there is definitely a place for ext amps.

I'm glad Emotiva is making affordable powerful amps for a lot of people.

 

[timoteo]

Got my XPA-5 yesterday!! My first impressions are that the build quality is excellent, top notch. Heavy & solid for sure. I purchased the black trim kit with it & love the way it looks with the original chrome screws/black plates instead of the black screws. So lastnight i took my time, disconnecting all my equipment & cutting a larger hole at the rear of my cabinet to accomidate the longer amp & to allow more breathing room.

I have my Yamaha RX-A2000 setting on top of it so once connecting the pre-outs to the amp & all the rest of the cables i slid them in. Fits like a glove & looks killer!! It was getting late but i was able to run YPAO.

I will do some listening tonight & report back. Will also post pics!