what amp would you get ?

[just-some-guy]

i have a new pioneer reciever. i have always wanted an amp. so :

1. 2 channel @ 250 wpc
2, 3 channel @ 200 wpc
3, 5 channel @ 200 wpc
4, 7 channel @ 125 wpc

would the extra 50 wpc be noticable over 200 wpc ? yeah, sometimes i do crank it up.

would the 250wpc mains blend ok with the 120ish wpc from the reciever for movies ?

thanx

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi,

I will go with a 3-channel power amp for my 3 front main speakers.
Emotiva XPA-3 will be my first choice, with 200 watts RMS per channel, times 3. The price/performance ratio is out of the charts. The Emotiva XPA-3 is selling right now at an incredible price of only $539!
50 watts more won't make a big difference. And your 3 front main channels is where the most power is required, so your Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH A/V receiver
will breathe easy by only powering the surround channels, which don't demand as much power anyway. Check Emotiva web site for full details on this amazing power amplifier.

Cheers,

_______
Bob

 

[ParadigmDawg]

3 channel @ 200 wpc

 

[cfrizz]

Amp all your speakers & be done with that particular upgrade. Either 200 or 250 will be great.

 

[lsiberian]

i have a new pioneer reciever. i have always wanted an amp. so :

1. 2 channel @ 250 wpc
2, 3 channel @ 200 wpc
3, 5 channel @ 200 wpc
4, 7 channel @ 125 wpc

would the extra 50 wpc be noticable over 200 wpc ? yeah, sometimes i do crank it up.

would the 250wpc mains blend ok with the 120ish wpc from the reciever for movies ?

thanx

I think amping the surrounds is a waste. I would go with a 3 channel.

1/4th increases in watts are inaudible.

However if the cost for the 5 channel is the same then it never hurts to have extra amping ability.

Make sure you amp accepts XLR If you plan to integrate with a DCX2496

 

[just-some-guy]

i have a XPA-3 on the way. i would have loved the XPA-2, but at $200 more. i have to keep an eye on my spending. sides, it says the XPA-3 is 250wpc in 2 channel. i'm wondering, when i switch to stereo. will the amp tell that there is no signal (if in fact there is NO signal) and then switch to 2 channel ? if so, that would be awesome.


Isi
once i figure out my sub solution. i'm sure it will be a ep2500 for that.

 

[greggp2]

The XPA-2 is a far more powerful and better amp than the XPA-3 and XPA-5 which are built on the same specs.

The XPA-2 has 12 Transducers and brings out more subtleties than the XPA-3 according to Emotiva. Just look at the weight of the two units.

XPA-2 = 75 pounds
XPA-3 = 57 pounds and has an extra Amp

To answer your question, in an ideal world, you should use the same Powered Amp on your center channel that you do on your mains. But that is also assuming that your center channel is the same as your mains, which I'm guessing is not the case. If this is true, than you could very well level match your center with your receivers amp and use a 2 channel amp for the mains.

The only problem in doing this though, is if you ever decide to implement a separate EQ like the Behringer or Audyssey in the future, you'll need a separate amp for each channel that you are trying to calibrate.

For the money however, the XPA-3 is a great deal. I'm debating purchasing one to power my center and rears to go with my XPA-2...

 

[greggp2]

i have a XPA-3 on the way. i would have loved the XPA-2, but at $200 more. i have to keep an eye on my spending. sides, it says the XPA-3 is 250wpc in 2 channel. i'm wondering, when i switch to stereo. will the amp tell that there is no signal (if in fact there is NO signal) and then switch to 2 channel ? if so, that would be awesome.

Yes, the Amp will know when it is not needed and redirect the extra power to the 2 main Amps...

 

[cfrizz]

In other words, you are going to end up with 2 big amps for 5 channels when you could have simply gotten the 5 channel in 1 box & been done.

This is PRECISELY why I say get a 5 channel & sit back & enjoy.

Amping the rears is NOT a waste & you can hear a clear difference just like you do when you amp the fronts.

For the money however, the XPA-3 is a great deal. I'm debating purchasing one to power my center and rears to go with my XPA-2...

 

[nibhaz]

In other words, you are going to end up with 2 big amps for 5 channels when you could have simply gotten the 5 channel in 1 box & been done.

This is PRECISELY why I say get a 5 channel & sit back & enjoy.

Amping the rears is NOT a waste & you can hear a clear difference just like you do when you amp the fronts.

Yes, but greggp2 really prefers to listen to his music in stereo with his mains running full range, so in that scenario the XPA-2, is the better product and thus was the better choice for him.

Me personally…I say XPA-3 all the way!

 

[Lordoftherings]

i have a XPA-3 on the way. i would have loved the XPA-2, but at $200 more. i have to keep an eye on my spending. sides, it says the XPA-3 is 250wpc in 2 channel. i'm wondering, when i switch to stereo. will the amp tell that there is no signal (if in fact there is NO signal) and then switch to 2 channel ? if so, that would be awesome.


Isi
once i figure out my sub solution. i'm sure it will be a ep2500 for that.

Congratulations!

You pick the right one for your personal situation. You are totally right, the
XPA-3 is also 250 watts RMS when use as a 2-channel amp.
So, you just gain an extra bonus here.
Read the informations about that feature, you will see the beauty of this.
You just hit the bull's eye.

Cheers,

LOTR

 

[just-some-guy]

i sure hope so. it is supposed to be here tomarrow. and installed shortly there after.