A

audiophile83

Audiophyte
Hi,

I have a setup consisting of my beloved Yamaha 1900 RX-V, 2 Rythmik F12SE subwoofers and 3 Adam Audio HM3s as my mains and center.


I like to have plenty of power as I normally feel that the sound is more dynamic and effortless. I listen ALOT to music, around 80%+ and I am picky about my sound.

Surroundsound is not important, but I want to get the most for my money.

I have decided to get an Emotiva amp, but would you recommend me the XPA-2, 3 or 5? I am leaning towards the XPA-2 as it is said to have better SQ than the others, but then again, the XPA-3 is cheaper, I will get power for mye entire front-line - BUT: Will I lose on the SQ part of things?

Help and tips are greatly appreciated!
 
Adam

Adam

Audioholic Jedi
Welcome to the forum!

While waiting for responses here, I'd suggest that you contact customer service at Emotiva to ask them those questions.
 
lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
Hi,

I have a setup consisting of my beloved Yamaha 1900 RX-V, 2 Rythmik F12SE subwoofers and 3 Adam Audio HM3s as my mains and center.


I like to have plenty of power as I normally feel that the sound is more dynamic and effortless. I listen ALOT to music, around 80%+ and I am picky about my sound.

Surroundsound is not important, but I want to get the most for my money.

I have decided to get an Emotiva amp, but would you recommend me the XPA-2, 3 or 5? I am leaning towards the XPA-2 as it is said to have better SQ than the others, but then again, the XPA-3 is cheaper, I will get power for mye entire front-line - BUT: Will I lose on the SQ part of things?

Help and tips are greatly appreciated!

For 2 channel music most receivers can get plenty of volume and power. My receivers gets like 20 db more head room in stereo mode.

So I'm not sure an external amp is warranted. Before you go separates I want you to answer these questions.

1. Do I plan to do any eqing of my sound?

2. Do I have a pre-processor already?

3. Does my receiver or pre-processor have a 12 volt trigger.

4. Do I want everything to come on with a remote or am I ok with pushing the on buttons on an Amp?

5. What's the retail value of my speakers?

6. What volume do I listen at on my receiver?

7. Can I afford to spend this?


Quiz yourself and let us know on the answers which pertain to us recommending a good product.
 
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
I'd personally go with the 3 ch so that each identical speaker that make up the front stage as a whole are getting equal amplification.

If I had three identical speakers as my front stage, I'd probably finally jump into mch music, and then it would be all the more reason to have the 3ch amp. IMO.
 
A

audiophile83

Audiophyte
For 2 channel music most receivers can get plenty of volume and power. My receivers gets like 20 db more head room in stereo mode.

So I'm not sure an external amp is warranted. Before you go separates I want you to answer these questions.

1. Do I plan to do any eqing of my sound?
Yes.

2. Do I have a pre-processor already?
Nope.

3. Does my receiver or pre-processor have a 12 volt trigger.
Yes.

4. Do I want everything to come on with a remote or am I ok with pushing the on buttons on an Amp?
I am ok with that, but I have 12V trigger.

5. What's the retail value of my speakers?
6000 $ for the 3 fronts.

6. What volume do I listen at on my receiver?
On the display, or in room? -20 on receiver - maybe 90-95 dB depending on situation, hardly reference levels.

7. Can I afford to spend this?
No problem.


Quiz yourself and let us know on the answers which pertain to us recommending a good product.
Answers embedded.
 
A

audiophile83

Audiophyte
Welcome to the forum!

While waiting for responses here, I'd suggest that you contact customer service at Emotiva to ask them those questions.
I have, but I prefer unbiased opinions as well - if such things exist. :D
 
A

audiophile83

Audiophyte
I'd personally go with the 3 ch so that each identical speaker that make up the front stage as a whole are getting equal amplification.

If I had three identical speakers as my front stage, I'd probably finally jump into mch music, and then it would be all the more reason to have the 3ch amp. IMO.
I see. So either the 3 channel or the 5 channel? Price difference ain`t huge, but all the same - the Yamaha should be able to power 2 or 4 surrounds.
 
O

oppman99

Senior Audioholic
Hi,

I like to have plenty of power as I normally feel that the sound is more dynamic and effortless. I listen ALOT to music, around 80%+ and I am picky about my sound.

I have decided to get an Emotiva amp, but would you recommend me the XPA-2, 3 or 5? I am leaning towards the XPA-2 as it is said to have better SQ than the others, but then again, the XPA-3 is cheaper, I will get power for mye entire front-line - BUT: Will I lose on the SQ part of things?

Help and tips are greatly appreciated!
As mentioned earlier, some feel that an external amp is not necessary. I personally feel it can make a significant improvement. I just don't want to rehash the same discussions that have taken place in the past. Everyone is entitles to their opinions. That being said.....You probably won't hear much of a difference between the XPA-3 and the 5. The XPA-2 is a step above either of the other two. I truely believe you will be very happy with any of the three. It's a tough call with movies being thrown into the mix. I would probably be leaning ever so slightly toward the XPA-5 over the XPA-2. If you run only two of the channels when listening to music, you will have more the the stated 200 wpc available if you need it (assuming 8 ohm speakers). If it was a music only system then I would choose the XPA-2. I keep debating selling my XPA-2 and getting a 5 for my movie system. I also keep considering just adding an XPA-3 to the 2, but that eats up a lot of space in the rack. On a side note, I have heard more than once that Emotiva customer service has suggested a less expensive amp for a customer because it was a better fit for them. I think they realize that a happy customer is often a repeat customer. How many companies can you say that about?
 
croseiv

croseiv

Audioholic Samurai
I fall into the category of "not needing an external amp". But I got one any way-one reason was because the XPA-5 is one heck of an amp for 800 bucks, and two, it is great to have the extra head room. The improved dynamics are quite obvious with the amp as compared to the receiver.
 
lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
-20db is below the range of needing one.

If you plan to use a DCX 2496 to eq then you'll definitely want one.

I would suggest a step up to separates if you have the inclination and the cash, but this isn't necessary.

My reasoning is that an Onkyo 885 has way more features than a receiver priced the same. It's even got balanced pre-outs.

For the external Amp I've gone the pro way myself and it may work out however it's much simpler to integrate the amp with 12v triggers so I personally like the XPA-5 it's only 200 bucks more than the XPA-3 and it covers all your channels.

You can hook up RCA or XLR to it so you can get immediate benefits.

If you want to take a gander at the pro-amp route. I use an A 500 for my LR channel and it has reduced the load on my receiver by about 10-15 db. This is observed from The volume setting previous to it's inclusion and after. The A500 does accept RCA which is what I'm using but I've yet to figure out a method of automation for it that's acceptable.
 
C

cfrizz

Senior Audioholic
All speakers including the rears sound better with more power. I started out with a 2 channel, then got a mono for my center. Finally I got my 5 channel that's in my signature.

Get the XPA-5 and be done with that particular upgrade. It will stay in your system through all other upgrades & it will be easy to upgrade to a separate prepro when the time comes.

It will also ensure that all your speakers are getting the power they need to operate to their full potential. Something that most receivers cannot do.
 
Z

zumbo

Audioholic Spartan
I use a Yamaha RX-Z7 as a pre-amp with an Adcom 7605. The Adcom has been with me for five years running five speakers all @ 4ohm load. I have been quiet pleased with it. Value per dollar is hard to beat. I got mine from Onecall.

:pTo the naysayers.

http://www.adcom.com/dealer_locator.aspx
 
davidtwotrees

davidtwotrees

Audioholic General
I've done seperates, and I've done amps with receivers as prepro, and I guess I can't tell a big enough difference to warrant all the fuss. I am also on a tight budget, so there's that. The op said $$$ wasn't an object so I would get the 5 channel and be done with it. If you are gonna amp, then 200 w @ 8 seems to be the place to start.
My Onkyo 706 drives my Cantons just fine. As I approach 50 I think I'm looking to downsize and simplify and feel like form follows function is a good philosophy. I just downsized a rack full of stuff that was all just clutter. I now have three boxes- receiver, blu ray, and server. I also love my 4 cylinder Toyota truck with 5 speed and no ac. I'm funny that way. ;)
 
F

fredk

Audioholic General
I just downsized a rack full of stuff that was all just clutter. I now have three boxes- receiver, blu ray, and server.
I'm trying to keep mine to 2 pieces, but doing blu-ray through an HTP is looking more like a pipe dream.

Really its about how much power you need to get you to a given volume and thats easy to figure out using a power calculator. This particular calcualtor is for open spaces, so you can add another 5db of headroom to whatever you enter into the Headroom box.

For most people, a 100w receiver is probably enough, but it depends on: how loud you listen, how far from your speakers you sit, what program material you listen to.

For me, in a small room (11x20x8) with reasonably efficient speakers sitting 10' from the speakers, I could listen to classical at 90db average and even with 15db peaks, would use no more than 70w per channel.

Once your room gets big and you start to sit further away, you can run out of power quickly.

If money is not an issue, it never hurts to have extra power on tap, but you may never use it.
 
A

audiophile83

Audiophyte
-20db is below the range of needing one.

If you plan to use a DCX 2496 to eq then you'll definitely want one.

I would suggest a step up to separates if you have the inclination and the cash, but this isn't necessary.

My reasoning is that an Onkyo 885 has way more features than a receiver priced the same. It's even got balanced pre-outs.

I have the features I need, and the roomcorrection of my Yamaha easilty beats Audessey.

For the external Amp I've gone the pro way myself and it may work out however it's much simpler to integrate the amp with 12v triggers so I personally like the XPA-5 it's only 200 bucks more than the XPA-3 and it covers all your channels.
I agree, but if the XPA-3 is "enough" then I`d like to save the dough.

You can hook up RCA or XLR to it so you can get immediate benefits.

If you want to take a gander at the pro-amp route. I use an A 500 for my LR channel and it has reduced the load on my receiver by about 10-15 db. This is observed from The volume setting previous to it's inclusion and after. The A500 does accept RCA which is what I'm using but I've yet to figure out a method of automation for it that's acceptable.
Bottom line for me is: Either I keep the Yammi as my poweramp also, or I get Emotiva so:

Would a Emotiva XPA-3 be a lesser amp than those onboard my RX-V1900 soundwise?

I can see that I may not need all the power, but if it isn`t any worser sounding then I think the XPA-3 is my best option. I will probably get 7.1 and the Yammi can run the 4 surrounds...
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
Bottom line for me is: Either I keep the Yammi as my poweramp also, or I get Emotiva so:

I will probably get 7.1 and the Yammi can run the 4 surrounds...
Only 4 mouths to feed, and mostly surround effects, the 37.5 lbs Yammi should be able to do it. The XPA-5 has better specs and is more cost effective.
 
lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
All speakers including the rears sound better with more power. I started out with a 2 channel, then got a mono for my center. Finally I got my 5 channel that's in my signature.

Get the XPA-5 and be done with that particular upgrade. It will stay in your system through all other upgrades & it will be easy to upgrade to a separate prepro when the time comes.

It will also ensure that all your speakers are getting the power they need to operate to their full potential. Something that most receivers cannot do.
There is certainly a euphoric effect from using a power amp that simply can't be denied. The additional headroom is nice too. I think it's also nice because when upgrade time comes you can look at pre-pro's instead of receivers.
 
lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
Bottom line for me is: Either I keep the Yammi as my poweramp also, or I get Emotiva so:

Would a Emotiva XPA-3 be a lesser amp than those onboard my RX-V1900 soundwise?

I can see that I may not need all the power, but if it isn`t any worser sounding then I think the XPA-3 is my best option. I will probably get 7.1 and the Yammi can run the 4 surrounds...
The XPA-5 is only 200 more and will do 5 channels.
 
A

audiophile83

Audiophyte
I have just ordered the XPA-5. I don`t need the rear channels but I thought, heck, it`s nice to have 5 should I want to get a surround-processor in the future.

Thank you for your help!
 
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