i recently acquired an Emotiva XPA-5, and to my shock, there was no thread aimed primarily at the owners of this particular amp on AVS Forum. So i had to start one.
This amp is spectacular. I hooked it up to my Denon 4310CI (used as a processor) and you simply hear details that were not there before. I'm sure you've heard that before, but i'm here to tell you it's the truth.
One particular example is in Transformers 2. The "pimp-slap" that Optimus Prime gives Megatron at the beginning of the Graveyard Battle sequence is quite telling. In the theaters, and back when I was using the Denon 4310CI for audio, that smack sounded like a "clink" with a small bit of after-effect. Once the Amp was driving my speakers, that same smack was a full fledged, detailed, metallic scream that sounded amazing.
Of course this is just one tiny example, but it's one that folks can find easily to test out. (I also popped in "Master and Commander: Far Side of the World" and talking about that movie is a whole new thread in and of itself). My fellow Emotiva XPA-5 owners--how has this amp improved your Home Theater and/or Music listening experience? Feel free to list examples in music and movies where you've heard a difference after blessing your system with the Emotiva XPA-5. Please list your speakers and processor as well. It would be great to get an idea of the gear we (XPA-5 owners) are using with the mighty amp.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ReneV /forum/post/19906927
Emotiva recommends against leaving amplifier channels unused, because it would allow used channels to pull more power than is good for them when stressed. I surmise something similar would be true for under-used channels, too.
I use an XPA-5 for L/C/R/SR/SL and receiver amplification for surround back and DSX wides.
Im considering in buying upa7 because is cheap now and i want to match it with one of this: a marantz sr5005 or onkyo708. I have not decided yet. I owned marantz and onkyo and i prefer marantz sq. Onkyo sounds bit harsh at hi vol; never happened on the marantz. Wondering if i get upa on an onkyo; does the harsh will get rid?
Another thing I dont understand is why this upa7 is so big and handle 125w per channel while the marantz 6005 or oknyo 707 can handle 110w per channel with same amount of 7 channels plus do processing and its smaller??????
Originally Posted by javygonx
Im considering in buying upa7 because is cheap now and i want to match it with one of this: a marantz sr5005 or onkyo708. I have not decided yet. I owned marantz and onkyo and i prefer marantz sq. Onkyo sounds bit harsh at hi vol; never happened on the marantz. Wondering if i get upa on an onkyo; does the harsh will get rid?
Another thing I dont understand is why this upa7 is so big and handle 125w per channel while the marantz 6005 or oknyo 707 can handle 110w per channel with same amount of 7 channels plus do processing and its smaller??????
The salesman's smile can be deceptive...
That Onkyo will only offer you the advertised 110w for a speck of time, with only two channels driven. Add seven channels, all driven and you would weep if you knew the actual power being sent to your speakers...
Quote:
Originally Posted by zuluwalker /forum/post/19925057
The salesman's smile can be deceptive...
That Onkyo will only offer you the advertised 110w for a speck of time, with only two channels driven. Add seven channels, all driven and you would weep if you knew the actual power being sent to your speakers...
Ok; understood now why they are bigger. Thanks for that. And about matching UPA7; better with Onkyo 708 or Marantz 5005??????.... I dont like the tweeters too bright when playing at Onkyos AVRs. I love it how it sounds on Marantz; but same question; if I add UPA7 to Onkyo; does the "too bright" will be eliminated?
Quote:
Originally Posted by javygonx /forum/post/19927973
Ok; understood now why they are bigger. Thanks for that. And about matching UPA7; better with Onkyo 708 or Marantz 5005??????.... I dont like the tweeters too bright when playing at Onkyos AVRs. I love it how it sounds on Marantz; but same question; if I add UPA7 to Onkyo; does the "too bright" will be eliminated?
I am sorry, I just don't know for sure. I do not own a UPA 7, nor have I heard an amp'd Onkyo.
I do know that the further back, in the chain of gear, you can place the source, the warmer it gets. So to say, Disc player - Receiver - Amp - Speaker, will be warmer in theory than a chain without an Amp...and warmer still than set up that plays straight from disc. I don't know why, or how this happens though. Just my experience.
That said, I save a lot of my CD's to the hard drive of the PS3 and listen to long play lists; but I often find a much warmer sound from listening to my Disc Changer with it's analog connections (RCA unbalanced).
Quote:
Originally Posted by zuluwalker /forum/post/19929133
I am sorry, I just don't know for sure. I do not own a UPA 7, nor have I heard an amp'd Onkyo.
I do know that the further back, in the chain of gear, you can place the source, the warmer it gets. So to say, Disc player - Receiver - Amp - Speaker, will be warmer in theory than a chain without an Amp...and warmer still than set up that plays straight from disc. I don't know why, or how this happens though. Just my experience.
That said, I save a lot of my CD's to the hard drive of the PS3 and listen to long play lists; but I often find a much warmer sound from listening to my Disc Changer with it's analog connections (RCA unbalanced).
Odd theory, no offense. If that's true, and warmth is a good thing (whatever you mean by warmth,) we should all run our systems through numerous amps. Actually, with many types of music, some of the audio already traveled through many analog devices before the final bits get written.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelJHuman /forum/post/19929143
Odd theory, no offense. If that's true, and warmth is a good thing (whatever you mean by warmth,) we should all run our systems through numerous amps. Actually, with many types of music, some of the audio already traveled through many analog devices before the final bits get written.
I could best describe the warmth as "not being as crisp or cold" as digital can be...ahahaha I am social worker, so maybe I just hate computers and think they are life sucking digital silicon vs. older technology...ahahaha maybe I am outta my tree!
I added an Integra DHC-80.2 to the Emotiva XPA-5, and I'm noticing an incredible increase in audible detail over my previous pre/pro, the Denon ACR-4310CI. That being said, there was an issue during Audyssey XT/32 calibration where one amp channel blinked red, while the others turned off. I unplugged the Amp from my Panamax Power Conditioner, and plugged it into a different linear filter and I haven't experienced the problem since. I just wanted to put it out there in case someone else comes across this issue.
DPS, Yes I think it was worth it. The Denon (AVR 4810) does a great job by itself (especially calibrated with Audyssey and running DSX), but it sounds less strained and more detailed. Here are the speakers I'm running...
HSU ULS15 Sub, Polk RT55i Mains
Polk CS400i Center, Polk RTi6 Front Height Speakers
Polk LS f/x Surround speakers
Polk RT 15i Surround-back speaker
To answer the last question...yes and no. I did hear a difference after installing it..again, less strained and more detailed. I didn't notie a majore difference with my sub. I am running the Fronts, Surround(not rear surround) and Center with the XPA-5, the front heights and the rear surrounds are running off the Denon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by angelsfann02 /forum/post/19642102
Nice gear. I just got my Xpa5 friday. Just waiting for my interconnects and speaker cable to arrive. I noticed theres not much clearance above your amp, are you concerned about heat?
Thanks angelsfann...the picture may be a little misleading..there's about 2 1/2" above the amp...not as much as there should be, but it doesn't get that warm at all...it is open in the back as well.
Hey Guys!!! I just ordered my XPA-5, can't wait to get it. I am having it paired up with my Denon AVR 4308ci. What do you guys think of having the XPA running highs/lows for my Polk RTi a9's (basically bi-amping the XPA using y-adapters from the front L/R preouts of the denon) and the 5th channel powering my polk CSi a6 center? I will let the Denon power the surround speakers. The reason why I bought this beast of an amp is for starters all the positive remarks people have made and what a great price!!!!!! The denon does have great sound, but I feel by adding the XPA-5 it will be better, what do you guys think? Also, should I directly plug this XPA-5 into it's own outlet or plugging it into my monster power center? Any input is greatly appreciated!!!
If you are running 5.1, I would amp all the channels with the XPA-5. That seems more likely to get you equal power to all channels.
If you have a 7.1 system, I would consider using the XPA-5 for the front channels, and powering either the surrounds or rear surrounds with the XPA-5. You might want to try powering the speaker furthest from you, as there's SPL loss over distance (but there's also the factor of speaker sensitivity.) Then you would power the other 2 with your receiver
I can think of no scenario where I would bi-amp. But feel free to experiment. Maybe you will conclude differently. Do some reading on bi-amping though. It may not be as good as you think it is (it won't double the power for one thing.)
If your Monster power center is just a fancy strip, you can plug it into the strip. If it's a power conditioner of some sort, try plugging the XPA into an outlet in case the Monster would limit power.
Thanks Michael for your input. I am currently running a 5.1 setup.
Polk Audio rti a9's front L/R
Polk Audio Csi A6 Center
Polk Audio RC85i in-walls for surround
The monster power strip was about $200 at tweeter 5-7 years ago. I went for it because I didn't have room on my rack for it. It shows amps/ volts, reverse wiring, clean power, etc...
Do you really think i will notice a difference with the XPA-5 vs just my on-board denon 4308 amps?
Just acquired (10 May 2011) an Emotiva XPA-5 power amp. Coupled it to a Marantz 7005 pre amp using XLR cables from Monoprice. Worked beautifully from day one. Switched it on this evening (17 May) to a loud bang with smoke from the chassis. Switched it off immediately. Contacted Emotiva by email. Awaiting reply. Anyone else with this problem?
I have an XPA5 and a 3. Don't plug it in the conditioner, use the direct wall outlet. When I had mine in the monster AVS2000, some of the channels would cut out. The AVS could not keep up with the power needs of the amp. When I plugged in the wall, no issues since.
OTOH, before I sold my Denon 3808ci, I had it plugged in the AVS2000 and then the 7000. No issues with cutouts. So even with the power draw of the reciever, it didn't come close to the XPA-5 or XPA-3.
Quote:
Originally Posted by semmanuel /forum/post/20448352
Just acquired (10 May 2011) an Emotiva XPA-5 power amp. Coupled it to a Marantz 7005 pre amp using XLR cables from Monoprice. Worked beautifully from day one. Switched it on this evening (17 May) to a loud bang with smoke from the chassis. Switched it off immediately. Contacted Emotiva by email. Awaiting reply. Anyone else with this problem?
Quote:
Originally Posted by semmanuel /forum/post/0
Just acquired (10 May 2011) an Emotiva XPA-5 power amp. Coupled it to a Marantz 7005 pre amp using XLR cables from Monoprice. Worked beautifully from day one. Switched it on this evening (17 May) to a loud bang with smoke from the chassis. Switched it off immediately. Contacted Emotiva by email. Awaiting reply. Anyone else with this problem?
I would call Emotiva over the phone. Its more direct and personal. I don't like using email for customer issues unless it's the only way to get through. Email is also the easiest way to get blown off by companies. Im not saying Emotiva is doing this. There is definitely something wrong with your amplifier. You should be able to do a return exchange since your within the 30 day return window.
So I'm thinking of getting the XPA-5. I have 2 DefTech Mythos ST and they're self powered, so curious to know how that's going to work with the XPA-5? Will it know? How does this amp determine how much power to send to each channel? Sorry, still learning about supplementary amps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gwhzz35 /forum/post/20528017
So I'm thinking of getting the XPA-5. I have 2 DefTech Mythos ST and they're self powered, so curious to know how that's going to work with the XPA-5? Will it know? How does this amp determine how much power to send to each channel? Sorry, still learning about supplementary amps.
Your sub within the tower is powered by its own 300w amp. Your tower's 5 1/4" midrange speakers still need power from either your AV receiver by itself, or AV receiver/power amplifier or a preamplifier/power amplifier (the xpa-5 is a power amplifier).
I dont know your current receiver configuration, but Im assuming it is less than the xpa-5 200w/channel (otherwise why would you be asking). Your tower's recommended associated amplifier power is 20 – 350 watts so you shouldnt have any problems at 200w/ch.
A bunch of factors affect "how much power" is sent to each channel, but since you're well within the manufacturers guidelines (20-350), you will have absolutely no problem. What you would notice is your speakers coming to life in ways you probably wouldnt have thought possible - clarity, sound stage, etc, without having to crank the volume (I can tell you this from experience, going from a high end AV receiver pumping out 140w/ch, to the xpa-5 pumping 200w/ch on my Def Tech 7001SC).
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
AVS Forum
34M posts
1.5M members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to home theater owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about home audio/video, TVs, projectors, screens, receivers, speakers, projects, DIY’s, product reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!