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Upgrade or Reality Check?

post #1 of 10
12/4/11 at 3:05pm
Thread Starter 
I recently decided to get new speakers... I went with Axiom Audio in-wall/on-wall M22's & VP150 for the front, and the QS8 in the rear. SVS PC12-NSD for the sub.

I have a Onkyo TX-SR875 that I really like... However, i've got "the bug" since i bought the new speakers. Wondering if there would be any benefit to either ditching the Onkyo for an Emotiva UMC-1 and XPA-5. Or perhaps, even just a XPA-5 and use the Onkyo as a processor.

I live in an apartment, so it's a pretty small living room, so it's not like power or volume are a concern of any kind.

My feeling is that it doesn't pay to upgrade the Onkyo, especially since i'm not looking to spend a lot of money after just buying all new speakers. What do you think?
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post #2 of 10
12/4/11 at 3:21pm
Your Onkyo TX-SR875 is better unit than the UMC-1. If you do decide to go with a dedicated amplifier I would recommend using the 875 as a preamp. The 875 also has better bass management than the UMC-1. The UMC-1 has problems. The amplifiers in your 875 are good and did well in bench tests. Much better then many of the newer Onkyos that don't put out nearly the watts that are advertised.
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post #3 of 10
12/4/11 at 3:27pm
I don't think your speakers would benefit from more amplification. How about a second sub instead?
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post #4 of 10
12/4/11 at 3:28pm
Thread Starter 
That's good to know... I kind of figured i was just getting swept up in buying new gear.

Since I'm not looking to spend another huge chunk of money, i'm pretty sure other separates are out of my reach right now. With the price tag of the emotiva units, i couldn't help but be curious.
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post #5 of 10
12/4/11 at 3:30pm
Thread Starter 
my apartment is quite small, the SVS is probably overkill already.
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post #6 of 10
12/4/11 at 4:34pm
If you wanted to spend more money, you should have put all of it into the speakers. But other than my gripes with that friggin' center channel and its completely retarded (as in detrimental to the sound) dual tweeters, it should be good enough.
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post #7 of 10
12/4/11 at 6:25pm
I'm not sure if this is a fair comparison but I had the Onkyo 705 for about 2.5 years and decided to try out a Marantz. I listened to a couple of tracks from a Jennifer Warnes CD with the Marantz and I concluded that the Marantz didn't really sound better than my 705; therefore, I immediately re-installed the 705. I listened to the same tracks on the 705 and, almost immediately, I knew I was wrong about the Marantz. The Marantz was smoother and more detailed. I put through some more CDs and movies through the Marantz and heard sounds I never noticed before.

Just my $0.02 worth.
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post #8 of 10
12/4/11 at 6:36pm
Get the xpa and you can always upgrade to a pre/pro in the future. The onkyo is definately better than that umc.
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post #9 of 10
12/5/11 at 6:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nezff View Post

Get the xpa and you can always upgrade to a pre/pro in the future. The onkyo is definately better than that umc.

Is there really an advantage to the XPA-5 for me in such a small space?

If having a separate amp would definitely be advantageous, would i be better off with a used unit from a higher end brand than the brand new XPA-5?
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post #10 of 10
12/5/11 at 9:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeMG View Post

Is there really an advantage to the XPA-5 for me in such a small space?

If having a separate amp would definitely be advantageous, would i be better off with a used unit from a higher end brand than the brand new XPA-5?

If you're running at a volume that causes your receiver's amp to run out of power reserves and clip, then an external amp will help. If your receiver isn't clipping, you won't hear a difference. Your money would be better spent in DIY room treatments and sub placement experiments (If you haven't already).
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