EMOTIVA Thread Q&A [TECHNICAL TALK ONLY] - Page 433

Originally Posted by dstew100

tl;dr
New XPA-3 installed!!

Tried to do a listening test, far from ABX though. Right after delivery just before install I listened to 2 fairly familiar songs all the way through twice. I have listened to them several times over the last few days to prep for the comparison. I used the SPL to match levels, with the Marantz receiver(105wattsx5) I had it on -10db and these songs were 75-80db with an avg. of around 77 or 78. I wanted to remove any volume increase as a perceived SQ improvement. The XPA-3 had a 2db increase so the receiver (now preamp) was set to -12 when listening to the XPA-3. The source was vinyl, pure analog all the way through the system listening in 2ch Stereo. Speakers are B&W 805s (8 ohm but they dip, slightly less then 4ohm min). They are fairly inefficient power hogs (88db). I chose the sound level to attempt to ensure it was fairly loud, but not causing the receiver to struggle. On the Emotiva test I listened to the 2 songs once at equal volume, then I listened to them again cranked up.

First let me say the Marantz pushing the B&Ws sounds good. With the layout I have a good sound stage and good imaging in my untrained opinion. In the first 15 seconds with the Emotiva (after volume match and song restart) it seemed a little better, I felt like it was a little more full with more/better mid bass. However, the more I listened the more I didn't think there was a difference. Especially when I started to think, what if this was a blind ABX test. I will say all sounded very nice though IMO. I do not believe people could consistently blind ABX pick between the two at these volume levels. If there's a real difference, it is very subtle.

The Emo quickly showed me where my modest investment went when I started cranking it up. There was a large noticeable difference at higher listening levels. I've had this receiver almost ten years (I know, I know, upgrade the processor; it's on the list) so I'm familiar with its performance when pushed. When approaching 0 / reference it sounded strained. It felt scary to push it much passed that. It's been at +5 for very short periods and I was certainly a little worried. In comparison the Emotiva sounded good, it was very loud, but it didn't seem loud or cause discomfort. It showed me how harsh the receiver really sounded at those higher levels. The system sounded awesome cranked up, very clean I suppose is the term I should be using. Although I've heard it at high end audio stores, effortless can be used to describe my system at high listening levels now!!! Today is the first day my Marantz ever displayed +11 on the volume, sweet. At least in the first 4 hours of ownership, I am a happy man and pleased with the purchase.

Already much too long but there's 1 more point I'd like to make. Value. I have been reading, listening, and comparing amps for a month or two now. I wasn't unfamiliar before. I looked at the usual suspects in my range, Rotel, NAD, Sunfire, Carver, B&K, Outlaw etc and even looked at some higher end stuff like Mcintosh, Krell, etc (mostly dreaming with these). The alternative was to go used with one of these, something like a Rotel 1095. I was really looking at 7-12 year old amps with virtually the same specs for more money. The holiday sale was too good for me not to give the Emo a shot. I'm now looking at brand new very good sounding gear, not wondering how honest the previous owners had been, with the power / volume I want, and a warranty that's transferable. And you know what, it cost less then the other options I was considering. For me, that is value.

Originally Posted by jonLavs

Actually, the reply was pretty quick from Emotiva. He said it was something to be expected with some DC component. Here is his reply:

"what you are hearing is some DC component that is in the AC power and the XPA-5's power transformer is resonating hence the buzz. This is a harmless side effect of power today"

Since trying it again today, I have yet to hear it. Although, it was on for a prolonged amount of time last night. From what Vincent said, it doesn't sound like it's heat related, but I wonder if it really is heat related.

Originally Posted by Aus1095

Do you have a power cleaner on it?

Originally Posted by baniels

I would assume you want to use one of the DC control outs on the AVR. Since the other ones don't say DC, I guess maybe they are IR or something else.

It is a DC trigger to activate the amp, so I'd start there.

Originally Posted by jonLavs

No. From what I've read, I should be plugging it straight to the wall as power conditioners or surge protectors may limit the amount of dynamic current it draws. So, it's plugged straight to the wall.

I'm going to try to leave it on for a few hours today to see if I can replicate it. I haven't heard the buzzing since last night.

Originally Posted by dstew100

The thing labled "DC Control" on the back of the AVR looks like a Philips head screw (no the connector will not go in there). Zoom in on that picture. I don't have the right manual but for a VERY similar Marantz model with the exact same looking jacks describes that as "This determines the output voltage(5-13VDC) of the DC Trigger Jacks"

Any Ideas? Help

Originally Posted by Bill Mac

Not to slam Emotiva but I have seen quite a few Emotiva amp owners having issues lately. Many more posts here and on the Lounge than I recall seeing in the past. I hope it is not a QC issue as in the past there was hardly ever any issues reported with their amps.

Bill

Originally Posted by Topend

I understand the concept. No need to explain.

Originally Posted by Bill Mac

Not to slam Emotiva but I have seen quite a few Emotiva amp owners having issues lately. Many more posts here and on the Lounge than I recall seeing in the past. I hope it is not a QC issue as in the past there was hardly ever any issues reported with their amps.

Bill

Originally Posted by Bill Mac

Not to slam Emotiva but I have seen quite a few Emotiva amp owners having issues lately. Many more posts here and on the Lounge than I recall seeing in the past. I hope it is not a QC issue as in the past there was hardly ever any issues reported with their amps.

Bill

Originally Posted by Aus1095

Hey guys I used to really want a Emotiva amp but after reading this with the QC issues worry me. Do you guys think I should go ahead and look at one of there amps? If you had the following, what amp would you recommend?
Pioneer VSX 1121-K
Arx A2 center
Arx A5s (I am on the group buy)
Arx A1s for rears
Rythmic FV12 Ported

This is in a bedroom that is about 13X11 or so but when i move out (I am 16 now) I will move it into my new house. I wanted to get all my stuff while im young so when i move and get my first taste of bills then ill have nice stuff.

I was looking at something like the UPA-2 amp. Do I even need a external amp?

Thank you guys.

Oh btw I have a APC H15 power cleaner and I run everything through it? Is that bad? I have never heard of it limiting anything...

Originally Posted by Secret Squirrel

When I was 16 I could only dream of higher end audio gear. I mowed a lot of lawns and worked for local farmers to afford my audio gear. I don't think you need to worry about getting dedicated amplification at 16. Especially with your current room being 13x11. When I started building audio systems when I was about 14 dedicated subwoofers where not even readily available. I had a pretty nice 2.0 system with some nice floor standing speakers. If I could of had a subwoofer back then that would of been great. In your room a 2.1 system would sound great. A pair of bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer would do the job just fine.

I still have my old Onkyo receiver that I purchased when I was about 19. I still use it today in a 2.1 bedroom system. I wouldn't worry about collecting audio gear for your older age. Build a system that fits your budget and that fits your current room. Don't worry about the future. You're still really young. If your really into audio you will always be interested in buying gear throughout your life. I wish I was still young like you are.

Originally Posted by Chu Gai

My guess on the noise coming from the amp is maybe there's an issue with the windings of the transformer or that it needs to be tightened down a bit on the chassis. There may be little rubber grommets that are located between the transformer and the case which act as 'shock absorbers' dampening inherent vibrations. Torquing down a bit on the nut, like a 1/4 turn might be just enough to snug things up.

It might be a little difficult getting access but that's because Emotiva products are made in part by child labor. We all know Asians have small hands and children especially. This makes it easy to assemble small products and work in small spaces. Before you go condemning the use of child labor realize the pride when a Chinese family buys a Tonewinner amp and says, "My son made that."

Originally Posted by rdperry

I would say that it might not be QC is worse but maybe they just sell alot more amps now.

Originally Posted by Secret Squirrel

No, I don't think you need a dedicated amplifier for those speakers. I looked at some of the specifications on your current speakers and they look fairly easy to power. They aren't the most sensitive at 85db and 90db, but they are 8ohm. Most AVR's should work fine.

Originally Posted by Johnla

Come on, that's not even a good excuse, actually it's a terrible one. Even if they sell a lot more, it would still be poor QC. For any decent company, how well they manage QC, should not at all be related to how many products they sell!

Originally Posted by Theresa

My belief (after much reading and experience) is that if you are operating close to clipping, which low efficiency speakers can cause, then a more powerful amp will sound better. Modern receivers have lousy amps in most cases that really won't get very loud except with high sensitivity speakers.

Originally Posted by kbarnes701

Yes it is. QC will work to a percentage figure for "acceptable failure rate". All QC works that way because it would be ludicrously expensive to operate to a 0% fault rate. So, if Emo's acceptable failure rate is, say 1% (I have no idea what their percentage would be but it doesn’t matter) then clearly if they sell 100 units, 1 will fail and if they sell 1000 units 10 will fail. That will affect the number of people reporting problems.

Originally Posted by Theresa

Nobody knows what the failure rate is (apart from maybe Emo), not even the cockatoo.