Emotiva UPA 5/7 or XPA 5 Power Amplifier

[Time_Lord]

Does anyone here own any of these power ampliers? I been reading up about them lately, and many people seem to be quite pleased with them.

Has anyone purchased one of these?

[EpHeSuS]

I don't think I've ever read anything about the Emotivas here - I know for sure that there are a few people over on the dtvforum.info forums that use them.

I almost bought the XPA 5 - but the thing that held me back was shipping costs (was more than the amp itself) - not sure if that has changed, as this was almost 2 years ago. Everything I've read points to that they are brilliant pieces of equipment for the price.

[Dragon_191]

I recently purchased 2x XPA-5's. Cost around $1000au each delivered with the December specials.

Awesome AMP's and amazing value for money. I haven't been able to fault mine, if anything they can run a bit hot but thats to be expected.

[Time_Lord]

Originally Posted by EpHeSuS

I almost bought the XPA 5 - but the thing that held me back was shipping costs (was more than the amp itself) - not sure if that has changed, as this was almost 2 years ago. Everything I've read points to that they are brilliant pieces of equipment for the price.

Now that is a worry. I am waiting to hear back from them to quote me for shipping, but depending on how much it is, that itself may stop me from buying it.

[Dragon_191]

Shipping for an XPA-5 & some cables was $220us via Fedex to ACT, only took 4 days for delivery.

[Oosh]

A mate of mine just bought 2x XPA-3's to power his 3-way Active HiFi speakers and is very impressed with them.

Edit: Shipping certainly is expensive, there's no getting around that considering they weigh 30-40kg, but even factoring that in they still represent a good value purchase.

[zarthaz]

I have the UPA-2 power amp and happy with that for 2 channel stuff in combo with the USP-1.
Am thinking though of either getting a XPA-2 and a XPA-3 combo , or alternatively 2 x XPA-1 and a XPA-3 or XPA-5 combo.
Not made up my mind yet, but can certainly recommend Emotiva stuff.
The XPA range is better than the UPA range, but they are both quality stuff.

Main reason for me wanting either the XPA-1 monoblocks or the XPA-2 is to further improve my 2 channel sound.
Though 3 XPA-1's for left/right and center has it appeal as well
Could then just use the UPA-2 to drive the surrounds, would be no problem at all.

[Time_Lord]

my only concern is what if the event I import one and its doesn't work. Because that would result in $1000 or more thrown out in the bin.

[Oosh]

Originally Posted by Time_Lord

my only concern is what if the event I import one and its doesn't work. Because that would result in $1000 or more thrown out in the bin.

IIRC Emotiva support servicing by local agents overseas and will provide necessary info. to qualified techs.

[Time_Lord]

Originally Posted by Oosh

IIRC Emotiva support servicing by local agents overseas and will provide necessary info. to qualified techs.

I read something about that on their site, of course the flaw to that is that if ever anyone needs to get something repaired, the cost of labor charged is just unbelievable. And sadly buying something from overseas like this comes with a big risk.

WHere does the power amplifer really make a difference? Is it in HT, or more for music? Because I am also thinking maybe just get the UPA 2 and use that to power my main speakers, and use the avr to do the rest, but then again, you have to adjust the sound level to make sure everything is level.

For room size, and since I listen to music at moderate levels, I am thinking the UPA 5 would be more than sufficient (I was thinking the UPA option, to bi amp the mains, but I think this maybe a waste. Wouldn't bi amping be better with 2 separate amplifiers?)

I am sure many people if for money reasons, do a set up like better amplifier for mains, and avr do the rest. AH well just gonna think things through.

Here is the one question, my main speakers are the wharfedale diamond 9.3 930w to 120w power handling, 88db sensitivity, and my center is 9.cm, 30w to 150w power handling, and I think its sensitity is 90db (have to double check the manual to be certain, but do recall it is a bit higher than my mains).

Now since I only listen at moderate volumes, I think the UPA be more than sufficient. ANd yeah if I had to buy something here locally in the same league, I could be spending 5 times, if not more. Crazy.

[Oosh]

Power amps make a difference everywhere, the amplifiers in almost every receiver are compromised, it's a simple packaging and cost issue.
See: Trading Amplifier Quality for Features – A New Trend with A/V Receivers?

Power amping your mains will see the greatest gains (pardon the pun) and if your AVR has auto-calibration of sound levels you jut need to re-run that to get the volumes correct.

Bi-amping always uses two-amp channels per speaker, are you maybe confusing bi-wiring? Regardless unless you're using active crossovers and can defeat the passive ones in your speakers I wouldn't bother.
See (if you've got some time): Benefits of Bi-Amping: Part1, Part 2.

Unless those speakers are 4 Ohm IMO the UPA-5 is underpowered for them (and even then it's less than ideal), you need headroom to handle transients that'll peak higher than the ratings, not knowing what receiver you have I'd still guess you be better off staying with that until you can justify the extra USD200 to jump in to the XPA-5. Edit: Or order an XPA-3 to power your LCR speakers and leave the surrounds on the AVR's amps.

[Time_Lord]

Oosh, my current receiver is the Yamaha 663. MY wharfedales run perfectly fine using that. But I feel if I get something like the XPA or UPA, I will have more my money worth. The speakers are 6ohms

For what the 663 cost me, cos I got as a run out model at the time, and for what it does, it is great value. But if get something like a XPA 5 (or even a UPA 5), I can have myself a really powerful system, without me spending thousands of dollars ANd for the money side of things, I been reading those Emotiva power amplifiers are really great. If I had to find something that equals a XPA 5 in AUstralia, I reckon I be looking to spend close to $5000, if not more.


And I agree with ya about that article you mentioned. Today the AV receivers in terms of power are mostly garbage. UNless you spend thousands of dollars. The irony is my old Onkyo 595 will in terms of power crap on alot of these newer av receivers made today.

Now with the bi amping, now I have the option with the yamaha 663 to bi amp the mains if I disable the extra surround channels. Now isn't bi amping when getting its benefits using from separate amplifeirs? As I really couldn't tell the difference (then again not with this type of av receiver I could hear any difference lol).

So I could either get one XPA 5 or get a UPA 7 and bi amp the mains with the additional channels, or save some money and get the UPA 5. HT is priority, music is a secondary.

[Oosh]

The crux that ESP article is bi-amp is only worth it if the amplifier sits after the xover. There's some OT discussion in the HT pics thread starting here.

So, if it was my choice between an XPA-5 or an UPA-7 and bi-amping the mains, I'd take the XPA-5 without hesitation.

[sjobeck]

I have an XPA-5 and am very happy with it. Thinking about buying the UMC-1 processor also

[Time_Lord]

Well what I am doing for the moment is use my Onkyo 595 as the power amplifier, and use my Yammie 663 as the processor.

SHould of did this last year lol.

The yammie 663 is no where as powerful as my old Onkyo. Good thing it had those multi channel inputs

SO I may hold off getting that UPA 5 (My speakers are 6 ohms). Wait for a price promotion special or something