EMOTIVA amplifiers

[FrantzM]

Hi

I know a few people who have Emotiva among them a person who's driving his Dunleavy SC IV (or is it V?) with the monos. I have heard one MC amp in a an HT system. The emphasis was Video performance. Audio wasn't his priority although the system was definitely well put together with Axiom speakers and subs (plural). The system sounded nice and balanced. A few music videos sounded very good on it.

How good are these amplifiers. Truly? Construction is top notch. Customer service very good. Performance on paper very good to excellent. What gives? Has anyone compared them to more heralded gears? What were the results of such comparisons?

 

[Robh3606]

Hello Frantz

I am curious about replies to this thread. I have the EMO UPA-2 driving my JBL Synthesis 1400 Arrays. It sounds very good, clean, detailed lot's of power reserves and very very quiet. No noise at all even close up. I have never done any comparisons except for the older PS-200 Crown it replaced. wonder what others think.

Rob

 

[RBFC]

I have an XPA-3 driving the rears on my HT setup. I have no complaints, but haven't listened to it as a primary amp.

Lee

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I know 2 guys who just plunked down $3,000 for a pair of their XPR-1 mono amps (1,000wpc) and couldn't happier. I think EMO is making a lot of noise and I think you'll see them making more of a dent in audio-only setups.

 

[WLVCA]

I own 2 of The Emotiva UPA-1 monoblocks and an XPA-5.

Use the UPA-1's in a 2 channel system and the XPA-5 in a home theater setup.

There is an interesting review of the UPA-1's and USP-1 preamp here if you haven't seen it.

http://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-emotiva-usp-1-preamplifier-and-upa-1-amplifiers/

The reviewer gave a price-qualified thumbs up and said they weren't as good as his $60,000 Burmester amp and preamp. That's not a surprise!

Before I bought the UPA-1/USP-1 set up I had a Musical Fidelity A3.5 integrated in my system. I thought the Emo gear easily bested the MF.

Of course, neither of these set ups would be considered high end.

I just sold the USP-1 to upgrade to their new XSP-1 preamp. The XSP hasn't shippped yet.

My opinion is that Emotiva offers good, solid gear that offers great value. You can compare to gear that sells through dealer channels at 2X the price because they sell internet direct, no dealer markup. I happen to think they compare well to even higher price gear (maybe 4X?) but that's my subjective opinion.

 

[Robh3606]

I just sold the USP-1 to upgrade to their new XSP-1 preamp. The XSP hasn't shippped yet.

I did the same upgrade about 2 months ago. I think your are going to like it. I kept my USP-1 for a small system in my livingroom. That 2.1 subwoofer crossover sure came in handy when I moved it upstairs. Looking to upgrade the speakers in that system. Went and listened to the new Revel Performa 3 series speakers. In a word WOW

Rob

 

[mbskeam]

they kind of reminds me of another company from the past....

any guesses ???

 

[WLVCA]

I did the same upgrade about 2 months ago. I think your are going to like it. I kept my USP-1 for a small system in my livingroom. That 2.1 subwoofer crossover sure came in handy when I moved it upstairs. Looking to upgrade the speakers in that system. Went and listened to the new Revel Performa 3 series speakers. In a word WOW

Rob

I'm looking forward to the XSP-1 and the wait is killing me.

I have Tyler Acoustics Reference monitors and an Emo X-Ref 10 subwoofer in my 2-channel system.

The Revels look like a nice speaker. I was close to buying the Revel M22's before I finally went with the Tylers.

 

[WLVCA]

they kind of reminds me of another company from the past....

any guesses ???

Please don't say AV123.

 

[mep]

There is an interesting review of the UPA-1's and USP-1 preamp here if you haven't seen it.

http://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-emotiva-usp-1-preamplifier-and-upa-1-amplifiers/

I have mixed feelings about this review and the message that it sends. I think the main message is that if this is all the money you have to spend, you can't go wrong. Personally, I have never heard any Emotiva gear so therefore I can't comment on how it sounds and where it stands in the pecking order of things.

 

[WLVCA]

Yes, its one of those...its good for the price, but....reviews.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I have mixed feelings about this review and the message that it sends. I think the main message is that if this is all the money you have to spend, you can't go wrong. Personally, I have never heard any Emotiva gear so therefore I can't comment on how it sounds and where it stands in the pecking order of things.

Yes, its one of those...its good for the price, but....reviews.

And that's really a shame as it once again solidifies a narrow way of thinking...meaning....audio can only be good if its expensive.

 

[mep]

I think a possibly interesting thread topic would be at what point does the diminishing law of returns kick in. We all know that improvements in the sound of your system don't follow a linear scale in relation to the money you spend to achieve those ever so smaller improvements in sound quality. But since we can't agree on anything around here, it would just be another circular argument.

 

[WLVCA]

I think a possibly interesting thread topic would be at what point does the diminishing law of returns kick in. We all know that improvements in the sound of your system don't follow a linear scale in relation to the money you spend to achieve those ever so smaller improvements in sound quality. But since we can't agree on anything around here, it would just be another circular argument.

I can tell you exactly where the point of diminishing returns sets in - $1 more than I paid for my system.

I hit the exact and perfect sweet spot and no other system compares in value!

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I can tell you exactly where the point of diminishing returns sets in - $1 more than I paid for my system.

I hit the exact and perfect sweet spot and no other system compares in value!

A satisfied customer I'd say! What else is in your system W?

 

[audioguy]

I have an XPA-3 driving the rears on my HT setup. I have no complaints, but haven't listened to it as a primary amp.

Lee

Before I switched to powered speakers, I had the same amp and loved it.

 

[WLVCA]

A satisfied customer I'd say! What else is in your system W?

I made the comment in jest, but here's what I have for 2 channel

Source is a Windows PC with J River, (also have an Oppo 93 in the loop) Emo XDA-2 DAC (also switch out a Yulong Sabre D18 - better sound, not as flexible connection-wise), Emo USP-1 (going to XSP-1) and the Tyler Reference Monitors / Emo X-Ref 10 sub mentioned previously.

 

[DonH50]

I have an XPA-3 on the upstairs system (Infinity Alphas), an XPA-2 driving my Magnepan MG-IIIa's, and an XPA-5 driving my MC-1 surrounds and rears. Works for me. I got mine after a friend got a trio of XPA-1's to drive his B&W 803/HTM-whatever (big center) system. We listened to several other amps before he got the XPA-1's including McIntosh, Classe, several others I have since forgotten (several years ago and it was not my system so I wasn't along on all the auditions).

That said, I have not auditioned other amps in my system for a direct comparison. Not being in the biz and having finite time and resources I simply haven't felt the urge. They sound good to me.

 

[MrAcoustat]

they kind of reminds me of another company from the past....

any guesses ???

Nikko - Alpha - Beta - Gamma - maybe. same price range same christmas lights and same power.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

There are few things that illustrate the idea that "high-end" refers to prices, not quality, more effectively than its "good for the money" attitude toward gear like Emotiva.

Tim