Emotiva Amps - Are they the real thing?

[Johnny Vinyl]

I'm trying to get a feel for what people think about this company and their product line. On several forums they appear to receive very high praise, but I think most of the positive comments come from people that are not high-end audiophiles. And I don't necessarily mean audiophiles with expensive equipment exclusively.

Emotiva's products are very popular with the HT crowd as a means of improving the audio performance for movie watching, rarely audio exclusively. If these products are that good, should we be giving them more consideration for "audio only" applications?

Build quality and product support seem to be very high on owners' lists, and Emotiva gets consistantly high marks in this regard. Again, are we maybe missing the boat here on a potentially viable product line for audio enjoyment?

Oppo Digital started out as an ID company only, but have since branched out somewhat. They gained notariety because of the quality of their products. Can Emotiva be far behind?

In the words of a Mike Meyer's character: "Discuss amongst yourselves!".

John

 

[Fred]

I'm trying to get a feel for what people think about this company and their product line. On several forums they appear to receive very high praise, but I think most of the positive comments come from people that are not high-end audiophiles. And I don't necessarily mean audiophiles with expensive equipment exclusively.

Emotiva's products are very popular with the HT crowd as a means of improving the audio performance for movie watching, rarely audio exclusively. If these products are that good, should we be giving them more consideration for "audio only" applications?

Build quality and product support seem to be very high on owners' lists, and Emotiva gets consistantly high marks in this regard. Again, are we maybe missing the boat here on a potentially viable product line for audio enjoyment?

Oppo Digital started out as an ID company only, but have since branched out somewhat. They gained notariety because of the quality of their products. Can Emotiva be far behind?

In the words of a Mike Meyer's character: "Discuss amongst yourselves!".

John

Morning John!

I really thought that if I saw another Emotiva thread that I would hang myself and then shoot myself just to make sure!

 

[audioguy]

Please don't hang your self or shoot yourself. I wanted an inexpensive amp to drive my rear speakers and I purchased one of theirs. It appears to be built like a tank, has 12v turn on and works. Given it's use as a surround amp, I can't comment on it's actuall sound quality in a two channel environment. But I sure would't be afraid to buy any of their other amps for similar applications. It's probably not a Krell but for $600 and 3 channels of a full 200watts, how can I complain?

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Morning John!

I really thought that if I saw another Emotiva thread that I would hang myself and then shoot myself just to make sure!

Hey Fred! That made me laugh and in the context you mentioned it, I probably have would done the same had I seen another one over in the other forums.

However, given this forum is all about What's Best, I wanted to get our members' opinion on the issue of their apparent quality. I have no opinion on the matter personally as I don't own one, but for the prices they charge, they could (should?)be considered a viable alternative for those seeking something to get into audio at a reasonable price.

I think it's a interesting question to submit.

John

 

[DonH50]

I bought an XPA-3 after reading up a bit and looking and listening to a friend's. I have been very pleased with it, build and sound quality. I couldn't bring myself to devote the time, TLC, and money to bring my old arc and Counterpoint amps back to life after 15+ years in storage, and putting a kid through college (with another starting in a few years) meant getting a new arc, Krell, etc. wasn't in the cards. Nor do I have all the inside deals I got back in the day (late 70's and early 80's).

As a posted in another forum, I am proud that I did not pick up an XPA-2 even after getting my wife's approval -- decided to spend it on room treatment and towards a new receiver instead.

Only time will prove their longevity, but for now my answer to your question is a resounding yes.

 

[DonH50]

Scratch that -- caved under the pressure of their sale and now have an XPA-2 driving my main Maggies...

I also must bow out of this, as I have decided that I haven't enough recent listening experience to compare the Emo's to say a top Levinson, Krell, Boulder, ARC, etc. offering. To me it sounds like a very good solid-state amp; I suspect it won't top the Krell monoblocks I had for a while but would cost a fortune now. Sometimes getting senile and deaf can be good...

 

[Jimna]

Hi, this is my first post. I have an XPA-2 that I like. As said earlier in the thread, they have a great build quality and customer service. The amp is in a 2.1 channel treated room dedicated to music. As far as true SQ, its no Krell/Mac/Pass ect, but I would have to spend a lot more to do better for sure. Its very forward in a musical sense, which I do like. Its a very agressive amp that I find engaging. Im no fan boy, and Im realistic, but all in all I would have to say that my amp at its price point vs. performance level is a best pic.

 

[steve williams]

welcome to the forum

Great avatar BTW. Is that you?

 

[Jimna]

No Im a hack of a concert photographer. thanks though, here are most of my concert photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimna/collections/72157613267633153/

Tomorow I have my first paid shoot at Red Rocks Amp, my home town venue. Im excited.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

No Im a hack of a concert photographer. thanks though, here are most of my concert photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimna/collections/72157613267633153/

Tomorow I have my first paid shoot at Red Rocks Amp, my home town venue. Im excited.

Welcome Jimna! Those are some great shots on your flickr page. Good luck on the "paid shoot" for tomorrow.

I've been toying with the idea of buying EMO as that is about all I can afford (unless I went used).

John

 

[Jimna]

Thanks! I am in the same boat as far as budget goes. I dont think you will be disappointed with the Emo gear. I would never rule out used either though, plenty of great gear out there in the used market at a real value.

 

[steve williams]

Jimna

OT but I must tell you that your concert photos are 10/10

What camera and lens are you using

 

[Jimna]

Thanks Steve! Your pumping me up for tonight.

Considering no one wants to talk Emo since it causes suicide, I dont think being off topic is to terrible.

I currently use a Canon Rebel XT, Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, Canon EF-S 55-250 f/4-5.6. But I'm working on upgrading my body right now. My gear is as entry level Canon as it gets, imagine if I had a 50D and L glass! Admittedly I do tons of small club type shoots which are as poorly lite as it gets, and is evident in some of the band shots. I really need to make this pay for itself to move to better gear, for now it just gets me into shows for free which is great but I want better photos so my gear needs to improve.

 

[steve williams]

are you using a flash

your shots IMO clearly reminds me that it isn't necessarily the camera or the glass but rather the eyes behind the lens


they are just super shots

 

[Jimna]

Your too kind.

Imagine what that set of eyes could do with a better rig!

No, flash photog is a big no-no in live music. Something about blinding the musicians and breaking concentration.....whiners.

And while we are off topic, here is are some of my audio recordings that are free to listen to or even download: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/J.Mimna
(multiple listings of the same show are for different resolutions)

 

[steve williams]

terrific bookmarks

 

[Ron Party]

Sweet link! Just downloaded the flac encoded Derek Trucks Band concert. If there is a better slide guitarist currently playing, I don't know who he/she is. I've seen his band 3 times (and also saw him last year when he and Warren Haynes toured with The Allman Bros on their 40th Anniv Tour). Looking forward to playing the Baltimore show.

 

[Jimna]

I taped the Allmans show at RR last yr, him and Warren in one band is almost sensory overload!

Enjoy the tape, did you hear that his band may be finished? He and Susan are starting a jint effort type thing. Im not sure how I feel about it. Derek is the bomb, the kudos Clapton gave him after their tour should about say it all. He is this generations Duane Allman.

 

[Ron Party]

I taped the Allmans show at RR last yr, him and Warren in one band is almost sensory overload!

I saw them at The Fox Theater in Oakland last year. About 15 minutes after the show ended, we were able to purchase a recording of the concert - 3 CDs worth. Did you see that in March of '09 Clapton joined them on stage at The Beacon Theater in New York? I have a recording of that show as well... another sweet one!

Enjoy the tape, did you hear that his band may be finished? He and Susan are starting a jint effort type thing. Im not sure how I feel about it. Derek is the bomb, the kudos Clapton gave him after their tour should about say it all. He is this generations Duane Allman.

I don't have mixed feelings at all. I'm against it. They ought to listen to me.

I saw the DTB with Susan about 2 or 3 years ago at The Fillmore in S.F. I like her well enough, but I much prefer Mike as the lead singer. He's got an absolutely fantastic voice. BTW, have you heard of/seen Scrapomatic?

 

[Jimna]

Yes I taped Scrapomatic at All Good in '08 along with DTB too.