Emotiva Amps - Are they the real thing?
- Thread starter Johnny Vinyl
- Start date
A friend has a set of XPA-1 monoblocks driving B&W 803D's (plus another XPA-1 on the center, I forget the model but it's their "big one"). I have not done any comparing so can't say much more than they sounded pretty good to me. We had talked of hauling my XPA-2 over to compare but have not been motivated enough to do so (and I'm much less motivated now that the system is in its final location and all wired up). A fellow on AVS claimed the monoblocks sounded better than the XPA-2. As much as I'd love to say so, I did not notice a difference going from an XPA-3 to an XPA-2 on my Magnepan MG-IIIa's. I read a lot and thought long and hard about getting a pair of XPA-1's but just couldn't justify it... Rather buy more movies and music! 
I read a lot and thought long and hard about getting a pair of XPA-1's but just couldn't justify it... Rather buy more movies and music!
Great allocation of $$ !!
Understandable,
anyway glad its working great on surrounds and definitely an idea for the rest of us if we need an amp.
Thanks
Orb
One thing I don't understand is why doesn't their own 2 channel stereo preamp support balanced output? I mean the XPA-1's have balanced inputs. Doesn't add up to me.
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Are the inputs true balanced XLR or are they pseudobalanced and use an XLR input such as in the Lamm amps
Yes Steve, the XPA-1 has true balanced XLR connections.
Check this out: http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=xpa1&thread=14147&page=1
Check this out: http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=xpa1&thread=14147&page=1
The XPA-2 (which I use myself in one of my systems) has XLR connections; but they are not truly balanced as in the XPA-1 monoblock amp.
Still you can use better and more solid cables, and still have the advantage of lower noise over long interconnect runs.
My friends, don't make any mistake here, Emotiva amps are the real deal in Performance, Build Quality & Value!
There is simply nothing better out there for the price!
* And the XPA-1 is it! It easily outperforms or competes with amps that cost up to ten times more!
You not only get the real power but you also get the finesse.
The Emotiva power amplifiers are part of this Forum right here: 'What's Best'. ...They are indeed!
Last edited:
Are they the real deal?
I've had as many different processors and power amps as anyone in the last few years, including Emo XPA-5 and UMC-1.
The XPA-5 is definitely the real deal (better than the Parsound 2205, and ANY ICEPower amp), but the UMC-1 is rather a disappointment, and not recommended.
I think as long as you stick to what they do best - power amps - you won't go far wrong.
Nick
I've had as many different processors and power amps as anyone in the last few years, including Emo XPA-5 and UMC-1.
The XPA-5 is definitely the real deal (better than the Parsound 2205, and ANY ICEPower amp), but the UMC-1 is rather a disappointment, and not recommended.
I think as long as you stick to what they do best - power amps - you won't go far wrong.
Nick
The UMC-1 belongs in the Surround Processors or Pre/pros section.
I am just being an axe Nick!
The UMC-1 at its clearance price right now of only $499, plus the full 5-year warranty, and a firmware update coming up for the last small remaining issues, and I believe it also comes with a 40% discount this is fraud towards your next pre/pro upgrade (XMC-1), but I am not 100% sure on that; is for a bunch of people a big bargain!
And for many it does work fine and sounds wonderful.
I am not saying it's for everyone, but according to the big boss, Big Dan, a lot of people are totally satisfied with it, and they sold, they are selling lots of them every month!
And as a regular member over there at the Emotiva Lounge; I can fairly see what the average people have to say.
Cheers,
Bob
I am just being an axe Nick!
The UMC-1 at its clearance price right now of only $499, plus the full 5-year warranty, and a firmware update coming up for the last small remaining issues, and I believe it also comes with a 40% discount this is fraud towards your next pre/pro upgrade (XMC-1), but I am not 100% sure on that; is for a bunch of people a big bargain!
And for many it does work fine and sounds wonderful.
I am not saying it's for everyone, but according to the big boss, Big Dan, a lot of people are totally satisfied with it, and they sold, they are selling lots of them every month!
And as a regular member over there at the Emotiva Lounge; I can fairly see what the average people have to say.
Cheers,
Bob
The UMC-1 belongs in the Surround Processors or Pre/pros section.
I am just being an axe Nick!
The UMC-1 at its clearance price right now of only $499, plus the full 5-year warranty, and a firmware update coming up for the last small remaining issues, and I believe it also comes with a 40% discount this is fraud towards your next pre/pro upgrade (XMC-1), but I am not 100% sure on that; is for a bunch of people a big bargain!
And for many it does work fine and sounds wonderful.
I am not saying it's for everyone, but according to the big boss, Big Dan, a lot of people are totally satisfied with it, and they sold, they are selling lots of them every month!
And as a regular member over there at the Emotiva Lounge; I can fairly see what the average people have to say.
Cheers,
Bob
Bob.
I wouldn't touch the Emotiva UMC-1 with a 10' pole and I voiced my opinion about this when it was announced over at Blu-ray.com; and I was taken to task for my comments. I suggested people consider a maker with experience making a Pre/Pro not an amp maker.
Rich
Rich, I certainly respect your viewpoint, as you are not alone in that line of thinking.
* By the way, I use a low grade Onkyo pre/pro in my main and strictly surround sound setup
(PR-SC886).
P.S. Blu-ray forum, that was the old days!
* By the way, I use a low grade Onkyo pre/pro in my main and strictly surround sound setup
(PR-SC886).
P.S. Blu-ray forum, that was the old days!
Rich, I certainly respect your viewpoint, as you are not alone in that line of thinking.
* By the way, I use a low grade Onkyo pre/pro in my main and strictly surround sound setup
(PR-SC886).
The Onkyo 886 was quite a respectable unit. I used my upgraded Onkyo 885 till UPS heavily damaged it in shipping. I now have an upgraded Onkyo 5508 which I use with my upgraded ARC LS10 running through it for 2 channel and by itself for multichannel playback.
Rich
Yeah, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, I'm seeing the future of Surround Sound in that sort of direction.
But I'm always open to whatever or whoever can come up with something else valuable, good sounding, and reliable with useful features.
Kind of What's Best truly for the money type of line.
Onkyo/Integra Pre/pros, and also A/V Receivers, have some of those attributes.
Same with Emotiva multichannel, stereo, and monoblock power amplifiers.
That's my opinion anyway. And from my modest experience. ...And my bank account doesn't feel stressed for one bit whatsoever.
But I'm always open to whatever or whoever can come up with something else valuable, good sounding, and reliable with useful features.
Kind of What's Best truly for the money type of line.
Onkyo/Integra Pre/pros, and also A/V Receivers, have some of those attributes.
Same with Emotiva multichannel, stereo, and monoblock power amplifiers.
That's my opinion anyway. And from my modest experience. ...And my bank account doesn't feel stressed for one bit whatsoever.
Last edited:
The problem with Emotiva is that many people, typically those on WBF, will be sceptical about the reliability and discrimination of user reviewers that write such positive endorsements of Emotiva. Are they just comparing them with cheap receivers, or have they actually heard the best of what the competition can offer?
I wanted to get to the bottom of what amplifiers sounded like, and embarked on a lengthy series of processor and power amp comparisions that I wrote-up in AVForums (then subsequently became their amplifier reviewer):
http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1200932-power-amp-comparison.html
http://www.avforums.com/forums/audi...proceed-avp2-upgrade-company-onkyo-sc885.html
That was very revealling, and had a few surprises on the way. The first was great disappointment for the Parasound HCA-2205, which so many people had said good things about, and later the Denon AVP/POA-A1 combo, which was dreadfull for the price (but still got rave reviews everywhere for reasons I don't understand).
The nice surprise was the Emotiva XPA-5, which was genuinely capable and transparent - maybe not entirely neutral - but is more entertaining than a lot of amps, and would be well at home in a high-end surround sound system.
That prompted me to get a UMC-1, to see if all the fuss there was justified, and my impression was that processors were not Emo's area of core competance, if I can put it politely. Nothing wrong with that - I still think that anyone who wants to spend less then $1k on a power amp should rush off to Emotiva right away. However, if I was being impolite about the UMC-1, I would go along with Rich, who really does know what good hifi should sound like.
Yes, discussion of the UMC-1 should be in another forum, but I didn't want to undermine my endorsement of the XPA-5 by the lingering suspiscion that I was just another Emo fan-boy, which I'm obviously not.
Nick
I wanted to get to the bottom of what amplifiers sounded like, and embarked on a lengthy series of processor and power amp comparisions that I wrote-up in AVForums (then subsequently became their amplifier reviewer):
http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1200932-power-amp-comparison.html
http://www.avforums.com/forums/audi...proceed-avp2-upgrade-company-onkyo-sc885.html
That was very revealling, and had a few surprises on the way. The first was great disappointment for the Parasound HCA-2205, which so many people had said good things about, and later the Denon AVP/POA-A1 combo, which was dreadfull for the price (but still got rave reviews everywhere for reasons I don't understand).
The nice surprise was the Emotiva XPA-5, which was genuinely capable and transparent - maybe not entirely neutral - but is more entertaining than a lot of amps, and would be well at home in a high-end surround sound system.
That prompted me to get a UMC-1, to see if all the fuss there was justified, and my impression was that processors were not Emo's area of core competance, if I can put it politely. Nothing wrong with that - I still think that anyone who wants to spend less then $1k on a power amp should rush off to Emotiva right away. However, if I was being impolite about the UMC-1, I would go along with Rich, who really does know what good hifi should sound like.
Yes, discussion of the UMC-1 should be in another forum, but I didn't want to undermine my endorsement of the XPA-5 by the lingering suspiscion that I was just another Emo fan-boy, which I'm obviously not.
Nick
Emotiva Amps...
I read several owner's reviews, who compared amps like the Emotiva XPA-1, and XPA-2, and XPA-3, and XPA-5, and UPA-1, and UPA-2, and UPA-5, and UPA-7 to other amps that cost much much more and they just couldn't believe their ears on how Emotiva amps stack up against such amps by Parasound, McIntosh, Anthem, Denon, Integra, Krell, Marantz, ATI, NAD, Rotel, Outlaw, Sunfire, Bryston, and the likes.
Just for an example; the XPA-1 monoblock was compared to others which cost as much as 10 times more, and the XPA-1 came if not on top, a very close second!
Now, that's what I call Best Value for your Dollars!
________________
As for Surround Sound Processors, Stereo Preamps, CD players, separate DACs, Speakers, and all other Emotiva products, well, that's for another thread all together.
________________
But the key point here, in this thread, is that Emotiva Amps are the Real Thing!
-You just can't take that away from them, or from me (I own the XPA-2 and XPA-5, and the XPA-1 monoblocks are on my future list).
Good day all, enjoy this gorgeous weekend; at least here where I live, on Vancouver Island.
Bob
I read several owner's reviews, who compared amps like the Emotiva XPA-1, and XPA-2, and XPA-3, and XPA-5, and UPA-1, and UPA-2, and UPA-5, and UPA-7 to other amps that cost much much more and they just couldn't believe their ears on how Emotiva amps stack up against such amps by Parasound, McIntosh, Anthem, Denon, Integra, Krell, Marantz, ATI, NAD, Rotel, Outlaw, Sunfire, Bryston, and the likes.
Just for an example; the XPA-1 monoblock was compared to others which cost as much as 10 times more, and the XPA-1 came if not on top, a very close second!
Now, that's what I call Best Value for your Dollars!
________________
As for Surround Sound Processors, Stereo Preamps, CD players, separate DACs, Speakers, and all other Emotiva products, well, that's for another thread all together.
________________
But the key point here, in this thread, is that Emotiva Amps are the Real Thing!
-You just can't take that away from them, or from me (I own the XPA-2 and XPA-5, and the XPA-1 monoblocks are on my future list).
Good day all, enjoy this gorgeous weekend; at least here where I live, on Vancouver Island.
Bob
I read several owner's reviews, who compared amps like the Emotiva XPA-1, and XPA-2, and XPA-3, and XPA-5, and UPA-1, and UPA-2, and UPA-5, and UPA-7 to other amps that cost much much more and they just couldn't believe their ears on how Emotiva amps stack up against such amps by Parasound, McIntosh, Anthem, Denon, Integra, Krell, Marantz, ATI, NAD, Rotel, Outlaw, Sunfire, Bryston, and the likes.
Just for an example; the XPA-1 monoblock was compared to others which cost as much as 10 times more, and the XPA-1 came if not on top, a very close second!
Now, that's what I call Best Value for your Dollars!
________________
As for Surround Sound Processors, Stereo Preamps, CD players, separate DACs, Speakers, and all other Emotiva products, well, that's for another thread all together.
________________
But the key point here, in this thread, is that Emotiva Amps are the Real Thing!
-You just can't take that away from them, or from me (I own the XPA-2 and XPA-5, and the XPA-1 monoblocks are on my future list).
Good day all, enjoy this gorgeous weekend; at least here where I live, on Vancouver Island.
Bob
Hi Bob!
It's been a while, so I must ask how you've been hanging in? Family alright? Life treating you well? I hope yes on both fronts.
If the reviewers were Emotiva owners then I'd suggest this coming out on top not holding much water. I've not compared them myself, but I have heard some of their power units, and yes, they are very good indeed, but........I've only really heard them in HT applications and not dedicated 2-channel systems. Additionally some of the brands you've mentioned that Emotiva came out on top of have been with us a long time. Some of their models 20-25yrs old are stll running strong....and fully able to be reconditioned or upgraded. Certainly that's a factor that must be considered.
Just playing a bit of Devil's Advocate, because I value a good deal as much as the next guy, and Emotiva amps certainly fall into that category.
Hey John, how are you my friend?
I've seen better days myself, but I'm doin' just fine. ...I won't tell you everything because it would take a book lol.
You know John, we're talkin' 'bout Emotiva amps here, so I know about them as I own two of them myself.
And I used to own a Bryston 4B before. The XPA-2 doesn't give anything to the 4B; at least not from my recollection.
Try one yourself, you'll see; instead of reading all the praised reviews from all over (Audioholics, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, Emotiva Lounge, AVS Forum, your own Blu-ray Forum, etc.).
John, I'm familar a bit with your setup, and you should try two Emotiva UPA-1 monoblock amps.
* Just quick news: I'm still mourning my Dad's passing away, struggling with people who see life as a material world, and by the way, Blu Titan (Tony, the super mod) from Blu-ray Forum, made a huge mistake about me. But like anything else in life, "all things must pass" - George Harrison
I've seen better days myself, but I'm doin' just fine.
...I won't tell you everything because it would take a book lol. You know John, we're talkin' 'bout Emotiva amps here, so I know about them as I own two of them myself.
And I used to own a Bryston 4B before. The XPA-2 doesn't give anything to the 4B; at least not from my recollection.
Try one yourself, you'll see; instead of reading all the praised reviews from all over (Audioholics, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, Emotiva Lounge, AVS Forum, your own Blu-ray Forum, etc.).
John, I'm familar a bit with your setup, and you should try two Emotiva UPA-1 monoblock amps.
* Just quick news: I'm still mourning my Dad's passing away, struggling with people who see life as a material world, and by the way, Blu Titan (Tony, the super mod) from Blu-ray Forum, made a huge mistake about me. But like anything else in life, "all things must pass" - George Harrison
Similar threads
 | Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator |  | Ron Resnick Site Owner | Administrator |  | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |