2. amps-preamps
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Has anyone compared Emotiva amps to high end amps?

I was using an Aragon 8008BB and 8008x3B for a 5.1 system. The speakers are 95dB efficient. On a lark I purchased an Emotiva XPA-5. The ridiculously low price and 30 day return period was just too tempting.

To say that I was surprised by the sound quality is an understatement. This amp handily outperformed my Aragons with both my HT speakers and a set of Gallo Reference 3.1 speakers.

I am thinking about replacing the Aragon 8008BB that I am using along with a Crown K-2 that I use for the second voice coil with the Gallos. I would either keep the crown and go with a pair of XPA-1 amps or use an XPA-2. The other option is an XPA-5 instead of using 2 amps.

Has anyone compared these amps with the more upscale amps such as Theta, Simaudio, Halcro, etc? I'm wondering if the Emotiva amps are already approaching the diminishing returns point or if the other amps are a quantum leap in sound quality?
dave_newman
dave_newman OP
20 posts
 
Transnova,

That is what was so startling. I has very low expectations for the Emotiva but I was pleasantly surprised.

Koven,
I believe that the two series of amps are quite different.

I'm really interested in non-fanboy users that have placed these or demoed the amps in a higher quality system than just replacing a receiver.

I had them in a Pass X0.2, VSE modded SCD-777ES, Gallo Ref. 3.1 system.
sthomas12321
408 posts
 
Different amps work with different speakers. If you found synergy, keep it. Pro amps arent junk. If you can deal with there rugged look, and noisey fans, then I d stick with them. The Crowns and QSC's are solid pro amps.
bobgates
535 posts
 
I just picked up the smaller Emotiva UPA-2 amp and am really impressed with it. It's very open and transparent with nice soundstage width and depth and easily holds it's own against more expensive amps I've heard. The sound is quite refined and reminds me a lot of the newer Krell amps.
koven
94 posts
 
bobgates, what were you using before? and whta speakers are you using?

i also loved the bass/soundstage but could not stand the mids.. vocals were very weak/thin
bobgates
535 posts
 
Koven - I've had a number of high end power amps and preamps over the years. Presently I'm using Dynaudio Audience 82 speakers. I don't hear any of the problems with the midrange that you've described.
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