What are you driving your new A5's with?

[Vaison]

I have a Pioneer SC-1222 receiver which reports a 120 per channel at ([email protected]). I am thinking about getting an Emotiva amp for the A5's and let the Pioneer run the center and surrounds on its own. Do you think there would be any benefit to going with a dedicated amp for the A5 mains? Now I can't afford to get something like an XPA-5 which is a 200W x2. But, I was thinking more of the UPA-200 which is 125Wx 2. What do you guys think about this? Worth it or would I be wasting money?

(I posted a similar thread on another audio website and then thought it may be better served here - in case you saw my post on that other site)

[BufordTJustice]

I have a Pioneer SC-1222 receiver which reports a 120 per channel at ([email protected]). I am thinking about getting an Emotiva amp for the A5's and let the Pioneer run the center and surrounds on its own. Do you think there would be any benefit to going with a dedicated amp for the A5 mains? Now I can't afford to get something like an XPA-5 which is a 200W x2. But, I was thinking more of the UPA-200 which is 125Wx 2. What do you guys think about this? Worth it or would I be wasting money?

(I posted a similar thread on another audio website and then thought it may be better served here - in case you saw my post on that other site)

I judge class A/B amplifiers based on weight and the method of rating. If you amp output 120 watts into 8 ohms at 1K, what does it output broadband 20hz-20khz? It's impossible to tell without measuring it....but I can tell you it will be much closer to 50-60% of the 120 watt figure.

As far as weight, I'll wager your AVR weighs in the neighborhood of 18-25lbs. The UPA 200's entire chassis weighs 24lbs and it doesn't require all the "other stuff" that your receiver does. Also, Emotiva is delightfully notorious for rating their products very conservatively (like Jon does with Arx). They regularly exceed their rated wattage when tested.

So, yes an Emotiva UPA-200 would be an ENORMOUS step-up in sound quality for you.

I use an Arcam AVR 300 that uses a toroidal transformer (Like Emotiva) and outputs 120 watts into 8ohms, 20hz-20khz (like Emotiva).

I would heartily recommend the upgrade with some quality analog RCA's (made as short as possible) from Blue Jeans Cable, Parts Express (I love SonicWave RCA's), or Monoprice (their premium line). Use at least 14ga speaker cable or larger (smaller in number) and you'll see a definite increase in clarity and dynamics.

Can say enough good things about Emotiva. :)

[Vaison]

I've never tried to measure anything as I don't have the equipment. Pioneer does not give the measurement you asked about. Their specs page says:

Power Output Per Channel (20Hz-20kHz,.08%[email protected]) Measurements Not Available

I'm not sure why they don't have it available. But the AVR weighs 31.75 lb so I am guessing that is a good thing. They brag about Class D amplification - and I have no idea what that means. Hey, I bought a much cheaper AVR from them, which died in weeks and they replaced it with this much better model. I can't complain.

I'm currently using Monoprice 14ga cable with Emotiva bananas on a 7 ft. run each side. I had a friend make them for me because I like how he puts the nylon jacket around it. I took a photo of what he made, looks good right?



Either way, I am still fiddling around with the settings on the AVR. The full 5.1 I am using sounds astounding. I have been playing The Lorax Blu Ray opening credits song (its the most recent disc I bought for my 2 year old). I have also put in older CD's of mine and tried Pandora. Both sound good, but nothing like the Blu Ray. I have to figure out the settings, I think.

And, don't get me wrong. These speakers are a giant upgrade to what I had previously. I was using a 22 year old pair of Klipsch KG3 (I got these when Klipsch was only sold in HiFi stores and not box stores haha). Take a look at the difference in looks alone:



Anyway, I appreciate your feedback. It's always most helpful (to me) when I get to discuss a topic with my own equipment rather than filtering through other people's posts using their equipment.

Current setup in progress

[BufordTJustice]

You're on the right track. The UPA-200 would be a great upgrade for you, but you'll need to level match the channels again. I would recommend it.

The speaker cables look awesome and will work perfectly. Nice sub, by the way. ;)

The rating you are looking at is, at minimum, a both-channels-driven spec from 20-20 into 8ohms. If you don't at least have a both-channels driven rating for your receiver, then I would estimate that your stereo both-channels-driven rating would be closer to 100 watts per channel. It's a good receiver, but the Emotiva is in another league.....especially driving a lower impedance load like the A5 (6 ohm), the Emotiva will give you nearly 50% more wattage (roughly 170-180) into that impedance. I doubt your receiver will supply that kind of current....nothing against your receiver. Few rceives can source current like that. Unless you have a Rotel, B&K, Arcam, NAD, etc.

[Zac911]

Emotiva XPA-3. I was shocked at how freaking heavy it was when I took it out of the box and into our entertainment center. Clean and C L E A N. Gets quite loud. Great match with my A5's and A2. LOVE IT!

[marksman]

I am driving my new A5's with an Onkyo TR-NX818 and Blue Jeans LC-1 25 AWG cables. So far it is fantastic. Eventually I will run a separate AMP for the mains (likely Emotive or Anthem) but right now I don't need it. We rarely get the volume over 70 (of 100 on the AVR) and that is pretty loud.

[BufordTJustice]

I am driving my new A5's with an Onkyo TR-NX818 and Blue Jeans LC-1 25 AWG cables. So far it is fantastic. Eventually I will run a separate AMP for the mains (likely Emotive or Anthem) but right now I don't need it. We rarely get the volume over 70 (of 100 on the AVR) and that is pretty loud.

That receiver has balls WAY beyond its price point. Beefy power supply transformer. Beefy heatsinks. Quality output transistors.

Unless you have a huge room, I think you could delay your purchase of an Emotiva for quite some time. :)

[marksman]

That receiver has balls WAY beyond its price point. Beefy power supply transformer. Beefy heatsinks. Quality output transistors.

Unless you have a huge room, I think you could delay your purchase of an Emotiva for quite some time. :smile:

Yeah, no doubt. 12x24 main room. TT's off into two smaller areas. About 3300-3500 sq/ft total...total sq/ft probably only relevant to pressurizing with bass, which I discovered while auditioning subs doesn't work well in a poorly insulated, non-soundproof old Silicon Valley apartment. :) (I am used to larger, isolated midwestern houses, where I had all my past AV/Stereo systems, and could Roll The Bass. Not so much where I am at now :shock:.)

Details that may be helpful for those still considering how to juice up their A5's:

I really like Yammies UIs and features: they have they best vendor software controls currently (like iPad and Android apps) though the 3rd party Onkyo oRemote is pretty good *minus slick audio library integration - may have to write this myself). Also have found Yammie Receivers/AVRs to be quite musical...but about 10 years ago I also started playing with Onkyo for solid juice (and the ability to use them as an egg cooker) and have been very happy with them. In fact when I sold almost everything heading to CA - I only kept an Onkyo AVR and an older Yamaha Stereo amp/pre-pro. Only thing I *really* miss are my old Adcom separates.

This year I gave all the usual suspects a good run for an AVR or separates upgrade, from Anthem to Adcom to Marantz to Rotel, and when it came down to price/performance Onkyo was where it was at for me. YMMV. Many of the "modern" AVRs and separates - even from Top Names like Anthem and Marantz - have unacceptably limited HDMI and dinosaur operating systems. Hey guys - wake up, it's not that hard to add HDMI interfaces and write modern software. Seriously. Please. I have a completely modern digital network at home, plus legacy plastic discs (SACD and the like). Replicated to the cloud and multiple devices. Anyone not heading here is a fool or a blind purist. (okay, rant over).

Should add - another factor in the 818 - is that I wanted to play with Audessy xt/32 which the nr818 just kills at the $800-price-point (even though it's only mono-sub capable for n+1 subs :rolleyes:).

Spent time debating going with the NX3010 or NX5010 but in the the kicker was finding One Call in WA that has killer deals on the tx-NR818. The only thing I was really giving up over NXxx10 was HD radio integration and additional pre-amp outs. And I figured that by the time I get around to needing all the pre-amp outs (e.g.-move into a house in Northern CA, or get out of CA) the 818 will be dated and time to sell it anyway. Worst case it will make a decent pre-pro to add juice to....and upgrade processing later.

I know the AH and AVS forums don't allow mentioning prices so hope I'm not breaking any rules here - if so tell me and I'll edit this post....but will say One Call was close to < $400 off Amazon retail, and just slightly more shipped to my door in 2 days. At that price I simply couldn't justify the 3010 since for the $1000 I pocketed over the 3010 I can buy a lot of Anthem or Emotiva juice; play with new subs; etc.

Once my A5's get fully broken in and I get done playing with tuning - I'll start a formal review thread and list what I'm comparing them too. I've owned a lot of decent AV gear in the past and I'll cover those miles in that thread.

So, like the Onkyo: choosing the A5's was a price/performance thing for me. It was worth the < $1k experiment to see if I could get what I needed without spending $3-5k on some misleading AV with condescending sales people who dish about 50% BS. :)

Anyway - decided about a year ago to rebuild a modern/decent AV system and I ran into threads by Jon Lane, Gtsuper24, and yourself, on AH and AVS while reading everything I could (and eventually finding TIA). Decided Jon sounded like he knew what he was talking about. After a few calls to Jon I figured WTH; "let's do it".

And I have to say I am more pleasantly surprised by this decision than I expected to be...but I'll save further commentary for a real review. :)

If any of you have questions about the AVRs, components, etc. I mentioned above - I would mostly recommend a long time over at the AH and AVS forums before listening to me. :) But if there is something I can clarify let me know (understanding that free anecdotal evidence is basically worth every penny). :cool:

[newspeakers]

Marksman, it's interesting that today the Onkyo TR-NX818 is the exact same price at Amazon and OneCall. In fact OneCall also sells it through Amazon Marketplace.

[marksman]

Yes. Onkyo is now enforcing public price protections, so everybody that wants to stay an authorized dealer *has to* list at the specified price. Now, if you *call* certain of the vendors, then you have a different story. ;)

[gtpsuper24]

I can say the Onkyo 818 is a great receiver. I got one a few months ago and it powers the A2 LCR and A1s with no problem. Even after playing fairly loud for a few hours its warm but not hot, unlike some of the older Onkyo models.

[BufordTJustice]

I can say the Onkyo 818 is a great receiver. I got one a few months ago and it powers the A2 LCR and A1s with no problem. Even after playing fairly loud for a few hours its warm but not hot, unlike some of the older Onkyo models.

I highly recommend this setup if heat is even potentially an issue since cool components are HAPPY components.

Start with this fan:

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556089810.html


Get this power supply:

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556029977.html


Throw this in-line resistor for good measure:

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556092261.html

[BufordTJustice]

Also, this switch:

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556092148.html


I use a Belkin power conditioner to trigger the fan.....I only run it when my Arcam is powered-on.