Emotiva UPA-2 Performance Questions - Blu-ray Forum

talstarone · 10-23-2009, 02:03 PM

I am interested in the Emotiva UPA-2 Amplifier

.I will say the price and power ratings both look very attractive to me on my very limited budget.

I have read over the Emotiva's website, and am Impressed with what I have seen and read.Also the 30 day Money-Back Guarantee is a positive as well.And I was also linked to a review of the UPA-2 by a fellow forum member also.

My main use for the UPA-2 would be for SACD or HDCD Listening,A Future Turntable Purchase,which would mean vinyl reproduction,and lastly to replace the Front Two Channel Amplifiers built into my Yamaha Receiver(which does have Full Pre-Outs).

So its main use would be for music listening.I have owned seperates since the early 90's and am in the camp that music sounds more crisp,clear,detailed,and warm when amplified by a Seperate Amp instead of a Receivers Amp Section(Except for Certain Companies Flagship Receivers which can compete with lower priced seperates very well).

But If I can take a $450.00 Yamaha Receiver and add a $299 Emotiva seperate amp and get performance equal to Receivers costing $1200.00 and higher,I consider it a Great Purchase and Probably the Best Bang for the Buck in Music and Home Theater.

But from a Musical Stand Point(and also providing more detailed Home Theater Sound)what are the Pros and Cons of Purchasing an Emotiva UPA-2 Amplifier.

How well does it perform with Smooth Jazz,Classical,and Vintage Rock and Roll(on Records,CD,SACD,HDCD). And How well will it perform in Home Theater as the Front Two Channels of my Yamaha Receiver which decodes all loseless Surround Types(Dolby True HD,DTS-HD,etc)?

Thanks for any and all help.And I apologize if I am being too detailed with my question.I thought it may help more if I gave as much info as possible.

JasonR · 10-23-2009, 03:14 PM

The UPA-2 is very neutral and uncolored. It performs great on 2 channel audio, I think that is where you are going to see the biggest performance gain. Plenty of headroom to let her rip, and very musical from top to bottom of the volume scale.

I was worried mainly about it not matching well with the rest of my channels during HT usage. I was wrong, everything blends very nicely. I know my center channel is going to benefit greatly when I can add external amplification to it though.

talstarone · 10-23-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

The UPA-2 is very neutral and uncolored. It performs great on 2 channel audio, I think that is where you are going to see the biggest performance gain. Plenty of headroom to let her rip, and very musical from top to bottom of the volume scale.

I was worried mainly about it not matching well with the rest of my channels during HT usage. I was wrong, everything blends very nicely. I know my center channel is going to benefit greatly when I can add external amplification to it though.

Sounds as if it will provide the same improvement in muiscallity that my Rotel also provides.So that is a very pleasing and reassuring thought

.

My plan would be to bridge my Rotel and use it to drive my Center Channel with the UPA-2 providing power to my Fronts.

This will only leave the Yamaha the task of powering the four surrounds.I like my Rotel but she is 15 years old now and I would like to transfer main power duties to a New Amp.

Then either follow the Center Channel Route or even use the Rotel in Bridged Mode to power a Passive Sub(that I would want to build myself since Big Daddy can instill you with that desire

)

But it sounds as if in Purchasing an Emotiva UPA-2 I would be making a Wise and Financially Sound Choice.

rayray8 · 10-23-2009, 07:54 PM

i have the upa-2 and the yamaha 665. i also had the tsi400's. i got the amp to power my 400's and there was a little difference, nothing drastic. im starting to get into music more and realized that the 400's were not cutting it in pure direct mode. they really dont have any low end and a little to forward for my taste. the amp is very neutral which is what i was looking for. it is a good buy! should sound good for movies, but for music i would upgrade the speakers in the future. i ended up getting focals for my front stage and they are something else!

talstarone · 10-24-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayray8

i have the upa-2 and the yamaha 665. i also had the tsi400's. i got the amp to power my 400's and there was a little difference, nothing drastic. im starting to get into music more and realized that the 400's were not cutting it in pure direct mode. they really dont have any low end and a little to forward for my taste. the amp is very neutral which is what i was looking for. it is a good buy! should sound good for movies, but for music i would upgrade the speakers in the future. i ended up getting focals for my front stage and they are something else!

Thanks for Sharing Your Impressions on the Emotiva UPA-2 Amp and the Other Pieces,as well.

I appreciate the information,and it looks more and more,like I will probably add a UPA-2 to my system shortly.

Right now I have the Rotel pulling Music Duty and I like the results,but the Rotel is from 1995 so I want to get a newer amp for both 2 Channel Audio and the Front Channel of my Home Theater.Then I can bridge the Rotel and have it drive the Center Channel.

I have been pleased with the TSi-400's but I have the crossover set to 80hz and let the sub handle the Bass.The Speaker Cables and Innerconnects I'm using add a Slightly Mellow Sound so it helps level the 400's out.But they are slated for an upgrade in the future.

I Just have a few other Pieces To Add and Change out First,before I have a chance to Re-Work My Speaker Arrangement. But I am Greatful for the Post and You Sharing Your Findings on the UPA-2. Sounds like another Positive Response to its Performance and Value.

solarrdadd · 10-24-2009, 05:39 PM

i do intend to buy the UPA-2 for my surround back channels when i get a new pre/pro. i can speak to Emo amps as a customer. i have the XPA-5 and i can tell you it's a solidly built product and so far for the months i've owned it i have no regrets or problems with it and will definitely buy another amp product (UPA-2) from Emo in the future. i am sure, if you have done your homework on it for your needs relative to it's reviews you will see your gonna end up with a fine product.

crazyBLUE · 10-24-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

The UPA-2 is very neutral and uncolored. It performs great on 2 channel audio, I think that is where you are going to see the biggest performance gain. Plenty of headroom to let her rip, and very musical from top to bottom of the volume scale.

I was worried mainly about it not matching well with the rest of my channels during HT usage. I was wrong, everything blends very nicely. I know my center channel is going to benefit greatly when I can add external amplification to it though.

Yep ! Just what he said !!!

Drew664 · 10-23-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talstarone

...music sounds more crisp...

prerich might hear you!

I'm looking into Emotiva as well because of their price/performance. I think you'll be happy with it if you choose to purchase from them.

10-23-2009, 02:03 PM	#1
talstarone Blu-ray Baron Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Clayton, North Carolina Home Theater Gallery:88 Blu-ray collection:363 Blu-ray reviews: 3 Trading Score:54	Emotiva UPA-2 Performance Questions I am interested in the Emotiva UPA-2 Amplifier.I will say the price and power ratings both look very attractive to me on my very limited budget. I have read over the Emotiva's website, and am Impressed with what I have seen and read.Also the 30 day Money-Back Guarantee is a positive as well.And I was also linked to a review of the UPA-2 by a fellow forum member also. My main use for the UPA-2 would be for SACD or HDCD Listening,A Future Turntable Purchase,which would mean vinyl reproduction,and lastly to replace the Front Two Channel Amplifiers built into my Yamaha Receiver(which does have Full Pre-Outs). So its main use would be for music listening.I have owned seperates since the early 90's and am in the camp that music sounds more crisp,clear,detailed,and warm when amplified by a Seperate Amp instead of a Receivers Amp Section(Except for Certain Companies Flagship Receivers which can compete with lower priced seperates very well). But If I can take a $450.00 Yamaha Receiver and add a $299 Emotiva seperate amp and get performance equal to Receivers costing $1200.00 and higher,I consider it a Great Purchase and Probably the Best Bang for the Buck in Music and Home Theater. But from a Musical Stand Point(and also providing more detailed Home Theater Sound)what are the Pros and Cons of Purchasing an Emotiva UPA-2 Amplifier. How well does it perform with Smooth Jazz,Classical,and Vintage Rock and Roll(on Records,CD,SACD,HDCD). And How well will it perform in Home Theater as the Front Two Channels of my Yamaha Receiver which decodes all loseless Surround Types(Dolby True HD,DTS-HD,etc)? Thanks for any and all help.And I apologize if I am being too detailed with my question.I thought it may help more if I gave as much info as possible.

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10-23-2009, 03:14 PM	#2
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	The UPA-2 is very neutral and uncolored. It performs great on 2 channel audio, I think that is where you are going to see the biggest performance gain. Plenty of headroom to let her rip, and very musical from top to bottom of the volume scale. I was worried mainly about it not matching well with the rest of my channels during HT usage. I was wrong, everything blends very nicely. I know my center channel is going to benefit greatly when I can add external amplification to it though.

10-23-2009, 07:54 PM	#4
rayray8 Banned Member since:Jul 2009 Location:ohio	i have the upa-2 and the yamaha 665. i also had the tsi400's. i got the amp to power my 400's and there was a little difference, nothing drastic. im starting to get into music more and realized that the 400's were not cutting it in pure direct mode. they really dont have any low end and a little to forward for my taste. the amp is very neutral which is what i was looking for. it is a good buy! should sound good for movies, but for music i would upgrade the speakers in the future. i ended up getting focals for my front stage and they are something else!

10-24-2009, 05:39 PM	#6
solarrdadd Blu-ray Prince Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Virginia Home Theater Gallery:255 4K collection:209 Blu-ray collection:1344 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 42 Trading Score:316	i do intend to buy the UPA-2 for my surround back channels when i get a new pre/pro. i can speak to Emo amps as a customer. i have the XPA-5 and i can tell you it's a solidly built product and so far for the months i've owned it i have no regrets or problems with it and will definitely buy another amp product (UPA-2) from Emo in the future. i am sure, if you have done your homework on it for your needs relative to it's reviews you will see your gonna end up with a fine product.

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