Emotiva UPA-5 will it make a diff with my setup

[dunkman23]

Im thinking of getting the Emotiva UPA-5, But will it make a significant difference in my setup? I am currently using a Pioneer VSX-21txh with Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grands, and Theatros. Im not sure it its worth the $400 for the upgrade. any help is appreciated.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by dunkman23

Im thinking of getting the Emotiva UPA-5, But will it make a significant difference in my setup? I am currently using a Pioneer VSX-21txh with Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grands, and Theatros. Im not sure it its worth the $400 for the upgrade. any help is appreciated.

Adding external amplification to your sound system will help with the way your sound system sounds. It will sound cleaner/better then it does using the built in amps of the receiver.

Here is a good Sticky to read about it by Big Daddy ~ https://forum.blu-ray.com/receivers/...mplifiers.html

My personal feelings on using external amplification is I will never go without separates again, That is what it has done for my sound system. All seven of my speakers & 3 subwoofers run off 2 of my amplifiers

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by dunkman23

Im thinking of getting the Emotiva UPA-5, But will it make a significant difference in my setup? I am currently using a Pioneer VSX-21txh with Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grands, and Theatros. Im not sure it its worth the $400 for the upgrade. any help is appreciated.

I can't say based on your speakers (or lack thereof?) as I only see the DefTech center in your sig, but you state the other speakers are not worth mentioning? If this is the case, an external amp may not be worth it for you, as you will be limited in your AQ improvement by the performance of your speakers, thus possibly nullifying the advantages of what an external amp can provide. So, lets start by telling us what your fronts and side surround speakers are?

[4x12]

Originally Posted by Fors*

I can't say based on your speakers (or lack thereof?) as I only see the DefTech center in your sig, but you state the other speakers are not worth mentioning? If this is the case, an external amp may not be worth it for you, as you will be limited in your AQ improvement by the performance of your speakers, thus possibly nullifying the advantages of what an external amp can provide. So, lets start by telling us what your fronts and side surround speakers are?

+1

without knowing more, I'd say use that money and get a pair of good used speakers.... You can get something really nice under $600.
For example, check these out.

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by Fors*

I can't say based on your speakers (or lack thereof?) as I only see the DefTech center in your sig, but you state the other speakers are not worth mentioning? If this is the case, an external amp may not be worth it for you, as you will be limited in your AQ improvement by the performance of your speakers, thus possibly nullifying the advantages of what an external amp can provide. So, lets start by telling us what your fronts and side surround speakers are?

Front left & right look like Polk Audio( R30, R40 or R50 ).

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

Front left & right look like Polk Audio( R30, R40 or R50 ).

Interesting, with a Deftech center, I believe getting a timber matched front soundstage would be a much better idea than adding the UPA-5 at this time. I think a matching pair of DefTech fronts would provide more sonic benefit right now than adding the UPA-5.

[dunkman23]

Sorry guys, if i didnt mention. I upgraded my speakers recently.

Center: Vienna Acoustics Theatro
LR: Vienna Acoustics Haydn
Surrounds: Polk R30.

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Adding external amplification to your sound system will help with the way your sound system sounds. It will sound cleaner/better then it does using the built in amps of the receiver.

Here is a good Sticky to read about it by Big Daddy ~ https://forum.blu-ray.com/receivers/...mplifiers.html

My personal feelings on using external amplification is I will never go without separates again, That is what it has done for my sound system. All seven of my speakers & 3 subwoofers run off 2 of my amplifiers

Originally Posted by Fors*

I can't say based on your speakers (or lack thereof?) as I only see the DefTech center in your sig, but you state the other speakers are not worth mentioning? If this is the case, an external amp may not be worth it for you, as you will be limited in your AQ improvement by the performance of your speakers, thus possibly nullifying the advantages of what an external amp can provide. So, lets start by telling us what your fronts and side surround speakers are?

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

Front left & right look like Polk Audio( R30, R40 or R50 ).

Originally Posted by Fors*

Interesting, with a Deftech center, I believe getting a timber matched front soundstage would be a much better idea than adding the UPA-5 at this time. I think a matching pair of DefTech fronts would provide more sonic benefit right now than adding the UPA-5.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by dunkman23

Sorry guys, if i didnt mention. I upgraded my speakers recently.

Center: Vienna Acoustics Theatro
LR: Vienna Acoustics Haydn
Surrounds: Polk R30.

Not worth mentioning!? I would hate to see what is worth mentioning! Well, then I would say you would be better off jumping up to the XPA series, or even the XPR series. But if funds are an issue and you have a limited budget, I would still look into the XPA series, like the XPA-3? A bit more than $400, but the extra headroom will be a much better addition for those Vienna's than what the UPA-5 can do. That extra headroom would translate into a much better dynamic range, clarity and accuracy at higher volumes than what the UPA-5 will be able to kick out. To me, save some extra money and get at least the XPA-3 for your front soundstage. And if money isn't an issue at all, just get your self 3 XPA-1 or better yet, XPR-1 monoblocks and call it a day! I am basing my comments on the fact you want a mutli-channel amp for HT since you wanted 5 channels, thus music isn't as important to you. If music is important or even if it isn't as important but to be considered, look into the XPR-2 for the fronts or even the UPA-1 monoblocks (same power as the XPR-3 and XPR-5, but it has it's own chassis ).

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by dunkman23

Sorry guys, if i didnt mention. I upgraded my speakers recently.

Center: Vienna Acoustics Theatro
LR: Vienna Acoustics Haydn
Surrounds: Polk R30.

Looking at the specs of your front stage, I agree that you would benefit from adding an amp. I didn't realize that Viennas were that difficult to drive. Anyway, since you have a pretty decent AVR, I think the best cost/benefit choice would be the XPA-3. Your Elite should be more than enough to handle surround duties even if you go to 7.1.

Originally Posted by Fors*

Not worth mentioning!? I would hate to see what is worth mentioning! Well, then I would say you would be better off jumping up to the XPA series, or even the XPR series. But if funds are an issue and you have a limited budget, I would still look into the XPA series, like the XPA-3? A bit more than $400, but the extra headroom will be a much better addition for those Vienna's than what the UPA-5 can do. That extra headroom would translate into a much better dynamic range, clarity and accuracy at higher volumes than what the UPA-5 will be able to kick out. To me, save some extra money and get at least the XPA-3 for your front soundstage. And if money isn't an issue at all, just get your self 3 XPA-1 or better yet, XPR-1 monoblocks and call it a day! I am basing my comments on the fact you want a mutli-channel amp for HT since you wanted 5 channels, thus music isn't as important to you. If music is important or even if it isn't as important but to be considered, look into the XPR-2 for the fronts or even the UPA-1 monoblocks (same power as the XPR-3 and XPR-5, but it has it's own chassis ).

Fors, where can I read some info on the XPR series? It isn't on the site. Thanks

[dunkman23]

So jumping from a UPA-5 to a XPA-3 for the front stage will make that much of a difference?

Originally Posted by Fors*

Not worth mentioning!? I would hate to see what is worth mentioning! Well, then I would say you would be better off jumping up to the XPA series, or even the XPR series. But if funds are an issue and you have a limited budget, I would still look into the XPA series, like the XPA-3? A bit more than $400, but the extra headroom will be a much better addition for those Vienna's than what the UPA-5 can do. That extra headroom would translate into a much better dynamic range, clarity and accuracy at higher volumes than what the UPA-5 will be able to kick out. To me, save some extra money and get at least the XPA-3 for your front soundstage. And if money isn't an issue at all, just get your self 3 XPA-1 or better yet, XPR-1 monoblocks and call it a day! I am basing my comments on the fact you want a mutli-channel amp for HT since you wanted 5 channels, thus music isn't as important to you. If music is important or even if it isn't as important but to be considered, look into the XPR-2 for the fronts or even the UPA-1 monoblocks (same power as the XPR-3 and XPR-5, but it has it's own chassis ).

[Johnny Vinyl]

The XPA series has better specs and more power, hence you pay more. You should be able to drive your Vienna Haydn's quite easily with either an XPA or UPA amplifier, so I don't think that should enter into the equition.

This may rock the boat a little, or maybe not, but if music is NOT important to you, then just go for the UPA series and save yourself some money. I honestly don't think that for movies you'll be able to tell much of a difference, if any at all.

John

[dunkman23]

Originally Posted by John72953

The XPA series has better specs and more power, hence you pay more. You should be able to drive your Vienna Haydn's quite easily with either an XPA or UPA amplifier, so I don't think that should enter into the equition.

This may rock the boat a little, or maybe not, but if music is NOT important to you, then just go for the UPA series and save yourself some money. I honestly don't think that for movies you'll be able to tell much of a difference, if any at all.

John

THANKS JOHN. much appreciated. But it will definitely be clearer with UPA than the receiver correct.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by dunkman23

THANKS JOHN. much appreciated. But it will definitely be clearer with UPA than the receiver correct.

In your case, because you truly do have very fine speakers that are capable of extracting a lot of detail....yes. Do NOT expect a huge difference however for movies.

John

[GregBe]

dunkman...I am in a very similar situation. I am debating going with external amps to drive my bookshelf speakers (I have owned the Hayden's in the past, and I would consider my Era's in the same ballpark as far as quality and difficulty to drive as the Viennas).

Some other info to keep in mind might be..will you be crossing them over to a sub (bass benefits the most from an amp), how big is your room and how loud do you listen? These were the questions that a lot of people asked me as to whether it will be worth it or not. I have not made up my mind yet, but some things that you might consider to figure out how big of a difference external amps will make.

[Zman2k2]

I would say that the amp would do you some benefit. If only because the Pioneer receivers aren't really designed to drive a 4ohm load. I think the minimum they are designed to drive is 6ohm. And at 4ohm, the amp would provide a solid 185w per channel. And as you've seen, it's hard to beat the $429 price right now.

[dunkman23]

Hi Greg,

My room is about 18x15x9. My HT is about 80/20 movies. I have a Svs on12nsd for bass. How do I cross my sub over from the amp?

Also, sometime in the future these HAYDNs will be moved to the rears as surrounds and i will be picking up some Bach grands.

If I do purchase the XPA3, my receiver should be fine running the HAYDNs for the rears at the 4ohm load?

Originally Posted by GregBe

dunkman...I am in a very similar situation. I am debating going with external amps to drive my bookshelf speakers (I have owned the Hayden's in the past, and I would consider my Era's in the same ballpark as far as quality and difficulty to drive as the Viennas).

Some other info to keep in mind might be..will you be crossing them over to a sub (bass benefits the most from an amp), how big is your room and how loud do you listen? These were the questions that a lot of people asked me as to whether it will be worth it or not. I have not made up my mind yet, but some things that you might consider to figure out how big of a difference external amps will make.

[dunkman23]

thanks zman. That helps. Now I'm just debating if I should get the Upa5 or the XPA3

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

I would say that the amp would do you some benefit. If only because the Pioneer receivers aren't really designed to drive a 4ohm load. I think the minimum they are designed to drive is 6ohm. And at 4ohm, the amp would provide a solid 185w per channel. And as you've seen, it's hard to beat the $429 price right now.

[eljay]

Some good opinions in the thread you have going at EmotivaLounge.com, too.

[dunkman23]

Originally Posted by eljay

See also the discussion you have going at EmotivaLounge.com.

Yup. I have a thread going on in there also. I just want to make the right decision.