Receiver Suggestions?

[28BlusLater]

Hello All,

Unfortunately, my Emotiva XPA-5 blew up a couple weeks ago (yes, sparks, smoke, and everything). Upon taking it to a shop that works on high-end amplifiers, the cost to repair it will be $649.

I'm trying to weigh my options at the moment. I'm a graduate student, so I don't have a bunch of spare cash. My choices are to either repair the amp, which has served me very well for the 7 years that I've owned it, or buy a receiver for sub-$650. I can't afford to drop $1000+ on another amp, and if I'm spending more than $650 on a receiver, I would probably prefer to just repair my amp.

I know that my MartinLogans are 4 ohm nominal, although on their website it states that they are compatible with 4, 6, and 8 ohm rated amplifiers. I'm not sure how important it is for me to get a receiver that supports 4 ohms for these speakers. My Definitive Technology surrounds are 8 ohm, with the following watts:

ML Encore TF: 20-200 watts per channel.
ML Prefaces: 20-400 watts per channel.
Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800s: Up to 150 watts per channel.

If I could get some comparable recommendations that would work well with my speakers to determine if I should repair the amp or just get a receiver, it would be very much appreciated.

[oldgame]

Always run the receiver at 8ohms. Setting it to 6 or 4 only cuts the power to the receiver to protect the manufacturer.

[28BlusLater]

Originally Posted by oldgame

Always run the receiver at 8ohms. Setting it to 6 or 4 only cuts the power to the receiver to protect the manufacturer.

Any recommendations on receivers with my set-up, though? That's the main thing I'm trying to get to assess whether I should repair the amp or buy a receiver.

[slimdude]

Considering the price that you've originally paid for the Amp, which was probably well over a thousand dollars, I would get it repaired. Hopefully the estimate for the repair also includes the labor. The replacements parts are usually inexpensive, it's the labor that's costly.

[28BlusLater]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Considering the price that you've originally paid for the Amp, which was probably well over a thousand dollars, I would get it repaired. Hopefully the estimate for the repair also includes the labor. The replacements parts are usually inexpensive, it's the labor that's costly.

Yeah, it was well over $1,000. The estimate does include the labor.

Here's the breakdown of the repair costs that they sent me: https://imgur.com/a/lgiNX

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by 28BlusLater

Yeah, it was well over $1,000. The estimate does include the labor.

Here's the breakdown of the repair costs that they sent me: https://imgur.com/a/lgiNX

I'm assuming the $75.00 that you've paid in advance was for the diagnostic check, and they've deducted the $75.00 from the overall total for the repair.. A $1,500.00 audio equipment is surely worth $650.00 to repair. I wouldn't buy an new receiver.

[28BlusLater]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Actually the original estimate was for $724.87, but I'm assuming the $75.00 that you've paid in advance was for the diagnostic check, and they've deducted the $75.00 from the overall total for the repair.. A $1,500.00 audio equipment is surely worth $650.00 to repair. I wouldn't buy an new receiver.

Correct. The $75 was what I put down, which applied towards the repairs.

Thanks for the advice. When I call them tomorrow, I also plan on asking exactly what caused it to explode. I'm just really hoping that these repairs will make the amp last for many more years to come. Most of my buddies have amps that have lasted decades, so seeing mine die after 7 years was shocking, to say the least.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by 28BlusLater

Correct. The $75 was what I put down, which applied towards the repairs.

Thanks for the advice. When I call them tomorrow, I also plan on asking exactly what caused it to explode. I'm just really hoping that these repairs will make the amp last for many more years to come. Most of my buddies have amps that have lasted decades, so seeing mine die after 7 years was shocking, to say the least.

Yes, 7 years is not a long time. Ask them if they offer a service warranty on their repairs.

[28BlusLater]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Yes, 7 years is not a long time. Ask them if they offer a service warranty on their repairs.

According to the documentation they sent me, they guarantee their parts for 90 days and their service for 30 days

[28BlusLater]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Yes, 7 years is not a long time. Ask them if they offer a service warranty on their repairs.

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it. I ended up getting my amplifier repaired. Just picked it up today, and it works great! So excited to have it back on the rack. Seeing that empty space was making me pretty sad.