Help with amplifier - Blu-ray Forum

twoboyz · 08-05-2008, 06:57 PM

I have a Denon AVR4308 running a 7.1 surround system. I was looking at adding an external amplifier, the Emotiva 5 channel x 200wpc for my fronts center and surrounds. I was going to leave the surround backs hooked to the Denon. Will I see a difference in sound quality with a seperate amp and using the 4308 as the pre/pro. Any help would be appreciated.

Equip:
Denon AVR4308ci
Denon DVD3930ci (DVD)
Pioneer Elite BDP 95FD (BD)
Samsung 5084 1080p
Def Tech BP 7002's, CLR 2500, UIW BPZ/A (2), UIW 94/A (2)
Richard Grays 600s Power Conditioner
Monster HTS 5100 MK2

Driver_King · 08-05-2008, 07:51 PM

It depends on what you use for an amp. But, yes. It probably will sound better when used as a pre/pro.

gearyt · 08-05-2008, 07:55 PM

I would go with a 3 channel and leave all the surrounds together

RUR · 08-05-2008, 07:56 PM

Your 4308 should have a decent amp section and the Emotivas have mixed reviews. Separate amp is the way to go, but why are you zeroing in on the Emotiva?

red_5ive · 08-05-2008, 08:00 PM

I've done the homework on this one. I've connected 3 flagship receivers (ranging from $3k to $5k) to my Emotiva LPA-1, and there was a night and day difference in 2ch music (full range mains, no sub) and HT. My speakers completely opened up, and so much so that I don't even care for 7.1. The difference in 5.1 alone is staggering. I say go for XPA-5, and as you suggested let your 4308 power the remaining 2 rear channels for 7.1.

red_5ive · 08-05-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUR

Your 4308 should have a decent amp section and the Emotivas have mixed reviews. Separate amp is the way to go, but why are you zeroing in on the Emotiva?

Don't take this the wrong way, but I was completely skeptical myself considering the price of Emotiva (I thought they were cheap). I've auditioned separates upwards of $7k - $10k, and yes there is gear that sounds better, but you can't convince me to ever pay that much considering the price to performance ratio Emotiva offers. Their gear is absolutely audiophile grade.

RUR · 08-05-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Don't take this the wrong way, but I was completely skeptical myself considering the price of Emotiva (I thought they were cheap). I've auditioned separates upwards of $7k - $10k, and yes there is gear that sounds better, but you can't convince me to ever pay that much considering the price to performance ratio Emotiva offers. Their gear is absolutely audiophile grade.

No worries. My observation was based upon owner comments regarding customer service issues. Could simply be the "only people with negative experience post" phenomenon, but, if I were the OP, I'd try to buy new and local, just in case.

twoboyz · 08-05-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUR

Your 4308 should have a decent amp section and the Emotivas have mixed reviews. Separate amp is the way to go, but why are you zeroing in on the Emotiva?

I was just browsing their site and it looked like a good piece of equipment, especially for the $. I have been very satisfied with Denon running everything but was just curious if it would be an improvement. I am 90% movies.

red_5ive · 08-05-2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUR

No worries. My observation was based upon owner comments regarding customer service issues. Could simply be the "only people with negative experience post" phenomenon, but, if I were the OP, I'd try to buy new and local, just in case.

Fair enough

I will add, though, that they have a no questions asked 30 day return policy (as long as the gear isn't abused, obviously). All that one stands to lose is the cost of shipping, which is fair IMO for an in home trial, and is ample time to test any piece of gear (break-in is actually very short, if any).

As for their customer service, I was so impressed with the amp that I thought of returning it and upgrading to their flagship model. I was on the 30th day and they still issued me an RMA, no questions asked, even after I said I probably won't ship it until the next day. But in the end I decided to pick up a 2nd amp (same model) and do a passive biamp setup. The results have been very impressive.

STARKILLER--1138 · 08-06-2008, 12:27 AM

I'm diving into Emotiva as well. Have a UPA-7 coming to push my little Paradigm system. I'm using B&K Ref 2220's for my Axioms, but may get an EMO if I like the UPA7 enough.

red_5ive · 08-06-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil' Louie

I'm diving into Emotiva as well. Have a UPA-7 coming to push my little Paradigm system. I'm using B&K Ref 2220's for my Axioms, but may get an EMO if I like the UPA7 enough.

Congrats. I almost held off for the UPA-7, but I couldn't wait and jumped the gun on the LPA-1, and then added a 2nd LPA-1 a little while later. I'm anxiously awaiting their prepro now to replace my current AVR that's acting as a prepro.

That UPA won't have an issue pushing those Axiom's, but that's interesting that you're replacing a B&K amp. I'm interested to see how the UPA will fare against it.

Edit: Nevermind. I reread your post. I know what you're doing now. I glazed over the Paradigm part.

twoboyz · 08-06-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearyt

I would go with a 3 channel and leave all the surrounds together

So you think this would be better and leave surrounds from the 4308. It sounds good to me. The Denon does a good job of operating all the speakers in 7.1 but was just curious if I would have a little more hump with a seperate amp.

red_5ive · 08-06-2008, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twoboyz

So you think this would be better and leave surrounds from the 4308. It sounds good to me. The Denon does a good job of operating all the speakers in 7.1 but was just curious if I would have a little more hump with a seperate amp.

That really depends on who you have over to watch blu-rays with you, and how much they like your gear.

STARKILLER--1138 · 08-06-2008, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red_5ive

Congrats. I almost held off for the UPA-7, but I couldn't wait and jumped the gun on the LPA-1, and then added a 2nd LPA-1 a little while later. I'm anxiously awaiting their prepro now to replace my current AVR that's acting as a prepro.

That UPA won't have an issue pushing those Axiom's, but that's interesting that you're replacing a B&K amp. I'm interested to see how the UPA will fare against it.

Edit: Nevermind. I reread your post. I know what you're doing now. I glazed over the Paradigm part.

My bad. I should have clarified. The Axioms will get an XPA amp if I like the UPA-7. Honeslty though, I haven't come across a separate amp that I did not like. I missed the chance to grab the LPA-7 when it was on sale; otherwise, I'd have one now. The UPA-7 is a steal at that price; and, I'm looking forward to testing it out.

twoboyz, the XPA-5 @ 200w looks like it would be a perfect fit for your DefTechs. If you get it, I'd like to hear your thoughts on it.

twoboyz · 08-11-2008, 08:15 PM

Do you think I would be better off saving $ and getting something like the Adcom GFA 7705 (?). Or would the Emotiva do the job at $799.

08-05-2008, 06:57 PM	#1
twoboyz Member Member since:May 2008	Help with amplifier I have a Denon AVR4308 running a 7.1 surround system. I was looking at adding an external amplifier, the Emotiva 5 channel x 200wpc for my fronts center and surrounds. I was going to leave the surround backs hooked to the Denon. Will I see a difference in sound quality with a seperate amp and using the 4308 as the pre/pro. Any help would be appreciated. Equip: Denon AVR4308ci Denon DVD3930ci (DVD) Pioneer Elite BDP 95FD (BD) Samsung 5084 1080p Def Tech BP 7002's, CLR 2500, UIW BPZ/A (2), UIW 94/A (2) Richard Grays 600s Power Conditioner Monster HTS 5100 MK2 Last edited by twoboyz; 08-05-2008 at 09:12 PM.

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08-05-2008, 07:51 PM	#2
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	It depends on what you use for an amp. But, yes. It probably will sound better when used as a pre/pro.

08-05-2008, 07:55 PM	#3
gearyt Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Henderson, NV Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:33	I would go with a 3 channel and leave all the surrounds together

08-05-2008, 07:56 PM	#4
RUR Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Abiit, excessit, evasit, erupit Blu-ray collection:143 Trading Score:1	Your 4308 should have a decent amp section and the Emotivas have mixed reviews. Separate amp is the way to go, but why are you zeroing in on the Emotiva?

08-05-2008, 08:00 PM	#5
red_5ive Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:The 'state' of Southern California Home Theater Gallery:18 4K collection:367 Blu-ray collection:999 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:1	I've done the homework on this one. I've connected 3 flagship receivers (ranging from $3k to $5k) to my Emotiva LPA-1, and there was a night and day difference in 2ch music (full range mains, no sub) and HT. My speakers completely opened up, and so much so that I don't even care for 7.1. The difference in 5.1 alone is staggering. I say go for XPA-5, and as you suggested let your 4308 power the remaining 2 rear channels for 7.1.

08-06-2008, 12:27 AM	#10
STARKILLER--1138 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jan 2008	I'm diving into Emotiva as well. Have a UPA-7 coming to push my little Paradigm system. I'm using B&K Ref 2220's for my Axioms, but may get an EMO if I like the UPA7 enough.

08-11-2008, 08:15 PM	#15
twoboyz Member Member since:May 2008	Do you think I would be better off saving $ and getting something like the Adcom GFA 7705 (?). Or would the Emotiva do the job at $799.

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