suggest an amp

[Clark Kent]

Emotiva amps seem like great values. I would recommend Parasound amps if you are looking for a more refined amp.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Emotiva amps seem like great values. I would recommend Parasound amps if you are looking for a more refined amp.

Not intending this as an argument, but Emotiva oversees the manufacturing & sales. There's no middle-man or retailer. With what experience I've had in the electronics business, had Emo sold only through brick & mortar they'd retail for 3 to 4 times the price. The sad thing about that is, had the UPA-7 (their entry level amp) which sells for $699 actually been priced at $2k+ (which would be the case if it were sold through B&M), it would surely get more respect in the audio world. But I assure you, I've listened to and own their gear and you can't convince me to pay $3k-$5k more for a bigger name. Not that their entry level performs better than a much pricier amp, but from what I've listened to in the $3k-$6k price range, it's not worth the price difference. To call Emo a "value" amp is short-sighted, especially if you haven't given them a listen. Again, not trying to argue, just hoping to provide a little insight.

[Clark Kent]

I've actually listened to a couple of different Emotiva amps at a friend's house. They seemed excellent for home theater applications like movies but I found them a little too bright for two channel stereo performance and surround music in general. Their sound is definitely geared for movie soundtracks in my opinion. I don't think of them as "budget" amps but I'm not sure they are aiming at the more refined audiophile sound some other well known amp manufacturers produce. It's a different sound that some like and some do not.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

I've actually listened to a couple of different Emotiva amps at a friend's house. They seemed excellent for home theater applications like movies but I found them a little too bright for two channel stereo performance and surround music in general. Their sound is definitely geared for movie soundtracks in my opinion. I don't think of them as "budget" amps but I'm not sure they are aiming at the more refined audiophile sound some other well known amp manufacturers produce. It's a different sound that some like and some do not.

Wow. I'm really curious what model(s) you listened to and what was used as a pre-pro and what speakers? I don't particularly like brightness when listening to pure 2 channel music, and if anything my Emo amps significantly tamed the highs with my Yamaha AVRs (RX-Z1 at first and RX-V1800 later). The mids are also much smoother yet more pronounced. The warmer sound from the LPA-1 is why I bought a second unit. The LPA/UPA/XPA models are on the warm side, although the MPS-1 (their flagship model) has been described as a more detailed and refined sound, tending a little to brightness, so I wonder if that's the amp you listened to (I've never head this one in action).

[Beta Man]

You want an amp, but don't know what a Pre-pro is

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

You want an amp, but don't know what a Pre-pro is

I'm about to recommend some room treatments first! That's my next investment...acoustic panels (is embarrassed he's about to say this internet word) ftw!!! (Oh, geez, that was embarrassing...dang.)

[STARKILLER--1138]

WOW! Never thought I'd see the words "refined" and "Parasound" in the same sentence. We've installed many from the HCA to the HALO series; and, while Parasound makes a good amp, the mids and highs are a little on the thin side. B&K makes a much better amp as does Emotiva, IMO.