Help! Receiver & XPA-5 or Emotiva UMC-1 & UPA-7

[supe]

I am looking at two options I could really use some advice on:

Option 1)A decent Yamaha receiver (VSX-1800 or 3800/3900 at a great price) for pre/Pro driving the surrounds and an emotiva XPA-5 to drive front LCR.

Option 2) Emotiva UMC-1 pre/pro and UPA-7.

It would be driving a Paradigm Studio 7.1 configuration (Front:Studio 60, Center:CC-690, Side:ADP-590, Rears: Studio 20)

Any recommendations are appreciated.

[Krelldog1977]

Originally Posted by supe

I am looking at two options I could really use some advice on:

Option 1)A decent Yamaha receiver (VSX-1800 or 3800/3900 at a great price) for pre/Pro driving the surrounds and an emotiva XPA-5 to drive front LCR.

Option 2) Emotiva UMC-1 pre/pro and UPA-7.

It would be driving a Paradigm Studio 7.1 configuration (Front:Studio 60, Center:CC-690, Side:ADP-590, Rears: Studio 20)

Any recommendations are appreciated.

I can see that you have invested a good deal of money on your speaker system...I am a huge Paradigm fan myself. I'm just curious as to why you are limiting yourself to such a small number of power and AVR options ?

I would go with the mid level Yamaha that has pre-outs. Then shop around for a good 5 channel amp...


As for Emotiva, I have never heard one, but am super curious as to their performance. All I know is that they get little respect in the Hifi Community.....which must mean something..


What's your budget for amps?

Bri

[Cyborg1964]

Originally Posted by supe

I am looking at two options I could really use some advice on:

Option 1)A decent Yamaha receiver (VSX-1800 or 3800/3900 at a great price) for pre/Pro driving the surrounds and an emotiva XPA-5 to drive front LCR.

Option 2) Emotiva UMC-1 pre/pro and UPA-7.

It would be driving a Paradigm Studio 7.1 configuration (Front:Studio 60, Center:CC-690, Side:ADP-590, Rears: Studio 20)

Any recommendations are appreciated.

Hi. All I can tell you is that I spent $2500.00 for my Rotel's. One is a digital mono and the other one is a 2 channel. They have been in for servicing a few times, so what do you think is going to happen to a emotiva at a third of the cost? What is the resale value on used emotiva? Great topic! Your paradigm Speakers are awesome....

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by Cyborg1964

Hi. All I can tell you is that I spent $2500.00 for my Rotel's. One is a digital mono and the other one is a 2 channel. They have been in for servicing a few times, so what do you think is going to happen to a emotiva at a third of the cost? What is the resale value on used emotiva? Great topic! Your paradigm Speakers are awesome....

Just because it's a 1/3 of the cost doesn't mean it won't work? There are plenty of forum members with Emotiva gear, and I'm sure they can provide a track record for their products.

I would say it depends on your time frame for doing this. If you go the UMC route, I'd wait at least 6 months after release for them to work out bugs and let other people be the tests. If you're going for something now, then go with the Yamaha/XPA 5; however, I wouldn't limit yourself to just those options. The used market is pretty good right now, and has been for a while, so you could find something within your budget that would generally be well above it, so I'd check that out as well for a third option.

[Krelldog1977]

Originally Posted by Intamin

Just because it's a 1/3 of the cost doesn't mean it won't work? There are plenty of forum members with Emotiva gear, and I'm sure they can provide a track record for their products.

I'd have to disagree with you on this statement my friend,...

I'm sure the Emotiva will work almost as well as it's competitors - Adcom, outlaw,NAD, rotel,..for a third the price,...BUT

Do you really want to invest in gear that gets you " almost " as good sound as a the budget amps I've mentioned above???

I don't think so, unless of course you have no other choice...

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by Krelldog1977

I'd have to disagree with you on this statement my friend,...

I'm sure the Emotiva will work almost as well as it's competitors - Adcom, outlaw,NAD, rotel,..for a third the price,...BUT

Do you really want to invest in gear that gets you " almost " as good sound as a the budget amps I've mentioned above???

I don't think so, unless of course you have no other choice...

And what's your basis for saying it won't work, or that it's "almost" as good? I've yet to see any issues with Emotiva amps pop up on various forums, so what are you basing your idea that because it's cheaper doesn't mean it works?

[icyteddy]

Originally Posted by supe

I am looking at two options I could really use some advice on:

Option 1)A decent Yamaha receiver (VSX-1800 or 3800/3900 at a great price) for pre/Pro driving the surrounds and an emotiva XPA-5 to drive front LCR.

Option 2) Emotiva UMC-1 pre/pro and UPA-7.

It would be driving a Paradigm Studio 7.1 configuration (Front:Studio 60, Center:CC-690, Side:ADP-590, Rears: Studio 20)

Any recommendations are appreciated.

I would recommend option 1! I have the a Yamaha AVR with an XPA-3 and couldn't be happier! Sure, there are better amps out there, but for the price and power Emotiva is the way to go. Nothing but positive experience from their amp!

[Happycamper]

Originally Posted by Krelldog1977

I'd have to disagree with you on this statement my friend,...

I'm sure the Emotiva will work almost as well as it's competitors - Adcom, outlaw,NAD, rotel,..for a third the price,...BUT

Do you really want to invest in gear that gets you " almost " as good sound as a the budget amps I've mentioned above???

I don't think so, unless of course you have no other choice...

WOW, more baseless info with no points of why or how EMOTIVA is a lessor brand. How about telling people why something sucks based on facts, your elitist snobbery is funny at best but not really helpfull to this guy or anyone else. I bet you and others would have been fine had the OP stated he was planning on buying a NAD, Outlaw, Rotel etc...........

I say shop around and if you like what you have found go for it reguardless of brand. Plan your budget and stick to it the best you can, if Emotiva is what you want, I can tell you will be very happy with them.

I bet if the Rotel guy had bought an EMO amp he would have never had the failures like he has had with his Rotel. BIg money spent doesn't guarantee that you won't have issues. If you have problems with an EMO you can talk directly to the big the boss or lead designer, can you do that with a NAD, ROTEL, Outlaw etc......

FYI-The UMC-1 is being released next month and has under gone some hard core testing by an independent lab to insure no problems (aka BUGS) unlike many big name companies in the world of seperates and AVR's that release and then send out patches/ updates.

Don't let these guys fool you in thinking you need to spend 10-20k on gear. Someone mentioned the resale value of the Emotiva amps, well less than you paid but not by much. Why do those ultra expensive amps sell for thousands and thousands less than when they were new? I've seen amps on Audiogon selling for more than 10k less than new.

I'm sure you will be happy with what ever you decide is right for you.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Happycamper

WOW, more baseless info with no points of why or how EMOTIVA is a lessor brand. How about telling people why something sucks based on facts, your elitist snobbery is funny at best but not really helpfull to this guy or anyone else. I bet you and others would have been fine had the OP stated he was planning on buying a NAD, Outlaw, Rotel etc...........
I say shop around and if you like what you have found go for it reguardless of brand. Plan your budget and stick to it the best you can, if Emotiva is what you want, I can tell you will be very happy with them.

I bet if the Rotel guy had bought an EMO amp he would have never had the failures like he has had with his Rotel. BIg money spent doesn't guarantee that you won't have issues. If you have problems with an EMO you can talk directly to the big the boss or lead designer, can you do that with a NAD, ROTEL, Outlaw etc......

FYI-The UMC-1 is being released next month and has under gone some hard core testing by an independent lab to insure no problems (aka BUGS) unlike many big name companies in the world of seperates and AVR's that release and then send out patches/ updates.

Don't let these guys fool you in thinking you need to spend 10-20k on gear. Someone mentioned the resale value of the Emotiva amps, well less than you paid but not by much. Why do those ultra expensive amps sell for thousands and thousands less than when they were new? I've seen amps on Audiogon selling for more than 10k less than new.

I'm sure you will be happy with what ever you decide is right for you.

Hey Happy!

Why do you always feel the need to come on so agressively? You can still come across without the need to come across as the ultimate fanboy. We all know you like Emotiva and good for you. Don't bash others for theirs.

John

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by icyteddy

I would recommend option 1! I have the a Yamaha AVR with an XPA-3 and couldn't be happier! Sure, there are better amps out there, but for the price and power Emotiva is the way to go. Nothing but positive experience from their amp!

I agree with icy, I currently have an a/v receiver and I use it to power my surround backs only. I use the pre-outs to my XPA-5 and @ 250wpc into 8 ohms all channels driven, it sounds incredible. I will not tell you that Emotiva is the greatest thing that exist. I will tell you that I am very, very happy with my descion to go with Emo thus far. I am sure that there are better units out there but I will also say that I don't think for the dollar paid that you will get the quality and power from a competitor, based on the dollar and the power. However, if you find something else better suited to your needs and your budget then please get it and give us a report back on what you buy; no matter what it is.

Please people, lets not get into an "it's emo against the world" or "we hate emo" lets help our member make an informed choice without the bashing, on either side of this fence.

Please & Thank You, now go play nice with the other kids!

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

I agree with icy, I currently have an a/v receiver and I use it to power my surround backs only. I use the pre-outs to my XPA-5 and @ 250wpc into 8 ohms all channels driven, it sounds incredible. I will not tell you that Emotiva is the greatest thing that exist. I will tell you that I am very, very happy with my descion to go with Emo thus far. I am sure that there are better units out there but I will also say that I don't think for the dollar paid that you will get the quality and power from a competitor, based on the dollar and the power. However, if you find something else better suited to your needs and your budget then please get it and give us a report back on what you buy; no matter what it is.

Please people, lets not get into an "it's emo against the world" or "we hate emo" lets help our member make an informed choice without the bashing, on either side of this fence.

Please & Thank You, now go play nice with the other kids!

I'll second that ! ~ solarrdadd !! WELL SAID !!

[solarrdadd]

Thanks Crazy, you old wall treatment nut!!!

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

Thanks Crazy, you old wall treatment nut!!!

I find it more of A learning thing discussing it rather than arguing about it !

[icyteddy]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

I agree with icy, I currently have an a/v receiver and I use it to power my surround backs only. I use the pre-outs to my XPA-5 and @ 250wpc into 8 ohms all channels driven, it sounds incredible.

My setup is similar to yours. I am powering my Fronts and Center with the XPA-3 and have my AVR run my surrounds for a 5.1 setup.

Because I had such positive experience and for the price, I am considering adding the XPA-2 to power my fronts the XPA-3 to power the centers and surrounds and my AVR power the back surrounds for a 7.1 setup.

I NEVER heard anything bad about Emotiva from anybody that owned their amp!

[Happycamper]

Originally Posted by John72953

Hey Happy!

Why do you always feel the need to come on so agressively? You can still come across without the need to come across as the ultimate fanboy. We all know you like Emotiva and good for you. Don't bash others for theirs.

John

Well John I really don't get your point, maybe you just need to chill and not be so uptight. I know your the Sarcastic Police here but maybe you should be better at picking that out.

EMO FANBOY, please your making me blush I didn't bash anyone elses choice of amp, but I guess your easy to offend and must be friends with that guy that puts down amps without any facts but lists others as better again with no facts. Meh I guess this is how it's gotta be.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by Happycamper

Well John I really don't get your point, maybe you just need to chill and not be so uptight. I know your the Sarcastic Police here but maybe you should be better at picking that out.

EMO FANBOY, please your making me blush I didn't bash anyone elses choice of amp, but I guess your easy to offend and must be friends with that guy that puts down amps without any facts but lists others as better again with no facts. Meh I guess this is how it's gotta be.

That is what I saw, but I'm staying out of it....

[Happycamper]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

Please people, lets not get into an "it's emo against the world" or "we hate emo" lets help our member make an informed choice without the bashing, on either side of this fence.

Please & Thank You, now go play nice with the other kids!

Maybe we can all learn from this master of words and get along in harmony.

[Krelldog1977]

Originally Posted by John72953

Hey Happy!

Why do you always feel the need to come on so agressively? You can still come across without the need to come across as the ultimate fanboy. We all know you like Emotiva and good for you. Don't bash others for theirs.

John

He should change his name to " Angry ". Much more fitting.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Just so you know...got a nice lengthy PM from him this morning. Will address it later, but then maybe not. LOL

John

[-DLS-]

How's it goin supe! Back on topic. I agree with Intamin about waiting a bit if your thinking about the UMC-1 since it hasn't been released yet - it could be perfect or could have some problems but see what others have to say about it first.

If you are really thinking Emotiva though I would probably go with something from the XPA series rather than the UPA so a good receiver will do unless you want to spend more on separate amp/s going with a pre/pro. I'm sure the UPA-7 would be okay but you might want to give those studios a bit more. The receiver can handle the surrounds well if you go with an XPA-3 or XPA-5 anyway. Remember to check out canuckaudiomart too you might find something better outside of what you're looking for.

Also if your looking to get your stuff right away them I'd say the Yamaha is a good combo with the Emotiva. I'm very happy with my setup - very similar to what your thinking of getting. You mentioned you can get it for a great price anyway. If there are other receivers in that same price range that you can check out now, I would go and compare different brands. I've read some people don't like Yamaha because they can be a little bright sounding with the Studios but I think it has more to do room acoustics since I don't feel that way at all. Marantz seems to be a good match with them from what I've read. I just don't have a dealer anywhere close by but I bet there's a quite a few in Ontario - Gibbysaudiovideo just had the 6003 on sale for $999cdn - MSRP is $1299.
Hope I was able to help. This is just my opinion but consider any future advice and what others have already suggested - I'm sure you''ll end up with a system you'll be enjoying very soon! Good luck man!!