The Official Paradigm Speakers Thread

[aces high]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Thanks a ton for that information. Unfortunately it still sppears I only have room for either one XPA or 2 to 3 UPA Amps. So most likely I'll have to go with an XPA-5.

EDIT - Just realized they are also planning an XPR-5 @ 400 watts per channel. I might wait and grab that one instead.

Your going to power some Polk bookshelves with a 400 wpc amp?

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by aces high

Your going to power some Polk bookshelves with a 400 wpc amp?

Oh no, I'm definitely doing major upgrades for my speakers fairly soon. Probably B&W CM or 805 or Paradign Studio speakers.

[aces high]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Oh no, I'm definitely doing major upgrades for my speakers fairly soon. Probably B&W CM or 805 or Paradign Studio speakers.

If your thinking of getting the B&W 805's you should also check out the Paradigm Signature S2's.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by aces high

If your thinking of getting the B&W 805's you should also check out the Paradigm Signature S2's.

Yes, I will definately listen to both the 805's and Paradigm Sig line when I get the cash to upgrade. More reaslistically I'll probably go with the B&W CM or Paradign Studio line.

[Unobtainium]

Originally Posted by Fors*

Well, if money is no issue and you want pure, powerhouse monoblocks, Emotiva is releasing the XPR-1's some time this year. This is a nuclear power plant when it comes to power. At over 100 lbs each, it will push out around 1000 watts....how's that for powering your 100's? I haven't heard anything bad about the multichannel amps with Emotiva. Sure, there is the occassional bad egg, but nothing I can remark on long term issues with a particular model.

By the way, I love my UPA-1's and find 200 watts to be more than enough. Having a dedicated transformer and individual parts for each speaker had a nice effect. I felt there was more "air" in the highs and sensed a better low frequency presence from my fronts with the blocks.

That is my kind of overkill!
I'm not sure I have the electricity for that in the current bonus room. Xpa-1's would be plenty. They are out of stock right now. Depending on what I learn over in the Emotiva thread, I might start with upa-1's. These studio 100's are going to get used I tell ya!

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Unobtainium

That is my kind of overkill!
I'm not sure I have the electricity for that in the current bonus room. Xpa-1's would be plenty. They are out of stock right now. Depending on what I learn over in the Emotiva thread, I might start with upa-1's. These studio 100's are going to get used I tell ya!

you can also look at the Outlaw Mini-monoblock amps, they are stackable and provide 200 wpc.

http://www.outlawaudio.com

plus they give you discounts for buying more then one at a time.

[Unobtainium]

Originally Posted by callas01

you can also look at the Outlaw Mini-monoblock amps, they are stackable and provide 200 wpc.

http://www.outlawaudio.com

plus they give you discounts for buying more then one at a time.

Interesting. I've heard of outlaw. Seem small for 200w. Any test showing how they put out? Thanks for this. Now I get to do more reading. Competition is a wonderful thing.

[-DLS-]

Originally Posted by Unobtainium

Interesting. I've heard of outlaw. Seem small for 200w. Any test showing how they put out? Thanks for this. Now I get to do more reading. Competition is a wonderful thing.

I don't know anyone who owns one of those monoblocks from outlaw but I'm sure it performs well. As you already know there are many on this sight that use the UPA-1's though + several other Emotiva amps including me. I've had the XPA-3 now for 2 years and it's still as solid as the day I got it. After recently unplugging my Studio 100's from the amp trying out my Marantz SR8002 alone - then plugging it back in I can tell you it's more noticeable now than it was when I first added the amp. The 100's definitely benefit from the juice the XPA-3 adds. XPA-1's would probably sound wicked for the 100's but they would never need that much power. The UPA-1's should be more than enough for the 100's though everyone has their preferences. I know JohnnyBlaze preferred the XPA-3 over the UPA-1's with his Monitor 11's and CC-390 and now he's got XPA-1's for his Sig8's!!

Back to callas' recommendation on the outlaw if they have a return policy like Emotiva does maybe you can try both out. Since the monos are much smaller it wouldn't cost as much to ship the loser back.

[Unobtainium]

After doing more number crunching, I've decoded the xpa-2 is for me.
It's a better buy for what I want at 300w/ch. I'm going to bi-amp it with the sig 2.1 running the highs, and the xpa-2 running the lows I think.
I like how you said the loser would be cheaper to send back...a foregone conclusion!

[callas01]

OH yeah I forgot... god forbide anyone suggest anything other then Emo amps.

[Unobtainium]

well I just got the call that my 100's will be delivered on thursday, but my subs are a month out on backorder. It would have been nice to know that up front, so I could decide if I really wanted to wait or explore options. I am not patient enough for this. Oh well, I'll take it out on my 100's for a month!
Funny how it takes a month to build a sub, but mine are locked in stone now, as if they were not going to make anymore...

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Unobtainium

well I just got the call that my 100's will be delivered on thursday, but my subs are a month out on backorder. It would have been nice to know that up front, so I could decide if I really wanted to wait or explore options. I am not patient enough for this. Oh well, I'll take it out on my 100's for a month!
Funny how it takes a month to build a sub, but mine are locked in stone now, as if they were not going to make anymore...

What sub(s) did you get?

[Unobtainium]

2 sub 12's.
I've chilled a bit, and realize this is a good chance to compare the 100's to my longtime current set-up. Should give me a real feel for the value on money spent. Then, when I'm back from vacation, the subs will come and top it off!

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by callas01

OH yeah I forgot... god forbide anyone suggest anything other then Emo amps.

Not too many around here know much about NAD, B&K or Outlaw . I remember their ads from Home Theater Magazine( 12 yrs ago ). Those were the brands I desired when I first got into this hobby. I like the Outlaw model 2200 dimensions( H x W x D, 1.75" x 17" x 11.5" ) better than the Emotiva UPA-1 dimensions( 3.875" x 17" x 18" ). You could fit two Outlaw 2200 amps in the same space as one UPA-1( would be perfect for rack mounting ). If I ever need mono's I'll keep them in mind. Thanks for sharing the Outlaw link.

[Unobtainium]

Yeah, I looked at the others and the xpa-2 is what I want. Lots of power for a good price. I think they are all pretty close on quality(some might be made blocks apart overseas) and my 100's should enjoy 300w+.

[-DLS-]

Originally Posted by callas01

OH yeah I forgot... god forbide anyone suggest anything other then Emo amps.

I wouldn't suggest anything I've never tried.. If I had any problems with my XPA-3 I wouldn't recommend it of course but like I said earlier 2 years now with it and still like the day I got it. I've never heard the Outlaw amp..

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by callas01

OH yeah I forgot... god forbide anyone suggest anything other then Emo amps.

I don't understand what bad thing just happened.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by -DLS-

I don't know anyone who owns one of those monoblocks from outlaw but I'm sure it performs well. As you already know there are many on this sight that use the UPA-1's though + several other Emotiva amps including me. I've had the XPA-3 now for 2 years and it's still as solid as the day I got it. After recently unplugging my Studio 100's from the amp trying out my Marantz SR8002 alone - then plugging it back in I can tell you it's more noticeable now than it was when I first added the amp. The 100's definitely benefit from the juice the XPA-3 adds. XPA-1's would probably sound wicked for the 100's but they would never need that much power. The UPA-1's should be more than enough for the 100's though everyone has their preferences. I know JohnnyBlaze preferred the XPA-3 over the UPA-1's with his Monitor 11's and CC-390 and now he's got XPA-1's for his Sig8's!!

Back to callas' recommendation on the outlaw if they have a return policy like Emotiva does maybe you can try both out. Since the monos are much smaller it wouldn't cost as much to ship the loser back.

I will say this when it comes to powering the Studio100s. Bi-amping make even more difference.

When I originally went from my Pioneer Elite VSX03 and added the NAD M25 (160w into the 100s, and probably more like 220 non NAD ratings) it was a big difference. But when I decided to use two channels to power them, 320w in the 100s, the high frequency opened up so much more. Just utterly transparent on the top end. Getting the tweeter away from the midrange and woofers makes a big difference.

Bi-amp where you can people.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by callas01

OH yeah I forgot... god forbide anyone suggest anything other then Emo amps.

Ya, everybody is Emo crazy. Yes my amp cost much more than probably the best Emo amp, but I will put it up against pretty much anything out there and am confident that the sound quality is up there with the absolute best.

It's funny that outlaw used to be the EMO of the early 2000s, and now people have just "heard" about them. Price is price and we live in a time that it is the most important thing. Soon, another company will show up and beat out the Emo pricing, and people will be say, "I've heard of Emo".

[Unobtainium]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

I will say this when it comes to powering the Studio100s. Bi-amping make even more difference.

When I originally went from my Pioneer Elite VSX03 and added the NAD M25 (160w into the 100s, and probably more like 220 non NAD ratings) it was a big difference. But when I decided to use two channels to power them, 320w in the 100s, the high frequency opened up so much more. Just utterly transparent on the top end. Getting the tweeter away from the midrange and woofers makes a big difference.

Bi-amp where you can people.

Glad to hear this. That's the plan.