Carver vs emotiva

Pinktulip7
Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
edited November 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
I have two(2)Carver M-1.5T Bi -Amp with RTI A9 getting beautifull sound but wondering if I go with Emotiva Amp XPA-2,is it going make sound better or not worthy?
TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
Post edited by Pinktulip7 on
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited November 2010
    I personally wouldn't make that move.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2010
    You already have great sound, even if it's with an awful amplifier. Stick with what you got Pink.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited November 2010
    Agreed ^^^^^^^^
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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited November 2010
    Thx for response but realy like to change for better or new Amp..any recomendation?
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited November 2010
    Pinktulip7 wrote: »
    I have two(2)Carver M-1.5T Bi -Amp with RTI A9 getting beautifull sound but wondering if I go with Emotiva Amp XPA-2,is it going make sound better or not worthy?

    Be careful there. See this thread: Is it a Carver or an Emotiva?
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited November 2010
    jinjuku wrote: »
    Be careful there. See this thread: Is it a Carver or an Emotiva?

    Its different amps than also what the OP is talking about. The ones in question in the post is a class H amp that is the MPS 1 and 2 from Emo and the carver forgot the name. The XPA-2 is a different type of amp that is class A/B blah blah blah and not the same as the carver.

    Personally I would stick with the carver, and if moving up amps (to me the emo would be a move backwards to at best lateral) I would look into maybe the Parasound Halo line, or several other lines depending on the budget your looking to do. Several great amps out there, just gotta know what your willing to spend/what you want to get out of it.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited November 2010
    Pinktulip7 wrote: »
    Thx for response but realy like to change for better or new Amp..any recomendation?

    Grab a Sunfire 300~2 over the Emotiva... Emo and RTi form a very bright combination. If you decide to sell the 1.5's the Sunfire will be at about the same price as you would get for the pair of Carvers.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited November 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Grab a Sunfire 300~2 over the Emotiva... Emo and RTi form a very bright combination. If you decide to sell the 1.5's the Sunfire will be at about the same price as you would get for the pair of Carvers.

    or you could always try and butter John up to sell you his mono blocks he's building :tongue:
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited November 2010
    ^^^ this??? yeah, good luck on that.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited November 2010
    I am willing to spent $1200 or more for decent Amp...for HT(65% )And Stereo (35%)..what I like to have more Bass (Deeper and Clean)than Carver M 1.5T
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited November 2010
    With the XPA-2 currently selling for $709 can we assume that your budget it in the range of $1000k or less for two channel amplification?

    If so you really are just going to be trading seats on the Titanic.

    Now if you say: No, I can spend $3-5K (which would not be an unreasonable jump for Parasound Halo/Classe/Levinson/Rotel/Mono block Emotiva) than I would say keep the Carvers, sell the RTi A9's and spend $4-6K on speakers.

    You simply are not going to bridge the sonic gap with the 1.5's and a pair of $4-6K of speaker compared to selling you 1.5's and pairing the A9's with amplification that cost 2-4 times what you spent in speakers.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited November 2010
    I have never heard the 1.5t's were lacking in the clean bass department. My experience with the a9's is limited to the showroom but with them set up on a top end Onkyo receiver, they did not sound to bad. I would not run the 1.5's in mono however. Instead I would try one amp for the low end on both speakers and the other to run the highs. I think this will allow you to get the best out of the amps and the speakers.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited November 2010
    Pinktulip7 wrote: »
    I am willing to spent $1200 or more for decent Amp...for HT(65% )And Stereo (35%)..what I like to have more Bass (Deeper and Clean)than Carver M 1.5T

    Just read your reply whilst posting. You could try the XPA-2 for 30 days. You would be out the cost of shipping.

    On Audiogon: Bell Canto M300 (Monoblocks) for $1275
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited November 2010
    SAVE YOUR MONEY, it is a sideways move. If you desire an upgrade consider moving up to LSi's.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • jinjuku
    jinjuku Posts: 1,523
    edited November 2010
    markmarc wrote: »
    SAVE YOUR MONEY, it is a sideways move.

    ++ that.
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  • HB27
    HB27 Posts: 1,518
    edited November 2010
    It seems like you have a few extra bucks to put into your system.
    I agree it's not a good move from the Carver to Emos.
    Some nice IC's may cure your upgrade move.
    To my ears the Carvers can be a bit warm and a cable with more detail could be your ticket to "more".
    I just changed out the IC's on my old Carver MXR 130 wpc receiver and it's like a new system.
    Just a thought...
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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited November 2010
    Thx for all response and I will keep Carver for now on.....
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • devani
    devani Posts: 1,497
    edited November 2010
    from your sig, I see that you already have UPA-1...from what I've read, UPA-1 is similar to XPA-2....if i remember correctly, UPA-1 edging out XPA-2 slightly
    so you can make the judgement from UPA-1 to your 1.5T...
    Video: LG 55LN5100/Samsung LNT4065F
    Receiver: HK AVR445
    Source: OPPO BDP-93
    HT: POLK SPEAKERS RTi6, FXi3, CSi5, VTF-3 MK2
    2Ch system: MC2105, AR-XA, AR-2A, AR9, BX-300, OPPO BDP-83
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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited November 2010
    Using Emotiva UPA-1 through Pre-Amp(HK 7300) to pwr up RTI A6(Center) which make 15% difference in sound,sound are more details and warm
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited November 2010
    Any Emotiva amp is a sideways move. The m1.5t is not my favorite Carver amp, but it's certainly not a bad one, either.

    If I had coinage to drop, I'd look elsewhere in my rig. Source, perhaps?

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited November 2010
    Pinktulip7 wrote: »
    Using Emotiva UPA-1 through Pre-Amp(HK 7300) to pwr up RTI A6(Center) which make 15% difference in sound,sound are more details and warm


    makes sense, seperate amplification always does better than the amp section of a reciever.

    I concur with the opinions of most here that the Emo is not the way to go, those Carvers are great amplification and spending cose to a G for a lateral move at best (and some would argue that it isnt even lateral) is just not the best way to go.

    whats the rest of your system look like?
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited November 2010
    TV :>Panasonic TH-50PZ850U
    FRONT :> L & R :> RTI A9 500 W
    [BI AMP]
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    AMP:1> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 WPC
    AMP:2> CARVER M 1.5 T 350 WPC
    AMP:3> CARVER M 1.5 T 350 WPC
    CENTER :> CSI A6 200 W
    SURROUND :> FXI5 150 W
    REAR :> FXI5 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY):>Panasonic DMP-BD85K
    POWER CONDITIONER:>PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS PCI ULTRA 525 W
    SUBWOOFER :B> POLK PSW 10
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited November 2010
    If the Carvers have not been refreshed in say the past 10 years... They may need a trip to Rita's Vintage Audio for some updates and having Bob Carver sign them. for some reason, everything sounds better after he signs them.:biggrin:


    I think Bob signed Celine Dion's ****... before that she sounded like Rosanne Barr.:wink::tongue:
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2010
    What about sending out to Carver Audio Repair in Gresham, Oregon? Is there a difference/preference?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited November 2010
    How about sending them to the auction graveyard and buying a better amplifier?
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited November 2010
    Ok,wait a second, you want more low end, and you have an SVS sub ? Your shoving 500 watts into your speakers too ? I'm thinking it's more a setup issue. Speakers set to full range ? Are they crossed over with the sub ? Placement ? Personally,I would get rid of the bi-amp configuration, but thats just me.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Pinktulip7
    Pinktulip7 Posts: 249
    edited November 2010
    tonyb wrote: »
    Ok,wait a second, you want more low end, and you have an SVS sub ? Your shoving 500 watts into your speakers too ? I'm thinking it's more a setup issue. Speakers set to full range ? Are they crossed over with the sub ? Placement ? Personally,I would get rid of the bi-amp configuration, but thats just me.

    Low end?
    TV :>Panasonic TC-P55VT50
    RECEIVER :> HARMAN KARDON AVR 7300
    FRONT :> L & R :> POLK RTI A9 500 W
    AMP :1> PARASOUND HALO A21 250 W
    AMP :2> EMOTIVA UPA-1 200 W
    CENTER :> POLK LSiM 706c 250 W
    SURROUND SIDE :> POLK RTi A3 150 W
    SURROUND REAR :>POLK FXI A6 150 W
    DVD PLAYER(HD) :>TOSHIBA HD X-A2
    DVD PLAYER(BLU-RAY) :>Panasonic DMP-UB900
    POWER CONDITIONER :> PANAMAX M5400-EX
    SUBWOOFER :A> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Front
    SUBWOOFER :B> SVS SB16-Ultra 1500 W Rear
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited November 2010
    Pinktulip7 wrote: »
    Low end?

    low end = bass
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited November 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    How about sending them to the auction graveyard and buying a better amplifier?

    Hey Doro,
    Show me a better amp than my Carver Silver 9t monoblocks for the $1400 I've got invested in them please. I'd be really curious to see one. Please keep in mind the 9t's are 575 WPC into 8 ohms and will drive a 1 ohm load without any strain at all. I even know a guy that welded his speaker cables together when he forgot to turn off the amp with no damage at all to the amp.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2010
    Wyred 4 Sound ST-1000.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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