About to pull the trigger on...

Cuchulain

the Sherbourn PT 7030 pre-amp/processor from Emotiva. My first step into separates. It looks like it's got all my bases covered except automatic room correction; I'll have to do it manually, and it's not gonna pass through 4K or upscale but I'm always on the tail end of the technology curve anyway so I won't be going that route any time soon. The price is definitely right at $700. on clearance. Down from $1800.

So if you guessed my concern now is amps you'd be right. My surround speakers are in the 100W range except the A6 center. And the A7's are going to need plenty of power to get that sound everyone says they're capable of. My initial thought was to go with the UPA 700. At 80W x 7 it would do the surrounds nicely including the A6. Then I would bi-amp the mains with the UPA handling the mid and tweeters of the A7's and use a separate 2 channel amp to power the woofers. BUT with all the talk of on here of Emotiva amps being on the bright side I'm having second thoughts. The other option is the Outlaw 7075 at 7 x 75W. One review I read says it has the same signature as other more powerful Outlaw amps. Is anyone out there using an Outlaw amp to power A7's? Are they known to be 'warmer' or better suited to speakers like the RTiA7? Everything else seems to be out of my league right now and I'd rather not buy used for something like this.

Thanks in advance!

ken brydson

I'd put my $$ into a better sub but that's just me. Your speakers are pretty easy to drive....

Cuchulain

ken brydson wrote: »

I'd put my $$ into a better sub but that's just me. Your speakers are pretty easy to drive....

Really? I've been using that 90Wper channel 671 (2 channels driven) for a couple of years and am not happy with the 2 channel listening for music. I want the upgrade for music as much as HT. Also, isn't it the higher the impedance value the more difficult the speaker is to drive? Meaning 8 ohms is harder than 6 or 4?

recoveryone

its the other way around 8 easiest 4 harder

Cuchulain

mmm...really thought more ohms meant more resistance.

sucks2beme

4 ohms speakers draw more current(less resistance). That means more power to the speakers.
Some receivers/amps have a lot of trouble keeping up with 4 ohms.
A good stand alone amp shouldn't have an issue with this. Please keep in mind
that speaker efficiency varies, so 4 or 8 ohm isn't the real key so much as speaker
design.

cfrizz

Only your own ears will tell you if the speakers are too bright. All speakers improve when driven to their full potential. I always encourage people to get at least a 200wpc amp, this is enough to let just about all speakers operate to their full potential. The speakers will only take what they need when they need it. But the power has to be there for them to access it.

If you are willing to shop used you can find good deals on Audiogon for an amp. Look at Parasound, B&K, Outlaw Audio, Rotel, Sunfire. You may have to spend more money up front, but it is a piece of gear that you can keep for years to come through all other upgrades to your system.

Cuchulain

sucks2beme wrote: »

4 ohms speakers draw more current(less resistance). That means more power to the speakers.
Some receivers/amps have a lot of trouble keeping up with 4 ohms.
A good stand alone amp shouldn't have an issue with this. Please keep in mind
that speaker efficiency varies, so 4 or 8 ohm isn't the real key so much as speaker
design.

Understood. A bit of an oxymoron, in a sense.

Cuchulain

cfrizz wrote: »

Only your own ears will tell you if the speakers are too bright. All speakers improve when driven to their full potential. I always encourage people to get at least a 200wpc amp, this is enough to let just about all speakers operate to their full potential. The speakers will only take what they need when they need it. But the power has to be there for them to access it.

If you are willing to shop used you can find good deals on Audiogon for an amp. Look at Parasound, B&K, Outlaw Audio, Rotel, Sunfire. You may have to spend more money up front, but it is a piece of gear that you can keep for years to come through all other upgrades to your system.

I wish I could audition the Emotiva. Being in Canada a 30 day return policy doesn't help much. I don't get the free shipping, I pay duty and the taxes and return shipping if I don't keep it. Duty and taxes I'd get back with hassle and I'm still out hundreds. I'll keep that 200W number in mind.
I'll be checking to see if Audiogon has a Canadian site.

AsSiMiLaTeD

A better amp and preamp will improve the sound, but they're not going to turn those speakers into a pair of Magnepan or DynAudio. Speakers generally sound how they're gonna sound and an amp won't change that sound character so much as make improvements.

If you're very unsatisfied with your speakers now then you need new speakers, if you're looking to squeeze that extra bit of performance out of your speakers then a new amp or preamp could be what pushes that over the edge.

SCompRacer

Cuchulain wrote: »

I wish I could audition the Emotiva. Being in Canada a 30 day return policy doesn't help much. I don't get the free shipping, I pay duty and the taxes and return shipping if I don't keep it. Duty and taxes I'd get back with hassle and I'm still out hundreds. I'll keep that 200W number in mind.
I'll be checking to see if Audiogon has a Canadian site.

I hear you...

In Canada, you have the Audiogon alternative.

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/

Cuchulain

Thanks for the link SCR.

gp4jesus

Cuchulain wrote: »

...So if you guessed my concern now is amps you'd be right... ...And the A7's are going to need plenty of power to get that sound everyone says they're capable of. My initial thought was to go with the UPA 700. At 80W x 7 it would do the surrounds nicely including the A6. Then I would bi-amp the mains with the UPA handling the mid and tweeters of the A7's and use a separate 2 channel amp to power the woofers. BUT with all the talk of on here of Emotiva amps being on the bright side I'm having second thoughts. The other option is the Outlaw 7075 at 7 x 75W. One review I read says it has the same signature as other more powerful Outlaw amps. Is anyone out there using an Outlaw amp to power A7's? Are they known to be 'warmer' or better suited to speakers like the RTiA7?

I find your sense of adventure refreshing. Have you considered going slower on upgrades w/a more powerful 3 ch, XO component upgrades, or both? BTW: I haven't read all the replies.

Tony

gp4jesus

Cuchulain wrote: »

...isn't it the higher the impedance value the more difficult the speaker is to drive? Meaning 8 ohms is harder than 6 or 4?

you have it backwards. At the risk of overstating it, the vast minority of amps can safely drive 2 ohms well.

Jhayman

Cuchulain Welcome to CP..
I was in your situation a while ago I bought the Emotiva XPA-5 to run my HT the Emo is very good for HT but can be a little bright sounding especially if your speakers are bright already,if this is the case I would advise against the EMO..
I took the chance and ordered one I have since sold mine on Canuckaudiomart..
I basically got what I paid minus the duty and shipping after one year..

Cuchulain wrote: »

I wish I could audition the Emotiva. Being in Canada a 30 day return policy doesn't help much. I don't get the free shipping, I pay duty and the taxes and return shipping if I don't keep it. Duty and taxes I'd get back with hassle and I'm still out hundreds. I'll keep that 200W number in mind.
I'll be checking to see if Audiogon has a Canadian site.