Emotiva owners, need opinions.

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jpolz
jpolz Posts: 15
edited April 2008 in Electronics
I'm planning on picking up a power amplifier in the near future and have pretty much settled on either the LPA-1 or the XPA-5. My question is, in the extra 125WPC in the XPA-5 worth the extra $300?

Currently I'm driving a 2.1 setup consisting of LSi15 mains and a powered 8" KLH sub being driven by a Sony STR-DE1075 (100WPC x 5). My ultimate plan is to add the power amp and use my AVR as a pre/pro then upgrade to an Onkyo AVR equipped with pre-outs and use the built-in amp stage of the Onkyo for powering speakers in my basement & outdoor patio area, as well as finish up my main area with an LSiC & LSiFXs.
Mains: Polk LSi15
Pre/Pro: Yamaha RX-V663
Amplifier: Emotiva LPA-1
Subwoofer: KLH ASW8-120b
Post edited by jpolz on
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  • mightymouse
    mightymouse Posts: 254
    edited April 2008
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    Here ya go

    http://emotivalounge.proboards54.com/
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2008
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    Buy the LPA-1 now. At $399 for B-stock, it's a no-brainer. Either amp will drive the hell out of your Lsi15's. The XPA-5 has more power, but both units will basically sound the same since it's the same topology. Besides, the XPA-5 is out of stock right now.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited April 2008
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    Where can I find that B-Stock?
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited April 2008
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    Early B. wrote: »
    Buy the LPA-1 now. At $399 for B-stock, it's a no-brainer............

    +1 I ordered one of the B-stocks Saturday. The web site said there was a limited quantity but maybe you will be lucky. From the EMO home page go to the "On-Line Store" and it was the first thing listed under the amp section.

    Good Luck
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited April 2008
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    Welcome Jp!

    I will be the one to say to exercise a bit of patience & get the XPA5. Especially since you are planning on getting more LSI's for a complete system.

    Yes that extra 125wpc WILL make a noticable difference in the sound & headroom that you will have.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2008
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    I demoed the XPA-5 in my own home side-by-side with the LPA-1. I'm tellin ' ya -- unless you play music at very high levels, the differences are not enough to warrant paying the additional money, IMO.

    C'mon -- $399 for the LPA-1 is a giveaway. I'd say for normal music listening there are subtle differences between the two amps (many people wouldn't be able to notice those differences), and for HT it's not an issue.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Poee7R
    Poee7R Posts: 906
    edited April 2008
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    cfrizz wrote: »
    Welcome Jp!

    I will be the one to say to exercise a bit of patience & get the XPA5. Especially since you are planning on getting more LSI's for a complete system.

    Yes that extra 125wpc WILL make a noticable difference in the sound & headroom that you will have.

    I'm sorry but this is getting about as bad as putting a cap inline with your tweeter.

    Let me venture on to say, please if you havent heard them next to eachother dont spread opinion like fact.


    Dave
    Once again we meet at last.
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  • Gaara
    Gaara Posts: 2,415
    edited April 2008
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    Early B. wrote: »
    I demoed the XPA-5 in my own home side-by-side with the LPA-1. I'm tellin ' ya -- unless you play music at very high levels, the differences are not enough to warrant paying the additional money, IMO.

    C'mon -- $399 for the LPA-1 is a giveaway. I'd say for normal music listening there are subtle differences between the two amps (many people wouldn't be able to notice those differences), and for HT it's not an issue.

    Honestly, how many here can say they have heard both amps in question, please raise your hands. I trust Early's judgment, even though he sold his TVC, and I will be surprised if anyone else here has actually tried both amps.

    That said I would definitely go for the LPA-1 and be done with it. If early says the differences are to small to justify the price difference, then I think they are to small to justify the price difference.
    The Basement HT
    PC Rig
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  • MKZ
    MKZ Posts: 1,068
    edited April 2008
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    I'd take Early and Gaara's word any day or night.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2008
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    Gaara wrote: »
    I trust Early's judgment, even though he sold his TVC,

    :p:D:p

    Just so you know, I placed another Promitheus order with Nic on a custom product several weeks ago. It's a long wait, brother.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2008
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    MKZ wrote: »
    Where can I find that B-Stock?

    FYI -- I just read on the Emotiva forum that they have sold out of the LPA-1 B-stock. New LPA-1's are still available at $499. Grab one.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited April 2008
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    Fine, do whatever the EFF you want! If anyone blows up their speakers they can kick their own asses for being in a hurry cheapskates! Just go whine about it somewhere else!

    Most on here that have gotten the LSI's know & admit that they do better with the more power you feed them.

    But hey lets just forget that little tidbit & get something less since it's a lot cheaper. You get what you pay for & what you deserve if its the wrong choice!
    Poee7R wrote: »
    I'm sorry but this is getting about as bad as putting a cap inline with your tweeter.

    Let me venture on to say, please if you havent heard them next to eachother dont spread opinion like fact.


    Dave
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    edited April 2008
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    With the LPA-1, I'd get more power to LSI's by byamping the 15's and center with those 6 channels. Then, I'd use the Onkyo to power the rears since the rear channels are not that demanding.
    5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
    2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
    2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
    2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
    Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
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  • Gadabout
    Gadabout Posts: 1,072
    edited April 2008
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    Early B. wrote: »
    :p:D:p

    Just so you know, I placed another Promitheus order with Nic on a custom product several weeks ago. It's a long wait, brother.

    Not to derail the thread but mine took about 9 weeks from order placed to arrival. Hope your wait time is a bit shorter.
    Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. ..... Frank Zappa
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  • nm4710
    nm4710 Posts: 97
    edited April 2008
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    First let me say that I'm a humble RTi owner...but I think most of what I'm about to say applies to the LSi as well.

    I have been looking for an amp for months. I've tried several different amps...200wpc and 100wpc...many from the same brand. My experience with the RTis is that there is almost no discernible difference (if any) between the same brand's 100wpc and 200wpc amp. I've listened to music in stereo, 5 channel. I've listened to movie after movie. I've tried as hard as I can to justify buying a 200wpc amp...especially after listening to the likes of Cfrizz...but truth be told my almost-30-year-old ears just couldn't pick up a difference...even when the volume knob was cranked and my ears were bleeding.

    I ended up ordering an LPA-1 B-stock...got it today and hooked it up...I am 100% pleased. I prefer the sound to the 200wpc carver I have next to it. (Note I'm not saying the LPA-1 is better, just saying I prefer its sound). The bass is every bit as tight and hard hitting as on the sunfire...and that's cranking at >90dB. Soundstage seems wider as well. And I spent my whole life salivating over carver stuff...go figure.

    Again I think you will be very happy with the LPA-1. It is a fantastic sounding product that seems very well made. Short of electrostatics I think it will drive any other speaker to satisfaction. My gut feeling is that if you don't like the sound of your speakers with this amp...you bought the wrong speakers. :)
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