Emotiva XPA-3

Imac Convert
Imac Convert Posts: 4
edited November 2009 in Electronics
Hey Guys,

I am inheriting an XPA-3 amplifier from my dad who is upgrading to a UPA-7. My modest 7.1 system consists of an Onkyo SR-706, a pair of Polk M50's as the mains and a CS10 for the center.

I know the mains aren't the greatest but do you think the amplifier would help them out a little?

Thanks
Post edited by Imac Convert on
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  • LessisNevermore
    LessisNevermore Posts: 1,519
    edited November 2009
    Yes.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited November 2009
    Absolutely.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • Bernal
    Bernal Posts: 991
    edited November 2009
    yes!
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  • Hilbert
    Hilbert Posts: 316
    edited November 2009
    Yes yes yes! I had a 5.1 system featuring monitor 50s in front, powered by allegedly 95 watt per channel Yamaha---adding XPA-5 was like new speakers. You'll hear something similar.
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,826
    edited November 2009
    as everyone has stated yes..
    can't beat an amp at 200w/channel for free.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited November 2009
    You can never go wrong with more power. You should hear a difference between the AVR and the XPA.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • Imac Convert
    Imac Convert Posts: 4
    edited November 2009
    Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'm am anxiously awaiting Fedex to deliver my dads UPA-7 so I can come home and do some rearranging with my equipment and the XPA-3.
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited November 2009
    Welcome to the forum and it seems your off to a good start.

    If you have not already read it there is a thread titled something like "a watt is not a watt" in the section. Don't get caught up in the wattage deal
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited November 2009
    Let us know if it makes a difference..........Welcome to the group.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited November 2009
    More power is always a good thing. Lucky you. Welcome to Club Polk!
    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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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,031
    edited November 2009
    More power is not the answer, quality power is.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited November 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    More power is not the answer, quality power is.

    yep, a truer statement hasn't been muttered.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • sTiLlLeArNiNg
    sTiLlLeArNiNg Posts: 805
    edited November 2009
    Welcome to CP! I'm pretty shure you will hear quite a noticeable improvement in SQ once you plug in the amp, plus you'll have some room to "grow" when/if you add larger speaker's :)
    Media Room 7.1
    Sharp lc37d64u | Sanus vmsab-03 | Sonax ZX8680 | Yamaha htr-6290b | Emotiva xpa1 x 2 & xpa5 | RTiA 9 & 7 | CSiA 6 | FXiA 6 | Sanus NF30B-03 | Velodyne dls-3750r | Dual 505-3 m97xe | Monster avs2000/hts5100

    HTPC
    Intel e5300 | Asus p5q DLX | LG ch08 BD | OCZ 4g reaper2 | WD 1TB | Sapphire 4890 VaporX 1g | Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 | OCZ modXtreme 700w | Antec Fusion remote MAX

    A fool and his money are easily parted
    I don't drink Koolaid

    Need some cable's? Just ask :)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,031
    edited November 2009
    ^Thanks for proving once again that you are completely clueless.^
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited November 2009
    Some get it...........................and some NEVER will.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited November 2009
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    Your personal attacks are tiring.

    Sometimes the truth hurts............I'm sure you'll get over it.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,466
    edited November 2009
    Monster and Emotiva the best money can buy.
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  • LessisNevermore
    LessisNevermore Posts: 1,519
    edited November 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    ^Thanks for proving once again that you are completely clueless.^

    What is your personal experience with this amp that leads you to believe it doesn't provide quality power? Or at least better quality than the Onkyo.
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  • sTiLlLeArNiNg
    sTiLlLeArNiNg Posts: 805
    edited November 2009
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    The Emotiva XPA-3 gives you plenty of both.:)

    +1 :)
    F1nut wrote: »
    ^Thanks for proving once again that you are completely clueless.^
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Some get it...........................and some NEVER will.

    :rolleyes: Y'all should heed your own advice/word's.... ;)
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    Your personal attacks are tiring.

    Agreed. :cool:
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Sometimes the truth hurts............I'm sure you'll get over it.

    You should learn to accept the truth instead of being so arrogant and ignorant.
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    For 10K plus posts, I would expect better than the same old tired put downs.
    Your continuing personal attacks do not reflect well on this forum.

    You can agree to disagree but personal attacks aren't cool.

    +1 I agree to this as well. Sadly there is a small group here at CP that make's me ashamed to be a Polk owner and i TRULY beleive that they do Polk Audio/this hobby/pastime a great injustice by carrying on with their poor attitude's in this manner.

    O/T: My xpa5 power's my rig effortlessly and with great detail, clarity and extensive headroom! I could not be happier with my purchase :) For $1100cad shipped/taxxes/border fee's in I received a brand new amp along with a set of IC's, excellent customer service AND a 5yr warranty! :D

    I put anywhere from 4 - 8 hour's daily on my system (longer on weekend's) and usually i have the volume at -25 / -20 for movie's [-50 after 11pm ;)] and music get's played at -15 / -10. Anything louder and my ear's start to hurt lol

    No issues to report thus far except for a few pissed off neighbour's and a security guard lol
    Media Room 7.1
    Sharp lc37d64u | Sanus vmsab-03 | Sonax ZX8680 | Yamaha htr-6290b | Emotiva xpa1 x 2 & xpa5 | RTiA 9 & 7 | CSiA 6 | FXiA 6 | Sanus NF30B-03 | Velodyne dls-3750r | Dual 505-3 m97xe | Monster avs2000/hts5100

    HTPC
    Intel e5300 | Asus p5q DLX | LG ch08 BD | OCZ 4g reaper2 | WD 1TB | Sapphire 4890 VaporX 1g | Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 | OCZ modXtreme 700w | Antec Fusion remote MAX

    A fool and his money are easily parted
    I don't drink Koolaid

    Need some cable's? Just ask :)
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,554
    edited November 2009
    The biggest troubles with Emo is not the gear itself for the most part, rather the fanbois that try and force us to believe that Emo is better than Krell, Levinson, or any other amp for that matter. I get tired of being told that we have all wasted our time and effort in this hobby by someone that has ZERO experience with audio outside of a HT system with an I-pod dock. If the attitudes about Emo and their place in the audio world were toned down a bit, and the name not mentioned in every single thread, I bet perceptions would change. That's just my opinion...
    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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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,291
    edited November 2009
    Montoya wrote: »
    I have a problem with people trying to push the product off as if it is the second coming. I own one and I think it is a great amp but I wouldn't put it in the same league as some of the other mid-fi amps I recently tried and a few I currently own. I put the XPA-5 in my 2-channel setup and thought it was o.k. but not as good as my rotel rb-1080 much less my 500watt mono blocs which would blow it out of the water. My Roksan ka/2 is also a better amp period but some people here would argue that until they turn blue even though the majority of them have never done comparisons. I know from reading post that the larger majority of people who own Emo products are first time buyers so how can they justify that amp A is better than amp B when they have never tried other products?

    Hope you don't mind me quoting you Montoya, but as I said in the other thread, your reply should be in every Emo thread that get's a little "heated."

    To the OP, I think the Emo should be a big step up from the Onkyo. I think my most noticeable difference in sound came when I hooked up my R50's to an Adcom 545. I couldn't believe how much better the R50's sounded. I hope you have that type of experience.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • sTiLlLeArNiNg
    sTiLlLeArNiNg Posts: 805
    edited November 2009
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    The biggest troubles with Emo is not the gear itself for the most part, rather the fanbois that try and force us to believe that Emo is better than Krell, Levinson, or any other amp for that matter.

    Can you show me an example of this? :confused: Please

    For the sake of conversation; you can call yourself a "fanboi" as well due to your "affinity" for your favourite brand's, also you constantly try to force your idea's unto other's. Seem's a bit hypocritical if ya ask me....
    Media Room 7.1
    Sharp lc37d64u | Sanus vmsab-03 | Sonax ZX8680 | Yamaha htr-6290b | Emotiva xpa1 x 2 & xpa5 | RTiA 9 & 7 | CSiA 6 | FXiA 6 | Sanus NF30B-03 | Velodyne dls-3750r | Dual 505-3 m97xe | Monster avs2000/hts5100

    HTPC
    Intel e5300 | Asus p5q DLX | LG ch08 BD | OCZ 4g reaper2 | WD 1TB | Sapphire 4890 VaporX 1g | Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 | OCZ modXtreme 700w | Antec Fusion remote MAX

    A fool and his money are easily parted
    I don't drink Koolaid

    Need some cable's? Just ask :)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,031
    edited November 2009
    LessisNevermore wrote: »
    What is your personal experience with this amp that leads you to believe it doesn't provide quality power? Or at least better quality than the Onkyo.

    Absolutely zero experience with that amp and I have no desire to do so. I also never drove a Chevette. I didn't have to, to know that it wasn't a Corvette, which I have driven. You?
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • sTiLlLeArNiNg
    sTiLlLeArNiNg Posts: 805
    edited November 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    Absolutely zero experience with that amp

    Finally a truthfull reply!

    For the record Corvette's are overpriced chitboxxe's! Anything past mid/late '60's era is pure crap.

    You want a REAL performance car get yourself a Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, BMW, Mercedes....

    See how that work's? ;)
    Media Room 7.1
    Sharp lc37d64u | Sanus vmsab-03 | Sonax ZX8680 | Yamaha htr-6290b | Emotiva xpa1 x 2 & xpa5 | RTiA 9 & 7 | CSiA 6 | FXiA 6 | Sanus NF30B-03 | Velodyne dls-3750r | Dual 505-3 m97xe | Monster avs2000/hts5100

    HTPC
    Intel e5300 | Asus p5q DLX | LG ch08 BD | OCZ 4g reaper2 | WD 1TB | Sapphire 4890 VaporX 1g | Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 | OCZ modXtreme 700w | Antec Fusion remote MAX

    A fool and his money are easily parted
    I don't drink Koolaid

    Need some cable's? Just ask :)
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  • RCFGuitars
    RCFGuitars Posts: 159
    edited November 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    Absolutely zero experience with that amp and I have no desire to do so. I also never drove a Chevette. I didn't have to, to know that it wasn't a Corvette, which I have driven. You?

    Thanks F1, I was just getting ready to chime in with the automotive analogy, but you beat me to it. (I love my Vette:)) I've been in the high end car biz, as well as the music biz for many, many years. One thing is for certain: you get what you pay for. If you haven't experienced real high end cars, guitars, amps, or whatever, you can't say that the cheap stuff even compares. Bang for the buck is one thing, but common sense should tell you that a $600 amp is not going to be in the same league as amps that cost thousands. I don't mean to hurt anyones feelings, but that's a fact of life. To the OP, congrats, your amp is certainly a step up from the AVR.
    Primary System
    Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3TL (RDO198,Sonicap/Dayton/Mills,CardasCCGR,Mye Spikes,DynamatX,Driver Rings,Ben's IC,Bi-Wired)
    Polk Audio CSiA4 x2 (C)
    Polk Audio FXiA6 (S)
    Polk Audio RTiA3 (RS)
    Polk Audio FXiA4 (FX)
    Epik Sentinel x2
    Yamaha RX-V3900
    Rotel RB-1090
    Rotel RMB-1095
    NAD C565 BEE
    Technics/KAB SL-1210M5G w/ Denon DL-160
    Parasound Halo P7
    OPPO BDP-83
    Panasonic TC-P65V10 65" Plasma
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  • RCFGuitars
    RCFGuitars Posts: 159
    edited November 2009
    sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »
    Finally a truthfull reply!

    For the record Corvette's are overpriced chitboxxe's! Anything past mid/late '60's era is pure crap.

    You want a REAL performance car get yourself a Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, BMW, Mercedes....

    See how that work's? ;)

    Lotus, are you kidding?? Talk about a POS! How many of those cars have you driven? I've driven every single one, and owned several, and while my 500+ hp Vette does not have the luxury, it will show it's tail lights to many models from all those marques.
    Primary System
    Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3TL (RDO198,Sonicap/Dayton/Mills,CardasCCGR,Mye Spikes,DynamatX,Driver Rings,Ben's IC,Bi-Wired)
    Polk Audio CSiA4 x2 (C)
    Polk Audio FXiA6 (S)
    Polk Audio RTiA3 (RS)
    Polk Audio FXiA4 (FX)
    Epik Sentinel x2
    Yamaha RX-V3900
    Rotel RB-1090
    Rotel RMB-1095
    NAD C565 BEE
    Technics/KAB SL-1210M5G w/ Denon DL-160
    Parasound Halo P7
    OPPO BDP-83
    Panasonic TC-P65V10 65" Plasma
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  • LessisNevermore
    LessisNevermore Posts: 1,519
    edited November 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    Absolutely zero experience with that amp and I have no desire to do so. I also never drove a Chevette. I didn't have to, to know that it wasn't a Corvette, which I have driven. You?

    Not the 3, I have the 5. Same amp, 2 more channels. I enjoy mine, and I've never made any claims or comparisons.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited November 2009
    The XPA-3 is on sale for $519.00!
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • superjunior
    superjunior Posts: 1,632
    edited November 2009
    I enjoy my xpa-3, I think it was a huge step up from just the avr. One thing about the emo, and I've heard the same complaint from other xpa owners, is it is real finicy as to which ics are used. Some ics will throw the amp into protect mode at higher volumes. Also changing sources does the same thing. I've switched to mits and the volume issue seems to be fixed, but still goes into protest mode sometimes when changing sources.
    panasonic th-50pz85u
    pioneer elite vsx-92txh
    pioneer elite bdp-05fd
    emotiva xpa-3
    monster power hdp 2550
    sa 8300 hd dvr
    sda 2b's
    fronts - rti a9's
    center - csi a6
    surrounds - fxi a6's
    sub - polk dsw pro 600
    harmony one
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,466
    edited November 2009
    superjunior wrote: »
    I enjoy my xpa-3, I think it was a huge step up from just the avr. One thing about the emo, and I've heard the same complaint from other xpa owners, is it is real finicy as to which ics are used. Some ics will throw the amp into protect mode at higher volumes. Also changing sources does the same thing. I've switched to mits and the volume issue seems to be fixed, but still goes into protest mode sometimes when changing sources.

    HMMM, I never had that problem and I have swapped out many IC's.
    I have never seen a amp protest but with some of the threads here I would not be surprised.:eek:
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