emotiva vs adcom

rcrook317
rcrook317 Posts: 280
edited July 2014 in Electronics
Looking for serious power to get best performance out of my rti12s.I have the csi3 center and have yet to find rear towers at a great price(checking polk direct for good deal).Most higher end amps(krell,rotel) are out of my price range for the wattage they are offering so im looking mainly at emotiva or adcom.
Adcom(200wx2) are all over ebay at a reasonable price,and emotiva is a little bit more but is of course new w/ warranty,and around 200wx3 or 250wx2.


sorry for long post but anyone tried either one extensively or both?
fronts=rti12s(cherry)
center=csi3(cherry)
sub=psw125(cherry)
emotiva xpa-2
harmon kardon 354
sony cdp
ipod 8gb
audioquest diamondback 1m
"Maesto" straightwire cables
pangea ac-9
playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
Kenwood Phono
bren1 Clamp
Herbies Slipmat

"It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you"
Post edited by rcrook317 on
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Comments

  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2009
    Welcome to Club Polk. Either one of those amps will power your RTI 12's just fine. Emotiva is a good bang for the buck brand new as is Outlaw Audio.

    So buy whichever one suits your needs & wallet the best.
    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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  • rcrook317
    rcrook317 Posts: 280
    edited December 2009
    ps......how bout them colts......!
    Thanks for input tho,most outlaws ive seen were lower watts ratings ,looking to go at least half of the rtis12 500 watt rating
    fronts=rti12s(cherry)
    center=csi3(cherry)
    sub=psw125(cherry)
    emotiva xpa-2
    harmon kardon 354
    sony cdp
    ipod 8gb
    audioquest diamondback 1m
    "Maesto" straightwire cables
    pangea ac-9
    playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
    monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
    TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
    Kenwood Phono
    bren1 Clamp
    Herbies Slipmat

    "It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you"
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  • rcrook317
    rcrook317 Posts: 280
    edited December 2009
    just checked their website,that m200 mono looks nice but suspiciously tiny!especially for 200 watts! guess u could stack two of those in the rack.....but for 700 for a pair plus shipping doesnt seem like such a deal
    fronts=rti12s(cherry)
    center=csi3(cherry)
    sub=psw125(cherry)
    emotiva xpa-2
    harmon kardon 354
    sony cdp
    ipod 8gb
    audioquest diamondback 1m
    "Maesto" straightwire cables
    pangea ac-9
    playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
    monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
    TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
    Kenwood Phono
    bren1 Clamp
    Herbies Slipmat

    "It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited December 2009
    rcrook317 wrote: »
    Looking for serious power to get best performance out of my rti12s.I have the csi3 center and have yet to find rear towers at a great price(checking polk direct for good deal).Most higher end amps(krell,rotel) are out of my price range for the wattage they are offering so im looking mainly at emotiva or adcom.
    Adcom(200wx2) are all over ebay at a reasonable price,and emotiva is a little bit more but is of course new w/ warranty,and around 200wx3 or 250wx2.


    sorry for long post but anyone tried either one extensively or both?

    Just out of curiosity, what is your price range?
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
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  • rcrook317
    rcrook317 Posts: 280
    edited December 2009
    anywher from 5-800....8 being a stretch if its a good deal

    adcoms ive seen are older but 3-400$ range w/ the emos @6-700$ new.

    any other suggestions in that range?
    fronts=rti12s(cherry)
    center=csi3(cherry)
    sub=psw125(cherry)
    emotiva xpa-2
    harmon kardon 354
    sony cdp
    ipod 8gb
    audioquest diamondback 1m
    "Maesto" straightwire cables
    pangea ac-9
    playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
    monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
    TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
    Kenwood Phono
    bren1 Clamp
    Herbies Slipmat

    "It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2009
    Have you also checked www.audiogon.com. You can find some good deals there as well.
    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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  • rcrook317
    rcrook317 Posts: 280
    edited December 2009
    yea ive been checking on their,waiting on some money to roll in rite after holidays so im just trying to do research to make a confident purchase.....reviews for the xpa-1/2 all sound amazing while im sure the adcom is no slouch,im just on ther fence....since my denon died i replaced it w/ the hk354 and now looking for amp to push my towers as i mostly 2 channel listening and let the hk do the rears....btw the hks are weak compared to the denon i had...thats why i definitely need an amp
    fronts=rti12s(cherry)
    center=csi3(cherry)
    sub=psw125(cherry)
    emotiva xpa-2
    harmon kardon 354
    sony cdp
    ipod 8gb
    audioquest diamondback 1m
    "Maesto" straightwire cables
    pangea ac-9
    playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
    monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
    TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
    Kenwood Phono
    bren1 Clamp
    Herbies Slipmat

    "It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2009
    Adcom 545 or 555.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited December 2009
    rcrook317 wrote: »
    ps......how bout them colts......!
    Thanks for input tho,most outlaws ive seen were lower watts ratings ,looking to go at least half of the rtis12 500 watt rating


    How BOUT them Colts?!?!? :D

    Emotiva vs. Adcom... i choose Adcom.

    Have a great day!!
    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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  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited December 2009
    rcrook317 wrote: »
    anywher from 5-800....8 being a stretch if its a good deal

    adcoms ive seen are older but 3-400$ range w/ the emos @6-700$ new.

    any other suggestions in that range?

    For what you're wanting to spend and with your current speakers and what sounds like an HT-oriented system, either of those are probably very good choices.

    If you were thinking more along the 2-channel lines and could stretch your budget just a little further and/or if you're thinking you'll want to continue to improve your system over time, then if it were me I'd probably look for a good McCormack, Conrad Johnson, or Classe. Audiogon has several in the 800-900 range.

    If you could stretch it a lot further (as in "wait until you have more money") I'd suggest a good Pass Labs or Belles amp.

    Good luck, and have fun building your system.
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,243
    edited December 2009
    Adcom 5802 and don't look back
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  • DMara
    DMara Posts: 1,434
    edited December 2009
    I am using the Emo XPA-5 to power my {two lsi15's + two lsiFX's + lsi C} and very happy with the perfomance. No idea about adcom though.
    Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
    Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
    Living room:
    LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
    Bedroom:
    Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
    Other rooms:
    Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
    audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited December 2009
    Can't comment on the Emotiva as I've never heard one (nor have the desire) but I can tell you to try to get your hands on a set of Adcom 565 mono blocks with the Musical Concepts upgrades. I believe they can be had rather inexpensively these days on audiogon. 300 wpc with plenty of headroom.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited December 2009
    Looking for serious power to get best performance out of my rti12s.

    As long as you continue to think that serious power is what's required to get the best performance, you will continue to suffer with sub-par performance.
    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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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,775
    edited December 2009
    With that budget you could get a new Adcom:

    http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_25000000GFA-5500P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&keyword=adcom

    Or stretch it a little further:

    http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_25000000GFA-5500P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&keyword=adcom
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  • wesouth
    wesouth Posts: 41
    edited December 2009
    I have the Emotiva XPA-5 and love it... no problems and nice sound. I was extremely pleased with the purchase. It came boxed better than any electronic I have ever bought and perfect condition. It is built like a sherman tank.... which is good and bad, it is huge but maybe a nice power amp should be? I have no Idea about Adcom or how it compares. I would love to hear a head to head comparison review.
    I would buy Emotiva again without hesitation if that helps your decision.
    My Setup:
    Front- Polk Monitor 70
    Center- Polk CS2
    Rear - Polk Monitor 70
    Subs - 2 Polk PSW505
    Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR707
    Amp - Emotiva XPA-5
    Zone 2 Speakers - Polk M40
    CD Player - Emotiva ERC-1
    Interconnects - Emo X-Series
    & Emo Ultra speaker cables
    additional components:
    Television - Samsung LN52B750
    Gaming Console - Microsoft XBox 360
    Media Center - Gaming Computer with Blue Ray Drive
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  • wesouth
    wesouth Posts: 41
    edited December 2009
    power amp.... sold at kmart... no thanks
    My Setup:
    Front- Polk Monitor 70
    Center- Polk CS2
    Rear - Polk Monitor 70
    Subs - 2 Polk PSW505
    Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR707
    Amp - Emotiva XPA-5
    Zone 2 Speakers - Polk M40
    CD Player - Emotiva ERC-1
    Interconnects - Emo X-Series
    & Emo Ultra speaker cables
    additional components:
    Television - Samsung LN52B750
    Gaming Console - Microsoft XBox 360
    Media Center - Gaming Computer with Blue Ray Drive
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited December 2009
    wesouth wrote: »
    power amp.... sold at kmart... no thanks

    Explain?

    It doesn't mean it's not really an Adcom...
    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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  • wesouth
    wesouth Posts: 41
    edited December 2009
    Kraco is sold at Kmart... is that a good amp? Just sounded sort of cathead. It was just a joak, no harm intended. I don't know good power from bad power but I just know how things sound to me. I am happy with my Emotiva amp other than the huge size but I kind of like that because it makes it seem like it is better made when it's heavy. I wish I could hear several amps with my system and then I could provide a comparison. I never wanted to spend anymore than 700 on a amp so I guess I will forever be satisfied with my purchase
    My Setup:
    Front- Polk Monitor 70
    Center- Polk CS2
    Rear - Polk Monitor 70
    Subs - 2 Polk PSW505
    Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR707
    Amp - Emotiva XPA-5
    Zone 2 Speakers - Polk M40
    CD Player - Emotiva ERC-1
    Interconnects - Emo X-Series
    & Emo Ultra speaker cables
    additional components:
    Television - Samsung LN52B750
    Gaming Console - Microsoft XBox 360
    Media Center - Gaming Computer with Blue Ray Drive
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  • Cogito
    Cogito Posts: 122
    edited December 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    As long as you continue to think that serious power is what's required to get the best performance, you will continue to suffer with sub-par performance.

    There is nothing wrong with either ADCOM or Emotiva. Both offer "serious power" and fine performance. There's no suffering to be had here...
    Hearing is believing.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited December 2009
    Cogito wrote: »
    There is nothing wrong with either ADCOM or Emotiva. Both offer "serious power" and fine performance. There's no suffering to be had here...

    As usual, you missed the point.
    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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  • Cogito
    Cogito Posts: 122
    edited December 2009
    F1nut wrote: »
    As usual, you missed the point.

    Okay, F1nut. Explain to me. I'm all eyes.
    Hearing is believing.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited December 2009
    If you re-read my original post I'm sure it will sink in eventually. Hint: Take note that I did not refer to either amp you mentioned.
    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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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,775
    edited December 2009
    wesouth wrote: »
    power amp.... sold at kmart... no thanks

    Try Sears then:


    http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05794555000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&keyword=adcom
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  • sTiLlLeArNiNg
    sTiLlLeArNiNg Posts: 805
    edited December 2009
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    With that budget you could get a new Adcom:

    http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_25000000GFA-5500P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&keyword=adcom

    Or stretch it a little further:

    http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_25000000GFA-5500P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&keyword=adcom
    WilliamM2 wrote: »
    Try Sears then:


    http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05794555000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&keyword=adcom

    ROTFLMFAO I pissed myself! hahaha

    I'm not knockin' Adcom i just find it funny that they are available from Sears & Kmart! I didn't think they catered to "audiophile's"! Do ya think you could pick me up some lamp cord to make speaker wire's while you're there? :p

    Guess that's just what it take's these day's :confused:

    The used market can keep their 20+ year old amp's with cap's as swollen as my knees after a game of hockey....

    PS: I tried Emotiva, i liked Emotiva, i bought more Emotiva. Hand's down best bang for buck IMHO :)
    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: 25,420
    edited December 2009
    ...Grabs popcorn and waits for the pissing match to unfold.;)
    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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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited December 2009
    Yet another example...

    No one talks any **** about Emotiva...

    And then the Emotiva fan boys get all worked up because people are recommending something other than Emotiva...


    FWIW, I'd take an Adcom 545 or 555. If you can swing it, an Adcom 5802 would be even better.

    Don't be scared of the "Only" 100 watt per channel rating on the Adcom 545. There is WAY to much of an emphasis put on how many watts an amp has. The 545 is 100 wpc, and it will drive my SDA 2A's to levels far higher than I ever really care to listen to...and it'll do it without breaking a sweat. High wattage amps have their advantages, but do yourself a favor, and don't buy an amp based on it's wattage amount. Big watts doesn't equal good sound.

    Nor does big watts necessarily mean louder sound. There are 30-50 watt amps out there that would eat a 300 watt Emotiva or Adcom for lunch and come back for seconds.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited December 2009
    Curt gets it!

    For those that are poo-pooing the fact that Sears and K-Mart are selling separates, you are looking at it all wrong. The fact that common folks can walk into their local store, see, touch and hear the product makes it easy for them to move up the ladder and does wonders for this hobby. These are folks that will never in a million years purchase an emo or any other audio gear off the internet.

    It's also a very smart business move by Adcom as there are fewer and fewer of the mom and pop audio stores around these days for them to sell their products at. Polk would do well to look into doing the same.
    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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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2009
    Polk is actually well placed within the retail market. The penetration could be better but far more stalwarts of general consumer audio have dropped of the face of the planet....Polk, still kicking. I'd give Polk a B+.

    You can buy Thiel/ Martin Logan/ Musical Fidelity by mail order now....even Velodyne used to be exclusive back in the day but Polk has always been at the level these manufacturers just entered. It's a smart move to diversify your market but going from high end audio retailer to Kmart? Talk about pulling out all the stops....yikes.
    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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  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited December 2009
    Well said Curt, Jesse, and Mark. Who cares if Sears and Kmart sells something you can get somewhere else for hundreds more? Emotiva is as big a "four letter word" as Monster around here, I have never tried or owned an amp, but would not rule any brand out when it comes time to get one, or who sells it. Take the advice of the veterans on this one OP and keep your options open, nothing wrong with Emotiva, if that is what you want, same as Adcom or any other brand for that matter. Also, as Jesse said, don't think you need a 1,000W amp to get the best results, because that just isn't the case. It is, after all, your money and you are the one who has to be happy with your purchase. And that is all I have to say about that.....


    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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