Emotiva XPA-3 Arrived!

Nice pics parasomia, it's definetly exciting unpacking and hooking up this beast isn't it!

Unfortunaly, i need to spend more money pretty soon though, because i want a new tv stand now.:eek:
I was perfectly content with the one i have, but once the XPA-3 arrived, i realized i need a bigger one with more room! Or maybe just a seperate component rack, not quite sure what i'm going to do yet.

Well since this is my thread, i think i should finally post some pictures in it as well, so here you go.

So I hooked up my XPA-3 this morning, but by the time i was done it was time for me to head to work, so i didn't really get to test it out much until i got home tonight. I ended up having to actually plug the XPA-3 into my HTS 1600, my outlet is on the right side of my system, but had i put the amp over there, my left speakers cables would not have reached, and i couldn't compromise the placement of that speaker to move it any closer to the tv in order for it to reach. The left speaker on the other hand, had some shimmy room, since it's farther away from me when i'm sitting on my couch. I'm still going to use the 6' power cord Emotiva is sending me though, because even where the amp is now, it's a bit of a stretch reaching the HTS-1600. I'm definetly going to have to just go and buy a nice long power cord eventually though so i can hook it up to the wall outlet. I'm also thinking about getting a 12v trigger to go from the amp to the receiver, so i don't have to manually put the amp on standby (not sure if it's alright to actually leave on and lit up).

Well i'm definetly enjoying this new toy so far!
I immediatly noticed a difference once i was done hooking it up, and after rerunning my Pioneer Elite 92's MCACC. It seems now at lower volumes, things are more detailed and pronounced, and the soundstage seems to be wider. The midrange definetly seems to have woken up, and the bass improved as well. The A7's seem more alive than they were without the amp, thats for sure!!! And at higher volumes, well, wow...amazing!
Of course i haven't had much time with it at all yet, so these are all just my initial impressions, but damn good ones.

I'm curious though, how loud do you guys think i can safely crank the volume up, now that i have an amp providing more power to my front speakers?

Before i got the amp, i always used to watch movies anywhere between -20 and -30 just using my receiver. But i always got nervous at -20, and even more nervous going going past that, which i really only did a couple times, and only for a minute (didn't want to damage anything). It would definetly be nice if i can safely crank this louder now.

Oh, and on a side note, i'm definetly loving these MIT AVt-2 speaker cables and IC's as well. I mean not that i really have anything to compare the speaker cables to besides 16ga walmart cable, and as far as the IC's, these are the first ones i've ever use, but still...:D

So yep, i'm loving it all so far!!!!!:D

bigred7078 wrote: »

Push'em hard man. You will know when they have had enough. The tweeters will distort they will bottom out and basically sound like they are dying. Its not like you wont know. Just dont all of a sudden crank the volume REALLY fast cause thats never good

Good to know, thanks bigred!...:D

comfortablycurt wrote: »

This is why I'm not planning on getting married for at least another 15 years or so...lol:p

Haha, sounds like a good plan! lol
I've been with my woman for almost 7yrs now, so had to do something to make keep her quiet, maybe i can get another couple years by just being engaged haha lol. Fat chance of that though, she's already planning the wedding, probably was before i even asked lol.

comfortablycurt wrote: »

Well congrats man. If you've been together for that long, it's probably about time anyway.

I know I definitely wouldn't be willing to with the girl I'm with now...I've been with her for like a year and a half, but I'm kinda getting tired of her to be honest...lol...she's to damn needy. It seems like they all are though. Oh well...She keeps hinting at wanting to move in with me...I just kinda try to avoid the subject.

Oh well...I won't get into a big rant about my personal life on your Emotiva thread...lol

Haha... Hopefully she doesn't somehow read this. Well actually, maybe that would be a good thing for you? lol..:p

cfrizz wrote: »

Congrats Metal, I know you will enjoy it!

Thanks cfrizz, i'm definitely enjoying it so far!

Ron Temple wrote: »

I'm sure you can get into the low 100dbs with plenty of headroom. I get there at 3M with the meters bouncing from 50-100w. Taking it to 105-110dbs might start to tap the amps, if you're running them large and just listening to music. At those levels you probably won't enjoy the music all that much unless you're Ben.

Thanks for the info Ron, i guess i'll need to do some research on this, since in all honesty i'm not quite sure what the low 100dbs, 105-110dbs, etc, translates to when looking at the volume on my receiver. It's a little embarrassing admitting that though, since this is most likely common knowledge for you guys. This is basically my first full blown system, i still have a whole lot to learn i guess.

I am running my A7's on large, since i don't have a sub...yet anyways!

parasomia wrote: »

metal!

Nice setup man! Everything just looks well placed and rockin'. I can't wait till i figure my final setup. I am actually considering an option of having the Emotiva on the floor under my desk here... yes before we cringe- It wouldn't be directly on the floor but on say a piece of board or something. It kinda works well I think especially since its well ventilated under here because of how I have it setup with the Window. Actually I dig this setup and the only thing I would change is having the TV sit lower.

BUT enough about designs! I'll start my own thread for ideas and such because I feel bad for doing it here.

I would like to say however that I'm so pleased with how the Emotiva amp is performing. It only gets slightly warm and you gotta love that. I also want to say how much I underestimated the Oomph the Lsi9's put out for music. Feels really... FULL. I'll completely be adding a sub later on, but for now its nice.

Metal - Congrats on the soon to be marriage! As long as she makes you happy despite any whining about man stuff, that is all that matters dude.
My friend is getting married in June. I'm excited for him as he seems pretty happy and he asked me to be the best man! So now I'm like.. freaking out mwahaha. Crowds aren't my thing and I get anxiety attacks! :eek:

Thanks man!
All joking aside, yeah she's a great woman and i feel like a lucky man! All though crowds aren't my thing either, especially being the center of attention, so i'll be happy when the whole wedding part is over with. Or at least when i've had enough drinks at the reception so i don't care about the big crowd lol.:p

Oh and by the way, don't worry about what you post in this thread, it doesn't bother me at all.

comfortablycurt wrote: »

lol...Nah, I don't think she'll be joining up at Club Polk anytime soon.:p She doesn't quite take the same interest in audio equipment as I do.;) She agrees that my setup sounds good...but that's about as far as it goes. A few weeks ago, I had to explain the difference between a woofer, a midrange and a tweeter to her...lol Then I threw out the term "subwoofer"...lol

I hear ya man, same with my woman. She likes the sound, but doesn't care to learn much more then that. She can work my system though, which is a plus. Except for last night, she called me at work asking me why there is no sound, i had to tell her to turn the amp on!