Friend convinced to buy Emotiva amps

[W9TR]

FormulaFire - Welcome to AA!!

You will notice a huge difference going from the power amps in your 3803 to outboard amps by Emotiva. There is no question. I added a Sherborn 1500 to my Denon 3300 many years ago and the change was dramatic. More slam, better vocals, more clarity , more musical. The amps in my Denon sounded thin by comparison. You will see the same thing.

You could use an XPA 2 and an XPA 3 and be in for $1500. Or an XPA-5 for $900. Randy said it best in his post, above. Emotiva is great gear for HT use, but there is plenty better out there. His beautiful VK-600SE is a great example, and retails now for approx $13,000.

If you are interested in total lifecycle cost, instead of lowest first cost, there are other, better options. If you are so inclined, you can buy used high end gear. If you buy smart, your investment will even appreciate over time. Especially McIntosh.

I have taken this approach, and have been able to sell my gear for what I paid for it, making total cost of ownership ZERO, or the cost of capital, which is pretty low. Sometimes I even make a nickel, but that's not important.

Internet direct gear, on the other hand, will depreciate and be of interest only to the relatively small on-line community of followers of that specific brand.

Again, welcome to AA!

Regards,

Tom

[FormulaFire94]

Thanks to everyone for the welcomes. Tom, thanks for the valuable insight. As you say, I am mainly into the Home Theaters aspects of the amps. I most likely with go with a stereo amp for my mains, then the 5.1 for the surrounds. That way I'll have a little versatility. Money is certainly an issue for this 28 year old with a house payment

[HamDog]

Originally Posted by Douglax

He could get a nice Theta Dreadnaught I for about 2k 400 watts into 4 ohm

No...he cannot buy that one because I just bought it (the one on Audiogon). I'm picking it up this afternoon since the seller is local! This is gonna replace my MC-126 since I need more power.

One recommendation to the person looking for the amp: ATI amps (new and B stock) are on sale at ClassicAudioParts.com. ClassicAudioParts is actually ATI, but they sell on Audiogon and other places under that name. Full warranty. They also have a Theta amp (100wx5) which is new with huge savings (ATI bought Theta a few years ago).

Can't comment on Emotiva since I've never listened to it.

[chessman]

Originally Posted by FormulaFire94

So I was planning on running a stereo amp to the 2 fronts, then 5.1 for the center and surrounds

FormulaFire94, welcome aboard!

I use a stereo amp (BAT VK-600SE) for my right and left mains and an Emotiva MPS-1 amp (Class H, 200 watts per channel) for the remaining 5 channels. It works very well. I had gone from a Denon 3805 to the Emotiva separates with a big improvement in sound quality, but the BAT gear is a whole different world (I also use a BAT preamp). As I said above, Emotiva does it for me on HT, but is lacking on music.

[FormulaFire94]

Well I found a nice deal on a 7 channel Theta Dreadnaught. I may just have to splurge a little and go for that.

[chessman]

Originally Posted by FormulaFire94

Well I found a nice deal on a 7 channel Theta Dreadnaught. I may just have to splurge a little and go for that.

If you do, please be sure to report your impressions.

[HamDog]

Originally Posted by FormulaFire94

Well I found a nice deal on a 7 channel Theta Dreadnaught. I may just have to splurge a little and go for that.

I just got back from picking up my Theta Dreadnaught (5 channel). This thing is a MONSTER. Currently, it's in my car's trunk as I can't carry that thing myself. Waiting for a friend to come over and help.

It is a beautiful amp...even in my trunk. Wonder if i can hook it up to my car stereo in the meantime

[DonBattles]

Originally Posted by W9TR

You could use an XPA 2 and an XPA 3 and be in for $1500. Or an XPA-5 for $900. Randy said it best in his post, above. Emotiva is great gear for HT use.

Internet direct gear, on the other hand, will depreciate and be of interest only to the relatively small on-line community of followers of that specific brand.

How about some used Emotiva gear then, that way price of admission is even lower and the OP's friend would likely break even if he decides he doesn't like them. Sometimes, once you have made up your mind you simply have to find out for yourself. I will add that they are actually great for HT and fair for music. I'm running a RPA-1 for front left and right and an XPA-3 for rear and center. Would I buy them again? Probably, only now I would just get an XPA-5 now that I have a dedicated 2 channel set up.
But what is likely to really mess me up is when I decide for hook up the Modwright KWA-100 in place of the RPA-1. Question then becomes what do I do with the remaining three channels........................

[KingRT]

I own Emotive and McIntosh amps. My opinion is Emotive looks and feels cheap. But It plays fantastic. The XPA-1 is a winner, like the Oppo player years ago for sacd's, and the original Sierra-1 speakers.
I was ahead of the frugal curve. No disappointments!

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by KingRT

I own Emotive and McIntosh amps. My in opinion is Emotive looks and feels cheap. But It plays fantastic. The XPA-1 is a winner, like the Oppo player years ago for sacd's, and the original Sierra-1 speakers.
I was ahead of the frugal curve. No disappointments!

Agreed. Worth every penny and more.