McFool's Systems

[Yamaki]

Downstairs HT and general listening:



The system consists of:

Integra DHC 40.1 Pre-amp/Processor
Emotiva UPA-1 amplifier (Center channel) (350W x 1 channel @ 4 ohms)
Emotiva UPA-200 amplifier (Surround channels) (200W x 2 channels @ 4 ohms)
Emotiva XPA-1 amplifiers (2 each - Fronts) (1,000W x 1 channel @ 4 ohms)
Emotiva XDA-1 digital audio converter
Simaudio Mind 180 digital streaming device, iPad based software control
Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand towers
Vienna Acoustics Maestro Grand center (2 each)
Vienna Acoustics Waltz Grand rear surround
Emotiva XRef-12 subwoofer
Samsung HL61A750 1080i 61” monitor
Pioneer BDP-51FD BluRay player
Motorola QIP6200-2 HD/FIOS set top box
Panamax 5300 EX power center
Panamax M-5400 power center

The 2-channel system upstairs:



This system consists of

McIntosh C28 pre-amp
McIntosh MR77 tuner
Emotiva XDA-1 DAC
Emotiva UPA-1 monoblocks
ADS L880 speakers
Sonos streamer

It's a work in progress. I hope to have it all up and running by the end of this weekend...finally!

[Ritmo]

Very nice Yamaki! Thanks for sharing.

[Volks]

Looking good Yamaki!

[jdandy]

Yamaki.......You have a very attractive looking system. The two Salamander Synergy racks side by side looks great. Lots to be proud of.

[tweet]

Yamaki,

You have two great looking setups! Happy listening!

[Yamaki]

Thank you, everyone. Since I embraced the one amp per speaker concept my life got much easier.

[Pider]

How would you rate the Emotiva. I've heard everything from terrible to great for the price. They seem to have a loyal fan-base.

[joeinid]

Yamaki,

Very nice. Thanks for sharing. I love the way everything is set up.

[Yamaki]

Originally Posted by Pider

How would you rate the Emotiva. I've heard everything from terrible to great for the price. They seem to have a loyal fan-base.

My experience with the company, their customer service and technical support has been excellent. I have not had one problem whatsoever with any of the Emotiva components I own.

Emotiva double boxes their components for shipping so they are well protected.

The amplifiers have a very clean, almost austere, appearance with minimal adornment which seems to support their single minded mission - making power. Emotiva has eschewed the latest and greatest gimmicks, implementing focused engineering and using high quality materials.

Coming from multi-channel Rotel products, I was a bit leery of the price, having lived by the old adage that you get what you pay for. What I've learned is that you can get a lot more for a lot less.

While the Rotel amps may have been a bit underpowered with respects to what my front mains would require at peak, they were by no means inadequate.

The upgrade to new amps meant a significant re-arrangement of my audio setup. Luckily I had two lower shelves right at floor level for the two 1,000W monoblocks because they are a seriously hefty piece! Even levering the other amps into the next level required care and proper lifting techniques.

And the sound! I am no audio reviewer and some of what I am about to describe has most certainly been written with better style, however, I will give it a go with simple words..

Powerful. Detailed. Engrossing. Open. Warm. Articulate. Satisfying. Front Row Seat. Solid. Competent.

And yes, even though it seems to be almost a cliche`, I am hearing my music all over again. I truly feel as though I have finally allowed my speakers to reach their full potential. I am a very pleased and happy Emotiva owner and would not hesitate to recommend their products.

Jokingly, a few of us Emotiva XPA-1 monoblock owners were trying to determine just what scale was used to determine how many blue LED's on the front were lit at what given SPL or volume level. No accurate determination was made but I did come up with this:

1. No LED - Background music
2. 1 LED - Musically engaged
3. 2 LEDs - Sonically enveloped
4. 3 LEDs - Picture rattling excess
5. 4 LEDs - Wall flexing intensity
6. 5 LEDs - Wife screaming futility
7. 6 LEDs - Neighborly threats abound
8. 7 LEDs - Dogs howling in angry stereo
9. 8 LEDs - Windows shattering
10. 9 LEDs - Ears bleeding
11. 10 LEDs - Sonic death punch

[Pyro]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Very nice Yamaki! Thanks for sharing.

+1