Got a new amp! (Emotiva LPA-1)

[John Holmes]

"Friday the 13th", turned out the be a very good day for me! It was the day that my 63lb, 19 inches deep, LPA-1 amp arrived. The UPS guy was not a happy camper (I live in a second floor apt). He called me on the phone while sitting outside of my home to make sure I was there. :lol:

Anyway, the amp was packed extremely well. This was a big concern I had when ordering. Knowing the weight involved, I knew it would get abused during shipping. And the outer box showed just that. However, the extra effort given to packing did it's job (double boxed with heavy duty fitted foam). Not a dent or scratch on the unit.

The Emotive LPA-1 (for those that do not know) is a 125w @ 8 ohm x 6ch amp. It's sixth channel can be configured (split) for 7 channel operation. Doing so knocks the sixth and seventh channels down to 50w @ 8 ohm output. The unit is rated at 225w @4 ohm. And 90w @ 4 ohm for the sixth ch split.

My my setup is 7 speaker thus, I used the sixth channel configured for seven channel operation. The L/C/R in this system are M&K 750thx speakers (4 ohm). The sides are Fosgate Audionics SD-180's Dipoles (8 ohm) The rears are Presidian PBS-5053 monopoles (8 ohm). I'm using a B&K Reference 50 (Series 1) pre/pro. A Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player. An SVS 20-39 cs does the low end. A Kenwood KM-106 125w @ 8 ohm powers the SVS. The room is 15.6 x 12.8. The ceiling is 8ft. The room is the living room and opens up to the dining room and kitchen areas . As well as two hallways.

I'll be the first to admit, I had my doubts about a sub $500.00 (new) 7ch amp. Especially the lower wattage output for channels 6 and 7. Well, after calibration (all speakers to small with an 80hz x-over to sub) I put in one of my favorite jazz cd's (using the Toshiba's 2ch analog outs and the B&K in 2ch stereo mode which is 2.1) for a quick listen. Four hours later, my jaw was still on the floor!

I was not expecting to be moved by this amp. It isn't my first amp. I have a Fosgate Audionics 560. Which I like. But, I Fosgate was always a little on the edgy side with my speakers. The Emotiva gives my speakers the life they been looking for. Vocals are very realistic. They just sound right. And the "High Hat" was natural. No sizzle to it's sound. Everything had the proper decay.I don't know if it's better/higher current, more wattage, etc. All I know is what I hear. And what I hear says that, I have no more doubts about this amp!!! It has brought better clarity, dynamics and depth to my music. Now I can actually hear a really deep soundstage. And the instruments finally have their own space within the stage. I don't want to paint the Fosgate 560 as a bad amp (it isn't), it's just very forward in it's presentation which seems to cost it some separation detail for the instruments.

I also tried a few film items too! DVE (Digital Video Essentials) demo intro made me believe a fighter jet was in my room! Again, very good separation and dynamics. The HD-DVD Doom is sound candy for any system. The Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack via 5.1 multi-ch outs was very nice. All the side and rear speakers (the B&K can force 7ch playback on any source) was very active.

In closing, I was really considering getting one of the new receivers with all the bells and whistles. I am so glad that I did not. I almost forgot what getting seperates was all about...the sound quality! Funny thing is, I have never been a believer in the "amp makes a difference" camp. I always felt that, as long as the speakers are getting sufficent power, they should sound the same. How wrong I was!!! And the best part, I didn't need to spend B&K, Adcom, Outlaw, Acurus, Krell, etc. money to hear the difference or get good sound. I am not taking anything from the fine amps listed above or others. I'm just saying, for those of us that want to play in the big leagues but pockets can't afford to, this amp is a welcomed alternative! It has power and is beautiful to look at as well!!! The B&K & LPA-1 combo will be here for quite sometime!

Disclaimer: I am not a pro reviewer. I have little to know technical knowledge of electronics. I do not work for Emotiva. This amp was/is my own private purchase. The views are a result of sound in my room, with my equipment. YMMV.

[wkhanna]

I have been secretly pondering the purchase of their 2-ch amp for some time.
Interesting info and perspective on your new 'baby'!
Congratulations! and Enjoy!

[Pez]

Emotiva products seem to get very high praise. I was very curious about this amp because of its price. Thanks for the review!

[Chris D]

New toys! :banana: I think that's about what my Halo A21 amp weighs. Not fun to put into a rack. Are you putting yours on a shelf, or rackmounting?

[John Holmes]

Thank you, Gentlemen!

wkhanna and Pez,

I am simply in awe. I was very skeptical that I would hear enough of a difference to justify a new amp. Then you look at what the company claims you will get for the money and you begin to believe even less. But two things really pushed me to try it.

1) My speakers are 4 ohm and rated to 200w. I have heard that they would open up when fed more power. Also, I spoke with Bob Popham (Fosgate Audionics) about two yrs ago, when I was thinking about adding the Ref 50. He told me that the 560 amp wasn't a good match for 4 ohm loads. It would do it but, would not be his first choice. I didn't have the guts to tell him, I'd used it that way since 1999 (when I got the M&K's). ops:

2) The price/cosmetics! I just had to hear the amp for myself at this price point. Worst case, I wasn't impressed, send it back , and be out the return shipping cost.

As you know, I will not be out of the return cost! :B I am really at the stage where I can sit back and begin to enjoy my investments. Unless something breaks, my concentration can focus on getting software again. When we eventually get a house, I'll look at getting acoustic treatment. But that will be a dedicated room.

In my setup, what I hear sounds pretty darn good. I can actually hear the layers in the music. The things that people with great equipment spoke of but, I've never heard in my home! At certain stores (boutique) yes, I heard these items, but never at home.

I would say that, if you are on the fence about Emotiva's amps, give them a shot. As I stated, to me, the return shipping cost was worth the in home trail. I cannot comment on their pre/pros or receivers.

Chris,

I put it in my rack. Though, I did have to reorganize the rack to do so. And yes, I did put it on the bottom shelf. My rack is is a DIY, made of, 1 inch thick pine and thread rod. I even installed four 150lb load bearing wheels on it. That baby isn't going anywhere!

And I agree, it wasn't fun to put it in position. But like your Halo I'm sure, the payoff was more than worth the effort! :T

[JonMarsh]

Congratulations, John! As you may or may not know, we've been "secretly" talking about the Emotiva gear on a few threads over in Mission Possible DIY, and there gear has garned interest there as well as good reviews on the web, even being rated sonically over one reviewers personal Plinius power amp. Nice to hear the positive comments from you, that LPA-1 is a pretty brutish looking piece of gear. I've had my eye on the two channel RPA-1, that weighs about the same as the LPA1. I'd consider one of their RPA-1 to try out if I didn't need a new Nordic Track more right now.

[draganm]

It was the day that my 63lb, 19 inches deep, LPA-1 amp arrived. The UPS guy was not a happy camper (I live in a second floor apt). He called me on the phone while sitting outside of my home to make sure I was there. :lol: .

well your lucky it was that heavy, normally UPS guys will skip the stairs and just aim for your door with a good overhand pitch. :lol:

I'll be the first to admit, I had my doubts about a sub $500.00 (new) 7ch amp. Especially the lower wattage output for channels 6 and 7. Everything had the proper decay.I don't know if it's better/higher current, more wattage, etc. All I know is what I hear. And what I hear says that, I have no more doubts about this amp!!! . Funny thing is, I have never been a believer in the "amp makes a difference" camp. I always felt that, as long as the speakers are getting sufficent power, they should sound the same. How wrong I was!!! ..

I used to think that as well, especially back when I couldn't afford a stand alone amp. :B changing amp's won't change the sound as obviosuly as different speakers, but they all have their own sonic signature. The stuff made in China nowadays is really high quality and better than your typical mass-market products like Sony, Yamaha, Onkyo , etc. It's obviously not on par with Krell or Levinson but an incediblee value nonetheless.
One thing I wonder about your amp though, with all 6 (or 7) channels driven really hard for a period of time, would it handle it or trip the protection circuits? The real test is LOTR Return of the King, the battle sequence in the Pelenor fields. My Denon AVR made a "click" and turned off after about 30 minutes into this sequence :cry: I wound up adding a Monarchy amp for the mains to take the load off but still want the Emotiva for the other channels.

In closing, I was really considering getting one of the new receivers with all the bells and whistles. I am so glad that I did not...

People are normally dropping close to $1K nowadays to get a new reciever with HDMI input. I think it's crazy considering the entire amp/pre-amp combo from Emotiva costs the same. I don't care how good the receiver claims to be it just can NOT compete with seprates. I have been linking people to the Emotiva home -page for a while now but I think they're leary because it looks too good to be true. Obviously it's not. :T

[John Holmes]

Oh one other thing (for those that might be interested).

I was was using a Pioneer VSX 27tx THX Ultra receiver for quite sometime with my present speakers and in the same room. I enjoyed what the 27tx brought to the party. A very laid back smooth sound. However, in 2ch stereo mode, I was never impressed. But, in 2ch direct the sound was very clear and satisfying. The only drawback to the Pioneer was, if you pushed it to hard with a 4 ohm load, you began to hear compression.

I brought this up to say, the LPA-1 does what the 27tx did for music. It brings the same level of clarity to music. However, it separates it's self by doing things the Pioneer couldn't. It brings a better detail, with a solid and broad soundstage. With plenty of depth. It also allows the layers in the music to shine through.

An example of this: I was listening to a cd "Rachelle Ferrell" (Capital CDP 7 937769 2). Track #8 is a song titled "Nothing has ever felt like this" a duet which features "Will Downing". Before using the LPA-1, the two singers occupied the same spot center stage. Now, I can tell that Rachelle is on the left of the mike and Will is on the right!

Not too shabby for an entry level amp. 8)

[John Holmes]

Thanks Jon and draganm!

I am really enjoying it!!!

Jon,

I did glance the thread that you guys had going. I know that the RPA-1 is a monster of an amp. I would love to hear it too!

dragnm,

I'm curious about it being able to sustain long period loads myself! I know when I ran "Doom" my neighbors had to be cusing me out. :B I was pushing it pretty good. And the surround channels were kicking. But, that isn't the same as the LOTR sequence. I'll have to give it a shot soon to see what happens.

As for the UPS guy, I totally agree with you! I used to work for FedEx. Believe me, I "know" what goes on. :W

[ShadowZA]

Congratulations on your Emotiva LPA-1 amp purchase, John. Wishing you many hours of pure sound enjoyment. :T

Doom is perfect as an intensive gut-bustin' home theatre sound demo which enables ones equipment to perform imho.

In LOTR (The Two Towers), there's a scene about halfway through the movie called "The Wolves of Isengard". Although not as lengthy as the Pelenor fields battle in Return of the King, it still punches.

Enjoy

[John Holmes]

Thanks ShadowZA!

I too thought that Doom was a pretty good test. Especially running it in DD+. The amp was very comfortable to the touch. Not that I expecting anything different. Since the amp doesn't have to do any of the < 80hz heavy lifting in my setup. But, when I'm in the mood to watch LOTR, I'll check it out anyway.

[mattburk]

Good pick I have the mps-1 with my M&K's. Great value, great sound. I too have been eyeing the RPA-1 from the first day it was announced years ago.
I have a home to sell, and then I will be picking one or two up.

[John Holmes]

Good pick I have the mps-1 with my M&K's. Great value, great sound. I too have been eyeing the RPA-1 from the first day it was announced years ago.
I have a home to sell, and then I will be picking one or two up.

And if I may say, you made a good pick going with M&K's! :T

You hit the nail " Great value, great sound." I was really going to go with a B&K or an Outlaw. But thought I would give Emotiva a shot. Now, I'm glad I did. The real test now is quality.

As new as they are, no one knows if they well stand the test of time. That will be the real proof of their value.

I thought about going the MPS-1 route. But then thought, it might be overkill for my needs. I also had concerns about it being a class H amplifier. I didn't know anything about this class so, I thought I'd stick with class AB.

It sounds like you are very happy with your MPS-1. I'm glad it's working well for you. I wonder if there is a discernable difference in sound? Since we are using the same speakers that is. To bad we don't live close enough to swap them out and see. Funny part is, I used to live in Graham, Federal Way and Tacoma.

Good luck with the house sale!

[Danbry39]

Congratulations,

Oh amps, they're so cool. I know some receivers are supposed to have great incorporated amps, but still...

I know I'll always be a separates guy in this regard.

And, don't think I haven't been eyeing Emotivas. In fact, I've been following them since their debut and first reviews. And, they're so purty.

Even though my Parasound is behaving fine, don't think that it doesn't get me to thinking... :rofl:

[John Holmes]

Thanks Keith!

Parasound are solid amps. Not sure I'd be concerned with Emotiva with a perfectly good Parasound. But if I had the money to play... :W