Emotiva XPA-3!!!

[Hdale85]

Ok so I know a lot of you have been interested in the XPA series. 2 days ago I ordered the XPA-3 and it arrives tomorrow! I can't wait! Although I won't be able to listen to it I can at least take some pictures and comment on the build quality. In about a month and a half I should be able to comment completely on the sound quality compared to my Chip Amp and compared to some Rotel stuff probably. And if any of you happen to be in the PGH area I'm sure our next get together at bills the XPA-3 will make a presence. This amp is a beast thats for sure it will do 400wpc @4 ohms when run in 2 channel. And if all 3 channels are used its 300wpc @4 ohms and it weights 71 lbs. Crazy goodness! Anyways I'll post pics and keep you guys updated.

[impala454]

Sweet dougie let us know what you think. It's free shipping correct? I'm about this || close to to pulling the trigger on the UPA-7, and I think it's pretty similiar construction.

[Hdale85]

Yeah unless you really need the 7 channels I'd go for the XPA-5 as its got a beefier PSU I believe. But yeah free shipping for a few more days here I think until the 30th.

[impala454]

hmm I may have to think on that... thanks for the heads up

[Hdale85]

Yeah just a thought I mean if your short on cash then I guess the UPA-7 is a bit cheaper? I'm sure they are both excellent amps though :B

[impala454]

I moved my question over to my build thread as to not muddy up your XPA-3 glory

[Hdale85]

Well FedEx effed up my package. They scanned it to be delivered and put on the truck but then had it sent over for a map or something and it never got put on the truck. Long story short I wait all day for this package and its not coming until tomorrow now. At least they didn't do what USPS did which is come to my door stick a notice on it and then leave without even knocking.

[Hdale85]

Well it finally came...all I can say is WOW this thing is quite large :B I was not expecting the size. It is very heavy too...I can't imagine carrying the XPA-5 or worse the MPS-2.

[impala454]

awesome man :T

[Hdale85]

Build quality is awesome! Easily on par or better then Rotel and a lot of the receivers I've seen and used. The packaging is awesome too! That big white piece thats on top is a big piece of foam with cardboard on top. Pretty much completely wrapped in foam. I can't wait to hear this beast.

[P-Dub]

Nice looking amp. :T

[Jed]

What a beast!

[Hdale85]

Image not available

Just got the receiver. A bit of a problem with the way it was packed but everything seems ok there was a little damage it seems to the tone knob.... I'm asking him for a partial refund before I file a complaint with paypal.

[impala454]

dude is that a strong cardboard box or what... you've got to have at least 120 lbs sitting on the corner of it.. or am I not seeing something else they're sitting on?

[Hdale85]

Yeah its got what........about 100lbs sitting on it right now Thats the internal box for the XPA-3 haha! Its some quality cardboard thats for sure.

[impala454]

close that sucker back up and put a sub in it... :rofl:

[Glen B]

Yeah its got what........about 100lbs sitting on it right now Thats the internal box for the XPA-3 haha! Its some quality cardboard thats for sure.

Nice acquisition; fantastic looking amp. In all my years I can't recall ever seeing factory double-boxing. :T

[Hdale85]

Well this amp is something else..... I'm beginning to love Emotiva. They own their factory so I guess thats how they sell things so cheap by skipping all the people and markup but you would not guess it looking at this amp. It is really top quality.

[tylerdurden]

Thanks for posting this Dougie! I love company's like this. They remind me of OPPO. I am supprised more dont operate like they do, cutting out the middleman. There is nothing lost in the exchange of hands, as you often see in mainstream consumer electronics. It always feels impersonal and cold. With company's like Emotiva, you can build a relationship with the manufacturer and nothing is lost.
I AM going to get one of these. Just need to get the wifes aproval, I am taking her to Seattle saturday for dinner (surf and turf) and to see The Dark Knight at Imax. I think I will break it to her then. Wish me luck!
Bobby

So what speakers are you looking at?

[Hdale85]

I'm building some speakers they are going to be MTMWWWW's using 4 Hivi D6.8's for the woofers Tang band W4-1337SA's for mids and the new double magnet Vifa XT25 for tweeter. If you plan to get the XPA amps get the XPA-5 unless you plan on getting the XPA-2 later (I've heard its got a better sound due to the fact that it is way over built for a 2 channel amp) I may still get an XPA-5 and bi-amp my front speakers or I may get an XPA-2 and run my mains of it and leave the XPA-3 for center and surrounds.

Another thing I like about Emotiva is that they are constantly talking about things they are working on in the forums and users can easily move them to make changes damn near on the fly before they get the demo unit. I've seen this happen a couple of times for the upcomming pre/pro's.

[tylerdurden]

OOOOOhh those sound nice!! Im drooling. cant wait to see them.
Thats good advice. Origanaly I was leaning towards the XPA-3 for LCR of the ZDT3.5's and center I am building. And then getting the 2 channel when I decide on what surounds I will build/buy. But the 5 is probably the way to go.
Enjoy your new toy!!

[Hdale85]

Unfortunately I won't be enjoying them until the new speakers are built lol.

[Johnloudb]

Dougie,
Wow, gorgeous amp there! So how do you plan on using the receiver? I'm guessing as a surround sound processor and to temporarily drive the some rear channel speakers?

[audioqueso]

Well... hook something to it and fire it up. I'm curious to know what it sounds like.

[Johnloudb]

Well... hook something to it and fire it up. I'm curious to know what it sounds like.

Not sure, but I think he is currently speakerless :boohoo: since he sold his Maxxs. He's building new ones soon though.

[Hdale85]

Yes new speakers are ~1.5 months off probably unfortunately. I wish I had some extra speakers lol. What I get for having 2 kids

The Sony is being used as a Pre/Pro for the time being and yes when I build the surrounds it will probably serve as an amp for them until I get the XPA-2 or an XPA-5 if I decide I want to Bi-Amp the front stage. I've heard the XPA-2 is a whole other beast though compared to the 3/5. The XPA-1 comes out soon that that things a monster... 500w RMS x1 @8 ohms and like 1000 w RMS x1 @4ohms.

[Chris D]

Wow, yeah, that's quite a beast.

[JohnA]

Nice acquisition; fantastic looking amp. In all my years I can't recall ever seeing factory double-boxing. :T

The Yamaha RX-Z9 I bought was doubled boxed from Yamaha, and it was also some HD cardboard on the outer box and was spaced about 4" from the inner box with styrofoam. The outer box was so big it would not even come close to fitting in the trunk of a full sized 1996 Crown Vic to where you could also close the trunk lid. And trust me, for a car a late model Crown Vic has a one big honking trunk. From what I can tell the flagship Denon AVR is doubled boxed, and that their new seperate line with the pre-pro and the power amp for it is also double boxed.

I think the when the gear starts getting upwards of 65lb to 75lb's, they almost have to start double boxing the stuff from the factories, just to avoid a bunch of $$$$$ shipping damage claims if nothing else.


Now for some serious packaging for amps, Earthquake goes way beyond using cardboard boxes. And all the way to using a HD reusable wood shipping crate.

[Hdale85]

Yeah the RX-Z9 is like tons more money too I guess you just don't see products with a price tag this low packaged that well. Of course you don't normally see products priced this low performing as well as people have said these do either.

[JohnA]

Yeah the RX-Z9 is like tons more money too I guess you just don't see products with a price tag this low packaged that well. Of course you don't normally see products priced this low performing as well as people have said these do either.

I don't think it has as much to do with the price of the product, as it does the weight. When anything starts getting in the 60lb-70lb weight range and heavier, when it's in the size of a bigger audio amp or a AVR. Then the chances of it getting damaged during shipping also grow along with their greater weights over the lighter weight models. So for the company to spend the extra money to double box some of them, it probably ends up saving them a lot of money and also headachs in the long run due to reduced damage from shipping.

[John Holmes]

Welcome to the club Dougie085!

I'm very happy with my LPA-1, I'm sure the XPA-3 will be just as nice or better.

[maseline_98]

XMAS gift for me and my Klipsch?

MPS-2? I think it might be under the tree this year

[Hdale85]

Awesome! I hope you like it!

[impala454]

So I was checking my fedex tracking info (XPA-5 should be here today) and it showed 89 lbs! :E

[Hdale85]

Yep the 5 does weight more...I was thinking about sending back my XPA-3 in exchange for an XPA-5 but I would have to pay shipping and I decided I'd just get an XPA-2 when the time comes

[impala454]

well I was wondering why, when I was looking at the weight on their site it showed the same as the XPA-3... must just be a type or copy/paste.

[Hdale85]

Yeah it should be a few pounds heavier as it has extra wire and 2 extra amp modules in it.

[aud19]

That would kill me having that new gear there with no speakers to listen to it with!!!

[Hdale85]

Yeah tell me about it..... Trying to see if my friend has an extra pair of speakers laying around...he has an extra set of everything just about. I have 4 of his amps right lol.

[impala454]

So the XPA-5 arrived! These are the only pictures I took so, I'm not hooking up tonight because I still have to finish the speakers, and also because I hurt my back the other day and figure lugging this 89 pounder around wouldn't be a good idea for a couple days (gives me time to finish up the monitors).

Images not available

This thing is a beast!!!

:-y :righton: :a> ;-x

[Hdale85]

I told you it was huge :B

[John Holmes]

Congrats Impala454!

[wettou]

So the XPA-5 arrived! These are the only pictures I took so, I'm not hooking up tonight because I still have to finish the speakers, and also because I hurt my back the other day and figure lugging this 89 pounder around wouldn't be a good idea for a couple days (gives me time to finish up the monitors)

Let us know how it sound!! I am looking to get the RPA-2 do you have any specs!:T

[Hdale85]

I don't think much has been released about the RPA-2. The MPS-2 is supposed to be amazingly good but not quite the bass punch as the XPA and I thought about ordering it but then decided to just go with the XPA series.

[impala454]

Unfortunately I wrecked my back the other day so I haven't gotten to work on my speakers. Hopefully it'll clear up in a couple days and I can get it all fired up!