802D/HTM2D and which amp?

[HedgeHog]

Hiya,

Noobie questions:

I'm planning on 802D and HTM2D for fronts and want to know what's the opinion on recommended amps? Initially, I was planning on Rotel RSP-1570 and RMB-1575 (5x250W). Then the value aspect of the Emotiva XPA series attracted me.

So my questions are...
Will 5x250 work with these speakers?
Do I need to go to 3 x XPA-1 for proper amplification?
Do the Emotiva sound good with these?
Am I being too frugal and should consider Classe CA-5200?
Or is that not enough still and I'll need 3 x CA-M400?

For obvious reasons, the last item will be a longer term acquisition.

For the record, I come from mid-fi stuff: Adcom GFP/GFA-555, Sony CDP-707ES, and B&W Concept 90 CM2.

Thanks in advance...

Cheers,
-Hedwig

[htsteve]

Hedwig,

Excellent chopice in speakers (I have 802D's and HTM2D up front, N804's in the back). That will be a major jump up for you.

You have a pretty good range of possible amps listed. Rotel, Emotiva and Classe. For the 802D's, the minimum I would recommend is 200 wpc. I think any of these choices will be an upgrade form what you have today.

I've had Rotel class D amps powering the Diamonds. They did a very good job. The new Rotel at 250 watts should be pretty good. I ultimately upgraded to McIntosh electronics. I have the MC205 (5X200 amp) and XM120 (pre-amp). The MC205 is in the same league as the Classe Ca-5200, both performance and price. Classe monoblock are awesome, but have a budget stretching price. If you have the funds to consider Classe, McIntosh, etc. they are awesome, especially for the Diamonds.


The best thing to do is audition these amps in your home with the new speakers. Hopefully, you can do this.


Hope this helps.

[HedgeHog]

Thx for the quick reply, Steve,

I am tempted by the warmer/smooth sound of the McIntosh's but I heard their pre/pro is a bit lacking. If it was for pure 2ch then it's a major consideration. Although, I guess I could go mix and match.

Are the Emotiva's sound not too compatible with the 802D? These will be difficult to audtion with said speakers.

I can go try the other amps (and the McIntosh) at one dealership but I was leaning towards another dealership for better pricing (and the 2nd one does not carry Mc/Rot/Class - they are pushing Denon and Levinson). Also, the 1st dealership keeps selling their RMB-15xx amps so they won't have any demo around till next year.

Anyway, I'll keep researching and see which would the the lowest entry for good matches.

Thx!

-H

Hedwig,

Excellent chopice in speakers (I have 802D's and HTM2D up front, N804's in the back). That will be a major jump up for you.

You have a pretty good range of possible amps listed. Rotel, Emotiva and Classe. For the 802D's, the minimum I would recommend is 200 wpc. I think any of these choices will be an upgrade form what you have today.

I've had Rotel class D amps powering the Diamonds. They did a very good job. The new Rotel at 250 watts should be pretty good. I ultimately upgraded to McIntosh electronics. I have the MC205 (5X200 amp) and XM120 (pre-amp). The MC205 is in the same league as the Classe Ca-5200, both performance and price. Classe monoblock are awesome, but have a budget stretching price. If you have the funds to consider Classe, McIntosh, etc. they are awesome, especially for the Diamonds.


The best thing to do is audition these amps in your home with the new speakers. Hopefully, you can do this.


Hope this helps.

[htsteve]

Hedwig,

One of the aspects I love about the Mac's is the smooth sound. I'm biased of course, but I do not think the Mac pre-amps are lacking. The 2 channel sound in the Mac is awesome. It was much improved over the Rotel pre-amp I had. The MX120 I have has a pure analog and two channel bypass modes. I find myself listening to two channel, including some old LP's, alot more now that I have the Mac's and B&W's.

I have no experience with Emotiva and the big B&W's Hopefully, someone has and will chime in. I know the B&W's love power, and the Emotiva monoblocks would have power. I'm just not sure how the sound will be.

I know it's sometimes tough to demo, but keep at it.


Hope this helps.

[Glenee]

If money is a Problem, as all of us have been there. I don't think you could go wrong with the New Emotiva 500 watt monoblocks $1800.00 shipped to the door with a 30 day money back guarntee. If money is not a problem any of the above Amps, McIntosh or Classe will damn sure fill the bill, but when considering this kind of money, hearing is mandatory. I have not heard the new emotiva mono's, but have had some good, VERY GOOD results with the Emotiva XPA-5 with B&W speakers.

[HedgeHog]

Sorry, Steve, my bad...I didn't mean the McIntosh were lacking in SQ or anything. I just read most people claim they may be lacking in features if home theater is the primary concern (say, as oppose to the Anthem D2 where HT is excellent but 2ch music could be better).

The MC205 or MC207 is a tempting piece. But so is the MC303, except for the megabuck price tag. It's the MX136 that doesn't really urge me to spend.

I do wish I can get some reviews of XPA-1 owners who may have tried them on 802Ds.

Hedwig,

One of the aspects I love about the Mac's is the smooth sound. I'm biased of course, but I do not think the Mac pre-amps are lacking. The 2 channel sound in the Mac is awesome. It was much improved over the Rotel pre-amp I had. The MX120 I have has a pure analog and two channel bypass modes are available. I find myself listening to two channel, including some old LP's, alot more now that I have the Mac's and B&W's.

I have no experience with Emotiva and the big B&W's Hopefully, someone has and will chime in. I know the B&W's love power, and the Emotiva monoblocks would have power. I'm just not sure how the sound will be.

I know it's sometimes tough to demo, but keep at it.


Hope this helps.

[HedgeHog]

If money is a Problem, as all of us have been there. I don't think you could go wrong with the New Emotiva 500 watt monoblocks $1800.00 shipped to the door with a 30 day money back guarntee. If money is not a problem any of the above Amps, McIntosh or Classe will damn sure fill the bill, but when considering this kind of money, hearing is mandatory. I have not heard the new emotiva mono's, but have had some good, VERY GOOD results with the Emotiva XPA-5 with B&W speakers.

Money is always a problem...actually money+spouse is the real problem. :W

As you say, for the price, those XPA-1 will be worth considering unless the sound is quite mismatched for the 802D. I guess if the CA-5200 is sufficient then I'll pursue that avenue for now and move on to CA-M400 when I have the budget. That way, I can use the CA-5200 as part of a 7.1 system.

Thx!

[KahunaCanuck]

Anohter BCer! Welcome aboard! :T

I have a pair of the Emotiva XPA5s. I just upgraded my 803s/HTM3s/705s to a 803D/HTM2D/805 and am loving it. I have not gone and listened to all of the amps out there, and have no doubt the Classe or Macs would sound better. However, for the value side, I can't see how you can go wrong. If you start with the Emotivas you can always upgrade later and sell them without losing much...

[Glenee]

HedgeHog, I am going to get a pair of the Emotiva Monoblocks. I was just waiting till after Christmas to do it. If I want to save $200.00, I have to do it before Jan1, 2009. They go back to the regular price of $999.00 plus shipping then. Remeber to watch Audiogon closely, they sometimes have the Classe's that you are looking for and you can save some MONEY. I would never spend that kind of money without a listen or a option to return, that's a option you will not have with Audiogon. The Mac and Classe are in their own right awesome Amps, but they do sound different.

[emig5m]

Are the Emotiva's sound not too compatible with the 802D? These will be difficult to audtion with said speakers.

Well they say the X line is designed to be neutral so the sound of the amp will be the sound of the pre/pro+speakers. :E I found this to be true with the XPA-5. When I hooked my Yamaha up to it, it didn't change the sound character of the Yamaha, I just noticed a better performing amp (more weighted bass from the higher current capability, much clearer at high volume, no more running the Yamaha into protection mode, etc.) There's a video of a guy running 801D's on a Sony mini bookshelf system, if the top model Emotiva can't drive them, then I don't think anything will, heh. But IMO if electronics that are "neutral" make a speaker sound bad, then it's more than likely the speakers fault, not the electronics (especially considering the power capabilities of the Emo mono's).

BTW, the best power amps I've owned is Carver/Harmon Kardon/Emotiva level stuff so take what I say with a grain of salt....I've never heard Classe level stuff. There's people on the Emotiva forum with 800 series speakers and there's no complaints with Emotiva that I can see. People on this forum don't seem to have any complaints as well (me included). I think more than likely you'll find that they're just neutral clean power and sit in the middle and amplify the signal without changing the sound characteristic of the rest of your gear. But it would be interesting for someone credible to set up a blind test and put the Emo amps up against the big boys with flagship speakers like the B&W 800's and see what the actual difference is. Even if they are neutral and would work nice with the higher end B&W's, maybe the higher end amps like Classe reveal and passthrough more 'fine details' that you can hear. Until someone does a unbiased blind test and compares them...how do you really know?

[Glenee]

If you believe in Electronic testing. The Emotiva Mono's had as flat response fron 20-20 across the spectrum, I have ever seen a Amp have, and this was done by a independent testing Lab. If this is true the Amps will be as good as what you feed it.
Take it for what it's worth.

[sikoniko]

HedgeHog, I am going to get a pair of the Emotiva Monoblocks. I was just waiting till after Christmas to do it. If I want to save $200.00, I have to do it before Jan1, 2009. They go back to the regular price of $999.00 plus shipping then. Remeber to watch Audiogon closely, they sometimes have the Classe's that you are looking for and you can save some MONEY. I would never spend that kind of money without a listen or a option to return, that's a option you will not have with Audiogon. The Mac and Classe are in their own right awesome Amps, but they do sound different.

I just bought a CA-5100 off of audiogon for an awesome price. I'd highly recommend keeping and eye out there. Consider it like buying a used car. Let someone else take the hit. Of course there is good with the bad, and it is possible to get a lemon.

I see a pair of CA-M400's on Agon in the $6k price range all of the time. You might be able to pick up a pair of CA-M400's and a CA-5100 for near the price of a new CA-5200. Warranty's are transferable.

I find that its better to get what you want the first time. Everytime I've tried to cut corners, I've ended up spending more money by getting what I really wanted in the end anyways and taking a loss on the mid-term solution. YMMV.

[beden1]

The Classe warranty is transferable as long as you get a copy of the sales receipt from the original owner.

[wettou]

HedgeHog, I am going to get a pair of the Emotiva Monoblocks. I was just waiting till after Christmas to do it. If I want to save $200.00, I have to do it before Jan1, 2009. They go back to the regular price of $999.00 plus shipping then.

What B&W do you have, I have also been tempted to get Emotiva mono blocks but I am not sure how much improvement I will get? I am driving the 802D with Classé CA-5200. Plus I need to upgrade my processor and have my eyes on the Classé SSP-800 ($8K)

[Glenee]

What B&W do you have, I have also been tempted to get Emotiva mono blocks but I am not sure how much improvement I will get? I am driving the 802D with Classé CA-5200. Plus I need to upgrade my processor and have my eyes on the Classé SSP-800 ($8K)

I suggest you keep it all in the family. If I was going to get a Classe SSP-800 I would want to keep the same synergy eveyrthing just works better that way. The reason I'm going to give the Emotiva Mono's a try, is I got caught in a whirl wind deal and sold my McIntosh MC501's and 802D's Long story and not a good one. I bought the XPA-5 to use in a HT I was putting in at the time. I ended up using it on my B&W 805's. I liked it so much that I just havent replaced anything yet. I stuck a JL Audio Phantom F112 that I had bought for HT into the mix. Took a while to get everything just right, but hell this just isn't Bad at all. So I am taking my own sweet time in rebuilding one segment at a time. The reason I like the Emotiva Mono's is that ruler flat freq. response curve. I want to make sure I get enough Amp that I can add anything later in the way of speakers. I also like mono's for seperation.I think that with some very good source equipment they just might be the ticket. It's a money management thing. I don't want, and want to, put alot of money into the pieces that make in my mind the most difference for the dollar spent. Does this make sense.

[focker]

I am running a McIntosh MC303 with 803D and HTM2D, what a sweet sound

[Kal Rubinson]

I am running a McIntosh MC303 with 803D and HTM2D, what a sweet sound

Works well with 3 802Ds, too.

Kal

[HedgeHog]

Thx for the replies and discussion!

MC303 would be sweet...

Glenee, I'll be quite interested to hear your review of the XPA-1s. I may end up with CA-5200 for now and add CA-M400 later on when I'm ready for 7.1.

Audiogon (and Canuckaudiomart.com) has interesting stuff. Unfortunately, with our recent crappy USD/CAD exhange rate, used stuff from the States is no longer that attractive. Especially with Classe being a Canadian company (I think our MSRP is the same as that of the States). I did see a pair of Bel Canto mono on the listing...I hear those are quite musical.

[Glenee]

This is what I'm talking about. Test sheets are in PDF format at the bottom of the page. In the Gray Box.

http://emotiva.com/xpa1.shtm

[nikos]

Anyone using the Emotiva XPA-1 in their system yet?? I'm keeping my eye on them to power 802D's.

N

[nikos]

No emotiva users with 802D's yet?? I'm surprised nobody has tried this.

Especially interested how the XPA-1 compares to the CA-5200.

thanks

N

[Glenee]

I have found the XPA-1 to be a what goes in, is what comes out Amp. No signature sound, nothing just flat ass neutral. You can change anything in your system Sources, Interconnects of different materials, speaker wire of different materials, and you can hear the change. First amp that I have ever owned that I can tell the difference in changes very quickly. The power is there.
That's about it.
Glenee

[VladP]

I am running 802D with wyred 4 sound ST1000 (500 wpc) and htmd2 with Wyred 4 sound SX1000 (500w) monoblock and they sound simply amazing and better than I have heard these speakers at any dealers.

[Glenee]

I am running 802D with wyred 4 sound ST1000 (500 wpc) and htmd2 with Wyred 4 sound SX1000 (500w) monoblock and they sound simply amazing and better than I have heard these speakers at any dealers.

I have never heard these Amps, but Underwood HiFi usually has some good stuff. So I bet they Do.

[style]

Hi HedgeHog,

for ampil with the GREAT 802D? My chioce will be:
Classe not the CAM400 (2x) but CA2200 (2x in bi-amp) = same $$$
but a much better control from HF & LF!!!
a extra CA3200 for center and the surround.

A CA2200 bi.amp. give you a lot of performance thath the CAM400 don't can... a very precision....Classe self go for the 2xCA2200 in bi.ampl. in place if 2xCAM400.

I don't no if yuor target is a ht systen or a stereo system and what for premapli you do use....

Style