N802, Denon AVR-4311 and Emotiva XPA-2

[mskvarenina]

My apologies if this has been covered before but I've got a pair of N802s I've been driving with a Denon AVR-5803 (170wpc).

At normal volumes the Denon was OK, when I cranked it up, the receiver would distort and clip. The bad/good news is the Denon was destroyed by a lighting strike and I'm in the market for some new electronics.

Running on a limited budget I'm thinking of replacing the old Denon with a new Denon AVR-4311. I'm currently auditioning this receiver in my home and while I'm very happy with the A/V switching at only 140wpc, it plays even lower before distorting.

So one option is to add an external amp to the mix providing the 802s with more power. Again being on a limited budget the Emotiva XPA-2 at least on paper (and online) seems to be a good value.

So my questions are:

1) Has anyone here paired 802s with an XPA-2 and what were the results and

2) Are there other amps in the $1000 price range to consider and

3) In the $3000 budget, is there something else entirely (receiver, amp and pre-amp) I should consider. While I'd love to go with monster equipment like Krell or Mark Levinson, it's just not in the budget so I have to go cheap.

[stuofsci02]

Hey,

Good to see you found this forum.. I saw you over at the Emotiva forum.

One thing that is not clear to me is if you are running other speakers then just the N802. If not, then there might not be a need for the AVR.

There are some people here who have paired B&W 800 series with Emotiva. I am using the UPA-1 monoblock with my HTM3S.

If you have ruled out the XPA-1 which I think would be the best choice for your 802, you might also look at two UPA-1 monoblocks instead of the XPA-2.

If you bring this up on the Emo boards expect a war to erupt. But if you look at Emotivas own test data the XPA-2 should be rated at 250wpc into 8 ohms (in fact when the XPA-2 was first released is was rated at 250 wpc until some review said it could do more). The UPA-1 does about 210 wpc into 8 ohms. Overall I prefer the UPA-1 performance data to the XPA-2. I have not heard the XPA-2 however.

[mskvarenina]

Yes I am running other speakers. I used to be a 2-channel guy. I had/have an ARC SP-14, a nice big ARC tube amp and a bunch of other high end components but I wanted surround sound for movies and television and wanted the convenience of a remote control and automatic switching so I downgraded my electronics to a Denon AVR-5803.

As I said above it was OK, sounded pretty good as moderate volumes but just started choking when I turned it way up for a party or times when I just wanted to hear it really loud.

My biggest concern about Emotiva is I've never heard of them before and the pricing seems unreasonably low for what's being offered. Usually you get what you pay for so and if this is true with Emotiva, then it can't be as good as a monster Krell or ML. That said however, many folks seems to like them and I'm not sure if it's just a budgeting issue or if they really are that good, especially for the money.

So why would you specifically recommend 2 XPA-1?

[stuofsci02]

I have known about Emo for a few years now, and I have a bunch of their products including their UMC-1 preprocessor, USP-1 preamp, UPA-1 amp, UPA-2 amp and a couple of their subs. I will say that everything I have from them has exceeded expectations except the UMC-1 processor. Their is nothing wrong quality and sound wise with the processor. It just does some weird things now and again (firmware issues). But for 1/3 the price of competing processors you can't complain too much.

The only reason I recommend the XPA-1 is that powerwise it is a brute and the 802 likes power and has bib impedance dips. Also the amp puts out rockstar numbers when it comes to the tests. This does not tell everything, but in general I prefer and amp that measures well. BTW the XPA-1 is really closer to 600 watt into 8 ohms according the the bench tests.

The XPA is also a fully balanced amp with a true differential design.

BUT... I have not heard the XPA so consider that in my response.

The good news about Emotiva is you have a 30 day trial period where you can send the equipment back with no questions. If you are in the US then this can be very good.

I believe Kal Rubinson (who frequents this board) will be reviewing the XPA-1 in an upcoming issue of Stereophile Magazine. He has 802D if I recall correctly.

Cheers,

Stuart

[Skyblue]

Kal has the new 800s now. If the emotivas are a good match I might consider them as I am looking for more musical amps.

[stuofsci02]

Kal has the new 800s now. If the emotivas are a good match I might consider them as I am looking for more musical amps.

I didn't realize he kept the 800s. Sweet!

[Antus]

considering you may drive N802 hard, a regular receiver isn't for you.

5308 is a very good receiver, maybe you can try to get it fixed, if the fixing cost is less than $1000, it may be a better choice.

otherwise, u can buy a relitively cheaper pre/pro or receiver with preout. connect to a powerful amp. for example, a Marantz 7005 pre/pro at $1700 plus emotiva xpa2 at $800 and xpa3 at $700, total to around $3200. this combo will outperform even denon 5803 by a large margin.

except Emotiva, there are other good value amp. u may looking for Parasound, ATI, Adcom amp. they are all very good amp for the money.

[mskvarenina]

Actually my Denon is the older 5803, not 5308. Why Denon decided to transpose model numbers between these 2 high end models confuses me.

The 4311 I've been demoing does include pre-amp outs and the play may be to pair 2 XPA-1s with the 4311 for the 802s.

[BassThatHz]

If you are a 2-ch music guy, then I would recommend the XPA-1's or XPA-2 paired with the XSP-1 (if you can wait a few more months until it is out). If not then the USP-1 is the next best thing at $449.

You want to avoid Receivers (even with outs) if you can as they tend to have not-as-good sound quality, as a dedicated Pre-Pro; nor power quantity as an external amp does.

If you're a multi-channel movie guy, then I'd recommend waiting for the XMC-1 or the new Dec-2011 "1.4" HDMI UMC-1 $600? and XPA-3 or XPA-5 over any AVR/Receiver.

Then I'd take those savings saved and put them towards that elite stuff down the road.

[mskvarenina]

I'm definitely a 2-channel music guy but use this same system for movies after hours. 2-channel music is the priority, loud and clear, 90+ decibels, sometimes 100+. Especially when having a party, I want my guests to hear it loud and clear with alot of bass (JL Audio F113).

But as I said, at night, I like to sit back in the recliner and watch a movie at low to moderate volumes with the convenience of a remote control.

The Denon AVR-4311 has been good this past month. Good A/V switching, but the amplification is lacking with the 802s. Seems like I'll be going for 2 XPA-1s. Been starting to look at the McIntosh MC452 (450wpc) though and wondering if there would be a noticable difference from the XPA-1s...

[Miketr75]

I'm running XPA-2 for the low pass on my 802D and the 2 channels from BAT VK6200 for the mid and the high. With dynamic from the BAT and the power from the XPA, I'm loving it. I'm thinking going with the XPA-1s for LRC but I'm feeling enough power with the current set up.

http://www.blu-ray.com/community/gallery.php?member=Miketr75

[mskvarenina]

I see from your pics that you have an Anthem preamp? I've never heard of that manufacturer. Can you tell me more about them and why you chose it vs anything else.

[Miketr75]

I see from your pics that you have an Anthem preamp? I've never heard of that manufacturer. Can you tell me more about them and why you chose it vs anything else.

I see that you are not from Canada
I just updated to Anthem D2v from Marantz AV8003 based on my buddy recommendation and online reviews. I like to have a Preamp that is best with 2 channels stereo, in HT and upgradeable.. Here are some links

http://www.anthemav.com/products/anthem-statement/processor/d-2v

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yImOhBZA8Ok

Reviews:
http://hometheaterreview.com/anthem-...tion-reviewed/

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=678260

Hope it help!

[mskvarenina]

Thanks, it sure looks interesting and the reviews are very positive. I too am a 2-channel guy but like to watch a movie now and then or TV in 5.1 so this would be ideal. The real question though is does it sounds considerably better than let's say the Marantz 7005 for the extra cost?

Also you said it was upgradable. It seems like it is but for thousands of additional dollars? In other words it's not just a firmware update?

[stuofsci02]

If you like two-channel mostly, go for a 2 channel preamp with HT-Bypass and then get a cheaper pre/pro like the Marantz 7005, or even something like the Emotiva UMC-1 if you can live with the odd oddity.

A good two channel preamp will better even the best pre/pro IMO for stereo use. This will give you the best of both worlds..

Cheers..

[Miketr75]

Thanks, it sure looks interesting and the reviews are very positive. I too am a 2-channel guy but like to watch a movie now and then or TV in 5.1 so this would be ideal. The real question though is does it sounds considerably better than let's say the Marantz 7005 for the extra cost?

Also you said it was upgradable. It seems like it is but for thousands of additional dollars? In other words it's not just a firmware update?

When I was using the AV8003 and wanted to try something different, thought about the AV7005 so I called Marantz's customer service, they said going from AV8003 to AV7005 is a down grade, there is no way the AV7005 sounds better than the AV8003, just better networking, hdmi 1.4, my local dealers also gave the same advice.

With the same equipments, the Anthem D2v sounds night and day better than the Marantz AV8003 without running the ARC calibration yet, even my wife noticed the same. Anthem D2v audio processor make all of the channels sound alike with more details, tighter bass and dynamic which best in movie or 5.1 music mode. The video processor also one of the best too.
2 channel preamp with HT bypass will be hard to beat 2 channels audio processor on the D2v IMO
Upgrade for D2v only available for firmware only and it is on Anthem's web site for free.