Emotiva XPA-5 5 channels power amp - brief review

Since there is a promo (deduction of USD100), I took the plunge and bought it.



Hook it up to my Denon AVR-4310 to drive the 5 channels, while the remaining surr back speakers are being taken care by 4310 itself.

The instant improvement is the details from a movie. There is a sense of better dynamics too. The center channel did benefit from the additional power. The dialogue / vocal is more pronounced now. The power amp seems to induce a new life to it.

Then, I tried it again at higher volume (-10dB) to see whether it could still cope it out with control. Impressively, it does.

Been listening to some CDs with it. The power hungry SVS MTS-01 floorstanders are tuneful. There is no indication of it sounds harsh. The treble is well controlled and the bass is generated with ample oomph; not overpowering.

Somehow, it doesn't has the kind of warm when you listen to CD. I think this is the only grouse that I had. If for movie purpose, I would heartily say that for about RM4,000, Emotiva XPA-5 would be the toughest power amp to beat. It has enough power to pull it thorugh. Unless you are listening at near reference level, the XPA-5 tends to sound a bit harsh. Then again, only a few dare to watch at that kind of volume.

After a few hours using it, I did a check on its temperature. Unbelievably cool for a 5X 200W power amp. The AVR-4310 is so much hotter.

XPA-5 has indeed injected a new lease of life into my system now. By the time that I am typing this, there are 6 more new XPA-5 owners in KL / PJ area.

More info on the XPA-5 :
http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm

Emotiva is quite famous among those US HT fans.
I wonder if it is good in music.
Would like to try it out.

I saw a bunch of LYN forum HT gang buying this power amp.
Suddenly, the Emotiva has become a hot topic there.
Recession? Hmmm...

Hi Htkaki,

Did u buy it through the website?? Any hassle? Any extra M'sia tax?

Yes, bought it from Emotiva website. No hassle. They are using FedEx for the shipment. 15% import duty and 10% sales tax being imposed. Paid abt RM830 for the taxes.

Our Govt implement hefty taxes.
That's equivalent to 26.5% for amplifiers.

Tumpang thread...
Anyone here knows what's the tax for cables?

oh yes, b4 i forgot abt it. cheelun, Emo offer ends on 23rd Dec 09.

Thanks htkaki for the reminder.

I must bear in mind that the actual price will be 25% of what is quoted on the website, rite?

And what about the shipping fees?

Am actually thinking of getting a power amp for 2 channel music.

Maybe can wait until our currency is a little stronger against the greenback before taking the plunge. In that sense, maybe no need the 100usd discount!! Heheheheheheh

Cheers

It was UD799. Now, USD699. That's abt 8.7% discount. The shipping fee is abt USD220.

Wow... wait for greenback to hit about RM3.15?

greenback to hit RM3.15 ? Yau Mou ? From what I am seeing, it's actualy gone back up in recent days.

I will be very happy if greenback slides to RM3.15.

BTW, Emotiva sales has just ended, right?

just fyi, the sales end on 31st dec 2009.

good luck!!!

cheers,
wps

htkaki wrote:Yes, bought it from Emotiva website. No hassle. They are using FedEx for the shipment. 15% import duty and 10% sales tax being imposed. Paid abt RM830 for the taxes.

This is the issue here, baru kena about RM720 tax for my OPPO 83, the Emotiva on 'standby order' (contacted and got quote oledi), to decide 'go/no go' today coz sale ending 12/31/2009.

Another thing is the comment by htkaki about listening to CD, intend to also use for my 5.1 SACD/DVD-A listening, wonder whether worthwhile to buy. Pricewise for HT I suppose no match with other product...

Alamak, just check the webpage, no more stock, price USD799 and only ship in February 2010 Maybe can use for CNY

Cheers,

zeebee

oops!!! too bad... next year loh...

wps

wps, how's your Emo been doing?

Been using my XPA-5 almost everyday now. Now, I am in my HT room more often. Browsing net while listening to music with it.

way too heavy for me to move to my audio room upstairs!!! waiting for that strong muscle brother htkaki to drop by so can help me move! hahaa!!!

cheers,
wps

junchoon wrote:way too heavy for me to move to my audio room upstairs!!! waiting for that strong muscle brother htkaki to drop by so can help me move! hahaa!!!

cheers,
wps

Wah.. asking a taukeh to help you move stuffs ah?
Very expensive labour.

car o scope wrote:

junchoon wrote:way too heavy for me to move to my audio room upstairs!!! waiting for that strong muscle brother htkaki to drop by so can help me move! hahaa!!!

cheers,
wps

Wah.. asking a taukeh to help you move stuffs ah?
Very expensive labour.

oops!!!!!! what was i thinking????? u r right, he is too expensive lah... cannot afford!

poor-man-cannot-afford-muscle-boss,
wps

junchoon wrote:
oops!!!!!! what was i thinking????? u r right, he is too expensive lah... cannot afford!

poor-man-cannot-afford-muscle-boss,
wps

Maybe you can afford but it is just expensive.. hahahahhaa..

car o scope wrote:

junchoon wrote:way too heavy for me to move to my audio room upstairs!!! waiting for that strong muscle brother htkaki to drop by so can help me move! hahaa!!!

cheers,
wps

Wah.. asking a taukeh to help you move stuffs ah?
Very expensive labour.

Dont have to call taukeh. Small fry trying to make a living only.

I'll help with no charge to move that up. Just buy me a drink and fire up the sys for me to drool. That's more than enough

I have a XPA-3, the lil brother of XPA-5 to drive my 3 front channels...so far so good, even astro drama sounded better through my Axiom speakers....

How's the emos after running-in?

The emo's sound improves over time.....
the major improvement is when I change the interconnector to Diamondback..
No more harsh sound from the highest note compared to emo's own cable be it x-series or ultra series....

mpyw wrote:The emo's sound improves over time.....
the major improvement is when I change the interconnector to Diamondback..
No more harsh sound from the highest note compared to emo's own cable be it x-series or ultra series....

u r using xlr or rca for the x-series ahh? i find the xlr connection has low noise floor loh...

cheers,
wps

me using RCA nia lar....my receiver dont hv XLR out

mpyw wrote:me using RCA nia lar....my receiver dont hv XLR out

oh like that ahh... should upgrade liao, hahaa!

Trying to encourage CNY shopping spree?

car o scope wrote:Trying to encourage CNY shopping spree?

aiyaa, for mypw should be wet wet water lah...