Emotiva UPA-2 - Pulling Trigger in 24 HRs - Help Me, I'm Scared!

[frenchmon]

I always imagined I might (the descriptions of their sound seems like what I'd like)... But since I can get one of my 2 favorite brands here, I'd rather play it safe than risk ordering the Paradigms and not being happy with the sound (we generally don't get the same wonderful return policies here as in the US - especially if I special order items)...

Besides, the Concerta F12s will be the best choice for my listening room (even if they are the least stylish looking) and I worry that pairing potentially bright Paradigms with potentially bright Emotiva might be too much...

I've listened to both Paradigm and Revel and the Paradigms are a more lively speaker( not saying the Revels are boring...just not as much sparkle as the Paradigms...the signatures as witnessed by myself and MrP have an outstanding mid section sound that gives off some of the best imaging you will hear in a speaker in that price class..at least to my thinking...I've heard others say the Studios are not that far off of the Signatures but I don't know if they can match the imaging in the mids of the Sigs.) ...so If Emotiva is a very etched amp they might not pair well with the Digms and may be more suited for the Revels which have a very balanced, clear sound but more subdued with a little less intensity in the mids than the Digms but a more natural robust bottom end than the Digms. The Revels are a very musical speaker. I betcha that Benchmark is going to do the trick with the Emotiva and the Revels...should be a very nice and interesting combination. Let us all know asap what its like.

frenchmon

[Ajani]

I've listened to both Paradigm and Revel and the Paradigms are a more lively speaker( not saying the Revels are boring...just not as much sparkle as the Paradigms...the signatures as witnessed by myself and MrP have an outstanding mid section sound that gives off some of the best imaging you will hear in a speaker in that price class..at least to my thinking...I've heard others say the Studios are not that far off of the Signatures but I don't know if they can match the imaging in the mids of the Sigs.) ...so If Emotiva is a very etched amp they might not pair well with the Digms and may be more suited for the Revels which have a very balanced, clear sound but more subdued with a little less intensity in the mids than the Digms but a more natural robust bottom end than the Digms. The Revels are a very musical speaker. I betcha that Benchmark is going to do the trick with the Emotiva and the Revels...should be a very nice and interesting combination. Let us all know asap what its like.

frenchmon

Yep your Revel/Paradigm comparison sounds exactly like how I'd expect the 2 to compare, based on my experience with Revel and the descriptions of Paradigm...

With the Revel I know that I won't need as careful matching of electronics and I can more easily change the sound by switching amp and/or pre.... Plus I really want the full range extension of the Revels... My Active monitors are very nice (especially when used on my computer desk), but I want much 'bigger' sound for my listening room... I want variety between my headphones, active speakers and main system....

[Tarheel_]

Yep your Revel/Paradigm comparison sounds exactly like how I'd expect the 2 to compare, based on my experience with Revel and the descriptions of Paradigm...

With the Revel I know that I won't need as careful matching of electronics and I can more easily change the sound by switching amp and/or pre.... Plus I really want the full range extension of the Revels... My Active monitors are very nice (especially when used on my computer desk), but I want much 'bigger' sound for my listening room... I want variety between my headphones, active speakers and main system....

Revels spit out what they receive...i think that is a good thing , but others don't. They will give you the upper/ mid/ low range as they are feed, but they are not forgiving...meaning once you chance a piece of the puzzle, they change with it. The right combo is tough because you upgrade a DVD player or even Directv receiver (analog vs digital) they sound different.
Once you find something they play nicely with, your in heaven, but if your buying online stuff it can be frustrating. I know as I tend to buy used. It's taken me close to 6 years to find the right combo for my HT room.
The good part is...it doesn't take expensive equipment (what reviewer say) to find the right pieces.

[Ajani]

Revels spit out what they receive...i think that is a good thing , but others don't. They will give you the upper/ mid/ low range as they are feed, but they are not forgiving...meaning once you chance a piece of the puzzle, they change with it. The right combo is tough because you upgrade a DVD player or even Directv receiver (analog vs digital) they sound different.
Once you find something they play nicely with, your in heaven, but if your buying online stuff it can be frustrating. I know as I tend to buy used. It's taken me close to 6 years to find the right combo for my HT room.
The good part is...it doesn't take expensive equipment (what reviewer say) to find the right pieces.

I agree... That's part of why Revel is one of my favourite brands... In addition to the Emotiva for (Hopefully) good affordable SS sound, I eventually want to add a low powered Tube/Class A Integrated (with headphone out) that I can alternate as headphone amp or for use with the Revels...

The Concerta F12s have 2 advantages over the Performa and Ultima lines:

1) Much cheaper - I think that requires no explanation

2) Higher sensitivity - so I can hook up some 5 watt sets and still get some volume out of them...

I can't wait to join the Revel owners' club...