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

[Ajani]

As I'm sure many of you aware, I'm a cheap @$$hole and am hence always on the lookout for a good deal to get my HiFi back on track... I contacted Emotiva and got a quote to have a UPA-2 delivered to me... I plan to pull the trigger tomorrow...

Any last words of advice or warning from Emotiva users??? (I know their are several of you on this forum)... I figure $300 is a good way to test the Emotiva waters without making a serious investment, so I can always upgrade to something ridiculous from them later on if needs be...

I will be buying a pair of Revel Concerta F12s to mate with the UPA-2 shortly...

My Benchmark DAC1 will serve as DAC and Preamp....

[audio amateur]

Wow, that's pretty cheap. I hope the shipping works out! Keep us posted, and make sure you have some pics to show when you've done setting it all up

[Ajani]

Wow, that's pretty cheap. I hope the shipping works out! Keep us posted, and make sure you have some pics to show when you've done setting it all up

LOL.. yeah... I can't wait to have it all setup and take some pics...

I had 2 choices in amplification really: order something online (and pay the heavy duties) or buy from my local dealer... My Local dealer sells Revel, Mark Levinson and Krell... So the cheapest amplification he has is the Krell S300i for $2.5K... So between Emotiva at a approx $400 (shipping included) and probably another $160 in duties versus $2.5K for Krell, i felt the Emotiva would make a very reasonable start...

[nightflier]

So between Emotiva at a approx $400 (shipping included) and probably another $160 in duties...

What could possibly convince an audiophile to move to Jamaica? I'm sure the sun and Kingston nightlife are nice, but wasn't the Haiti earthquake and Katrina a little too close to home?

[Ajani]

What could possibly convince an audiophile to move to Jamaica? I'm sure the sun and Kingston nightlife are nice, but wasn't the Haiti earthquake and Katrina a little too close to home?

Luckily neither Katrina nor the Earthquake caused any damage here...

As for the extra price: that's exactly the problem with getting HiFi here.... Shipping and duties are insane... And the stuff priced fairly (local dealers) is extremely limited...

I was initially thinking of ordering a $1450 Naim Nait 5i, but by the time I add shipping and duties it will cost me just a fraction less than a $2500 Krell S300i from my local dealer... So just about anything mid-priced is out, as I might as well just save up for the Krell at those prices...

[Tarheel_]

As I'm sure many of you aware, I'm a cheap @$$hole and am hence always on the lookout for a good deal to get my HiFi back on track... I contacted Emotiva and got a quote to have a UPA-2 delivered to me... I plan to pull the trigger tomorrow...

Any last words of advice or warning from Emotiva users??? (I know their are several of you on this forum)... I figure $300 is a good way to test the Emotiva waters without making a serious investment, so I can always upgrade to something ridiculous from them later on if needs be...

I will be buying a pair of Revel Concerta F12s to mate with the UPA-2 shortly...

My Benchmark DAC1 will serve as DAC and Preamp....

Let us know how the amp works out and how they mate with the Revels....always happy to see a fellow Revel owner around these parts as we are few and far between.

[nightflier]

Ajani,

Do you have any other speakers to compare them to?

[Ajani]

Ajani,

Do you have any other speakers to compare them to?

Not much available locally... But Revel is one of my favorites from back when I lived in Toronto... My first choice would have been Monitor Audio, but they're not available here and would be way too expensive to order...

Other options from another local dealer (appears we have only 2 in Jamaica) are PSB, Paradigm and Definitive Technology... I have yet to be impressed by Def Tech or PSB and I have never heard Paradigm... Oh yeah, my preferred dealer also has KEF, but I didn't think too much of the KEF IQ90s I heard...

[frenchmon]

Not much available locally... But Revel is one of my favorites from back when I lived in Toronto... My first choice would have been Monitor Audio, but they're not available here and would be way too expensive to order...

Other options from another local dealer (appears we have only 2 in Jamaica) are PSB, Paradigm and Definitive Technology... I have yet to be impressed by Def Tech or PSB and I have never heard Paradigm... Oh yeah, my preferred dealer also has KEF, but I didn't think too much of the KEF IQ90s I heard...

I think you would like Paradigm Studio or Signature series if you like Monitor Audio.


frenchie

[Ajani]

I think you would like Paradigm Studio or Signature series if you like Monitor Audio.


frenchie

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...

[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

[GMichael]

I have read only good things about Emotiva amps.

[nightflier]

Seems a little fishy. How do the local dealers do it?

[Ajani]

Seems a little fishy. How do the local dealers do it?

It's not that fishy... Local Dealers don't buy anywhere near retail and (I believe) get better rates for duties than individuals... So they can sell at near US MSRP...

[Mr Peabody]

Good for you. Looking forward to hearing your experience.

I don't like Reggae.... oh no.... I love it...

[Ajani]

I hope I end up as happy with my purchase as this guy:

http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/i...ay&thread=9036

Well after reading all of the forum banter, I started wondering if I was missing out on something by not having more expensive amps. So... I took the plunge and ordered a new Krell S300i integrated ($2500) for my 2 channel set up ( 2 Polk LSi9's, an Onkyo AVR as a pre, an Emo UPA-2, a Wadia 170i, and a Marantz SA8003). I received the Krell and hooked up tonight. No bash intended here on Krell, but what a huge disappointment! Compared to my Emo, the bass was totally lost, depth and detail were horrible. I was just shocked. I fiddled around with it for about an hour, yanked it out, hooked my Emo back up and all is well again. The Krell will be returned tomorrow. Please forgive me! I will never doubt again!!

I rather doubt the Emotiva would be the equal of a Krell (I'm hoping it will be up to Rotel Level - it should be based on direct sales) but I would love to be as happy with my purchase as that guy...

[dr bud]

Doen't sound like you gave that krell much of a chance to break in.I will be interested to see how the emo works for those speakers.Revels are nice.Should show short commings in the amp if there are any.Was thinking about getting emo's xpa 3 for my sourrounds.

[frenchmon]

I hope I end up as happy with my purchase as this guy:

http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/i...ay&thread=9036



I rather doubt the Emotiva would be the equal of a Krell (I'm hoping it will be up to Rotel Level - it should be based on direct sales) but I would love to be as happy with my purchase as that guy...

Well lets just hope the Emotiva has some emotion and tonal abilities....if not then the Benchmark may do the job.

frenchmon

[Ajani]

Well lets just hope the Emotiva has some emotion and tonal abilities....if not then the Benchmark may do the job.

frenchmon

Hopefully it does, if not I may go back to what I was initially thinking of ordering:

http://grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_...ocessor_buffer

A Grant Fidelity Tube Buffer... I actually got a quote for shipping (3 KG) on that one yesterday (sadly their express shipping fees are higher than the ones for the 40LB Emotiva Amp - they really should switch to FedEx)

[dr bud]

That looks awsome!I don't know how emotiva stuff sounds but i personally love the blue lights!Don't know why so many people don't like the looks.

[frenchmon]

That looks awsome!I don't know how emotiva stuff sounds but i personally love the blue lights!Don't know why so many people don't like the looks.

Actually, I've seen MrP's Emotiva and I can tell you the pictures don't do it much justice....they dont look bad at all in person.

[kexodusc]

I have a hard time imagining that Emo topping a Krell but maybe that guys ears just don't agree with Krell...Topping the usual basic Rotel/NAD/Parasound stuff, easier to believe...mine was a good step up from my NAD, Rotel,and Adcom amps, and this from a multi-channel amp. Not a massive, revolutionary night and day difference, but worthwhile one.

One thing you might consider - I find mine has a more neutral sound (and while I've only heard 2 other models their presentations were fairly consistent, though one had more bass authority) and is not as bright as my Adcom or even Rotels (which is I sometimes wish wasn't the case) but a bit smoother in the midrange and not as bloated or warm as my NAD amps are - Which isn't to say it's perfectly in the middle because it's not that simple. Hard to describe until you hear for yourself. But if you're a big fan of bright or warm leaning amps, it may not suit your personal preferences. I know one person whose ear I trust that basically admitted the amp was a good product but just not to his personal liking (obviously he, like me doesn't believe they all sound the same). I admit I do wish mine was just a hair livelier, but the improvements in other elements, and the extra gobs of power make it a pleasant compromise. If you're not super fussy you'll probably be quite happy. That's the downside of buying from companies like Emotiva and Outlaw. Gotta buy to try. I lucked out, and actually I think Pixelthis even enjoys his.

Looking forward to your review. Wonder how the Benchmark DAC 1 works with it? What was the last amp you owned?

[Ajani]

I have a hard time imagining that Emo topping a Krell but maybe that guys ears just don't agree with Krell...

Yep, my thoughts as well... Likely, he just didn't like the Krell's presentation, also it's clear he didn't give it much of a chance; bought it, hooked it up one night, played it, didn't like it and returned it the next morning...

Topping the usual basic Rotel/NAD/Parasound stuff, easier to believe...mine was a good step up from my NAD, Rotel,and Adcom amps, and this from a multi-channel amp. Not a massive, revolutionary night and day difference, but worthwhile one.

That's what I'm looking for, something better than or at least on the level of those brands..

One thing you might consider - I find mine has a more neutral sound (and while I've only heard 2 other models their presentations were fairly consistent, though one had more bass authority) and is not as bright as my Adcom or even Rotels (which is I sometimes wish wasn't the case) but a bit smoother in the midrange and not as bloated or warm as my NAD amps are - Which isn't to say it's perfectly in the middle because it's not that simple. Hard to describe until you hear for yourself. But if you're a big fan of bright or warm leaning amps, it may not suit your personal preferences. I know one person whose ear I trust that basically admitted the amp was a good product but just not to his personal liking (obviously he, like me doesn't believe they all sound the same). I admit I do wish mine was just a hair livelier, but the improvements in other elements, and the extra gobs of power make it a pleasant compromise. If you're not super fussy you'll probably be quite happy. That's the downside of buying from companies like Emotiva and Outlaw. Gotta buy to try. I lucked out, and actually I think Pixelthis even enjoys his.

I like either neutral or lively presentations, so hopefully the Emo should fit the bill...

Looking forward to your review. Wonder how the Benchmark DAC 1 works with it? What was the last amp you owned?

I had a Rotel RB-1080 (which I really liked) and before that a NAD C352 (which I didn't like)..

[Tarheel_]

My Revel dealer has the Concerta line paired with a nice big Marantz AVR in their demo room. Something with a 8 in the model name.

They really sound nice with that setup. Not sure you need a ton of watts to get good sound from the Revels.

From experience the Rotels mate very well with the Revel sound as i've owned a few. Revels are very revealing speakers so it makes finding a good amp match difficult.

I've used everything from a huge NAD amp to $100 AVRs and each sound totally different with my F30s.

Good luck on your search.

[Ajani]

My Revel dealer has the Concerta line paired with a nice big Marantz AVR in their demo room. Something with a 8 in the model name.

They really sound nice with that setup. Not sure you need a ton of watts to get good sound from the Revels.

From experience the Rotels mate very well with the Revel sound as i've owned a few. Revels are very revealing speakers so it makes finding a good amp match difficult.

I've used everything from a huge NAD amp to $100 AVRs and each sound totally different with my F30s.

Good luck on your search.

I Never got to try Rotel and Revel together... I had Mission Speakers back when I had the Rotels... But I always thought Rotel and Revel would be a good combo (for my tastes)...

The Concertas definitely don't need a lot of power, since they are efficient speakers (90.5db sensitivity), I don't listen at concert level volumes and I have a medium sized room... So I'm sure the 125 watts of the UPA-2 will be far more than I'll ever need.... I'd have gone for a low powered Class A amp (if I had found one for a decent price)...