Emotiva LPA-1 Impressions by Joe Sixpack

[pixelthis]

Well, I'm running on all five (.1) now, and the results are the same. Heavy bass passages cause lowered mids, including vocals with DVD-A's. dB level seems to make no difference, so I'm going to blame the DVD-A standard and leave 'em on the store shelves.

A lot think that "burn in" is a thing of the past, with speakers being the only thing that still require some running to get "broken in".
But values of the components will change, if only slightly.
Whether or not this will change the sound of the amp I dunno.
BUT leave it out where peeeps can see it, okay?
ITS PURTTY

[kexodusc]

A lot think that "burn in" is a thing of the past, with speakers being the only thing that still require some running to get "broken in".

Think you nailed it here. I've never owned a piece of electronics that exhibited "burn in" other than speakers, and even tweeters don't exhibit changes in T/S parameters or FR when I test them after a month or so. For woofers I'll notice changes in Fs with even 20 minutes of play time on them. I don't think the hundreds of hours period speaker companies suggest is necessary, but there could be some models out there that take forever to break in. Makes you wonder how they'd ever sound good in store though?

[Rich-n-Texas]

Whoops!

I'm jamming to Systematic Chaos right now; the SPL meter is set to 90dB, and when "Ministry of Lost Souls" transitioned to "In the Presence of Enemies - Part 2" the needle smacked the stop at the top end (I'm in deep doodoo if I bent the dam thing! ). I changed the meter setting to 100dB and it peaked at 105dB, all channels driven.

I'll tell ya what. This amp has no problem whatsoever handling mid to low frequencies, especially drums. VERY good reproduction.

I'm frickin' PUMPED!!!

[kexodusc]

Whoops!

I'm jamming to Systematic Chaos right now; the SPL meter is set to 90dB, and when "Ministry of Lost Souls" transitioned to "In the Presence of Enemies - Part 2" the needle smacked the stop at the top end (I'm in deep doodoo if I bent the dam thing! ). I changed the meter setting to 100dB and it peaked at 105dB, all channels driven.

I'll tell ya what. This amp has no problem whatsoever handling mid to low frequencies, especially drums. VERY good reproduction.

I'm frickin' PUMPED!!!

That's like the quietest transition piece on that album...you're going to hurt your ears or your gear if you're playing it that loud. Time to ease back a bit maybe, hey Rich...RICH...RICH!!!!
Not to turn this into an ill advised pissing match, but I hit 110 dB in my room from my seating position in the depth charge scenes of U-571. Man, my subs rule. I've never had them that loud before...it was too uncomfortable to sustain for more than a few seconds, and I'm pretty sure I'm approaching dangerous levels. this was with 7 channels going (normal DTS ES mode) and my speakers set to small. Peaks above 110 are far beyond any theater I've ever been too.

Some people listen at those levels frequently. That's a sure bet way to go deaf prematurely.

[Rich-n-Texas]

That's like the quietest transition piece on that album...you're going to hurt your ears or your gear if you're playing it that loud. Time to ease back a bit maybe, hey Rich...RICH...RICH!!!!

Okay. I just loaded up some Stevie Ray Vaughn. Only hitting 90 now.

Not to turn this into an ill advised pissing match, but I hit 110 dB in my room from my seating position in the depth charge scenes of U-571. Man, my subs rule. I've never had them that loud before...it was too uncomfortable to sustain for more than a few seconds, and I'm pretty sure I'm approaching dangerous levels. this was with 7 channels going (normal DTS ES mode) and my speakers set to small. Peaks above 110 are far beyond any theater I've ever been too.

Cool man! I'm going to re-rent that movie as soon as I get the tweaks taken care of in here. IIRC, someone said that's a good movie to check LFE reproduction.

Some people listen at those levels frequently. That's a sure bet way to go deaf prematurely.

I think maybe that's why my ears are kinda ringing right now.

[musicman1999]

Man 105db will leave you asking people to repeat themselves a lot with a lot of exposure.A helicopter taking off runs about 105 db.

bill

[pixelthis]

Think you nailed it here. I've never owned a piece of electronics that exhibited "burn in" other than speakers, and even tweeters don't exhibit changes in T/S parameters or FR when I test them after a month or so. For woofers I'll notice changes in Fs with even 20 minutes of play time on them. I don't think the hundreds of hours period speaker companies suggest is necessary, but there could be some models out there that take forever to break in. Makes you wonder how they'd ever sound good in store though?

A lot of peeps think that "burn" in is a case of the owner geting used to the gear.
Whatever , I have noticed the effect.
I was listening to PBS jazz (I think) might have been music choice, while shaving,
and the most beautiful sound was coming out of my speakers. Was late to work that day.
This was the first day That I didnt regret buyiung my B&W's

[pixelthis]

I understand the natural response of a firebird owner to just CRANK IT when buying a new amp, but listen closely(if you have any hearing left).
Sit down, relax, sip on a bewski, as you jersey types say, play some laid back music,
AND LISTEN.
Play something detailed, play it at moderate listening levels.
Its easy to impress with sheer noise, see how your amp works with real music,
see how well it can discern detail.
Listen to the sound of nothing but someone singing, just a human voice.
Diana krall singing acapella(or however you spell it) is amazing, she does that in
love scenes, sounds like shes in the friggin room.
The human ear is universal in one thing, EVERYBODY can tell an unnatural
human voice.
THE ONE TRUE TEST FOR SPEAKERS IS VOICE REPRODUCTION,
same for amps, same for a combo of both

[GMichael]

Hey Rich,

Rich?

RICH!

Glad to read that you are enjoying your new amp. I SAID THAT I'M GLAD THAT YOU ARE ENJOYING YOUR AMP.
Hello? Is this thing on? TAP TAP.

TRY TO LISTEN RESPONSIBLY. WE WANT YOU ENJOYING YOUR MUSIC FOR A LIFETIME.

[Rich-n-Texas]

I understand the natural response of a firebird owner to just CRANK IT when buying a new amp, but listen closely(if you have any hearing left).

Wait'll ya see what comes next.

Sit down, relax, sip on a bewski, as you jersey types say, play some laid back music,
AND LISTEN.

Trust me... I'm putting plenty of variety through my speakers. Honestly, SRV's Soul To Soul during some tracks sounded so much different that the songs were almost unrecognizable. I listened carefully to Jeff Beck Blow by Blow, and again, LF reproduction was clear and powerful, his guitar, while loud wasn't at all fatiguing and the violins were (I guess you guys call it) warm and clearly audible. Again though, take it FWIW because I've never before had equipment of this caliber to compare with. I'm logging plenty of hours with plenty of variety and plenty of varying levels of dB's.

Play something detailed, play it at moderate listening levels.
Its easy to impress with sheer noise, see how your amp works with real music,
see how well it can discern detail.
Listen to the sound of nothing but someone singing, just a human voice.
Diana krall singing acapella(or however you spell it) is amazing, she does that in
love scenes, sounds like shes in the friggin room.

I'll just repeat what Kex already said here, at lower levels, the soundfield is full and well detailed. This is a good thing as well.

The human ear is universal in one thing, EVERYBODY can tell an unnatural
human voice.
THE ONE TRUE TEST FOR SPEAKERS IS VOICE REPRODUCTION,
same for amps, same for a combo of both

I'm seriously considering getting a referral from my physician so I can visit an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor to see if he has a recomendation for any way I can reduce or even eliminate the HF loss in my left ear. Somebody here previously posted a link to a hearing test (or something like that) that one can take. Heck, if it only costs me an insurance co-pay and maybe a medication prescription, why not?

[Rich-n-Texas]

Hey Rich,

Rich?

RICH!

Glad to read that you are enjoying your new amp. I SAID THAT I'M GLAD THAT YOU ARE ENJOYING YOUR AMP.
Hello? Is this thing on? TAP TAP.

TRY TO LISTEN RESPONSIBLY. WE WANT YOU ENJOYING YOUR MUSIC FOR A LIFETIME.

This makes me think of that cartoon character who would put a horn up to his/her ear to hear what was being said. Was it Mr. Magoo? eh?

[Rich-n-Texas]

Man 105db will leave you asking people to repeat themselves a lot with a lot of exposure.A helicopter taking off runs about 105 db.

bill

Hi Bill! Thanks for stopping in. Don't see much of you 'round these parts these days.

I guess I arrived at the same conclusion as you and Mr. P did regarding separates for my B&W's huh? I probably exceeded my original $2K budget by a little but it wasn't because of the receiver and amp. Equipment relocation and cable and wire probably contributed 25% to the overall cost. Not bad if I say so myself.

[Luvin Da Blues]

Heck, if it only costs me an insurance co-pay and maybe a medication prescription, why not?

You, if anyone here, can afford that Armadillo.

BTW "Blow by Blow" on vinyl is outstanding...Good choice.

[musicman1999]

Hi Bill! Thanks for stopping in. Don't see much of you 'round these parts these days.

I guess I arrived at the same conclusion as you and Mr. P did regarding separates for my B&W's huh? I probably exceeded my original $2K budget by a little but it wasn't because of the receiver and amp. Equipment relocation and cable and wire probably contributed 25% to the overall cost. Not bad if I say so myself.

Hi Rich

Been real busy these days changing jobs and spare time has been at a premium but things are settling down a bit so i should have some more spare time. Glad you like your new amp, i will be looking for a new playmate for my Anthem pre-pro this summer, i would like to have a Sim Audio but that will require some creative financial work. Whats next for you, a pre-pro? Does Emotive sell one as well?

bill

[Rich-n-Texas]

I hope all is well on the job front Bill. Things are beginning to get scary down here in the states. Gas prices are starting to have an effect on the economy and I'm seeing more companies starting to *adjust* accordingly.

Emotiva does produce pre-pros, but I'm very happy with my Yamaha and I don't plan on changing anything for hopefully a long time. The next component is either a PS3 or more likely a Berringer Feedback Destroyer. But room treatments are the very next order of business.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Well well well. The other day while I was looking at my mail, I saw that I'd received a code violation notice from my city that stated my fence needed to be repaired. I called the code enforcement office and was told that a neighbor had complained about the fact that over half of it was missing. I didn't bother to ask which neighbor had complained (irrelevant really) but I did ask if I even had to have a fence to begin with, and she said no.

SO, the first order of business will be to personally remove the remaining fence while I'm waiting for the contractor to put a new one up, which will be very easy to do since the posts are pretty much rotted all the way through anyway, and next will be to connect my backyard up to my receiver's... Z-O-N-E 2!!!

Hello neighbor...

[GMichael]

And so it begins.

[musicman1999]

I hope all is well on the job front Bill. Things are beginning to get scary down here in the states. Gas prices are starting to have an effect on the economy and I'm seeing more companies starting to *adjust* accordingly.

Emotiva does produce pre-pros, but I'm very happy with my Yamaha and I don't plan on changing anything for hopefully a long time. The next component is either a PS3 or more likely a Berringer Feedback Destroyer. But room treatments are the very next order of business.

Thanks Rich, all is well, i recently changed from Toyota to Honda so i have a lot to learn. Gas prices are crazy, the Canadian gallon is larger than yours but converting our prices to the us gallon and we are over 5 bucks per US gallon, had a customer just return from Germany and he said gas was near 9 bucks per gallon..
I would not close the door on a pre-pro, a good one can give you sound that a receiver is just not capable of. Oh and good luck with zone 2.

bill

[bobsticks]

I called the code enforcement office and was told that a neighbor had complained about the fact that over half of it was missing. I didn't bother to ask which neighbor had complained (irrelevant really) but I did ask if I even had to have a fence to begin with, and she said no.

Do you have a neighborhood association? Seriously, I had to do some thug-type shiyat just get the PTA moms to leave me alone. Mebbe something to look into...

[Rich-n-Texas]

Nope. No Home Owners Association in my neighborhood sticks. And I count my blessings every single day. Only the city's codes.

[audio amateur]

If you think you guys are being shafted by gas prices, we'll you're dead wrong. We've been shafted for a heck of a lot longer, and at 3 times the pain. My parents pay almost 100 bucks on average to fill their nissan's tank (we're talking 15 gallons here). That's also partly because the dollar is so weak now. It's not as detrimental as it would be for someone who was paid in US dollars, but it's still pretty bad for the locals. And this is in Geneva. In the UK it's even a little worse.

[basite]

If you think you guys are being shafted by gas prices, we'll you're dead wrong. We've been shafted for a heck of a lot longer, and at 3 times the pain. My parents pay almost 100 bucks on average to fill their nissan's tank (we're talking 15 gallons here). That's also partly because the dollar is so weak now. It's not as detrimental as it would be for someone who was paid in US dollars, but it's still pretty bad for the locals. And this is in Geneva. In the UK it's even a little worse.

Here in Belgium, it ain't too good neither

atm, we're paying like €1.35 per litre, that's €5.11 per gallon, or $ 8.05 per gallon.

for diesel! other gas is even more expensive...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[GMichael]

This site is not all inclusive, but can be of some help in finding better gas prices. Just pop in your zip code and it will give you the prices at many of the stations in your areas.

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gassta...?zip=&src=Netx

[Rich-n-Texas]

GM posting on Sunday??? WTF???

[bobsticks]

If you think you guys are being shafted by gas prices, we'll you're dead wrong...

Stephen, we're all getting shafted. In Iran gas is 29 cents a gallon, which I suppose would be fine if they were attempting any kind of industrial or infastructure overhaul. It's all about control with same billionare families that own the means of production funding the imams and the madrasahs that teach young, disenfranchised Arabic youth to hate all things Western.