Emotiva LPA-1 Impressions by Joe Sixpack

[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

[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.

[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

[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]

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?

[bobsticks]

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.

That scene still kills me.

[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?

[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.