-
Emotiva LPA-1 Impressions by Joe Sixpack
MAN! My homemade speaker cables make this thing sound GREAT! :thumbsup:
-
Welcome to the forum Joe:thumbsup:
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
MAN! My homemade speaker cables make this thing sound GREAT! :thumbsup:
Cool. Can you make me some?
Knock any pictures off the wall yet?
-
He doesn't have any pictures on his walls:ihih:
-
Dude, stop being a tease and post the review already :arf:
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by L.J.
Dude, stop being a tease and post the review already :arf:
Yeah, I'm dying to learn how this amp performs!!! :mad2:
-
Oh come on Kex, you know better than I do! :yesnod:
I'm very happy that I made this investment. I don't have everything set up properly yet, but it has made a world of difference in my living room. I sat down for a few minutes between sliding this loveseat this way and that recliner that way for some Pink Floyd "Animals" tracks and it just blew my mind what I was hearing. No lie, I got goose bumps while Gilmore was wailing away. I could actually hear (and I may not be describing this right) a passage or lick come to an end instead of what I've previously perceived as it fading away into the song. The punch from the bass (mains bass) was there, and everything just seemed much tighter, with more detail. While I was watching the "Pulse" concert, I heard the backing gals' oooohhing and aaaahhing at times that I'd previously not heard them at all. I don't have my surrounds connected yet because after moving the audio rack to the opposite end of the TV stand, my cables to the wall jacks came up a bit short. The amp is sitting on an old printer stand in front of the receiver for now because I won't have the IC's that I ordered from Blue Jeans until next week.
The first CD I played was a Tears for Fears disk that I always liked because it IMO was well produced and has quite a few instruments outside of the normal Rock-n-Roll pieces. These tracks were played at "concert level" but I have to say at times the songs sounded a bit harsh. I was playing the song "Shout" and the cymbals and guitar kind of made me cringe a little, but then I checked the level with the SPL meter and well, the volume in the room was tapping the 100 dB mark ( :ihih: ) I think that'll tame down when I finish with room treatments. I want to finish up with room treatments now so PLEASE STOP TALKING ME INTO BUYING STUFF... OKAY?!
That means you L.J. :mad5:
I have to recalibrate the receiver because as I mentioned, I've moved furniture around and the speaker placement has changed so I'll chat more about this after everything's in place and has been tweaked some more.
Thanks again for your input Kex. Good advice, well received. And oh yeah...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kex
...this amplifier can play LOUD
Oh YEAH! ("Thank you God") :D
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
The first CD I played was a Tears for Fears disk that I always liked because it IMO was well produced and has quite a few instruments outside of the normal Rock-n-Roll pieces. These tracks were played at "concert level" but I have to say at times the songs sounded a bit harsh. I was playing the song "Shout" and the cymbals and guitar kind of made me cringe a little, but then I checked the level with the SPL meter and well, the volume in the room was tapping the 100 dB mark ( :ihih: ) I think that'll tame down when I finish with room treatments. I want to finish up with room treatments
Scary isn't it. Too much of that will damage your hearing :)
I really can't get over how much easier on the ears this amp plays music at 90 db + levels compared to my other amps. Judging by your comments above, you experienced the same thing I did - total loss of loudness awareness. It just plays clean and mean.
I have to recalibrate the receiver because as I mentioned, I've moved furniture around and the speaker placement has changed so I'll chat more about this after everything's in place and has been tweaked some more.
Quote:
Thanks again for your input Kex. Good advice, well received.
Wait till you get your receiver settings calibrated...
Quote:
so PLEASE STOP TALKING ME INTO BUYING STUFF... OKAY?!
That means you L.J.
I'm guessing you have a pretty good opportunity to here to apply some reciprocal pressure to return the favor...:lol:
-
The volume level on the receiver was set at -5dB when I read the SPL meter. Later, when I was listening at what I thought was a reasonable volume, the meter was peaking at 80 dB. I was certainly surprised when I saw that.
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
The volume level on the receiver was set at -5dB when I read the SPL meter. Later, when I was listening at what I thought was a reasonable volume, the meter was peaking at 80 dB. I was certainly surprised when I saw that.
Don't read too much into that (the -5dB setting) - the gain structure of the LPA-1 and your Yammie's internal amps are probably different. Also, the signal doesn't travel the same path obviously so its probable there's different signal strength reaching each amps what with one having to go through pre-outs and so forth. I've noticed 8 dB difference between the loudest and quietest amps I own. Quite a bit.
Distortion really affects our sense of loudness - absence of distortion (THD, clipping, etc) doesn't sound as loud as the same music played with even just a little bit of audible distortion. I get a kick out of some of the car audio guys in my neighborhood who tell me their stereos already hurt their ears so they don't need more power. when more power would keep their ears from hurting.
-
man that amp is a big mutha!! where did ya put it?
-
-
i thought texans lived where the buffalo roam :skep:
-
Nope. "Nothing here but steers-n-*****s!" :biggrin5:
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by diggity
i thought texans lived where the buffalo roam :skep:
He's not a "texan", hes from jersey.
If he lives in Texas his entire life he gets to be a yankee who lived in TEXAS HIS ENTIRE LIFE.
You dont get to be French by moving to France, same with the south, or Texas.
Same applies with being a yankee, you dont get to be a yankee by moving north.
THANK GOD:1:
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelthis
He's not a "texan", hes from jersey.
If he lives in Texas his entire life he gets to be a yankee who lived in TEXAS HIS ENTIRE LIFE.
You dont get to be French by moving to France, same with the south, or Texas.
Same applies with being a yankee, you dont get to be a yankee by moving north.
THANK GOD:1:
I've lived in France my whole life. Does that make me French?
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
PLEASE STOP TALKING ME INTO BUYING STUFF... OKAY?!
That means you L.J. :mad5:
HUh?
Dude, what's up with that review. Surely you got your cables by now. I get my BJC cable the next day.
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by L.J.
HUh?
Dude, what's up with that review. Surely you got your cables by now. I get my BJC cable the next day.
Brought them in about 30 minutes ago. I appreciate BJC sending them USPS Priority, but could they not have at least packed a little bubble wrap around them? :idea:
Anyway, you didn't like my review? In my case I don't have anything to compare this amp to, obviously since it's my first component purchase of this type in the signal path. And I wasn't able to audition other speakers, so again, nothing to compare to. I can only speak to what I heard with the old HTR 5740, then the 3800, and now this thing. Each step of the way I heard improvements; I'm astonished with what the speakers sound like now but I can't say that they're at their full potential. Kex OTOH has had all sorts of contraptions to mix and match so his review is definately going to be one laced with more experience and thoroughness (hopefully that all made sense).
In any event, since I have the A/V furniture in a more accessible position, I'm going to do some mods to the audio rack (like pull that crappy cardboard backer panel off), and I might buy another HDMI cable to replace the one that came with the FIOS box. Right now I have the Monster HDMI cable running directly from the STB to the TV, and I'd swear the picture looks much better than with that long black cable. I'm going to swap that one back in then compare. I'm also thinking I may not have something in the receiver set properly, so I want to do a side-by-side with that scenario as well. I have to make longer speaker cables too. :o
I'll have everything in place sometime this week, and then I'll get more panels made up.
Update your gallery yet L.J.? :ciappa:
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
Brought them in about 30 minutes ago. I appreciate BJC sending them USPS Priority, but could they not have at least packed a little bubble wrap around them? :idea:
Anyway, you didn't like my review? In my case I don't have anything to compare this amp to, obviously since it's my first component purchase of this type in the signal path. And I wasn't able to audition other speakers, so again, nothing to compare to. I can only speak to what I heard with the old HTR 5740, then the 3800, and now this thing. Each step of the way I heard improvements; I'm astonished with what the speakers sound like now but I can't say that they're at their full potential. Kex OTOH has had all sorts of contraptions to mix and match so his review is definately going to be one laced with more experience and thoroughness (hopefully that all made sense).
In any event, since I have the A/V furniture in a more accessible position, I'm going to do some mods to the audio rack (like pull that crappy cardboard backer panel off), and I might buy another HDMI cable to replace the one that came with the FIOS box. Right now I have the Monster HDMI cable running directly from the STB to the TV, and I'd swear the picture looks much better than with that long black cable. I'm going to swap that one back in then compare. I'm also thinking I may not have something in the receiver set properly, so I want to do a side-by-side with that scenario as well. I have to make longer speaker cables too. :o
I'll have everything in place sometime this week, and then I'll get more panels made up.
Update your gallery yet L.J.? :ciappa:
Oh, I'll have to go back and read this thread. No, no updated photos yet. I'll try to get around to it next week. How the heck do you post those small pics that get bigger when you click on them?
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
o I want to do a side-by-side with that scenario as well. I have to make longer speaker cables too. :o
If you go ahead doing side-by-side swaps with the amp and receiver, and you're swapping cables, be careful. Turn them off. Unplug them even. You could get zapped which would suck, but even worse, you could short your receiver or amp if you accidentally cross wires while its on.
I bumped the bananas while trying to maneuver mine in my rack and it tripped the protect mode once. Good thing too - I managed to yank a wire out of a banana and sure enough it had landed flat on another terminal.
A/B tests are fun, but they're a lot of work.
Quote:
Anyway, you didn't like my review? In my case I don't have anything to compare this amp to, obviously since it's my first component purchase of this type in the signal path. And I wasn't able to audition other speakers, so again, nothing to compare to. I can only speak to what I heard with the old HTR 5740, then the 3800, and now this thing. Each step of the way I heard improvements; I'm astonished with what the speakers sound like now but I can't say that they're at their full potential. Kex OTOH has had all sorts of contraptions to mix and match so his review is definately going to be one laced with more experience and thoroughness (hopefully that all made sense).
Personally Rich, I tend to put more weight on reviews from (credible) people with less experience. Sometimes you really have to "learn how to listen" to pick out differences in equipment upgrades. I go into a near shaolin ninja state of concentration whenever I compare DAC's because I find differences to be extremely small. Same with CD players.
If a total newb can walk in a room and immediately realize he's hearing things he didn't hear before, then I tend to believe the improvements are more substantial.
I bet people find your perspective every bit as valid, if not more so than mine. I never really expanded too much on how the receiver's internal amp compared since I had already done that with the other power amps I elected to use and I probably just skipped ahead.
I suspect most interested people who would read what you have to say would be receiver owners looking for a decent (perhaps their first) multi-channel power amp, and they'll want to know how it stacked up against a comparable receiver, not how it fared against other amps. That's probably the biggest target market for this particular amp, at least.
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by L.J.
Oh, I'll have to go back and read this thread. No, no updated photos yet. I'll try to get around to it next week. How the heck do you post those small pics that get bigger when you click on them?
PhotoBucket has an option that will generate an HTML code for "Clickable Thumbnail Images".
-
maaaaaaaaaaaaaan...now i really want one...
-
I'll have all five channels singing tonite after I make up another pair of speaker cables.THEN we'll see what the neighbors think. :ihih:
(Yes, I'll also remember to demo the Genesis DVD-A with questionable merits)
-
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. :nonod:
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
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. :nonod:
Well, if it's happening on 2 different amps at all volumes I'm inclined to believe it's the recording - either intentionally made that way or just a unfortunate oversight of some sort.
You'll find as your system gets better you'll start to notice all sorts of terrible nasties in various recordings that you didn't here before.
It's like a superhero's curse.
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
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. :nonod:
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:1:
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelthis
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?
-
Pinned it!!!
:yikes: 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! :eek: ). 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!!! :3: :3: :3:
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
:yikes: 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! :eek: ). 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!!! :3: :3: :3:
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.
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by kexodusc
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. :thumbsup:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kex
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kex
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. :confused:
-
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
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by kexodusc
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:1:
-
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:1:
-
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.
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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).
Wait'll ya see what comes next. :ihih:
Quote:
Originally Posted by pix
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. :yesnod:
Quote:
Originally Posted by pix
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pix
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:1:
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?
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
:lol: 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?
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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
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. :thumbsup:
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
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. :ciappa:
BTW "Blow by Blow" on vinyl is outstanding...Good choice.:3:
-
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas
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. :thumbsup:
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
-
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.
|