But I have a(n) Reciever/AVR (Audio/Visual Receiver), why do I need this? What does it do anyway?
Those are great questions and the answer is… well, you don’t need-need it. technically. But you should want it because of two reasons: it works great, and manages heat. I can’t tell you the amount of frustration it brings to be watching a dynamic 4K crispy, 7.2.4 Atmos scene and have the reciever clip because it’s being over-worked. The anxiety of that moment is crushing. Did my investment just blow-up, did a breaker just trip, etc? The good news is, it’s not crazy money to add a solution, in the form of a great quality amplifier.
What an external amp does is simple, really. It provides power to your separate processor. In doing so, it relieves the power demands (or some of) from your Receiver/AVR. The Emotiva XPA/Gen3 comes in many sizes (or channels), consisting of two thru eleven channels, perfect to power your 2 channel stereo system or power/suppliment your 184 channel (haha) home-theater set-up. Most people entering into the strereo or home-theater hobby, (myself included) believe, or once believed, the Reciever/ AVR option is the only, or best option. However, after some time that option can begin to show its weaknesses (by way of both heard and unheard limitations). Now you find yourself at the crossroads of where you are and the next step.
RECEIVER/AVR AND THE DIRTY-LITTLE-SECRET
As great as AVRs are - and I do mean that - AVR manufacturers rarely tell you the whole truth as they generally seem to overpromise and underdeliver in the power department. Not with Emotiva; what they tell you is what you get. Millions of people, right now, are enjoying thier equipment but are truely unaware how much better it could actually sound if the power element was handled somewhere else.
So far, I’ve been tough on the Receiver/AVR, but I do want to give it some props. They have a ton of stuff to do in that little box and we from an audio/visiual stand-point keep asking them for more. HD/4K/8K decoding, 16 channel power, multi-zone channels, and beyond. It’s really no wonder they have so much trouble keeping temperatures cool. As most of us know, heat is the enemy of electronics and most people make things even worse by putting these over-worked magicians inside of unmanaged temperature controlled cabinets. Seriously, measure the temperature of your enclosed cabinet after your movies has had a couple heavy scenes, you’ll be amazed how hot it is (and that it’s still working…but will it next time?).
Even if your not ready today, I know someday you’ll get to the point of considering a better way to handle component separation in your system. In the mean-time enjoy what you have. No matter what you have, it’s a start (and in 2021, whatever you’re working with, it’s likely still pretty fantastic).
VERSATILE AND FUTURE-PROOF?
Which Emotiva amp (or items from their other lines) you need is highly dependant upon what your audio goals are (and the type of system you are operating/powering; 2 channel stereo. ATMOS home-theater, etc.).
The photos we’ve include here are of the XPA-FIVE Gen3 (which we personally own and use in our dedicated home-theater). I’ve owned/used it for about one year and it‘s completely changed the way we experience our entertainment. Aside from assembling basic items, like a projector, processing devices, and of course our beloved 175lbs. 16 inch subwoofer (definitely not a basic item), the inclusion of this amplifier has redefined our enjoyment of the LCR (left, center, and right) front stage. All this and two spare and expandable slots, respectively. We chose this amp specifically because of its ability to future-proof our plans. Because when you have a dedicated home-theater, there are always future plans.
…Here are the specs, directly from the Emotiva website: emotiva.com.
XPA-5
The new XPA-5 is a five-channel audiophile quality power amplifier, and is perfect for powering:
A superb high-end 5.1 channel system
The 5 main channels in a 5.1.2. 5.1.4, or 5.1.6 channel Dolby Atmos or DTS-X system
Configuration:
5 x High-Powered Single-Channel Modules
(Two module slots remain available for future expansion)
Power output:
250 watts/channel RMS into 8 Ohms; all channels driven
300 watts/channel RMS into 8 Ohms; two channels driven
490 watts/channel RMS into 4 Ohms; two channels driven
Just a word of advice, from a new old friend… “Once you start down this road, make sure your partner, significant other, friends, and pretty much anyone else you can imagine (specifically, your neighbors…) are on board”. It only gets more expensive, time-consuming, and LOUDER from here on out. I would definitely recommend this amp and also maybe checking out the Emotiva BasX line, for a more budget friendly alternative (to the more expensive XPA line). As always, there are trade-offs but it may not be a factor to you when you consider the price differences.
As for us, Emotiva was quick to build and ship it; they packaged it great, and even provided a product birth-certicate (signed and dated by the builder). Heck, they even include a spiral-ring-bound printed instruction manual. Who’s sent that out with a product in the last 10 years?
Alright, thanks for reading! I hope you’ve found this informative. Go check out Emotiva.com and tell them collectorlevel sent you (they won’t know who the heck you are talking about… but they will soon)!
Media and equipment is amazing in 2021. Enjoy your collectorlevel .
Photos: All rights reserved to proper owners