Need some recommendations on 3-ch amp

8149 Views 48 Replies 15 Participants Last post by gfong, Jan 21, 2011

MikeK

Discussion Starter · Nov 21, 2010

I Would like to ad a 3ch amp to my system for my front 3 and would appreciate some recommendations. I am new to amps and don't know which brands are available to us Canadians. Most of my online pals keep recommending Emotiva but I'm uneasy about ordering something like that over the border just in case I run into warranty issues.

For those who would ask if there is something lacking currently that makes me feel I need more power, my answer is not really. I have basically had a good season and am in a position where I have some "me" cash and this is what I would like to do.

System:
Pioneer VSX-32
Klipsch RF-82 L/R
Klipsch RC-62 C
Klipsch RS 42's Surround & Heights

Recommend away!

Thanks

21 - 40 of 49 Posts

MikeK

Discussion Starter · #21 · Nov 23, 2010

I agree with you TK, I basically ruled them and other cross-border orders out from the get go. At this price range it's just not worth it.

lex_rx

· #22 · Nov 23, 2010

I agree that it would be a pain to return something for warranty work. It was a pain when I had to do it with the Anthem MCA-50. I had to plug and reconnect speakers to the receiver and back after the work which took about three weeks.

Just giving the OP the option of another company. I'm happy to have found Emotiva last year through another forum.

Finally, for the price of one Anthem MCA-50, you can almost get five Emo monoblocks - UPA-1s (I have three for the LCR right now), delivered to Port Angeles, Washington (near the OP). With monos, you're only out one channel at a time and since these are lighter, shipping should be cheaper.

TECHNOKID

· #23 · Nov 23, 2010

Below are some Canadian manufacturers some may be pertinent others may not be however, it provides you some pointers to buy some equipment of good quality that should be painless when in need of service

Amplifiers

Anthem - Anthem Audio
Bent Audio - BentAudio.com
Blue Circle Audio - Blue Circle Audio
Bryston - Bryston Limited
Classé - Classé Audio
EMM Labs - EMM Labs
Linar Audio - Linar Audio
Magnum Dynalab - Magnum Dynalab Tuners
Morrison - http://www.surpher.com/MORRISON Highend/
NAD Electronics - NAD
Oracle Audio - Oracle Audio
Rix Rax - Rix Rax...Highend Racks
Simaudio - MOON by Simaudio Ltd
Tenor Audio - http://www.tenoraudio.com/
Virtual Dynamics - Virtual Dynamics
Wytech Labs - Wyetech Labs

Courtesy - AVSforum

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JohnnyCanuck

· #24 · Nov 23, 2010

My comment as to Emo's value was strictly as a new product purchase. I wasn't factoring in potential warranty issues (I've only ever had one power amp failure and that was a 20 year old SAE finally giving up the ghost a few years ago). That said, Emo would never be a purchase consideration on my part because there are so many better products around.

TK's list is excellent.

runnin'

· #25 · Nov 23, 2010

I've got a XPA-3 running a pair of Paradigm Signature S6's and it's a clean, detailed and dynamic amp. I'm also in Canada and looking to upgrade to their XPA-2, at over 300 wpc. I've had no regrets and no issues. I once had to return an Adcom product that I purchased out of New York. I simply got an RMA online from them, then drove across the line and shipped it back, their cost. Since the OP lives in Van, Blaine would also be a fairly close shipping point.

I can understand some of the reluctance expressed with buying stateside or from Emotiva, but it's all I do now. Canadian prices are ridiculous, and I got tired of getting ripped off. My Onkyo 876 was $2000 in Canada, I bought it from *********** for $993. Why should we pay a Canadian retailer an extra 7-800 bucks?

ScaryBob

· #26 · Nov 23, 2010

I see Onkyo equipment discounted by about 40% all the time. The markup on them must be exceptionally high at the retail level, compared to other makes.

I must say I was astounded by the low prices on Emotiva equipment. I've seen similar equipment from Canadian companies selling for 3 times the price. (Prices were lower but went up about 50% after the good reviews came out.) Provided the build quality is there, and it appears to be, I would have no trouble buying cross border. Amps typically do not fail under warranty. It would be nice if Emotiva had an authorized Canadian repair depot though. If the worst happens, it could be repaired locally. Even if a unit needs to be repaired or replaced on my nickel, it's still cheaper than buying some competing brands.

starchoice

· #27 · Nov 24, 2010

Sure, it's cheaper, it's an internet company - reduced overhead.

You pays your monies and you takes your chances. You do not need an amp failure. You can have minor issues requiring fixing. I bought an Anthem and there were two different issues on two brand new units. It happens with the best of equipment.

I've been reading on some other forums and one guy bought the Emotiva CD player and the CD would not eject.

I'm sure the majority of units are fine but you are taking a chance nonetheless. I wouldn't want to get a unit repaired locally by some guy not familiar with the equipment (perhaps voiding the warranty) and would likely run me a minimum of $100 just to have it checked out.

Go with whatever you are comfortable with. It's not in my comfort zone.

csks

· #28 · Nov 24, 2010

I do find the Emotiva products attractive from both a technical/aesthetic/pricing perspective but the shipping overhead and lack of Cdn. service depots is certainly a deal breaker for me.

I also wonder if they actually make service manuals available should our local shops need it. The thought of repairs done by service personnel not trained in their products and without manuals certainly do not give me a warm feeling.

runnin'

· #29 · Nov 24, 2010

I got my XPA-3 Emotiva amp for about $675 all in. At 200 wpc, what could a locally bought amp be had for? Let's say $1700 all in. So I saved 1000 bucks right off the hop.

After 2 years I've not had to use the 5 yr warranty, but if I did, I might have to spend a little of that 1000 bucks to ship it to Tennessee. It's not a big deal and amps are not complicated at all. Emotiva will even ship parts to you if that will help. Any reputable amp tech could trouble shoot and fix an Emo amp 99% of the time.

But at the end of the day, if you'd feel better about buying local then you need to buy local.

eimaj

· #30 · Nov 24, 2010

That's shipped to your door?

runnin'

· #31 · Nov 24, 2010

For that price I shipped it to the border, bought it through customs myself and paid GST/PST, no duty though it was made in China. It might have cost another 100 to get them to ship it to a Canadian address for you and do the brokerage.

TECHNOKID

· #32 · Nov 25, 2010

After 2 years I've not had to use the 5 yr warranty, but if I did, I might have to spend a little of that 1000 bucks to ship it to Tennessee. It's not a big deal and amps are not complicated at all. Emotiva will even ship parts to you if that will help. Any reputable amp tech could trouble shoot and fix an Emo amp 99% of the time.

Hum, very good and valid points runnin'

My only concern, will Emotiva last as long as 20 years (as previously mentioned) as in the long term (20 years or so) may make a big difference in the original 1K saving. I guess only time will tell... runnin', would you be kind enough to report in 20 years?

Pink Mouth Smile Jaw

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runnin'

· #33 · Nov 25, 2010

I fail to see how predicting which companies will be around in 20 years is helpful or realistic here. Who would have predicted that B&K would have gone bankrupt recently? I can say that Emotiva, like Outlaw Audio and more e-tailers, has a successful business model that cuts out the middle man as it were, and delivers bang for the buck that brick and mortars can't match. They are a new sector of retailing that could be around in 30 years.

If I save 1000 bucks and the amp is still running in 14 or 15 years without repair( more than I can say for my old Luxman), is my savings somehow neutralized if the company isn't around that far down the road? I do know there is no way I'm going to spend 4-5000 to get a Bryston just because they offer a long warranty.

starchoice

· #34 · Nov 25, 2010

Of course another big disadvantage is that you don't get to see/hear the equipment against other brands.

TECHNOKID

· #35 · Nov 25, 2010

runnin' my 20 years ''lasting'' comment was more about lifespan of the gear rather than if the company would still be around. You also have to keep in mind that China manufacturing is NOT geared for long lifespan but rather throw away technology. ùalso, note the joking portion of my response

Of course another big disadvantage is that you don't get to see/hear the equipment against other brands.

That is also a big concern in my opinion, e-tailers do offer a better bang for the buck at the present time but once it manage to kill most of the brick and mortar stores, I can predict that pricing may no longer be so hot with e-tailers as the competition would largely be against e-tailers without any requirement to beat brick and mortar pricing. Since you can not audition and physically see the gear on e-tailers and noting that you have to pay for return shipping if not satisfied, that makes the e-tailers not so appealing. As long as there is brick and mortar stores available to audition prior to buying it is somewhat a buying satisfaction security but we have to realize brick and mortar stores will not survive if we solely used them as an audition-demo tool. Personaaly I prefer the brick and motar plus e-tailor option offered by most of the large chain such as COSTCO, BB and FS just to name a few as buying from them on line will not necessary kill their stores which IMHO is a win win situation for both parties.

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starchoice

· #36 · Nov 25, 2010

TECHNOKID said:
You also have to keep in mind that China manufacturing is NOT geared for long lifespan but rather throw away technology.

I think it depends more on if it's just some no name Chinese piece of junk versus Made in China or other offshore place by an established manufacturer since many of the top brands now have built there, even audiophile grade. As long as the manufacturer is controlling specs and build quantity, I don't think you can make as general a statement regarding Chinese product.

runnin'

· #37 · Nov 25, 2010

I don't think B&M stores are going away, precisely because many consumers prefer them as they need the expertise a salesperson can offer, and the ability to compare brands in a sound room.

As for the Chinese manufacturing throwaway products, tell that to Parasound, Adcom, Sherbourn, NAD, etc. Guess where the new line of Anthem AVRs is made. It may have been the case 15 years ago, but not now. Most manufacturers have products or components in their products made there. Like Japan did, China has learned how to make quality.

ScaryBob

· #38 · Nov 25, 2010

my 20 years ''lasting'' comment was more about lifespan of the gear

I that case, go for separates, as one part of a receiver often breaks down or becomes obsolete before the other. I've had 3 receivers in the last 10 years that developed preamp problems and currently own one with a preamp that is considered obsolete. I can pretty much guarantee that the preamp section of a receiver purchased now will become obsolete in 5 to 10 years. It will probably still work but will not support new audio and video formats.

With amps and receivers, you pretty much get what you pay for but there are exceptions. A big box store receiver that costs under $500 will probably have problems within 5 years. A high end unit costing more will likely beat that by a large margin. That is due to build quality. Good quality, conservatively rated components cost money as do extensive product testing and good engineering. OTOH, watch out for companies that sell over-hyped, overpriced products to audiophiles with lots of spare cash.

krazyk

· #39 · Nov 25, 2010

I currently am using an Emotiva XPA-5 with a Integra DHC.80.1 processor.
I am quite happy with the Emotiva product. It runs cool and has great value for the money. I'm running their XLR balanced interconnect cables as well.
I will say that dealing with Emotiva in Canada was quite easy.
They handled brokerage charges and they double box their products.
I personally prefer the sound of a class AB amp and Emotiva delivers for the money.

I wish I had the money to support more Canadian products like my PSB's silver stratus's; unfortunately Classe and Bryston can't compete with cheap foreign labor.

Welcome to Globalization and a world full of used heavy metals and cancer!:

Just my 2 cents worth!!!!

lex_rx

· #40 · Nov 25, 2010

ScaryBob wrote:

I that case, go for separates, as one part of a receiver often breaks down or becomes obsolete before the other. I've had 3 receivers in the last 10 years that developed preamp problems and currently own one with a preamp that is considered obsolete. I can pretty much guarantee that the preamp section of a receiver purchased now will become obsolete in 5 to 10 years. It will probably still work but will not support new audio and video formats.

Exactly the reason why I myself (and I recommend to others to) use separates. There's always the case for AVRs which is why I think Anthem went to that target market - too big of a niche to ignore.

I bought the cheapest Pioneer AVR in 2002 with pre-outs, bought an Anthem MCA-50 in 2005 (replaced by four Emo amps in 2010), replaced AVR with Emo UMC-1 in 2010. Now I can buy the next Emo pre-pro XMC-1 at 40% discount (which I'm estimating will be US$600 after the discount).

As for buying Canadian and local, believe me I tried and keep trying. Every time I want to upgrade something, I visit at least three local dealers and see what they have to offer. It's the reason why I considered Bryston and Anthem and bought an Anthem amp in 2005 even though these are more expensive. Okay, I have to admit, I haven't heard of Emo at that time but I knew about Outlaw Audio (same difference).

What I like about all of these, is that I think quality music, notwithstanding MP3s, is now more accessible to average folks like me more than ever. And that's something I can be thankful for during this Thanksgiving day.

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