Emotiva Audio?!?

[admin_exported]

Hi all,
Has anyone heard or had any experience with (or knows of) Emotiva Audio. They seem to have some very affordably priced equipment for its specifications and seems to be quite highly rated by many.

But, before really looking into (and possibly going for) it, I want a WHF-SV opinion! (See, I hold you guys(/girls) in such high regard

)

Specifically I have an ATC Multichannel Speaker System (refer my signature) and I'm particularly taken by the Emotiva XPA-1, XPA-2 and UMC-1 (especially with their 40% discount on upgrading your processor to a new one (whilst retaining the old one) if you are an existing owner of one of their processors).

Thus I'm looking at a configuration of UMC-1 (Pre/Pro) -> 3 x XPA-1 (SCM19s + C3C) + XPA-2 (SCM11s) for US$4495 + P&H.

So, what are your thoughts?

 

[Anonymous]

All I will say is, that almost every other HT/Home Cinema owner in the U.S seems to own an Emotiva amp ! They must be doing something right ? It seems as though they're first choice when 'bang for your buck' is concerned, and even though they're a relatively new company, the Americans seem to be loving their products.

As far as I'm aware, they sell direct to the customer only, which obviously lowers the cost to the customer. Don't expect the best build quality in the world mind, as you only get what you pay for.

 

[Anonymous]

THE_FORCE:
All I will say is, that almost every other HT/Home Cinema owner in the U.S seems to own an Emotiva amp ! They must be doing something right ? It seems as though they're first choice when 'bang for your buck' is concerned, and even though they're a relatively new company, the Americans seem to be loving their products.

As far as I'm aware, they sell direct to the customer only, which obviously lowers the cost to the customer.

OK, sounds good! Just hope international shipping isn't too much and warranty issues aren't too much pain and suffering.

Anyone else's thoughts

 

[Anonymous]

From the looks of the website it appears that warranty isn't a problem; so it's just P&H of the big (read: amp's) and the quality of the products themselves. Opinions?

 

[chudleighpaul]

Could there not be some mains voltage and 50/60 cycle issues here?

 

[Anonymous]

good point chudleighpaul would find out first and is vat included and import tax?

 

[Anonymous]

As far as I know, Emotiva kit is UK voltage friendly

Chudleigh Paul - is that Chudleigh as in Devon Chudleigh ?

 

[jaxwired]

Beta4Me:

Hi all,
Has anyone heard or had any experience with (or knows of) Emotiva Audio. They seem to have some very affordably priced equipment for its specifications and seems to be quite highly rated by many.

But, before really looking into (and possibly going for) it, I want a WHF-SV opinion! (See, I hold you guys(/girls) in such high regard

)

Specifically I have an ATC Multichannel Speaker System (refer my signature) and I'm particularly taken by the Emotiva XPA-1, XPA-2 and UMC-1 (especially with their 40% discount on upgrading your processor to a new one (whilst retaining the old one) if you are an existing owner of one of their processors).

Thus I'm looking at a configuration of UMC-1 (Pre/Pro) -> 3 x XPA-1 (SCM19s + C3C) + XPA-2 (SCM11s) for US$4495 + P&H.

So, what are your thoughts?

I would proceed with a bit of caution. I'm not saying Emotiva isn't great gear, I've never heard it. It certainly is well specified. I find the looks a little too flashy for my taste, but that's irrelevant. Another forum I visit (American) has a strong anti-emotiva trend. Quite a bit of bickering about emotiva quality. On the other hand, plenty of happy owners also.

But one things for sure, I would classify Emotiva in a very different category as ATC so that seems like a bit of mismatch to me. Emotiva is one of those companies that is primarily focused on price. While ATC is more of a "quality first" company.

 

[Anonymous]

jaxwired:Beta4Me:

Hi all,
Has anyone heard or had any experience with (or knows of) Emotiva Audio. They seem to have some very affordably priced equipment for its specifications and seems to be quite highly rated by many.

But, before really looking into (and possibly going for) it, I want a WHF-SV opinion! (See, I hold you guys(/girls) in such high regard

)

Specifically I have an ATC Multichannel Speaker System (refer my signature) and I'm particularly taken by the Emotiva XPA-1, XPA-2 and UMC-1 (especially with their 40% discount on upgrading your processor to a new one (whilst retaining the old one) if you are an existing owner of one of their processors).

Thus I'm looking at a configuration of UMC-1 (Pre/Pro) -> 3 x XPA-1 (SCM19s + C3C) + XPA-2 (SCM11s) for US$4495 + P&H.

So, what are your thoughts?

I would proceed with a bit of caution. I'm not saying Emotiva isn't great gear, I've never heard it. It certainly is well specified. I find the looks a little too flashy for my taste, but that's irrelevant. Another forum I visit (American) has a strong anti-emotiva trend. Quite a bit of bickering about emotiva quality. On the other hand, plenty of happy owners also.

But one things for sure, I would classify Emotiva in a very different category as ATC so that seems like a bit of mismatch to me. Emotiva is one of those companies that is primarily focused on price. While ATC is more of a "quality first" company.

Thanks for your input. What you stated had crossed my mind, but my problem is I have sort of over-stretched the budget on the speakers (all of AU$7997; rougly 4000-4500 pounds) and am a bit short on cash to get amplification from them. Emotiva sounded great, particularly with the 500W@8Ohms Mono XPA-1 and 250W@8Ohms Stereo XPA-2; that would be fantastic 3 x XPA-1 + 2 x XPA-2. I also love the sounds of their future pre/pro discounting for existing owners.

It's just a matter of "is it too good to be true?", how much is it going to cost to ship it, and will it work well with and do justice to my ATC babies (no they're not "just speakers"

).

 

[Anonymous]

I've Emotiva XPA-2 and ERC-1. I am loving it. I have been listen to 300b tube amp and recently moved to solid state. XPA-2 has excellent low noise. You'll be amaze how much detail you will notice from ERC-1(cd player) that you never aware before.

They offer 30 days return policy and offer 5 year warranty. I don't think we'll lose anything.

Go check it out their emotiva forum:

http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/

Enjoy!!

 

[Anonymous]

garret3037s:
I've Emotiva XPA-2 and ERC-1. I am loving it. I have been listen to 300b tube amp and recently moved to solid state. XPA-2 has excellent low noise. You'll be amaze how much detail you will notice from ERC-1(cd player) that you never aware before.

They offer 30 days return policy and offer 5 year warranty. I don't think we'll lose anything.

Go check it out their emotiva forum:

http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/

Enjoy!!

Thanks mate. Will check out those links. I got onto Emotiva from the Products of the Year from Home Theatre Review. They do sound good. It's just a matter of how they will work with my ATCs.

Have the WHF staff had any experience with them? Any chance of getting a review one day?

Thanks!

 

[Frank Harvey]

jaxwired:I would proceed with a bit of caution. I'm not saying Emotiva isn't great gear, I've never heard it. It certainly is well specified. I find the looks a little too flashy for my taste, but that's irrelevant. Another forum I visit (American) has a strong anti-emotiva trend. Quite a bit of bickering about emotiva quality. On the other hand, plenty of happy owners also.

But one things for sure, I would classify Emotiva in a very different category as ATC so that seems like a bit of mismatch to me. Emotiva is one of those companies that is primarily focused on price. While ATC is more of a "quality first" company.

I'm sort of going to agree here, not because I don't sell the stuff, but I think I see a trend here that's not too dissimilar to what's happening over here. Forums (not this one) are being used more and more for products that don't have a retailer outlet - this way they can target the right people, and with a favourable review on the forum or a few good words, they can whip up a bit of interest. There are quite a few of these companies, but I'll refrain from mentioning them here - I'm not doing their advertising for them!!

Anyway, as they're a 'sell direct' type of company, they cut out one profit margin, which normally allows them to make a little more themselves.....I'm not saying Emotiva are in this case, but I can't see a link to any retailers on their website. Also, you need to read some reviews on the stuff - who's reviewed them? Anyone of note? Any respectable magazines? Or is the hype just on a forum? If a hi-fi enthusiast in the US hasn't heard of them (like another I could mention), then how good can they really be?

This may be a little sceptical of me, but it's just what I've seen on forums over the years.

 

[Anonymous]

Young David - did you not check out the 'Reviews' section on their site ? CNET, Secrets, and Audioholics have all given Emotiva products very favourable reviews in the past.

I know what you mean about 'forum fever' mind.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Naah, didn't have time to go in depth - just looked for a retailer link

 

[Anonymous]

Wellll hopefully it won't be long before we see them reviewed in the pages of WHF. Andrew has just dropped them an e-mail asking if they wish to have theif products reviewed. Fingers crossed...

 

[Frank Harvey]

IF it is a decent product, they could do with UK representation. It's all very well them taking care of shipping, but the customer has to deal with VAT and customs - then if there's a problem, the customer has to pay for return shipping to the US, which won't be cheap as it's not exactly lightweight stuff.

 

[Anonymous]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
IF it is a decent product, they could do with UK representation. It's all very well them taking care of shipping, but the customer has to deal with VAT and customs - then if there's a problem, the customer has to pay for return shipping to the US, which won't be cheap as it's not exactly lightweight stuff.

And if it is a good product you want to be their UK Rep. eh?

 

[Frank Harvey]

They can get in touch - depends on margin - regardless of how good the product is, there's needs to be some profit!!

I know that sounds a bit businesslike and crude, but it keeps us going! If WHF manage to get hold of one, they can send it to us for assessment if they like.....

 

[Frank Harvey]

I just can't help thinking it all seems too cheap.......

I'm assuming it's not made in the US, otherwise it'd be more expensive, and it's hard to tell from the pics, but judging by the looks of the side and top panel (all one piece), it looks a little flimsy. For the price, you can accept average build quality, but a good amp needs to use good components and deliver where it counts.

Could this be another American powerhouse which lacks finesse? If of course, the measurements are accurate. For £338 for a 5 channel power amp kicking out 125wpc, there's only so much you can get for your money.

 

[Anonymous]

Same here, but I think that really if you cut out the distributors and retailers (no offence) a lot of fat from the price can be remove. Thus if you say double the price it might make it a fairer comparison. They are all made in China (it says that somewhere on the website) and the XPA1 and 2 weight 75lb. So they're not light and it makes me think that there must be some chunky parts in there. Also, they are an OEM and have made some large companies products for a while. So hmm...if it's not too good to be true I'm definitely jumping on it. I just want a site/mag. I trust to tell me so (i.e. WHF).

 

[Anonymous]

If cash flow is not a problem, I believe people are willing to spend on good looking gear...but I would focus on the sound, build qulaity and price tag. Check out the internal picture that post from the site, I don't come across many other brand do offer this kind of build qualty in this price point. Think about the cost they offer.

I have thought about getting the cambridge audio or Rega cd player before...but got the ERC1 instead...try compare the build quality from the above...I still believe ERC1 is winner in many aspect...

I think the issue here is Emotiva is still a new company and their gear are made in China...some people still need some time to judge...

Don't make early assumption unless you have seen it.

This is just my two cents...

 

[RCduck7]

garret3037s:

I've Emotiva XPA-2 and ERC-1. I am loving it. I have been listen to 300b tube amp and recently moved to solid state. XPA-2 has excellent low noise. You'll be amaze how much detail you will notice from ERC-1(cd player) that you never aware before.

They offer 30 days return policy and offer 5 year warranty. I don't think we'll lose anything.
Go check it out their emotiva forum:

http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/

Enjoy!!

I was about to buy the ERC-1 CD player but instead i went for a tubed MHZS CD88G CD player.

Did you compare the ERC-1 with other sources pure sound wise? Results?

Or did anyone else love this cd player more then an other?

 

[Anonymous]

RCduck7, I've though about tube cd player but afraid noise from aged tubes...I had tube amp before but not using anymore...I feel it's quit hard to keep the noise down...

so, I switch to solid state xpa amp and erc1...the background is really slient...so I can heard more music than before...
I've seen many user review in positive feedback...so I try it...a big reason is the price..is so low...I've no complain...but I would love to see more professional reveiw in the future...

 

[Andrew Everard]

Take it down a notch, garret3037s - anyone would think you were trying to sell the stuff...

 

[RCduck7]

garret3037s:

RCduck7, I've though about tube cd player but afraid noise from aged tubes...I had tube amp before but not using anymore...I feel it's quit hard to keep the noise down...

so, I switch to solid state xpa amp and erc1...the background is really slient...so I can heard more music than before...

I've seen many user review in positive feedback...so I try it...a big reason is the price..is so low...I've no complain...but I would love to see more professional reveiw in the future...

I had defenitly no problem with the tube sources i allready used, maybe the tube with the one you heard needed replacement or maybe an other problem? Before i went for the MHZS player i tried a few DAC's and CD players to compare and make up my mind what sound i'm after. Sometimes one source has benefits what the other doesn't, but then the other source has other benefits, it's sometimes not easy. With the MHZS CD player everything fell into place in my system. Your recommendation of the ERC-1 cd player is enthusiastic but i can't buy the stuff if no real comparisons were made i can refer to and familiar with.

Some are so enthusiastic about the ERC-1 cd player, an other opinion i read found out his DacMagic was much better while an other opinion mentioned there was almost no difference between the DacMagic and ERC-1. Let's say if it would be close to the DacMagic, it certainly isn't a bad cd player but i heard better for just a little bit more cash.