Why Not Two Amps? Emotiva XPA-HC1 Monoblock Review 

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for the sub!

Define critical listening.....lolol

Glad you enjoyed it! Emotiva offers alot of value for the price, keep them in mind when you get the chance.

@@MattCoykendall1 It's a toss-up between an Emotiva BasX 3 channel amp or a kit build for the LCR. Finding a competent DIY kit amp is a struggle because of the lack of high profile reviews. As much as I am a "Fan Boy" of Emotiva, I'm often wondering if a USA designed/made kit wouldn't have more to offer for the price to someone that has the skills and equipment to build it. I'm considering building three or more mono blocks with a large single power supply with multiple fused output connections. Yeah, I know it's a dumb idea.

I have been tempted to go down the Denafrips path many times, primarily their DAC's. I just keep hearing high praises for the Ares II and the Pontus II. Have you had positive experience with the all Denafrips line up? I am not very well versed in the rest of their offerings. The Model 5's are great also! Thanks for watching, appreciate it.

@@MattCoykendall1 Well, I just took delivery of their Athena preamp, and I have to say, it was worth the price of entry. Using it with the Venus II 12th DAC and have the XPA-2 sit gen in the system. I am looking at a pair of these mono blocks or the XPA DR2 amplifier. I am running fully balanced with XLR cables and the DR2 is fully balanced. I cannot find any info on the HC-1 units in this regard. As far as the Denafrips DACs, they are pretty hard to beat in my book. And the higher up the ladder you go, the better the sound.

Yeah I think this is going to be a similar sound signature, thanks for the watch!

That’s a good point. Noted.

I am glad to hear that, these really do seem like a great application for the HT side. I wish I would have tested these on my Denon AVR as as well as the 2 channel listening I did.

@@MattCoykendall1 here is my current setup: Denon AVR-X6700H running full preamp mode in a 7.2.6 configuration. I’m using 3 EMOTIVA amps, 1st amp for the front left and right speakers, 2nd amp for the surround left right and rears. 3rd amp for the height channels. I added the EMOTIVA HC-1 just to see if it made any difference. When using the internal amps in the Denon receiver, things got really thin and weak sounding beyond 5 channels, that is why I went full preamp mode.

@@cruzgallegos5071 Same experience I had with my Denon X4400H, I had the Emotiva XPA-3 running the center and surrounds, with the XPA-2 running the L/R. If I were to do it again, three of these mono blocks for the front channels and center, let the Denon do the surrounds. In two channel, the system was rather disappointing. And I have two SVS SB3000 subs, they were in that HT system, I ripped it all out and sold it to my buddy. All SVS Ultra speakers, 5 channel, he is enjoying it. I kept the XPA-2 and the two SB3000 subs. My HT is now a $149 Polk S2 Signa sound bar and the two SB3000 subs. I hooked the subs directly to my 2017 Sony Bravia via the 3.5 mm output using an RCA Y adapter, it goes to a switch and I feed the two subs off of that. I bought a pair of inline crossovers to kill frequencies below 50hz and installed them at the sub. It works! The voicing is incredibly good, and very audible, that sound bar projects right to our listening area. And a little tweaking with the SVS phone ap, it is easy to dial the subs in on the fly when watching a movie. Very happy. ;-)

@@MattCoykendall1 JJ))))$

​@@michaelwright1602 Now that's tweaking! Sometimes less is more satisfying in the end? I've went from a big G-9000 160 wpc 8 ohms receiver to 225 wpc Classé integrated amp into 4 ohms, to their 300 wpc 4 ohms Classé separates back to a 130 wpc 8 ohms Sansui AU D11ii integrated amp as listening room conditions changed. What's weird is the AU D11ii Sansui produces a synergy that's more musical & coherent than any other approaches I've had? I've tried several incarnations. The only mod was a power cord change to the amp. All built around big KEF 105/3 4 ohm speakers. That I mod with Titanium tweeters in their Uni-Q drivers!

The 6000a has a great sounding internal amp that can drive most speakers BUT if your in the market for more power or have a difficult to drive speaker its a great addition. I would have no issues suggesting the pairing.

@@MattCoykendall1 thank you have a great day

agreed

Hey Paul, low volume listening detail can be a bit tricky. I feel that the power does play a strong role in this but equally important is the noise floor and distortion figures, the lower they are, the higher the volume you can comfortably tolerate, therefore perceived loudness will be less. A few suggestions: Make the room as quiet as possible, have the least amount of distortion possible, sit closer to the speakers, protect your hearing outside of listening. Thanks for watching too!

I found that to get that detail at lower volumes, much will depend on the preamp and gain. Problem is, more gain = more distortion. Like Matt said, it is tricky. Have you ever considered a Class D amp? There are many inexpensive ones out there that would be easy to obtain and not break the bank.

@@michaelwright1602 Thanks for the feedback. I know the basics of a class D amp but not enough to even know to consider. I will definitely read up on them.

I actually do not have experience with the XPA-3 but it’s an amp I have heard good things about, many have gave it positive reviews though and should be a significant jump in performance over the A3.

@@MattCoykendall1 yes I have watched reviews of XPA & Lot's of good thing about it that's why thinking to upgrade to XPA. Thanks a Ton Matt, for reply...🙏🏼

@@MattCoykendall1 Hello Matt,,, Wish you Happy & Prosperous New Year 2023...🎉🎊✨ Last month I bought Emotiva XPA 3 gen3 amp. It's so powerful Amplifier, I'm very happy with it's performance. Thanks a Lot for your suggestion & opinion about it...👍🏼🙏🏼

Curios to know why? They are not expensive.

I've listened to some products that measured, and reviewed badly, from previous ASR reviews. They sounded awesome to me. Loved them! Other reviews they were spot on with what they stated. Some things they gave glowing reviews too, just didn't impress me at all. Measurements are certainly one thing, like certain levels of recorded distortion. Doesn't always reveal the whole picture though, in my humble opinion. Sure read up, listen and watch as many reviews as possible, but in the end trust your ears. A lot of the ASR forum commentators and members, seem to be the type that pay $5,000 for special speaker cables, and then the extra $1000 for the magical cable holders to keep that same cable off their floors. And the obsession with distortion figures, many below the threshold of the animal worlds best ears, is like a cult. Not all comments but plenty on there. Sure ASR do keep many bad manufacturers honest, but also burn many that dont deserve it. In my opinion. Trust your ears in the end, not what should be better because of some 0.00000034 recorded figure. And certainly never go off just one review.

Good old Amir... The problem with his website and his scientific reviews, is that these guys rarely if ever listen to the products they routinely trash. I take his "reviews" for what they are worth, which is a grain of salt, and I am being generous.

I don't think I've seen any ASR reviews that were positive for many amps. It's ridiculous really to expect perfection

@@peterprimes497 they sound awesome. And Ive compared them to many amps.