[kinku]

I am considering Emotiva UPA 700 for an active 3 way system design.Wondering if anyone has experience with them?Are they high sound quality amplifiers?They do not have balanced inputs ,so may be one  of XPA -5 with an XPA 200?

[srb]

I haven't heard one, so my take is speculative, but the UPA-700 seems the least competent of the UPA series.  The average solid state Class A/B power amplifier (without output transformers) can usually muster at least ~ 50% to 60% more power into a 4 Ohm load than into an 8 Ohm load.

The UPA-200 (125W/200W; 20,000uF/ch) can output 60% more power.  The UPA-500 (80W/120W; 8,000uF/ch) can output 50% more power.  However the UPA-700 (80W/100W; 8,500uF/ch) can only output 25% more power.

Again, it's only a technical specification, but to me is an indication of power supply robustness and potential headroom, and it seems that the UPA-700 is hampered by an anemic power supply relative to having 7 channels.  Not something I would want to power the woofers, anyway

Also the UPA series have dual fans.  They may only come on when needed or be variable speed (?), but fans are something I've never needed in an amplifier with sufficient heat sink area.

Steve

[kinku]

Thanks Steve. I have not paid attention to the Fans. I agree,do not want a fan anywhere in my system.
Whta do you think about XPA-5?

[srb]

Haven't heard that one either (or any Emotiva power amplifier).  The only Emotiva component I've owned was the XDA-1 DAC.  The XPA series would obviously offer a larger power supply with more power and headroom than the UPA series.

As you're powering a pair of 3-way active speakers, you need 6 channels but unfortunately there are no 6 or 7 channel XPA series amplifiers.

The XPA-5 + XPA-200 at just under $1250 would give you XLR inputs for each channel and no fans (that I can see), if that's within your budget.

Edit:  Actually, two XPA-3 for the same cost makes more sense. More transformer VA and capacitance per channel and you can locate each amp between center preamp and speaker with a little shorter interconnect and/or a little shorter speaker cable.

Their are a number of 3 channel and 6 channel amplifiers available from other manufacturers (ATI, AVA, Bryston, Parasound), but any of those would be a lot more expensive.

Steve

[kinku]

I am looking for some suggestions for others. Emotiva was the first that came up.I am not sure if I would find speakers rated more than 100 W nominal for 3 way system. It will be a bad decision to use 200W/channel amp on 100W rated speaker. So what are my options?