harman kardon signature 2.1 - should I upgrade it?

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48n123w

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I'm currently powering my 5 x Klipsch RC-7 with a harman kardon signature 2.1 5 channel amp.  It's the only seperate amp I've owned and never had a problem with it.

Would there would be much improvement upgrading to something like an Emotiva XPA-5?


Bob in St. Louis

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Re: harman kardon signature 2.1 - should I upgrade it?
« Reply #1 on: 5 Jul 2014, 06:48 pm »
Depends if you have the "upgraditis bug" or not.
Personally, if you're happy with it's performance, I see no reason to change.

Either that, or just send me the H/K, and I'll "dispose" of it for you.  :wink:

youravhandyman

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Re: harman kardon signature 2.1 - should I upgrade it?
« Reply #2 on: 7 Jul 2014, 09:09 pm »
"Dispose" Bob?

More like sentenced to years of hard labor. :lol:

Bob in St. Louis

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Re: harman kardon signature 2.1 - should I upgrade it?
« Reply #3 on: 7 Jul 2014, 09:33 pm »
 :icon_twisted: Amen Brother.  :rock:

srb

Re: harman kardon signature 2.1 - should I upgrade it?
« Reply #4 on: 7 Jul 2014, 10:11 pm »
Considering the Klipsch RC-7 are rated at 98dB sensitivity, even if that is an over-optimistic rating they are still relatively high sensitivity speakers and should be happy with your 100W/ch @ 8 ohm amplifier.

The Emotiva XPA-5 has a slightly larger transformer (1,200VA vs. 1000VA) but only half of the storage capacitance (60,00uF total vs. 120,000 uF total), so the Harman Kardon actually has a stronger power supply relative to it's lower (half) rated output.

Specs aren't everything of course, but considering that the HK Signature 2.1 was considered by many to be a very good sounding USA-built amplifier along with the relative high sensitivity of the Klipsch speakers, I would say to stay the course and enjoy.  If you change to some low sensitivity 85dB speakers in the future, then depending on your listening habits the conversation might have to be revisited.

Steve

48n123w

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Re: harman kardon signature 2.1 - should I upgrade it?
« Reply #5 on: 8 Jul 2014, 06:13 am »
Thanks for the feedback, I think I'll stick with my current setup for now.