Emotiva mini X a 100 Power amp received today

[murali_n]

Good tube preamps will cost a lot of money unless you DIY a kit.

Get this if you can
Optus Member Website - georgehifi

Do your current integrated amp have an option to be used as a power amp ? If so, connect the cd player directly to it an compare it with this emotiva.

Hi sw,

I have the budget for a tube pre around 30K, also thinking of DIY of a Conrad-Johnson circuit, depends on the feasibility. My Marantz PM 6003 does not have a dedicated pre out, but when I connected the line-out to the Power amp it sounded very good. I am also using the Phono input to play my Vinyls. Overall the Emotiva has a very neutral sound, the details are very good, so are the seperation of instruments.

When I connect the CDP directly some details are missing so is the soundstage.

N.Murali

 

[anm]

line out and pre out - aren't they the same thing?

 

[murali_n]

Hi all,

A small update, yesterday I dropped in FM Srinisundar's residence and had a brief audition of his system consisting of Musical Fidelity Preamp, Vincent power blocks and Thiel FS Speakers. It was heaven, since I was in a hurry, could hear only a couple of tracks, one tamil and another Hotel California-Live. The sound was very very lively, seperation of instruments was good, bass and treble well balanced. The singers voice sounded as though they are standing in front of you. I requested for another session in his house some other day.

My very purpose to visit him was that he had suggested to try his Cambridge Audio C 500 Pre amp in my system with Emotiva Power. So, I tried my Emotiva Power with his pre amp (CA). Earlier when I was using my Marantz CDP hooked directly to the Emotiva Power, the sound had only bass and treble frequencies and the voice was a little bit recessed, violins sounded a bit shrill, and high hats were a bit emphasized. But things changed for better with the CA pre added in the chain, now the vocals were opening up, treble was a bit controlled, bass also became tighter, overall a very balanced and neutral sound with good imaging and placements of instruments.

I would rate this combo to be better than the Marantz PM 6003 Integrated :clapping: which I am used to earlier, for the reason that the Marantz used to sound a bit brighter, which caused a poor imaging, for some recordings.

I will update this thread after some more time.

N.Murali

 

[anm]

murali, you are really building your system right, brick by brick

 

[murali_n]

Hi all,

Received the foll mail from Emotiva:


Spring savings from Emotiva!
For a limited time take 10% off the following Emotiva favorites:
XPA-5 five-channel power amplifier - $809 | was $899
XPA-3 three-channel power amplifier - $629 | was $699
mini-X a-100 stereo flex amplifier - $197 | was $219
USP-1 stereo pre-amplifier - $404 | was $449
UPA-1 monoblock power amplifier - $314 | was $349
X-Ref Speakers and Subwoofers
Check out our first-ever review in Home Theater magazine! We made their "Top Picks" list in the April 2012 issue. Mark Fleischmann reviews an X-Ref XRC-5.2 system; he said Writing about Emotiva for the first time is kind of like discovering a really great restaurant featuring obscure and exotic cuisine at amazing prices; I know Ill be heading back soon.
To celebrate, we are offering up to 20% off X-Ref speakers and subwoofers. Spend $1,500 on X-Ref and get 15% off, spend $2,000 on X-Ref and get 20% off. Discount only applies to X-Ref gear. A special coupon code will show up in your shopping cart when you qualify (by reaching the minimum purchase amount for either discount).

Thank you!
Your friends at Emotiva.

They have given a discount coupon code, PM me for details.


N.Murali

 

[murali_n]

Hi all,

Received email from emotiva about discount on their speaker range a falt 30% off on their X-ref speakers: :yahoo:

Here is the link :

Emotiva Audio

N.Murali

 

[murali_n]

Hi all,

Received an email from emotiva for their summer sale. Pl go thru the link below :

Emotiva Audio

PS : I don't have any affiliation nor interest in emotiva, posting for FM's benefit,

Thanks,

N.Murali

 

[denom]

Hi Murali,

Have just got the X-100 Mini for a demo. Want to ask you about the position of the Volume Dial when you listen to music. Asking this as I find the amp to be quite lifeless below the 11 o'clock position. Tried the amp with a couple of BS speakers & all came to life post the volume dial going past 11.

Can you pls update us with your views on the amp now that its sufficiently opened up. Would love to hear your views.
Thanks.

 

[murali_n]

Hi denom,

I have used the Emotiva mini a-X 100 with:

1) Lineout of Marantz PM 6003 integrated(with TT)
2) CNC Phono and SSP combo Pre-amp built from Sachin's board and
3) Very recently Dynaco PAS-3 Tube preamp (from FM Rajiv)

In all the three pre-amps I did not feel the need to jackup the volume beyond 11'o clock posn except for some vinyl pressings that too not beyond 12'o clock position.
In your case what's the source? I am using Marantz CD 5003 for playing CDs. I keep the preamp volume in full, when using TT and at 1'o clock posn when playing CD Player, with the Emotiva mini's volume at 10'o clock position(for both), which is sufficient for my room of 10x12 feet. At times I also use my PC soundcard (M-Audio 2496) to play FLAC files, with the same level of loudness.

Also whats your opinion about its sound quality?

N.Murali

 

[denom]

Hi Murali,

Thanks for quickly replying. My source is phillips DVDP connected to a DAC.
I connected the Amp first to Pioneer SP-BS41LR which I found out are 88db hence needed to crank the volume past 11 to get these to come alive. Subsequently, have connected the amp to Hari Iyers K-100 TL BS Speakers (Paper Coned) which are about 90db & with these even the Volume knob @ 9 is sufficient. So got my answers already

Mind you, both the Emotiva X-100a Mini & the Pioneer SP-BS41LR are brand new, hence they need to bun-in :lol:

So far I am liking the synergy between the Emotiva & Hari's Speakers. I will switch back to the Pioneers tomorrow & revert back with my findings post sufficient play.

More will take place as I plan to carry the Emotiva & Pioneer's to the Pune Meet this Sunday. Lets see what the others attending have to say about them.