Let me start by saying I have owned a few amps in the past from companies such as Carver, Boston Acoustics, and Outlaw. While deciding which company/product to try next, I was immediately impressed with by the scaleability of the MPS-1 to be able to provide anywhere between 1 and 14 channels of amplification and the beefy build of the amplifier. After reading the glowing Audiohlics review, eyeing the pictures on the web, and dreaming about adding it to my HT room for some time, I purchased the MPS-1 in a 7-channel configuration and was impressed from the moment it arrived.
I removed the chassis from its cloth bag and used the white gloves provided so as not to smudge up the beautiful piano glossed side panels. I then put the 7 individual modules into the chassis and could not believe the weight of each module and the attention to detail in design of the modules.
After the unit was assembled, I powered it on and was welcomed by the "Emotiva blue" illuminating from the front panels and channel indicators of the amp. This amp was different than any other piece of gear I had owned in the past. It's appearance was sophisticated and alluring. The MPS-1 was/is definitely the best looking piece of electronic gear I have ever owned. It's also nice the unit has several dimmer stages for the lights on the front panel as well; once you get past the initial awe factor, you can tone them down so as not to grab and keep your attention all the time.
I was amazed by the MPS-1's seductive sound. Everything was more open than any other amp I had used in the past and the soundstage it establishes is better than anything else I have heard in my setup. The MPS-1 provides more detail than any other amp I have used as well, yet the amp does not get harsh like other revealing amps I have had in the past. This amp will remain in my setup until it simply no longer functions. I no longer have any desire to upgrade my dedicated HT amp.
After being so impressed with the MPS-1 and needing two channels of amplification for another room, I decided to try the 2-channel RPA-1 amplifier. This unit did not fail to impress as well. It has many of the same qualities of the MPS-1 and is now being used to drive my front L/R channels in my dedicated HT room. while two channels from the MPS-1 power the stereo setup in another room. Again, this unit will not be replaced any time soon.
I also picked up the UL combo consisting of the LMC-1 processor and LPA-1 amplifier for a game room I am putting together. I was so impressed with the sound of the LMC-1 that the unit is sitting where my Anthem AVM30 (now being sold to upgrade) used to in the dedicated HT room while I wait for the Emotiva DMC-2's arrival. Am I saying the LMC-1 sounds better than the AVM30? No...but the sound the LMC-1 produces is surprisingly close to a unit costing nearly 10 times its price. The LPA-1 is a great value as well and would still be at twice its asking price.
It is rare these days when you find a company selling above average gear for below average prices. This is exactly what Emotiva is doing. I have also contacted their customer service several times and have been impressed with the level of personal attention I have gotten.
Present and future customer,
Doug Kansas City
My goals were modest...but what I received in the end was nothing short of amazing!
Like many audio enthusiasts, I spent several months comparing units from the typical "big name" companies. While they all offered similar features, none stood out from the crowd. To make matters worse, I was starting to notice that spending more money didn't exactly guarantee better performance. I realized to get the most for my hard earned dollar, I was going to have to look beyond the standard "brick and mortar" store offerings...It was time to go direct...it was time to go online.
After only a few hours, my priorities changed from all-in-one units with fancy names, to dedicated separates with quality internals. The last thing I wanted to do was find out that my $1,500 receiver had become obsolete due to new audio and video technologies. By purchasing separates, I could easily upgrade my processor when the time came. But which brand provided the best quality and value? More importantly, did spending more money guarantee a better piece of equipment?
Then it happened...I stumbled upon a well respected, audio/video enthusiast message board. I read a post about a small, high end company in Tennessee called Emotiva. From what I read, it seemed their products were not only top-shelf, but the prices appeared almost too good to be true. The more I researched, the more impressed I became. Even looking at their entry level equipment, it was easy to see how much time and these guys put into designing the best product possible at an affordable price. To sweeten the deal, Emotiva was so sure there products would not disappoint that they were willing to stand behind their products with a fully transferable, 5-year warranty on parts AND labor! It's rare to find a high-end piece of audio equipment with a warranty like this. And talk about future-proofing - Emotiva was willing to offer me a 40% discount off the next generation processor when I felt the need to upgrade to the latest technology - that's unheard of!
All in all, I've been incredibly pleased with my decision to give Emotiva a try. Their customer support is top notch, the build quality of the equipment is second to none, and the piece of mind that comes from having a warranty makes the choice easy - if you want the finest quality audio and video electronics - Emotiva will not disappoint. Your eyes and ears will thank you later. I know mine did...
Al New Jersey
I wasn't even considering separateswhen I decided to replace my Arcam AVR-200. I loved that receiver, but with one of the rear channels having died on me, and the unit being out of warranty, I didn't relish having to ship it off for a repair who's cost would be unknown until the service center could evaluate. I figured this was a chance to upgrade, or at least get something with some newer technology. After scouring the various online forums, I had narrowed my search to the usual AVR suspects (Denon, Yamaha, etc.) but Emotiva's name popped up a couple times as well. I decided that Arcam was out of the running, as this was the 2nd unit I'd owned that had issues in under 3 years of ownership.
So finally deciding that the Ultra Home Theater set up would give me what I needed, I took the plunge knowing I'd have 30 days to evaluate... Shocked is the best description I can provide.
My wife, also, was surprised at how much cleaner the highs were, and how much separation there was in a much more open sound stage. Arcam is no slouch in the audio department, but without question,the Emotiva set up put it to shame. Not to mention that pictures do not do the hardware justice. These really are some beautiful chunks of black metal.
So great job... Now back to work on the next wave of Processors, as the 40% discount program has me itching to upgrade!
Thanks, Patrick
...I am a 2-channel guy. I'd been listening to vintage audio gear, Carver, NAD and Pioneer gear mostly from the late 70's to mid 80's. I had been contemplating an amplifier upgrade for some time. Not because I wasn't happy with my current amplifier but I had to find out for myself if there was any decent gear out there that was built as well as the vintage stuff that was affordable to the average Joe like me.. That's where my mission began.
During my search for new dedicated 2-channel audio gear I found it fairly difficult to find anything that wasn't multi channel. What I did find was mostly out of reach for me financially. If I was to purchase any of this esoteric overpriced 2-channel gear I would have to buy used and that would have defeated the purpose of my mission. Not to mention I was looking for something with a warranty.
The name Emotiva first came up for me on a web forum. I checked out the Emotiva website and was immediately intrigued. I saw that Emotiva made a 2-channel amplifier. I checked out the RPA-1 specs, pictures and reviews. To boot, I had 30 days to try it in my home. The price was where I needed it to be. From there I proceeded to search the web for any negative reviews I could find on this product. And believe me, I really tried. I spent a couple of evenings looking. To my surprise, I was unable to find any. I did find multiple reviews comparing it to amplifiers costing 2 to 3 times as much though. That was the clincher for me. The 5 year warranty didn't hurt either. The RPA-1 had to be in my possession.
It arrived 3 days after I purchased it. The moment I lifted the box up off the floor I knew that the build quality of the chassis was not compromised to keep the price down. Upon removing it from the carton and cloth sack, the quality of the chassis was confirmed. It was heavy and very solid. No chassis flex at all. I was immediately impressed by this. The chassis is thick steel and the faceplate is a beautiful solid block of brushed aluminum. The 2 silver aluminum wings, as I like to call them, on each side of the faceplate are a bonus for me because I'm a sucker for the brushed silver look. This amp is a dual mono-block design so it has a toroidal transformer for each channel plus a third smaller toroidal transformer for the remaining support circuitry. Very impressive in my opinion.
As far as the sound, I wasn't really expecting much difference from the NAD I was using at the time. Boy was I wrong. I immediately noticed that the soundstage was more open and instruments were easier to place in space. Upon further listening over the next few days I also found that the bass was tighter and reached lower than I had ever been used to. Detail was also very sweet. Individual instruments didn't get blended together when musical passages got really busy. There is more power packed into this amp than I will probably ever use. I knew over those few days of listening that the RPA-1 was a keeper.
Although not very scientific, one thing I like to do with amplifiers is to listen for noise by putting an ear to each speaker. The RPA-1 is the first amplifier I've done this with that was completely dead silent at the speakers. No hum, hiss or any other noises or sounds. I had to look to see if it was turned on. Totally impressed me again.
My impressions of the RPA-1 were so good that I decided to get the matching RSP-1 preamplifier. It has also gotten excellent reviews. I purchased the RSP-1 about 3 months later.
The addition of the RSP-1 has taken my listening experience up another level. The RSP-1 has given my system a warmer sound without sacrificing the clarity and detail that I gained with the RPA-1. Extended bass notes are now even tighter than before. Quick drum bursts just smack you in the chest. It has all the features a 2-channel audiophile should need including a very nice phono stage. All the buttons and knobs, with the exception of the Power button are solid milled aluminum and finished with the brushed aluminum styling. Just a gorgeous piece of audio gear.
The remote control is also impressive. It weighs in at an astounding 7oz and is solid brushed aluminum as well. The weight of the remote is not battery weight. This remote runs on a single coin cell battery. The buttons have a solid clicking sound when you press them.
Initially I hadn't intended on purchasing both pieces but am so glad I did. I can't wait to see what Emotiva comes up with in 2008. I suspect it will be pretty exciting. Can't wait to see what my next Emotiva purchase will be.
Paul
Maine
LPA-1 and RSP-1 used with DIY triamp speakers
My forays into audio have taken me to “DIY speakerville” and all the joys and pitfalls that ensue from this particular obsession. Most recently, I’ve built a 3-driver speaker (integrated subwoofer, mid/woofer and planar tweeter), which uses a 3-way active crossover. My listening, both music and movies, is strictly two channel (for simplicity’s sake). As I was winding up building these speakers, the question arose: what amplifier(s) should I use?
Enter the LPA-1. I hadn’t heard of Emotiva and was about to go the 3 stereo amp route (I wanted something inexpensive and was looking at fanless pro audio amps) when I stumbled across Emotiva at Audioholics.com. As soon as I saw the LPA-1, I believed that this was it. A low price, solid specifications and 30-day home trial made it impossible to resist. So, I ordered the LPA-1 and it showed up two days later.
What a beauty…..and a beast! The attention to detail (fit and finish) is excellent by any standard and unbelievable at this price. The hefty weight solidly anchors my component stand and the blue lights just look cool. I hooked up the subs (4 ohms each) and the mid/woofers (8 ohms each) to channels 1 – 4 and the tweeters (8 ohms each) to channels 6 and 7 (50 watts is more than enough “tweeter power” for my listening tastes). Crossover points are 160 Hz and 2,500 Hz and levels are controlled by the active crossover (24 dB/octave slopes).
What great sound! Smooth and non-fatiguing with tight, controlled bass (the bass quality was better than what I had achieved using a plate amp for past projects). I was so smitten with the sound that I thought a logical upgrade would be an “All Emotiva” preamp/amp signal path. So, I ordered the RSP-1. This time, the preamp arrived the next day.
Was I correct in assuming that the preamp would take the sound to the next level? Absolutely! Music retained all of the excellent characteristics described above, with the added benefit of more detail. It took about 50 hours for the RSP-1 to break in (it was a little closed-in right out of the box), and it now performs faithfully. Fit and finish and heft are once again amazing at the price (and the blue lights are once again, really cool looking).
To say I am a satisfied customer is an understatement. This amp/preamp combo has taken me off the upgrade path. The attention to detail and sound quality shows a real passion for this great hobby. And, Jennifer is a real nice person to speak with.
Thank you Emotiva, for two such excellent products!
