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Denon POA-A1HDCI 10 Channel Power Amplifier Review

The POA-A1HDCI revitalizes Denon’s high end stigma that it earned over the years and puts the name back on the map for high end cost no object audio. This amplifier delivers respectable high and most importantly clean dynamic power and provides enough channels to handle even the largest scale home theater installations with a few to spare for specialized needs and installations. Coupled with the matching AVP-A1HDCI processor, you’ve got a state of the art A/V separates solution that can run toe to toe with any of its peers in this price class.

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Emotiva XPA-2 Stereo Power Amplifier

Emotiva has given new meaning to the words high end, high power, high value amplifier with the introduction of their new XPA-2. This baby is armed to the teeth with electronic goodies, weighing in at around 75lbs and boasting a 1600VA transformer and over 60,000 uF of power supply capacitance. The Emotiva, XPA-2 is specified to deliver 250wpc into 8 ohms / 500wpc into 4 ohms with both channels driven and a whopping 1000 watts bridged. All of this comes at a meager asking price of $799! This appears to be the real deal folks and we are simply dying to do a formal review. In the meantime, check our our initial impressions.

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Recent Reviews

First Look: NAD M2 Direct Digital Amplifier
by Tom Andry — last modified May 26, 2009 08:18
The M2 is really sort of a hybrid. It is a traditional amp with non-traditional inputs. It is an integrated amp in spirit but doesn't have all the functionality that a traditional integrated would have. In addition to balanced and RCA analogue inputs the M2 has dual coax and dual optical inputs, a single optical and coaxial output, 12 volt and IR inputs, and a 12 volt output. At $6k, you would do well to consider using the internal DACs of the M2 as you certainly are paying for them.

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It's not hard to see that I'm impressed with the Seymour AV Ice Block 5001 500watt Monoblock Amplifier. It has plenty of power, great aesthetics, and near perfect functionality. Most of all, they provide esoteric components, looks, and construction at near enthusiast prices. That alone should be a huge selling point for those with smaller wallets but refined tastes. Plus, you'll have an amp that is not only a show piece for the uninitiated but also sports all the "extras" that will impress your esoteric friends. What more could you ask for?

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Pro Review: Emotiva UPA-2 Stereo Amplifier
by Clint DeBoer — last modified April 16, 2009 05:02
Emotiva is a name that is up-and-coming in the world of audio electronics. Manufacturing amplifiers and now loudspeakers, Emotiva is a brand that is moving beyond the fascination of the Internet Direct crowds and settling into the living rooms of mainstream consumers. These days manufacturers are adding more and more features into mid-fi and budget-level AV receivers. The trade-off, however, is usually in respect to amplifier power and quality. So what's a consumer to do if they want to achieve the maximum features with the maximum punch? Well one solution is to get a feature-rich A/V receiver and then add a two-channel amplifier. Best of both worlds? Absolutely, and for far less than buying a flagship AV receiver.

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Axiom Audio has redefined performance expectations of Class D amplifiers with their A1400-8. They have proven that a highly efficient space saving digital amplifier design like this can not only hang with some of the best traditional linear amplifier designs, but also surpass them in some aspects such as dynamics, bass accuracy and power delivery. If you’re assembling an upscale home theater system with the design goals of uncompromised fidelity and dynamics, and your speakers are capable of handling its mighty power, you should definitely add the A1400-8 to your shortlist of high power multi-channel amplifiers for consideration.

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First Look: Bryston SST² Series Amplifiers
by Tom Andry — last modified January 08, 2009 19:54
Bryston, LTD showed off their SST² squared series amplifiers at CES, incorporating several upgrades to all eight models of the hand-built award-winning Bryston SST amplifier topology. Despite the “Squared Series” upgrades, pricing remains unchanged throughout the lineup. Bryston’s SST amplifier line begins with the 2B SST (100 watts per channel 8-ohms, 180 per channel 4-ohms at $2650 US) to the 28B SST (1000 watts mono into 8-ohms at $8000 US).

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First Look: Seymour AV ICE Block Monoblocks
by Tom Andry — last modified October 31, 2008 08:04
Seymour AV was showing off their ICE Block amps at the Audioholics State of the CE Union event. They had two of their new Ice Block amplifiers on display. Both were the 1000w models (which retail for $1299) in the brushed stainless steel and black pearl blue five-coat glossy paint. The monoblocks come in 200w, 500w, or 1000w models and run from $999 to $1399. They are exactly half-standard width, allowing for a pair to fit on a standard shelf. Because they are ICEpower amps, they run extremely cool (and efficiently around 80% versus ~20% for a Class A and ~50% for A/B) so you can stack them if needed.

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Pro Review: Emotiva XPA-2 Two Channel Amplifier Review
by Gene DellaSala — last modified November 02, 2008 10:18
Not only does Emotiva have a winner on their hands with the XPA-2 two channel amplifier, but they’ve literally hit the ball out of the park with this creation rewriting the rule book on high performance amplifiers on the cheap. The XPA-2 is not only the most powerful amplifier that has come across my test bench, but it represents the best value in consumer two-channel amplification that I’ve ever seen. Quite frankly, when I think about it, the XPA-2 is a lone wolf in a pasture of sheepish amplifiers.

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Pro Review: Rotel RMB-1085 Power Amplifier Review
by Tom Andry — last modified June 12, 2008 18:31
There are few names that are both as well known and associated with high-end as Rotel. They have a reputation for quality and power and great aesthetics. At only 100 watts, I couldn't say that the RMB-1085 was a huge improvement over the internal amps of my receiver with my 8 ohm speakers. It does have an undeniable cool factor and plenty of power if your current amplification needs are inadequate or your speakers have lower impedance and are giving your current amp/receiver trouble. If you are looking to beef up your home theater or just have a touch of the upgrade bug, the RMB-1085 is a little firecracker of an amp that might be what you've been looking for.

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The POA-A1HDCI revitalizes Denon’s high end stigma that it earned over the years and puts the name back on the map for high end cost no object audio. This amplifier delivers respectable high and most importantly clean dynamic power and provides enough channels to handle even the largest scale home theater installations with a few to spare for specialized needs and installations. Coupled with the matching AVP-A1HDCI processor, you’ve got a state of the art A/V separates solution that can run toe to toe with any of its peers in this price class.

Read More… Discuss…

First Look: Emotiva XPA-2 Stereo Power Amplifier
by Gene DellaSala — last modified August 31, 2008 18:24
Emotiva has given new meaning to the words high end, high power, high value amplifier with the introduction of their new XPA-2. This baby is armed to the teeth with electronic goodies, weighing in at around 75lbs and boasting a 1600VA transformer and over 60,000 uF of power supply capacitance. The Emotiva, XPA-2 is specified to deliver 250wpc into 8 ohms / 500wpc into 4 ohms with both channels driven and a whopping 1000 watts bridged. All of this comes at a meager asking price of $799! This appears to be the real deal folks and we are simply dying to do a formal review. In the meantime, check our our initial impressions.

Read More… Discuss…

First Look: Genesis Reference Amplifier by Tom Andry — last modified January 02, 2008 09:18
First Look: Pass Labs XA.5 Series Amps by Clint DeBoer — last modified January 02, 2008 08:21
First Look: Axiom Audio A-1400-8 Power Amplifier First Look by Gene DellaSala — last modified October 10, 2007 18:14
Pro Review: Emotiva Audio RPA-1 Stereo Amplifier Review by Tom Andry — last modified July 01, 2007 09:04
Pro Review: Marantz PM-11S1 Integrated Amplifier Review by Clint DeBoer — last modified June 15, 2007 07:49
Pro Review: Thule Audio PA350B Multi Channel Amplifier Review by Gene DellaSala — last modified February 21, 2007 16:19
Pro Review: Emotiva MPS-1 Seven Channel Amplifier Review by Gene DellaSala — last modified May 22, 2005 20:00
Pro Review: Onix A-120MKII Integrated Amplifier Review by Gene DellaSala — last modified April 19, 2005 20:00
Pro Review: Integra Research RDA-7.1 Review by Gene DellaSala — last modified March 08, 2005 19:00
Pro Review: Sherbourn 7/1250A Amplifier Review by Gene DellaSala — last modified February 13, 2005 19:00
Pro Review: Rotel RMB-1095 Amplifier Review by Clint DeBoer — last modified December 16, 2004 19:00
Pro Review: Parasound Halo A 51 Amplifier Review by Ken Stein — last modified October 19, 2004 20:00
Pro Review: Parasound Halo A 21 Amplifier Review by Ken Stein — last modified October 19, 2004 20:00
Pro Review: Rotel RA-1062 Integrated Amplifier Review by Gene DellaSala — last modified May 09, 2004 20:00
Pro Review: Sherbourn 5/1500A 5-channel Amplifier Review by Gene DellaSala — last modified June 14, 2003 20:00

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