Emotiva UPA-2 Stereo Amplifier
Emotiva UPA-2 amplifier
Summary
- Product Name: UPA-2 Two-Channel Amplifier
- Manufacturer: Emotiva
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: April 16, 2009 09:02
- MSRP: $ 299
- Specifications
-
125 watts/channel (8-ohms)/ 185 watts/channel (4-ohms)
Frequency Response: +/- 0.1 db: 20 to 20Khz
Broadband Frequency Response: -3db 10hz - 150khz
Signal to Noise Ratio: (Un-weighted): >100db
Distortion (THD, 80Khz bandwidth): 0.007
Discrete, dual differential class AB amplifier topology with active current sources
Low noise toroidal power transformer
On Semiconductor output devices
Damping Factor: Approximately 200 into 8 ohms
Gain: 0-32db (adjustable)Input Impedance: 47K ohm
External Trigger: 3-12 Volts DC (tip positive)
DC Offset: <1mV servo corrected
Crosstalk: >80db
Fully protected from all fault conditions
External trigger input/output (5-12 Volts DC - tip positive)
Preamp in/out loop for daisy chaining
Soft touch power switch
2RU chassis w/ solid milled aluminum faceplate
IEC power inlet, 120/230 VAC configurable
17” W x 3 7/8” H (3.46" without feet ) x 18" D
Weight: 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
Pros
- Big amplification in a small package
- External DC trigger input
- Output level control
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Not bridgeable
- Binding posts very close together
Introduction
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.
See also:
Recent Forum Posts:
Post Reply
Opteron1944 posts on April 28, 2009 17:25
For the last 2 months, I have been enjoying the UPA-2 driving my Klipsch KG-4speakers.
As you may know, handling 4 ohm loads presents problems to many amps which, from an arithmetic standpoint, should be perfectly adequate. When the speakers are also highly efficient, as is the case here, the results can be messy. (While not quite as responsive as the Klipsch classic speakers, reading through Magnepan reviews shows that this issue is a live one.)
I find the UPA-2 does a wonderful job in presenting a faithful rendering of the timbres of all instruments as well as clearly presenting bass notes and a fine precision that helps following multiple musical threads, such as found in the Brandenburg Concerti recordings from Trevor Pinnock and The English Concert.
The human voice is also beautifully rendered: "Glitter and Be Gay" from the orginal cast album of "Candide" shows just how accurate the young Barbara Cook was in this notoriously difficult piece. At the same time, Robert Preston's performance of "When Movies Were Movies" from "Mack and Mabel" shines through the technically challenging recording.
I find that I have stopped listening to the equipment and have resumed listening to the music - my most important criterion for a piece of audio gear.
Emotiva provides a 30 day trial period and I would strongly encourage anyone curious about this amplifier to take advantage of the opportunity to hear what this unit can do in your system.
(I have no connection to Emotiva, other than being a satisfied customer.)
System:
Rotel 855 CD player
Oppo 970HD DVD player
NAD T-163 Pre/Pro
Emotiva UPA-2 - Klipsch KG-4 front speakers
Acurus Mondial 100 - Aculine surrounds and Athena C.5 center channel
Dali 1.5 Subwoofer
As you may know, handling 4 ohm loads presents problems to many amps which, from an arithmetic standpoint, should be perfectly adequate. When the speakers are also highly efficient, as is the case here, the results can be messy. (While not quite as responsive as the Klipsch classic speakers, reading through Magnepan reviews shows that this issue is a live one.)
I find the UPA-2 does a wonderful job in presenting a faithful rendering of the timbres of all instruments as well as clearly presenting bass notes and a fine precision that helps following multiple musical threads, such as found in the Brandenburg Concerti recordings from Trevor Pinnock and The English Concert.
The human voice is also beautifully rendered: "Glitter and Be Gay" from the orginal cast album of "Candide" shows just how accurate the young Barbara Cook was in this notoriously difficult piece. At the same time, Robert Preston's performance of "When Movies Were Movies" from "Mack and Mabel" shines through the technically challenging recording.
I find that I have stopped listening to the equipment and have resumed listening to the music - my most important criterion for a piece of audio gear.
Emotiva provides a 30 day trial period and I would strongly encourage anyone curious about this amplifier to take advantage of the opportunity to hear what this unit can do in your system.
(I have no connection to Emotiva, other than being a satisfied customer.)
System:
Rotel 855 CD player
Oppo 970HD DVD player
NAD T-163 Pre/Pro
Emotiva UPA-2 - Klipsch KG-4 front speakers
Acurus Mondial 100 - Aculine surrounds and Athena C.5 center channel
Dali 1.5 Subwoofer
Harmon posts on April 27, 2009 12:29
Thanks for the review ... was thinking about buying one even before, but why only subjective opinion in this review and no objective testing?
Clint DeBoer posts on April 21, 2009 08:23
rnatalli;555641154 actually.
I believe there's another typo. The HK 157. I assume you meant 147.
rnatalli posts on April 20, 2009 10:15
I believe there's another typo. The HK 157. I assume you meant 147. No biggie. It's a real tribute to HK as the 147 sells for $200-300 vs a dedicated amp selling for $300. Although it probably would have been fairer to compare a HK receiver with power closer to the Emotiva. Nice comparison just the same.
jinjuku posts on April 19, 2009 00:15
Seth=L;555126
The Emotiva UPA-2 is closer in street price to the Behringer EP2500 (which is really unfair to compare the Emotiva too.).
I was thinking more along the lines of specifications. Still, the question stands.
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