jarrod2750 Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I have two Pioneer Elite M 90 amplifiers powering a pair of Epic CF 3's. The Pioneers are starting to show their age and instead of investing more money in fixing them, I was wondering if it would be wiser to upgrade to either a pair of Emotiva XPA 2's or XPA 200's or stick with the Pioneers. If money were no object, I'd be looking at Parasound. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 If money is an object, a newer amp would be the way to go. I don't think you will hear much difference compared to the Pioneer fixed up. I went to a multichannel amp due to space limitations. My vintage Yamaha M 80 and M 70 did not take a backseat compared to some of the newer amp as far as SQ goes.I had the M 70's partially refurb. Once you start refub. old amps, they can cost as much as a new amp. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1UC Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I have two Pioneer Elite M 90 amplifiers powering a pair of Epic CF 3's. The Pioneers are starting to show their age and instead of investing more money in fixing them, I was wondering if it would be wiser to upgrade to either a pair of Emotiva XPA 2's or XPA 200's or stick with the Pioneers. If money were no object, I'd be looking at Parasound. Thanks! are you stuck in the Emotiva price range ? just wondering why those amps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MORE KLIPSCH PLEASE Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Yea I'll go with derrickdj1. I have never owned the Pioneer Elite amps but the do look nice, I love that vintage look. But once you start getting into a refurb it can get quite costly. Have you got a est to fix/go through them? They still seem to bring good money. I just got one of my Carver TFM 55's back from my reg amp guy and he could not fix it, can't find the parts. So now I must think....do I send it off to one of the Carver shops or sell it for parts....it kills me....I love my Carver amps. But they too (like your Pioneer's) are 20+ years old. I have looked at the Emotiva gear....looks nice.....I know some of the forum guys like em. Anyway good luck to ya....keep us posted :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarrod2750 Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Between the two I've alreday invested $400 dollars in repairs. And one now needs its powerboard fixed which will be an easy $200 more. These beasts are close to 30 years old so it's like dumping money into a car. The reason I was looking into the Emotiva's was because of the price to value ratio and wanting to get something at least as good as the Pioneers. I'm not looking to break the bank but I was always impressed with Parasound. I'm keeping my options open, and willing to hear what my fellow Klipsch community would suggest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totalcomfort Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I have an all Emotiva system (upa5,upa 200,xmc1) they make very good amps for the money. They have great customer service and a 30 day in home trial period, so you can try them and if you don't like them,you can send them back. I never did. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Tubes. Why settle for less? Shakey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarrod2750 Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Investing in tubes, is out of my price range unfortunately.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 What is your price range? Maybe we can help you with a better SS amplifier than an Emotiva. Shakey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarrod2750 Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 $700 - $1k per amp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 (edited) I guess I'm a little confused. You have one pair of speakers that you want to power with two stereo amps? Or are you talking about bridging them to monoblocks? In any event you have a pair of speakers that are 100db efficient. What you really want is a good quality power amp with modest power instead of higher power and lower quality (think Emotiva). Personally I would go for these. I have owned these and they are very good ss amps. http://app.audiogon.com/listings/ac-conditioners-monarchy-audio-se-100-2014-11-17-power-97702-bend-or or this http://app.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-belles-150a-power-amplifier-2014-11-20-amplifiers-30031-4303-decatur-ga or a McCormack DNA-1, if you can find it. Shakey Edited November 24, 2014 by Shakeydeal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarrod2750 Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 sorry for the confusion. I'm running one amp per speaker and the speakers are bi-amped. I hope that makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Bum Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 sorry for the confusion. I'm running one amp per speaker and the speakers are bi-amped. I hope that makes sense Still confused, one amp per speaker and bi-amped seems contradictory. I agree w/ Shakey that you simply need good quality power. How about an ATI AT1202? ATI's online outlet store has them for under $600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Cawley Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 On stereo amp (like the M90 he is using) per speaker, is bi-amping ! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 one amp per speaker and bi-amped seems contradictory. One stereo amp per side, bi-amping the cabinet (lows/highs). I am assuming, of course, but that's how I read it. I've also always liked the Parasound gear. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ski Bum Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Using two stereo amps, lateral bi-amping? If that's the case then the OP is definitely in need of amps that have gain control (like Parasound, ATI, but unlike Emo). I still vote for skipping any sort of passive bi amp approach...unless the amp he's using for the mids/highs is some sort of thermionic device! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeydeal Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 (edited) My thoughts are he could take that 2K and buy one high quality tube amp that would sound far better than what he currently has or what he proposes with an Emotiva amp. Sometimes simpler is indeed better. Shakey Edited November 24, 2014 by Shakeydeal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Avoid Emotiva...........There's a reason it is so cheap. I agree that you MUST have gain controls to operate your setup properly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budman Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 (edited) this is going to get very interesting from all the emo owners Edited November 24, 2014 by Budman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Emo audio for the depressed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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