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Yamaha MX-A5200 vs. Emotiva XPA-11 Gen3 vs. Monoprice

kenshone

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Feature differences aside, how would you compare the sound quality of these based on the spec sheets? Both will power up to 11 channels.

Here are the specs of each:
- https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/mx-a5200_u/specs.html#product-tabs
- https://emotiva.com/collections/amps/products/xpa-11-gen3
- https://www.monoprice.com/product?p...F-XpwPUT5w0LyQ1h3PTYKhk75klws6dhoCnDwQAvD_BwE

I'm biased towards believing that Yamaha's products will have top-class quality. However, if only focusing on the sound quality, I'm curious how much of a difference there really is.

On paper, it looks like Yamaha's takes the edge in THD over the Emotiva's stereo modules. However, the Emotiva seems to have an edge on its single-channel modules based on the benchmarks from https://www.audioholics.com/av-preamp-processor-reviews/yamaha-cx-a5200-mx-a5200. It looks like Monoprice wins overall on THD?
 
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I had the MX-A5000 and the Monoprice 8125X

2W SINAD 1 kHz
MX-A5000 88.6 dB
Monoprice 88.8 dB

10W SINAD 1 kHz
MX-A5000 92.7 dB
Monoprice 95.5 dB

10W Multitone
MX-A5000 89.5 dB
Monoprice 88.3 dB

To get the output, I was using the CX-A5000 so you are also running into the preout gain issues.

I found the MX-A5000 to be audible indistinguishable but at the time I had 10 channels of amplification so having the one box instead of the 8 ch plus another one made me favor the MX-A5000.
 
I think expecting some sort of recognizeable sound difference is unlikely as well as unwanted. They're all good amps but would question whether having that many channels in a single box to be any particular advantage except for space/aesthetic.
 
If there's no differentiator in terms of sound, at least audibly, then the Yamaha seems to be the clear choice based on aesthetics, reputation, and reliability?
 
If there's no differentiator in terms of sound, at least audibly, then the Yamaha seems to be the clear choice based on aesthetics, reputation, and reliability?

If you don’t need 11 channels and just 8, the smaller size of the Monoprice is nice. The grounding lug on the Monoprice is nicer and ATI is a reputable company too.

But for me, the Yamaha was paid for and the Monoprice is an added purchase. If it had measured noticeably better, I would have considered keeping it since I got it during one of those big sales.

The Yamaha is also EOL’d so you really don’t know what will happen once it’s out of warranty and parts are no longer stocked. With the HypeX designs, you can probably homebrew a replacement module even if it’s not the official ATI one down the line.

And of course cost.

So the answer of which is best depends if you already own one or not, etc.
 
If there's no differentiator in terms of sound, at least audibly, then the Yamaha seems to be the clear choice based on aesthetics, reputation, and reliability?
They both have good reputation and reliability from what I've seen. The aesthetic is personal taste, altho a box like that that I wouldn't look at particularly doesn't matter (to me).
 
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