XA5180 5-Channel High Power Home Theater Amplifier Balance XLR Input 5x 200W Class H Power

Hi Craig:

We have never included a turn on cable in any of our products. It typically is a mono 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable or a Stereo 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux will work, but only one channel will operate. 12V triggers have been around quite some time and initially were used by companies to communicate among their own branded components. Enter the Audio or Signal Sending feature that has surpassed the 12V trigger option. It shows as one of the three turn-on options for the XA-5180 five-channel amplifier. #1 the"On "option takes someone to manually turn the Power amplifier on for the amp to operate and then manually turn off when the Amp is finished playing. Now in both Option, #2, signal, and Option #3 trigger, the front panel Manual On/Off switch must be in the On position. The key is the signal Option will work in almost every application and needs nothing extra to hook up to work. It senses a signal and turns on. Once the signal stops, the circuit waits for 5 to 10 minutes before going into stand by mode, waiting for the music to start playing again. Option #3 needs wire to connect between two components you hope are compatible, which is not always the case. It seems the Audio or Signal Sensing is much more popular than the 12 Volt trigger. So I would suggest utilizing the Signal Sensing Option for your application to see if that will work for you. Otherwise, go online and see if you can find one to purchase. Otherwise, you might have a stereo 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable (much more popular) lying around that will work as well. Please let us know how you make out, tim@osdaudio.com.

TL/5733

Hi Daryl:

Eventually, it will be discontinued. You will not find another product this good for under $700.00. Don't miss out.

TL/5730

Hi Larry:

The XA5180 is rated at 120 watts at 8-ohms and 180 Watts at 4-ohms all 5 channels driven. At 3 channels driven the rating is 200 Watts at 8-ohms and 250 Watts at 4-ohm per channel. 2 Channels driven would be higher. And trust me these are conservative numbers. And if you were connecting this amplifier utilizing Balanced XLR from a Preamp source then you would see an additional 6 to10dB increase. A great choice.

TL/5728

Hi Craig:

The XA5180 would add about 20 to 25 watts per channel for the three front stage speakers and two of the surrounds (all 8-ohm drivers). Not a significant impact over the DENON. But if you were using it to drive only the three front channels that would increase the output to 200 Watts per channel, all three channels are driven at once. The DENON could power the remaining two pairs. The price is excellent for a 3 x 200 Watt Home Theater amplifier, typically $699.99 and higher.

Good choice

TL/5727

Hi Darren:

The right choice for combining your two applications. Both for powering your front stage with channels 1, 2, and 3 and two pairs of Polk Atrium 5s with channels 2 and 4.  There is no need to split the Zone 2 signal from the MARANTZ SR 7013 to the single unbalanced RCA line input for line 2 and line 4. You will connect the two left speakers in parallel to the speaker level output for Channel 2 (+/-) and then connect the two Right speakers in parallel to the two speaker level outputs for channel 4 (+/-). This Amp rates at 180 Watts a channel at 4 ohms (two pair of 8-ohm speakers connected in parallel)

Regarding the three processed channels (Front Left, Center, and Front Right) that will be connected channels 1, 2, and 3. The Marantz Receiver is 125 watts at 8 ohms, two channels driven. The XA5180 rated at 125 watts at 8 ohms, all five channels driven at once. But it is rated at 200 watts per channel is playing only three channels. It would be closer to 125 Watts if all three were playing and you had channels 2 and 4 playing at the same time. The High Sensitivity (89 dB) is a bonus since it means they are efficient and need less power to produce full output. 

I think the amplifier would be ideal for your application, and again no need to split the signal coming from Zone 2.

Also, note you will want to use the signal sensing turn-on mode for all five channels versus the hard-wired trigger 

TL/5719

Hi CJ:

There are no adjustments available for each channel. Just a choice of Balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA connections. Sorry about that.

TL/7513

Hi David: 

When you go to check out, you will see a box under the payment method where you can enter a coupon code. Coupon  code: "FREEFALL 10"

TL/5703

Hi James:

120 Watts at 8-ohm all channels, 180 Watts at 4-ohms.

Unbalanced or Balanced inputs

TL/5694

Hi Ernie:

We can not feature Balanced Line inputs without having an internal Differential Amplifier. I remember Emotiva having Balanced line inputs on their five-channel amplifiers. Technically we should sell this amplifier at a higher cost but we have been offering a very competitive price based upon overstock situation, not our quality being in issue.

TL/5605

Hi Anthony: I do not think you will have any problems. Impedance Matching is a key factor and you are covered there. You will only be using less than 30% of your output power anyway. TL/5491

Hi Anthony: The CARVER 5 channel is typically 180 Watts at 4 ohms all channels driven. The Pioneer Elite Floor standing speakers would be an ideal match. You will have more power from just three channels driven. I would recommend using channels 1, 3 and 5. The two things you want to look at are one, will the Amplifier handle a 4-ohm load (yes, it will) and second another feature is the Speakers Sensitivity (86dB). The higher the number 90 plus tells us the speaker is very efficient and takes less power to drive to full out. The Pioneer Speakers are more power hungry and at 4 ohms there are getting more output from the 5 channel amplifier. Good choice TL/ 5479

HI Larry: Each channel will do a 4-ohm load. The only thing I would recommend is that you use channel 1 and channel 5 for the 4-ohm loads. A 4-ohm load would tend to generate more heat and would benefit the two 4-ohm channels having one side facing away from another Amplifier. In reality, you can have all five channels run in 4-ohm. TL/5475

Hi Brandon: The special pricing is based solely on overstock issue. Check this out: https://www.amazon.com/Carver-Channel-Amplifier-Product-HTA5A/dp/B01N12UDAL. The XA5180 is the real deal, you do not find five channel amps with Balanced Differential inputs under $600.00, but you know that already. Enjoy TL/5435

Hi K: You may want to check out this YouTube video regarding noise: Videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4famaQmWnA. In both cases the CROWN XLS 1002 and the OSD XA-5180 feature Balance and Unbalanced inputs. Not only does the video explain the causes of noise but discusses the advantage of Balanced vs Unbalanced. They also feature solutions for these problems. I am assuming you are using an AVR that does not have Balanced Line Outputs. I do not think your speakers are contributing to your issue. Good luck TL/5419

Hi Jason: There are no thruputs on this amplifier. The XLR Balanced connections are inputs only with built-in differential amps. You would bypass the amp and run the XLR cable directly from your Preamp. TL/5409

Hi Davone: The rating when all 5 channels are driven is 125Watts at 8 ohms and 180 watts driven at 4 ohms. The factory has told us if you connect channels 1, 3, and 5 it is 200 watts at 8 ohms 250 Watts at 4 ohms. Four Channels 1, 2, 4, and 5 would be 160 Watts at 8 ohms and 220 Watts at 4 ohms. Note: If your Receiver has a Balance Differential connection so you can connect the Receiver and Amplifier using Balanced XLR cables you will also gain an additional 6 to 10dB increase. Good choice TL/5392

Hi Eric: I would recommend this amp for your front stage utilizing three channels. I would connect channels 1, 3 and 5. With only three channels connected the output (all three channels) would be 200 watts per channel at 8 ohms. That would leave six channels driven from your DENON and 2 channels driven from your AudioSource (I am assuming either the AMP110 or AMP210). You should have received a response to your initial question. I think this AMP would be an excellent value along with the performance you are looking to achieve. Good luck TL/5273

Hi Mike: We do not include a Trigger cable for any of our amplifiers that feature a 12V trigger option. It typically uses a mono Aux cable, but I believe any aux cable will do. TL/5271

HI Davonne: 54 pounds is the gross shipping weight including packaging. Actual weight is listed as 50 pounds. Custom-designed high current power supply driven by a .9 KVA Toroidal transformer. Class AB Four discrete output devices for each channel. 27,200 uF per channel filter capacitance protected by advanced protection circuitry. Custom-designed heatsinks on each amplifier module, enabling the amplifier to function at full power without the need for noisy fans. TL/5259

Hi K: There is no advantage when converting the Unbalanced output to the XLR balanced input. The signal will still be unbalanced. You need to connect to a Receiver that has a Balanced Line differential output to gain the higher output signal and also noise canceling (no matter what the distance) advantage. Your better off running a Good single RCA Unbalanced cable like our AURUM Single RCA Directional Subwoofer Cable. TL/5250

Hi Von: I would say they are on par with each other except our five channel features Balanced as well as Unbalanced Inputs. The Balanced line gives you an extra 6 to 10dB increase with virtually no noise. In reality, we should be selling this amp for more than the Outlaw, but this is a sale price to help to move inventory. With the money, you save you can upgrade your AVR to a model with Balanced Line outputs. Good luck whichever way you go TL/5244

HI Davone: I believe it would be somewhere between 150 and 175 watts with all channels driven. TL/5235

Hi K: A5500 power cord is 3x2.08mm2(squared) 14awg (gauge) 105 celsius (jacket) 300volt power cord Three prong plug the box says 180 watts at 4 ohms, that is conservative. But note, if you connect via Balanced Input the signal is increased 6 to 10 dB and virtually no noise. TL/5208

HI Ronald: The amp automatically senses whichever input you connect to. You can only connect to one or the other at a time. You could mix and match say you have three channels connected with Balanced XLR and the remaining two channels unbalanced utilizing the single RCA inputs. TL/5196

Hi Erick: All channels driven at 8 ohms are 125 watts RMS. All three amplifiers are excellent Multi-channel amplifiers. We also stock a matching two channel Integrated amp under the CARVER Electronics name. It also has both Balanced and Unbalanced inputs. Ideal for adding two more channels (7 total). You can 't go wrong with any of these amps but with the XA5180 you will save some money, and it features free shipping as well. TL/5188

HI James: Good Question. The XA5180 is a Class H amplifier a variation of a Class AB. Note, the definition I found online: There is a variety of amplifier designs that enhance class-AB output stages with more efficient techniques to achieve greater efficiency with low distortion. These designs are common in large audio amplifiers since the heatsinks and power transformers would be prohibitively large (and costly) without the efficiency increases. The terms "class G" and "class H" are used interchangeably to refer to different designs, varying in definition from one manufacturer or paper to another. Class-G amplifiers (which use "rail switching" to decrease power consumption and increase efficiency) are more efficient than class-AB amplifiers. These amplifiers provide several power rails at different voltages and switch between them as the signal output approaches each level. Thus, the amplifier increases efficiency by reducing the wasted power at the output transistors. Class-G amplifiers are more efficient than class AB but less efficient when compared to class D. However, they do not have the electromagnetic interference effects of class D. Class-H amplifiers take the idea of class G one step further creating an infinitely variable supply rail. This is done by modulating the supply rails so that the rails are only a few volts larger than the output signal at any given time. The output stage operates at its maximum efficiency all the time. Switched-mode power supplies can be used to create the tracking rails. Significant efficiency gains can be achieved but with the drawback of more complicated supply design and reduced THD performance. In a similar layout, a voltage drop of about 10V is maintained over the output transistors in Class H circuits. The picture above shows a positive supply voltage of the output stage and the voltage at the speaker output. The boost of the supply voltage shows for a real music signal. There is an image on our web page of the internal layout including the High Output Toroidal Power Supply. I believe the true power is listed as 125Watts RMS and 180 Watts at 4-ohm RMS all channels are driven. TL/5186

HI Ronald: Officially this amp is rated 120 Watts 8 ohm and 180 watts at 4 ohms RMS with all channels driven. I also have a matching two-channel integrated amp if you need to add 2 or 4 More channels. It is under the Carver Electronics Brand, model M300. Identical output, ideal if you are looking to go 7 or 9 channels. You asked before if we ship to Barbados, we have a master distributor who services the Caribbean. tim@osdaudio.com TL/5184

Hi Tom: Here are the official Specs: Total Harmonic Distortion Less than 0.02% at rated output (THD) (120W), all frequencies, less than 0.01% at 1kHz To be more specific to your question: Power Output 120 watts RMS x 5 (all channels are driven simultaneously into 8 ohms from 20Hz–20kHz with less than 0.02% total harmonic distortion, A-weighted filter) 180 watts RMS x 5 (all channels are driven simultaneously into 4 ohms from 20Hz–20kHz with less than 0.03% total harmonic distortion, A-weighted filter) TL/5180

Hi Ronald: The Amplifier manufactured in China to our specs. We do have a Master Distributor in Miami who covers the Caribbean, Central, and South America. They could ship from there either directly to you or through a freight forwarder of your choice. Let me know so I can supply contact information; tim@osdaudio.com. TL/5178

Hi Ed: This a straight 5 channel power amplifier with both Balanced (XLR) and Un Balanced (RCA) inputs. Its main purpose is to provide five channels typically more and cleaner power than you get from a typical 5.1 Receiver. Here is the rub, most 5.1 Receiver are more affordable than the more popular 7.2 Receivers. And in most case they only feature speaker high level output so you can not use this or any other external 5 channel amp. When you get into the $600.00 plus range you may find pre amp out typically RCA unbalanced. These are also 7.2 models that have 7 channels, 2 sub woofer pre amp out and usually a zone 2 and possibly a zone 3 connection also RCA pre amp outputs. Most AVR feature 95 or 115 watts per channel. You can connect the 5 channel to channel 1-5, Front left, center and right channels plus two surround channels. You have the option of running channels 6 and 7 - Side surrounds L & R or Height left and right for DOLBY ATMOS or DTSX directly from the speaker outputs of the AVR or you can add an external 2 channel amp like our new XMP 200 to the pre amp out puts. As far as connecting the five channel to a 2 channel amp it would depend on your application and again it would have to have pre amp outputs. You could connect to our Pre One pre amplifier with 2 channel pre amp output.You could use Y adapters to split the 2 channels to four channels then use four of the 5 channels. We have a six channel amp that you have more control on inputs and you have the ability of combining channels for more output. See our MX1260 amplifier. I hope that helps... TL/4975

Hi Fabian: Both five channel Amplifiers are the same. We have the unit on sale on the Outdoor speaker depot.com website due to overstock. There is an owner's manual you can download off the OSD Audio Premium website; Black Series/Amplifiers/A5500. Also, check out the Black Friday special going on as well. There is free shipping as well on this Amplifier. TL/5284