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£532 is ambitious for a used A-500; the clearest pricing anchor here is the original £499.99 retail, and even the newer replacement was £599.99 new, so a second-hand unit at £532 only makes sense if the market is very tight or the listing includes something unusually valuable. In normal used terms, I’d expect this to sit below new-price territory unless it’s effectively mint, boxed, and locally scarce.
As a product, it’s a solid-value five-channel class AB amp: about 100 W/ch with two channels driven and 80 W/ch all channels driven, with the kind of clean, controlled presentation that made Emotiva popular for home theater and multi-channel music. If the condition is genuinely excellent and it comes with the original packaging, I’d call it a workable buy; if not, there isn’t much upside at £532 versus waiting for a better-priced example.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Emotiva Audio, an American brand founded in 2003 by Dan Laufman, emerged from his extensive background in audio engineering and OEM design. A lifelong audiophile and electrical engineer, Laufman had previously collaborated with pioneers like Infinity's Arnie Nudell and built successful OEM firms, including Jade Design, which supplied components to major players. Launching Emotiva as a passion project just as internet direct-to-consumer sales revolutionized the industry, he named it after the Italian word for "emotional," reflecting the joy he rediscovered in creating gear uncompromised by client demands.
The brand focuses on high-performance amplifiers, preamps, processors, DACs, loudspeakers, and home theater solutions, with early standouts like the 2005 DMC-1 preamp-processor setting benchmarks for build quality and value. Emotiva's lineup emphasizes robust power amps and integrated systems, often leveraging cutting-edge engineering while expanding into full musical device ecosystems by 2015. This direct model strips away retail markups, delivering premium components without frills.
Emotiva holds a strong mid-tier position in the hi-fi market, renowned for democratizing high-end sound through affordability and reliability. It appeals to discerning enthusiasts seeking audiophile-grade performance—often rivaling pricier competitors—via a loyal direct-sales community and U.S.-based production in Franklin, Tennessee. Far from boutique obscurity, Emotiva commands respect for innovation and value, fostering enduring customer allegiance in a crowded field.
See all Emotiva listings on RADAR.
