UMC-1 Volume control « Thread Started on Apr 13, 2012, 1:18pm »
Does anybody know if the UMC-1 volume control is lossy? Also how does the UMC-1 volume control work exactly ( analog? Resistor ladder)? I'd like to know how well is the pre-amp section implemented? Is it anywhere near as good as the USP-1?
Joined: Sept 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 207 Location: Rochester, MN
Re: UMC-1 Volume control « Reply #1 on Apr 13, 2012, 2:09pm »
I don't know the specifics of the volume, but to my ears my UMC-1 sounds as good as the Parasound 2100 I used to own. I think the hierarchy of analog for Emotiva is XSP-1 > XMC-1 > USP-1 > UMC-1. But since only two of those models are available at this time, the USP-1 is the way to go for strict stereo preamp.
Re: UMC-1 Volume control « Reply #2 on Apr 13, 2012, 5:32pm »
I can't say if a particular component is "lossy" of not. But, I can say this...as has been stated many times before here...I find my USP has better sound in 2-channel than my UMC. Last I saw published specs, the S/N ratio of the USP-1 was far better than that of the UMC-1.
That difference could come from many design choices, so I won't speculate on what one drove it. And, since I can't find the specs any more, I can't quote details...
Joined: May 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 5,377 Location: NORTH CAROLINA
Re: UMC-1 Volume control « Reply #3 on Apr 13, 2012, 9:01pm »
Mark,
I just dug thru some of my notes from when I was talking to Lonnie about the specs of the USP-1. Below are details from my notes.
Signal to Noise Ratio: Greater than 120dB at 2V
THD: Less than 0.002% from 20Hz to 80KHz (ADP Tester).
Frequency Respoonse: 5Hz to 80KHz with less than 0.014% deviation from 0 V thru 9 V RMS
Buffered Outputs can be split 4 times without negatively impacting performance
During the conversation, Lonnie said that he scoped the Frequency Response from 1 to 250 KHz with less than 0.014% deviation on the pre-production model and decided to limit its response -- it was approaching being a radio transmitter. The volume control is totally lossless analog using a precision film volume potentiometer with motorized control.
Not bad for such an affordable stereo pre-amp that has audiophile quality phono stages and headphone amp!!
Re: UMC-1 Volume control « Reply #5 on Apr 13, 2012, 9:30pm »
Ronnie - do you recall S/N on UMC-1? I was thinking <110-ish, but it's no longer listed. If so, that difference vs. 120 is big. But in any case, whatever difference might exist between USP-1 and UMC-1 may not be solely due to volume control (to the OP's thread title...). And in any case, YES...the USP-1 is one FINE pre-amp!!!! Love mine...
Ronnie - do you recall S/N on UMC-1? I was thinking <110-ish, but it's no longer listed. If so, that difference vs. 120 is big. But in any case, whatever difference might exist between USP-1 and UMC-1 may not be solely due to volume control (to the OP's thread title...). And in any case, YES...the USP-1 is one FINE pre-amp!!!! Love mine...
I think the UMC's SNR is in the neighborhood of 98. What sticks in the back of my mind is that the USP-1 was about 20 dB better. I think Audioholics ran some benchmarks on it and I was trying to remember if Secrets of Home Theaters did as well. I am too tired and in too much pain right now to look it up. I am going to go "blank out" for the night. Have a good weekend.
Re: UMC-1 Volume control « Reply #9 on Apr 14, 2012, 3:43pm »
Call Lonnie and ask if it concerns you. Personally, as long as I like the sound better on 1 component than another, I don't really care how it gets there. And, the USP's sound is better, IMHO, than the UMC's in 2 channel mode.
Also, the UMC-1 is no longer on the product page, and I notice you don't have one in your signature. Are you thinking of buying one used?
Call Lonnie and ask if it concerns you. Personally, as long as I like the sound better on 1 component than another, I don't really care how it gets there. And, the USP's sound is better, IMHO, than the UMC's in 2 channel mode.
Also, the UMC-1 is no longer on the product page, and I notice you don't have one in your signature. Are you thinking of buying one used?
Mark
It sounds like my post was offensive to you. I'm not sure why. My sig is up to date. I was doing research on a product for surround sound, but I have no plans to purchase immediately. Thanks for the comments about the USP-1. That is probably going to be my next purchase someday.
Re: UMC-1 Volume control « Reply #12 on Apr 15, 2012, 5:46am »
I didn't mean it to sound that way...sorry that it did. I was just wondering why you wanted one (and didn't see them as newly available). Given you don't have any plans to purchase something immediately, perhaps the Emo pre/pro you should be researching is the XMC because it's very possible that (other than used) the UMC-1 won't be available in the near future.
The USP-1 is, no doubt, a delight. Best preamp I have ever owned. I do look forward to seeing what the XSP brings...
I didn't mean it to sound that way...sorry that it did. I was just wondering why you wanted one (and didn't see them as newly available). Given you don't have any plans to purchase something immediately, perhaps the Emo pre/pro you should be researching is the XMC because it's very possible that (other than used) the UMC-1 won't be available in the near future.
The USP-1 is, no doubt, a delight. Best preamp I have ever owned. I do look forward to seeing what the XSP brings...
Mark
Garbulky
The USP-1 or possibly the XSP-1 are likely to be the pre-amp you would love to own. I am surprised we haven't seen release information for it by now. For close to a year now Emotiva has been showing the prototype of the XSP-1 at all of its roadshows and is the pre-amp used to demo all its gear. It was highly reviewed by those attending Emofest 2011. Links to some Hi-Res photographs are shown below.
This stereo pre-amp is a perfect match to the XPA-1 power amps. Both have dual differential, fully balanced circuitry -- the ultimate 2-channel control center.
I didn't mean it to sound that way...sorry that it did. I was just wondering why you wanted one (and didn't see them as newly available). Given you don't have any plans to purchase something immediately, perhaps the Emo pre/pro you should be researching is the XMC because it's very possible that (other than used) the UMC-1 won't be available in the near future.
The USP-1 is, no doubt, a delight. Best preamp I have ever owned. I do look forward to seeing what the XSP brings...
Mark
Thanks! I'm really glad to hear that once again their U-series are incredible performers!
I didn't mean it to sound that way...sorry that it did. I was just wondering why you wanted one (and didn't see them as newly available). Given you don't have any plans to purchase something immediately, perhaps the Emo pre/pro you should be researching is the XMC because it's very possible that (other than used) the UMC-1 won't be available in the near future.
The USP-1 is, no doubt, a delight. Best preamp I have ever owned. I do look forward to seeing what the XSP brings...
Mark
Garbulky
The USP-1 or possibly the XSP-1 are likely to be the pre-amp you would love to own. I am surprised we haven't seen release information for it by now. For close to a year now Emotiva has been showing the prototype of the XSP-1 at all of its roadshows and is the pre-amp used to demo all its gear. It was highly reviewed by those attending Emofest 2011. Links to some Hi-Res photographs are shown below.
This stereo pre-amp is a perfect match to the XPA-1 power amps. Both have dual differential, fully balanced circuitry -- the ultimate 2-channel control center.
Yes, that balanced section is very appealing. If only the UPA-1's had a balanced connection FWIW. But no, emotiva has to dangle these jems and the XPA-1 monoblocks in front of my face. It is incredibly tempting. I wonder if they do this on PURPOSE? hehe. I would really like a mono block that basically had the power of an XPA-2 or less that accepted a balanced input at around 500 USD . I would be able to then hook the XDA-1->XSP-1->emotiva dream monoblocks and go fully balanced!
Re: UMC-1 Volume control « Reply #15 on Apr 17, 2012, 5:44pm »
I also like the idea of a fully balanced monoblock that is lower power than the XPA-1 for a lower price. I don't really need the 1's power but I would like to have fully balanced from source to speakers. Just because...
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The volume control is totally lossless analog using a precision film volume potentiometer with motorized control.![[avatar]](http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i368/stiehl11/IMGP6912.jpg "[avatar]")