Do I have a problem with my USP-1?

[waxwaves]

Hello, I'm looking for advice regarding my USP-1 and UMC-1 setup please. At this point, I think I may have a problem with the USP-1s home theater bypass function. I have the left and right front analog outputs & the sub output on the UMC-1 connected properly to the HT bypass inputs on the USP-1. When I switch to HT bypass mode on the USP-1, I get no sound from the front left and right speakers which function properly when the USP-1 is in normal mode? Could anyone explain what might I be doing incorrectly in this situation?

[monkumonku]

Aug 7, 2012 23:43:45 GMT -5 waxwaves said:

Hello, I'm looking for advice regarding my USP-1 and UMC-1 setup please. At this point, I think I may have a problem with the USP-1s home theater bypass function. I have the left and right front analog outputs & the sub output on the UMC-1 connected properly to the HT bypass inputs on the USP-1. When I switch to HT bypass mode on the USP-1, I get no sound from the front left and right speakers which function properly when the USP-1 is in normal mode? Could anyone explain what might I be doing incorrectly in this situation?

Do you have the front speakers connected to the full range outputs on the back of the USP-1? That is most likely what is happening. The full range outputs don't operate when the USP-1 is set to HT bypass mode. You have to connect them to the other set of outputs with the high and low pass filters.

[waxwaves]

That's the problem monkumonku... thanks alot! I should have read the USP-1 manual more closely:) My plan is to use the McCormack amp to drive the Hales speakers for front left and right channels. the Hales are definitely full range speakers. But, I can try them with the USP-1 high pass set to 50hz and see how it sounds?? I'd be missing the sound the Hales reproduce below 50hz which could be a bummer. I suppose the sub will do me well enough? Thanks again for your help!

[creimes]

Hey guys......., I will be adding my USP-1 into my rack soon and I understand the HT bypass connections, but when I want to use my UMC-1 to be my DAC and have the USP-1 do the volume control, would I connect the Mix or Rec analog outputs to say the Aux 1 input on the USP-1.

Thx..Chad

[waxwaves]

Switched inputs to high pass, problem solved, thanks again monkumonku! Everything sounds great! I'm thinking with the UMC-1 having front left and right channels set to full range that the USP-1 is also passing a full range signal thru to the Hales speakers? Would that be a correct assumption?

[monkumonku]

Aug 10, 2012 15:15:44 GMT -5 waxwaves said:

Switched inputs to high pass, problem solved, thanks again monkumonku! Everything sounds great! I'm thinking with the UMC-1 having front left and right channels set to full range that the USP-1 is also passing a full range signal thru to the Hales speakers? Would that be a correct assumption?

If I am reading your question properly, the answer unfortunately is nope. Even though the UMC-1 is passing a full range signal to the USP-1, since you are using the high/low pass filter output from the USP-1, that means the signal is being cut off at whatever frequency you have selected. I believe the USP-1 low-pass goes down to 50 hz but you can't completely eliminate it.

Now, there is still stuff below 50hz that is being output because of the crossover slope used on the filters but you are not getting a full range signal. That was the topic of much discussion when the unit was first released.

[roadrunner]

Aug 10, 2012 15:31:51 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

Aug 10, 2012 15:15:44 GMT -5 waxwaves said:

Switched inputs to high pass, problem solved, thanks again monkumonku! Everything sounds great! I'm thinking with the UMC-1 having front left and right channels set to full range that the USP-1 is also passing a full range signal thru to the Hales speakers? Would that be a correct assumption?

If I am reading your question properly, the answer unfortunately is nope. Even though the UMC-1 is passing a full range signal to the USP-1, since you are using the high/low pass filter output from the USP-1, that means the signal is being cut off at whatever frequency you have selected. I believe the USP-1 low-pass goes down to 50 hz but you can't completely eliminate it.

Now, there is still stuff below 50hz that is being output because of the crossover slope used on the filters but you are not getting a full range signal. That was the topic of much discussion when the unit was first released.

Yes, Monumonku, has a good memory. Quite a few people with full range speakers were afraid that using the LP/HP outputs would rob them of enjoying the lower octaves of their music. When we explained that the USP-1 only uses a 12 dB per octave slope and would therefore still have a good strong signal playing through their speakers unless they had an overwhelming love of pipe organ music. ;D

There are very few albums that have any content below 40 Hz. When we convinced a couple of those who feared losing the low-end to go ahead and try it, they came back to respond that the USP-1 sounded great, even with the albums they where initially concerned with. They were unable to tell the difference between the Full Range outputs and the LP/HP outputs. Some even wrote that they decided to see what the performance impact would be by hooking up their sub woofer. They discovered it wasn't nearly as "undesirable" as they thought it would be. I can't remember now, but I think some of them decided to continue using the sub woofer with their full range speakers.

[waxwaves]

Thanks for the feedback fellows! Your correct again monkumonku, the USP-1 has the final say. I do have a good strong signal to the amp with the high pass. It sounds just fine. Great actually, I'm very impressed! Gotta have the sub though. With x-over set at 50hz...volume control a hint above 7.