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Post by mg on Mar 14, 2013 19:21:50 GMT -5
Just got my Sound & Vision Magazine (April/May) and features a review of the UMC-200 and UPA-700. Guess ill have something to read tonight. Anyone else had a chance to read it?
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Post by The Mad Norseman on Mar 14, 2013 20:48:58 GMT -5
I don't have my A/M issue of S&V yet, but will look forward to reading about this one. Thanks for the 'heads-up'!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2013 17:17:05 GMT -5
Yes, I just finishing reading it. I have been reading reviews in all the magazines on audio and video since the early 70's. I will admit I have some knowledge of Emotiva gear that maybe the average reader of this review won't have.
My opinion after one read thru is that this is one poor excuse for a professional review!
There is one huge glowing omission here. Apparently Mr. Daniel Kumin, reviewer is not aware of the concept of 4 ohms. Not once does he mention that the UPA-700 is rated into 4 ohms with all 7 channels driven! To call this an oversight is the understatement of the year! He does show by graph that the UPA-7 produces about 120 watts/one ch ..... 113 watts/two ch ..... 88 watts/5 ch ..... 75 watts/7 ch. In his review he says:
"The Emotiva UMC-200 pre/pro and UPA-700 power amp pair may be nicely featured but no more so than Many a $1000 A/V receiver."
OMG! Maybe he doesn't consider an amp being completely stable into 4 ohms and producing about 110 watts into 4 ohms with all 7 channels driven out of the ordinary? (I'm taking the 110 watts from the Emo AP test, although it is at about 0.2%). Obviously it exceeds its 100 watts into 4 ohms/7 ch rating. I wonder if Mr. Kumin can mention one AVR period under $5000 that is rated into 4 ohms with all 7 channels driven? I wonder if he noticed that the UMC-700 weighs in at 29 lbs, probably heavier than all or most of the $1000 AVR's he has touched. For example the $900 Denon AVR-2313CI weighs a whopping 24 lbs ..... $1000 Sony STR-DA2800ES, 27 lbs, the $1200 Marantz SR6007, 25 lbs, $1200 Cambridge Audio Azur 551R, 22 lbs
It says for more lab info go to: soundandvisionmag.com I couldn't find any lab info.
I'll take a break now and be back with more after I cool down! ;D
He says: "The UPA-700 power amp's relatively modest 80-watts-per-channel rating is less than many a similarly priced A/V receiver, but let's not be prisoners of paper performance." He goes on to add that "the amp handily drove his relatively low-sensitivity stereo pair with all the level he could ask." Gee whiz what a nice compliment. The underlined part above is flat out wrong! The AVR's might be rated at more than 80 watts into 2 channels but not into 7 channels with all channels driven! What about performance into 4 ohms Mr. Kumin?
In a box titled "Expert Tip" he does say: "Power output can be one benefit to using a separate amp: The UPA-700 exceeded its 80-watt spec even with 5 channels driven, something A/V receivers rarely do." Thanks for the tip, but what about performance into 4 ohms? Apparently he is not aware that there are speakers with 4-6 ohms impedance and lower? Maybe he should check out some of the speaker reviews at S&V Mag or HT Mag.
The photo at the beginning of the review makes it look like the Amp is several inches less wide than the pre-pro, nice work, even though of course they are both 17" wide.
The rest of the review consists of some compliments and so-so comments about the UMC-200 and UPA-700. It's not a very accurate or complimentary review IMO.
Sorry, but I just can't get over the complete failure to mention one huge reason for a separate amp such as the UPA-700.
If you agree about the huge lapse in this review please write a letter to S&V Magazine. The fact that it received the Certified and Recommended label means little to me. They hand that out to a minimum number quota of reviewed products in each issue of the magazine whether the products deserve it or not.
I rest my case, at least for now. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Porscheguy on Mar 15, 2013 18:06:20 GMT -5
Right on Chuckie! You tell em'!!
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USAFRetired
Sensei
New Receiver onboard Denon RIP
Posts: 651
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Post by USAFRetired on Mar 15, 2013 18:29:57 GMT -5
I let my subscription expire, again. I sent my payment but I won't get this issue due to my delay. Damn
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Post by mickeyharlow on Mar 15, 2013 18:53:29 GMT -5
Cool, Chuckie! It is not worth it to fight with idiots. You only give them validity.
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Post by audiofile on Mar 15, 2013 18:57:05 GMT -5
Obviously the reviewer needs a time out with some manuals in hand which he should actually read!
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Post by Jim on Mar 15, 2013 20:20:11 GMT -5
They can't be too complimentary. They have to keep up the sales of their competing advertisers and their dealer networks.
*sigh*
Does make you question his technical comprehension, however.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2013 2:23:59 GMT -5
They can't be too complimentary. They have to keep up the sales of their competing advertisers and their dealer networks. *sigh* Does make you question his technical comprehension, however. Excellent point. They certainly don't want to embarrass or upstage any of the AVR receivers. Besides, look at the photo on the lead page of the review. Emo makes their pre-pro 3-4 inches wider than the amp. Must be that Lonnie guy. ;D  |
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Post by garbulky on Mar 16, 2013 2:43:26 GMT -5
Lol that's a tiny upa or a very big UMC!
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Post by audiohead on Mar 16, 2013 4:33:43 GMT -5
Cool, Chuckie! It is not worth it to fight with idiots. You only give them validity. +1..Nice! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2013 6:47:50 GMT -5
I wonder when we will get a xpa or xpr 5 review so we could see how these amps hold up to higher priced offerings from other companies?
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kse
Emo VIPs 
Hello me, meet the real me.
Posts: 1,947
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Post by kse on Mar 16, 2013 9:37:26 GMT -5
Chuckie's post is exactly why I refuse to donate my time reading "professional" reviews in a/v mags. I trust the opinions of fellow hobbiest/audiophiles/aficionados to give me insight into different products. No hidden agenda, and arguably more knowlegable. And there's a couple guys on here who I KNOW are more knowlegable than some of these magazine hacks.
**This has nothing to do with the article per se, however I really wish Emotiva would get away from the huge marketing emphesis they put on their product in regards to being budget oriented. It is a little over the top. The performance of their gear speaks for itself.
Being forcefed the fact that it is less than the competition, in my mind, cheapens the brand. It also, in my opinion, forces a new buyer to question, 'is it really that good....why with every click of the mouse must I be reminded how much cheaper it is than competing equipment? Are they apologizing for something?'
Savvy buyers are well aware how much less it is. Underscore performance, leave the number crunching to the shopper. Just my $0.02.
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Erwin.BE
Emo VIPs
It's the room, stupid!
Posts: 2,261
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Post by Erwin.BE on Mar 16, 2013 10:58:08 GMT -5
Apparently Mr. Daniel Kumin, reviewer is not aware of the concept of 4 ohms. Not once does he mention that the UPA-700 is rated into 4 ohms with all 7 channels driven! To call this an oversight is the understatement of the year! OMG! Maybe he doesn't consider an amp being completely stable into 4 ohms and producing about 110 watts into 4 ohms with all 7 channels driven out of the ordinary? (I'm taking the 110 watts from the Emo AP test, although it is at about 0.2%). Obviously it exceeds its 100 watts into 4 ohms/7 ch rating. I wonder if Mr. Kumin can mention one AVR period under $5000 that is rated into 4 ohms with all 7 channels driven? He says: " The UPA-700 power amp's relatively modest 80-watts-per-channel rating is less than many a similarly priced A/V receiver, but let's not be prisoners of paper performance." He goes on to add that "the amp handily drove his relatively low-sensitivity stereo pair with all the level he could ask." Gee whiz what a nice compliment. The underlined part above is flat out wrong! The AVR's might be rated at more than 80 watts into 2 channels but not into 7 channels with all channels driven! What about performance into 4 ohms Mr. Kumin? In a box titled "Expert Tip" he does say: " Power output can be one benefit to using a separate amp: The UPA-700 exceeded its 80-watt spec even with 5 channels driven, something A/V receivers rarely do." Thanks for the tip, but what about performance into 4 ohms? Apparently he is not aware that there are speakers with 4-6 ohms impedance and lower? Maybe he should check out some of the speaker reviews at S&V Mag or HT Mag. Sorry, but I just can't get over the complete failure to mention one huge reason for a separate amp such as the UPA-700. If you agree about the huge lapse in this review please write a letter to S&V Magazine. Do you mean the UPA-700 is stable down to 4 ohms? ;D |
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Post by The Mad Norseman on Mar 16, 2013 13:32:21 GMT -5
Besides, look at the photo on the lead page of the review. Emo makes their pre-pro 3-4 inches wider than the amp. Must be that Lonnie guy. ;D I noticed that too. They're both 17" wide, so why would they show these two components that way? Many potential buyers will be put off by that alone!  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2013 14:22:21 GMT -5
What review? That wasn't a review. It wasn't even good marketing ad copy...
-RW-
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Post by The Mad Norseman on Mar 18, 2013 13:07:13 GMT -5
I finally got around to reading the review, and we must admit that they DID give the pairing S&V's "Certified & Recommended" seal, so there is that to be proud of...however, I do have a few complaints about this review:
1) The images of the equipment are shown to have different widths, whereas they're width is exactly the same! As I posted above, this alone will put off potential buyers!
2) When measuring the power output of the 7 channel amp, they neglected to mention that it was with ALL CHANNELS DRIVEN when comparing it to a similarly priced AVR (that are all measured at 2 channels driven). Big difference that!
3) They seemed to imply that these two components together had similar capabilities to your typical $1100 AVR which I think is entirely incorrect too.
4) S&V (unlike Home Theater Magazine reviews which I think are FAR superior to S&Vs), they're always directing the reader to their damn website "for further lab measurement information"(!).
Excuse me? - but I'm a *paying* subscriber! - not some cheapskate kid trolling your website for free advice! I REALLY resent this kind of thing, as the full story should always be in the print version IMO. (sigh) This is an antiquated position nowadays apparently,...does anyone else feel this way too?
In any case, much of the Emo test data is "on the website"...
Otherwise it was a fairly good/positive review, and they liked the equipment ,(of course!).
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Post by oregonbill on Mar 18, 2013 13:24:16 GMT -5
Maybe they shot the picture that way because it says Emotiva Flexible and affordable. The larger sieze might represent the flexing or stretching of performance and dollars. Just a thought. I hate the picture as well.
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Post by oregonbill on Mar 18, 2013 13:28:02 GMT -5
Hey Chuckie,
Next time tell us how you really feel. Don't sugar coat it. ;D ;D
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