Post by dvsmusic on Mar 21, 2014 2:21:28 GMT -5
As the thread indicates, I am currently using a UMC-200 - XPA-5 - Martin Logan Source speaker config. I have a Matinee center and a couple of Motion 4s for surround. Also I have a Dynamo 700 subwoofer. I previously had an Onkyo tx 809 and a Denon 3808. I liked the Denon. It showed some authority on the speakers. I "upgraded" to the Onkyo for the added inputs and 3D pass thru. I never felt as though the Onkyo had the impact the Denon had, but that is not the focus of this review.
I recently decided to "upgrade" to separates. Wow, I'm glad I did. The first thing I noticed with the UMC-200/XPA-5 combo is an increase in detail. I initially thought I was playing sources too loud, but a quick check with my Radio Shack SPL meter revealed that at the same volume, I was hearing more detail in the sound. The Mids were more defined and highs were quite present. Full disclosure, at this point my first XPA-5 burned up 1 channel. I called Emotiva who shipped out a replacement immediately. From now on, I'm referring to the replacement I received. I was initially concerned with the pronounced highs, but after a 48 hour break in, the highs softened a bit. I still thought I was playing material at a loud playback volume compared to my Onkyo or Denon. Again, I measured listening volume with my Radio Shack SPL meter, and all seemed within my normal listening range. I can only attribute this to a more articulate mid-high range. I should also mention that with music, the first thing I notice is a bump in the low freq. I had no idea my Martin-Logan Source speakers could reproduce low freq with so much force and accuracy. More than a few times I walked over to my subwoofer to check if it was active. I've read that some users have had problems with hum or noise, but with my system, I've heard NO noise. I do have everything plugged into an APC H10, but I've never had significant problems with noise in my system.
Not to inflate any arguments, but I'm an audio professional. I've worked on many CDs as well as numerous Television shows. I do care about audio quality. I was watching a movie tonight and actually heard some distortion on the RF mics on the actors in one scene. I probably watched this scene 5-8 times before, but never heard the distortion until now. That's what I'd call accurate.
I guess the the most impressive thing I have heard with my new pre/amp is the increase in detail and the wow factor when I crank it up. Sorry neighbors!
I recently decided to "upgrade" to separates. Wow, I'm glad I did. The first thing I noticed with the UMC-200/XPA-5 combo is an increase in detail. I initially thought I was playing sources too loud, but a quick check with my Radio Shack SPL meter revealed that at the same volume, I was hearing more detail in the sound. The Mids were more defined and highs were quite present. Full disclosure, at this point my first XPA-5 burned up 1 channel. I called Emotiva who shipped out a replacement immediately. From now on, I'm referring to the replacement I received. I was initially concerned with the pronounced highs, but after a 48 hour break in, the highs softened a bit. I still thought I was playing material at a loud playback volume compared to my Onkyo or Denon. Again, I measured listening volume with my Radio Shack SPL meter, and all seemed within my normal listening range. I can only attribute this to a more articulate mid-high range. I should also mention that with music, the first thing I notice is a bump in the low freq. I had no idea my Martin-Logan Source speakers could reproduce low freq with so much force and accuracy. More than a few times I walked over to my subwoofer to check if it was active. I've read that some users have had problems with hum or noise, but with my system, I've heard NO noise. I do have everything plugged into an APC H10, but I've never had significant problems with noise in my system.
Not to inflate any arguments, but I'm an audio professional. I've worked on many CDs as well as numerous Television shows. I do care about audio quality. I was watching a movie tonight and actually heard some distortion on the RF mics on the actors in one scene. I probably watched this scene 5-8 times before, but never heard the distortion until now. That's what I'd call accurate.
I guess the the most impressive thing I have heard with my new pre/amp is the increase in detail and the wow factor when I crank it up. Sorry neighbors!