|
|
Post by vietfun on Dec 11, 2014 12:16:35 GMT -5
I just order the XPA-5 gen2 and is still on transit. Now I need the brain for my HT. My set up is 5.1 now and may be will be 7.1 in the future. I listen 20% of music and 80% of movies. I have a Pair of JM Lab (focal) 816 and they are bright. Please advice me what is the best Brain ( pre/pro, AVR...) pairing with XPA-5 gen2 for my speakers. Thanks for all your suggestions, ideals and inputs. My budget is $750. Here are the list of some I consider:
UMC-200 ($539) emtiva website
Fusion 8100 ($449) emotiva website
Anthem MRX 300 used ($500-$600) as pre out.
Marantz SR7007 7.2 Channel 4K & 3D Pass Through Networking Receiver ($749) Refurbished from Accessories4less website.
|
|
|
|
Post by yeeeha17 on Dec 11, 2014 12:46:27 GMT -5
I say the Fusion because its the best deal. People are claiming it is pretty much a UMC-200 with UPA-700 built it. Now lets say you do get the Fusion and later decided you want more out of the system. You can now use the 25% discount for life on a XMC and move the Fusion to another room without purchasing another amp or sale it
|
|
|
|
Post by creimes on Dec 11, 2014 14:59:04 GMT -5
My vote is for a used Sherbourn PT-7030, there are 2 or more for sale here in the emporium thread, they are IMO a great pre/pro that have more connections than the UMC-200, also has a Balanced input and balanced outputs which may or may not make a difference in SQ but I prefer the secure connection over RCA, and I can also attest that it sounds really really good  Chad |
|
|
|
Post by vneal on Dec 11, 2014 15:09:36 GMT -5
Emotiva UMC 200
|
|
|
|
Post by creimes on Dec 11, 2014 15:13:03 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Dec 11, 2014 15:34:52 GMT -5
I like Creimes idea of the 7030. I think it's basically the in between of the UMC-200 and the XMC-1.
|
|
|
|
Post by knucklehead on Dec 11, 2014 15:50:10 GMT -5
I've owned two UMC-200 processors and I'm on my first PT-7030. Its far and away the better choice over the UMC-200. The UMC-200 isn't a bad machine - it just isn't as flexible as the 7030 - and for music not quite as good as the 7030 IMO. It doesn't have room correction and the UMC-200 does but EMOQ2 didn't do much for me other than set the sub so hot I thought it was going into melt-down!
I have REW DIY room correction and a mic and SPL meter - I've tamed down the sub's 'house curve' that really came on strong in the 50-75hz area - I see no need to fiddle any further. Music is flat out great with the 7030. I've had other AVP's that were good to great for multi channel movies but were flat for music - an Onkyo SC885 and an Integra DHC 40.1 - and many AVRs over the years. The 7030 is very good sounding in two channel. Better than anything I've had other than the USP-1 - of which I've owned two. And a third one is showing up tomorrow but it won't be replacing the 7030 - it'll be used in a zone II setup.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2014 17:10:08 GMT -5
I gotta say the sherbourn unit gets my vote too.I loved mine but caved when my name came up for the xmc-1.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gary Cook on Dec 11, 2014 17:44:18 GMT -5
I'd go the UMC-200 route, you already have a power amp, a great power amp, why pay for power amps that you aren't going to use? Plus you get 25% processor discount for life with the UMC-200 which means if you ever want to upgrade to say an XMC-1 then you effectively got the UMC-200 for free. Don't forget the 10% EClub discount.
Cheers
Gary
|
|
|
|
Post by vietfun on Dec 12, 2014 13:01:20 GMT -5
Thank for your suggestions. Between the pt-7030 and UMC-200 as I read the reviews to me there are a lot of UMC-200 purchasers more than PT-7030. So this means to me people fell in love with the UMC-200 and to buy UMC-200 is cheaper compare to PT-7030? How about the SOUND? PT-7030 has more HDMI inputs, balance out puts and dual Sub. Another side UMC-200 has EMOQ2 room correction and Plus 25% discount for life. I am very appreciated all your inputs and I will fall to majority.
|
|
|
|
Post by creimes on Dec 12, 2014 14:44:32 GMT -5
All I have to say is you would have to pry the 7030 from my cold dead hands haha, an amazing and underrated pre/pro IMO, overshadowed at the time from the ever impending release of the XMC-1.
2ch analog SQ is on par with the Pre-1 preamp and USP-1 preamp, I had all three at once and could hear no difference between them using the analog bypass of the PT-7030.
|
|
|
|
Post by Audioholic on Dec 12, 2014 14:50:01 GMT -5
I would go with the UMC-200. I am having a very hard time with the XMC-1 which I never had with the UMC-1 experienced.
I think you made a good choice of the XPA-5 in the future you should get the XPA-2 so you can have the complete 7.1 setup.
If you are getting the XPA-2 now which you should. You still setup as 5.1 and use the extra 2 channel amp for the 12" passive sub woofer, it works very well.
XPA-2 use for Front L & R
XPA-5 use for RS, C, LS + 2 extra channel use for Sub woofer.
It's all about the Bass....
Anthem also a very nice HT receiver too. I have a MRX-500 work very nice with HT and Stereo, I would say it better than Emo but the price is not.
Good luck setting up you own HT
Happy Holiday
Norm N
|
|
|
|
Post by repeetavx on Dec 12, 2014 17:44:45 GMT -5
The PT-7030 originally sold for $2500.00. The DACs are fully balanced, like the DC-1, but turns single ended for processing like the ERC-3. So, you get the sound quality of a XDA-1, for all seven channels.
Each Channel has it's own parametric equilizer.
|
|
|
|
Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Dec 19, 2014 1:07:24 GMT -5
The PT-7030 originally sold for $2500.00. The DACs are fully balanced, like the DC-1, but turns single ended for processing like the ERC-3. So, you get the sound quality of a XDA-1, for all seven channels. Each Channel has it's own parametric equilizer. +1^ Sound quality is everything and the dacs are superior. A much better unit IMHO |
|
