After having had my UMC for a month...

[snodog]

Ill put this here since it isnt really a review. I love the sound quality of the processor but after having had it for a solid month now there are things that I also do not like.
The multi-channel surround mode has to be added. The NEO and PLXII absolutely suck and honestly I have never heard them on a unit where they sounded this bad. Very muddy and unbalanced. Volume variation even after adjusting the decibal level on inputs still seems to vary too much based on programs.
Dolby volume is just bad, it keeps everything at the correct level but sometimes when watching a movie you do need a little bit of an audible change. I dont use it where I thought I would.
Last night after playing some mp3 discs the unit froze up, first time this happened. It wouldnt change inputs or do anything, including power down so I had to pull out my EC and unplug it. Then when plugged back in it worked like normal. While this isnt a big deal and happened only once it also made me think what the hell caused it?
Also like others have mentioned the surround speakers just are not very noticeable. I cranked up the DB but still very little use out of them.
I think the thing that I really dislike most is that for a lot of things I am only using my two fronts. I like the multichannel stereo mode that balances sound equally to all channels almost like SACD. It is just something I am accustomed to using and hate not having it. For two channel while listening to red book cds this is fine since they sound much better than mp3s but I like the fullness with the addition of the center for other media.
All in all, just a few thoughts and not really a review as I said but more what I would like to see vs performance. I was hoping to find a unit that I would have been able to set up and not have to #uck around with each time I use it. Just turn it on and not think about what adjustments I need to make to get the best sound. I think that is one of the reasons I liked the multi mode (not to beat a horse to death) but I could just turn it on and no matter tv, or music it was right where it needed to be.

[bootman]

Thanks for the thoughts.
One unit regardless of brand, will not be everyone's cup of tea.

Are you going to keep the unit or wait if the next firmware release changes your mind?

Any other units out there that may be of interest if this doesn't work out?

[snodog]

Well having waited nearly two years really weighs heavy for me keeping it. I dont at all feel like it was a bad purchase, I think its a very nice processor just needs some adjusting, but not all to be made by the user. I will keep pushing for some things to be added though, and wont stop until Emotiva recognizes it or explains why it wouldnt work.
I think the best value I have had so far is the Outlaw 970. It really was a great sounding unit for only $300 but once you add the HDMI inputs and you probably make things a lot more complicated so its understandable it was much simpler to use.

[Bruce]

I also would like multi channel surround as i had on my Integra 9.8 which sounded great .I also agree something is wrong with PLXX mode as mine has a volume problem when viewing movies or HD TV.I also have a problem with the Manual Speaker Settings as they will not work.I can move them up and down but get no sound change just as the Manual Subwoofer EQ we know has the same problem.I have called and emailed EMO and hope they fix it with the Sub EQ upgrade when ever we see the upgrade list that is coming.

[oneliterpeter]

I too waited for over a year and a half and when the time came to jump... I bought a UMC-1. I figured at the very least it would sound as good as my cheapy Yamaha RX-V663 that I was currently using. Unfortunately the UMC-1 was not for me. Yes... The sound was really crisp, clear and accurate but there was something missing and I couldn't put my finger on it until I replaced the UMC with a Yamaha RX-V1065 (which I really like BTW). So here's the difference and I think this is something people should consider when thinking about buying or keeping their UMC-1. My RX-V always uses some kind of DSP in every mode with the exception of Pure Direct. In 2 Channel stereo mode it employs a stereo expander DSP, etc. The UMC-1 and correct me if I'm wrong... is doing it's best to accurately reproduce the source as much as possible. Now this can be a really good thing for some people... especially the purists. If you're one of those people that want it pure and accurate then I think the UMC-1 is for you. If you're like me however... I want a room filled with sound, I want my speakers to disappear and I want to fart around with different DSP's and I really don't care how it's done or whether it's 100% accurate reproduction or not. I want it to sound good to me. So in conclusion... Is the Yamaha as precise and/or accurate? No it isn't but it does something for me that the UMC didn't do. It fills the room with sound and my speakers disappear and ya know what... with an XPA-2 and XPA-3 driving my speakers... It's still within 95% of the UMC-1 and that's good enough for me. ;D

One last thing... It took me all of 30 min's to setup. It turns on in 2 seconds flat, switches HDMI modes instantly, came with a USB port in the front that plays FLAC, WAV, MP3, files etc. and... My Harmony One programmed perfectly in just a few minutes. The UMC-1 is a really great unit. It's still a diamond in the rough and with time... it will only get better and ya know what... I might just try one again or maybe an XMC.

[roadrunner]

Mar 14, 2010 12:40:48 GMT -5 @snodog said:

Well having waited nearly two years really weighs heavy for me keeping it. I dont at all feel like it was a bad purchase, I think its a very nice processor just needs some adjusting, but not all to be made by the user. I will keep pushing for some things to be added though, and wont stop until Emotiva recognizes it or explains why it wouldnt work.
I think the best value I have had so far is the Outlaw 970. It really was a great sounding unit for only $300 but once you add the HDMI inputs and you probably make things a lot more complicated so its understandable it was much simpler to use.

If my interpretation of what the next FW update fixes or adds to the UMC-1 is correct, many of the things you are hoping for will be addressed. Hopefully, the UMC-1 engineering group has as good a grasp of the remaining anomalies as we would like for them to have. Between what Big Dan and Lonnie have said it looks like this upcoming FW release will make most of us very happy. Let us know if this next FW update makes the improvements you have been hoping for.

[snodog]

Yes I sure hope that some of the things get resolved. I know what oneliterpeter means about not filling the whole room with sound. It is very accurate and the soundstage on two channel is fantastic, it seems like sound has to be coming from my center as the whole front stage is filled with music. But I also know about lacking in balance for other areas. It seems that it gets both too bright at times and too boomy with bass at others. Impossible to find non fatiguing at times. Again this is NOT in standard two channel with a red book cd but other formats and tv channels programs as well. It is just interesting that I never had this problem with my old Marantz receiver or the Outlaw 970 so just not totally sure what the problem is yet. I have spent many hours over the last month making adjustments.

[cgolf]

Mar 14, 2010 15:40:46 GMT -5 oneliterpeter said:

I too waited for over a year and a half and when the time came to jump... I bought a UMC-1. I figured at the very least it would sound as good as my cheapy Yamaha RX-V663 that I was currently using. Unfortunately the UMC-1 was not for me. Yes... The sound was really crisp, clear and accurate but there was something missing and I couldn't put my finger on it until I replaced the UMC with a Yamaha RX-V1065 (which I really like BTW). So here's the difference and I think this is something people should consider when thinking about buying or keeping their UMC-1. My RX-V always uses some kind of DSP in every mode with the exception of Pure Direct. In 2 Channel stereo mode it employs a stereo expander DSP, etc. The UMC-1 and correct me if I'm wrong... is doing it's best to accurately reproduce the source as much as possible. Now this can be a really good thing for some people... especially the purists. If you're one of those people that want it pure and accurate then I think the UMC-1 is for you. If you're like me however... I want a room filled with sound, I want my speakers to disappear and I want to fart around with different DSP's and I really don't care how it's done or whether it's 100% accurate reproduction or not. I want it to sound good to me. So in conclusion... Is the Yamaha as precise and/or accurate? No it isn't but it does something for me that the UMC didn't do. It fills the room with sound and my speakers disappear and ya know what... with an XPA-2 and XPA-3 driving my speakers... It's still within 95% of the UMC-1 and that's good enough for me. ;D

One last thing... It took me all of 30 min's to setup. It turns on in 2 seconds flat, switches HDMI modes instantly, came with a USB port in the front that plays FLAC, WAV, MP3, files etc. and... My Harmony One programmed perfectly in just a few minutes. The UMC-1 is a really great unit. It's still a diamond in the rough and with time... it will only get better and ya know what... I might just try one again or maybe an XMC.

+1. I agree and had very similar feelings. I tried the UMC-1 and it just didn't work for me for various reasons. I now have an Onkyo RC180 that has turned my media room into what I had always wanted it to sound like. It does what I want and need and it was so easy to set up. There are no bugs at all that I'm aware of and I love the sound. I'm running the Onkyo with a XPA-2 & XPA-3 and the sound is breathtaking!!!!

I think the UMC has some great qualities and was a great sounding unit. It just has some issues that I wasn't willing to tolerate at this time. Once they have been worked out, I may reconsider.

[diskman]

Hello,

Good post for the surround issue....I will keep my unit if the Surround Mode Like PLIIX will be fix. For peoples who use the unit in 7.1 setup like me the PLIIx have some issues and for now I prefer to use the original soundtrack instead of PLIIx. The soundstage is excellent and if we have a firmware who fix PLIIx I will keep mine for sure. I'm sure Emotiva will fix it and I will wait the new status of the official know issue list

[tknice]

Mar 14, 2010 15:40:46 GMT -5 oneliterpeter said:

I bought a UMC-1. I figured at the very least it would sound as good as my cheapy Yamaha RX-V663 that I was currently using. Unfortunately the UMC-1 was not for me.

I have a RX-V663 paired with a UPA-7 and was really looking forward to the UMC-1. I have about a month until my turn comes up and have to make a decision.

I think the OP mentioned that PLIIx mode sucks in his opinion which is the mode I currently set the 663 to full time. I'd like to know the specifics on people thoughts of the UMC PLIIx mode and if it's globally thought of as bad, will this be addressed in the latest firmware?

Oh please (crosses fingers) let the UMC turn out to be everything I'm hoping for!

[oneliterpeter]

Mar 15, 2010 8:07:35 GMT -5 tknice said:

Mar 14, 2010 15:40:46 GMT -5 oneliterpeter said:

I bought a UMC-1. I figured at the very least it would sound as good as my cheapy Yamaha RX-V663 that I was currently using. Unfortunately the UMC-1 was not for me.

I have a RX-V663 paired with a UPA-7 and was really looking forward to the UMC-1. I have about a month until my turn comes up and have to make a decision.

I think the OP mentioned that PLIIx mode sucks in his opinion which is the mode I currently set the 663 to full time. I'd like to know the specifics on people thoughts of the UMC PLIIx mode and if it's globally thought of as bad, will this be addressed in the latest firmware?

Oh please (crosses fingers) let the UMC turn out to be everything I'm hoping for!

Just hang on to the Yamaha for a while and if the UMC-1 turns out to be what you want... then you're set. If it isn't... then send the UMC-1 back and you still have your old receiver. You do have a 30 day eval period.

[bladerunner123]

Mar 15, 2010 8:07:35 GMT -5 tknice said:

Mar 14, 2010 15:40:46 GMT -5 oneliterpeter said:

I bought a UMC-1. I figured at the very least it would sound as good as my cheapy Yamaha RX-V663 that I was currently using. Unfortunately the UMC-1 was not for me.

I have a RX-V663 paired with a UPA-7 and was really looking forward to the UMC-1. I have about a month until my turn comes up and have to make a decision.

I think the OP mentioned that PLIIx mode sucks in his opinion which is the mode I currently set the 663 to full time. I'd like to know the specifics on people thoughts of the UMC PLIIx mode and if it's globally thought of as bad, will this be addressed in the latest firmware?

Oh please (crosses fingers) let the UMC turn out to be everything I'm hoping for!

i have noticed an issue with the PLIIx mode as well. I have only tried it with the lossless 5.1 soundtracks on bluray to fill out my 7.1 setup. There is definitely a noticeable sound level drop when switching to the PLIIx mode. It's hard to say for sure that the quality is worse because lower volume usually equates to lower quality even though that might not be the case.

[cgolf]

Mar 15, 2010 8:07:35 GMT -5 tknice said:

Mar 14, 2010 15:40:46 GMT -5 oneliterpeter said:

I bought a UMC-1. I figured at the very least it would sound as good as my cheapy Yamaha RX-V663 that I was currently using. Unfortunately the UMC-1 was not for me.

I have a RX-V663 paired with a UPA-7 and was really looking forward to the UMC-1. I have about a month until my turn comes up and have to make a decision.

I think the OP mentioned that PLIIx mode sucks in his opinion which is the mode I currently set the 663 to full time. I'd like to know the specifics on people thoughts of the UMC PLIIx mode and if it's globally thought of as bad, will this be addressed in the latest firmware?

Oh please (crosses fingers) let the UMC turn out to be everything I'm hoping for!

I can't speak to the UMC PLIIx mode issues because I don't remember how it sounded or if I even used it. However, I had a Yamaha 665 which I enjoyed very much but the UMC was in another league in my opinion. It was much fuller, cleaner and crisper than the 665. That's not a slam on the 665, it's just that the UMC had better SQ.

So in any case, you should notice a definite difference between your 663 and the UMC regardless of the PLIIx mode issues. I sold my 665 when I bought the UMC but have since bought another one for my game room to replace the LMC-1 that I just sold. The LMC worked OK, I just wanted HDMI for my TV.

[snodog]

TKNICE, dont let me discourage you from trying it out. It has amazing sound quality and great reproduction. Unfortunately Emotiva has catered more to the two channel listeners rather than using it as a multi-purpose surround processor like I expected it to be. I dont know why they did this considering they released a dedicated two channel preamp.

Im sorry but the PLXII is atrocious. I dont know what it is but it sucks. Stereo mode would be great if enough could be played in a multi mode but it ends up I only get sound from my two mains and no other speakers unless it is recorded in dolby digital whereas the other multi mode my Marantz had would split it up perfectly.

From that end I am disappointed and hope they can change it or I might consider something else should a deal come along my way.

[marius]

Mar 15, 2010 17:37:24 GMT -5 @snodog said:

TKNICE, dont let me discourage you from trying it out. It has amazing sound quality and great reproduction. Unfortunately Emotiva has catered more to the two channel listeners rather than using it as a multi-purpose surround processor like I expected it to be. I dont know why they did this considering they released a dedicated two channel preamp.

Im sorry but the PLXII is atrocious. I dont know what it is but it sucks. Stereo mode would be great if enough could be played in a multi mode but it ends up I only get sound from my two mains and no other speakers unless it is recorded in dolby digital whereas the other multi mode my Marantz had would split it up perfectly.

From that end I am disappointed and hope they can change it or I might consider something else should a deal come along my way.

are you unhappy with PLIIx in general regardless of the source? Or are you talking about PLIIx over 2-channel?

[tknice]

Thanks for the opinions guys, especially about the surround and DSP modes.

Mar 15, 2010 17:37:24 GMT -5 @snodog said:

TKNICE, dont let me discourage you from trying it out. It has amazing sound quality and great reproduction. Unfortunately Emotiva has catered more to the two channel listeners rather than using it as a multi-purpose surround processor like I expected it to be. I dont know why they did this considering they released a dedicated two channel preamp.

Im sorry but the PLXII is atrocious. I dont know what it is but it sucks. Stereo mode would be great if enough could be played in a multi mode but it ends up I only get sound from my two mains and no other speakers unless it is recorded in dolby digital whereas the other multi mode my Marantz had would split it up perfectly.

From that end I am disappointed and hope they can change it or I might consider something else should a deal come along my way.

No, I appreciate your honesty and I hope others who use PLIIx will chime and and give their impression. My setup is geared completely toward movies and games and I don't do any two channel listening. I'm running 7.1 and the PLIIx mode has been perfect at delivering an amazing and immersive experience for pretty much anything I run through it. Maybe there is an alternative mode in the UMC that does the same thing?

Maybe it would help if I list the main reasons why I am buying the UMC:

1. Twin Cirrus dual core DSPs
2. Flexible EQ for all channels
3. Kick ass matching pre/pro to my UPA-7
4. Dolby Volume

Everything else my combo of DVDO Edge and 663 take care of perfectly.

The things I'm nervous about:

1. PLIIx mode worse than I'm use to
2. Wierd handshaking issues or delays (I use only HDMI on all inputs and don't have any problems whatsoever now--and it's fast)
3. Dolby Volume not working well

[snodog]

Upon using for the first week I was blown away by the SQ keeping in mind the adjustments that would need to be done. I still say it is but...some things have also left me wanting for more...
Marius, I am unhappy with the PLII regardless of source.
Tknice, I havent done much two channel listening either until now, which it seems I am forced to do so since even direct mode will only use two channels effectively from a cd source.
TrueHD and DTS master sounds amazingly good for movies.
Bottom line for ME is this unit NEEDs to implement 5, 6 and 7.1 channel stereo for mixed media to close the gap between a PLII and Neo that doesnt sound that great to awesome two channel audio from a red book cd.

[marius]

hmmm DPIIx on 5.1 sources should only affect surround channels so i can't imagine what UMC-1 can do that will make the whole thing sound so terrible. I can understand it could really screw up 2-channel sources.

[alamat]

I'd just be happy with it outputing all the neat formats without me jumping through all the hoops to get them to work. I remember when I got my venerable Denon 3802. While it didn't even have DDEX or DTS ES, it does a great job of putting out a matrix to use all 7 spkrs. And I only had to turn on the darn thing.
"Sigh". Wish that FW update gets done fast...like yesterday..

[diskman]

Mar 15, 2010 20:24:04 GMT -5 marius said:

hmmm DPIIx on 5.1 sources should only affect surround channels so i can't imagine what UMC-1 can do that will make the whole thing sound so terrible. I can understand it could really screw up 2-channel sources.

PLIIx on 5.1 sources with 7.1 setup is the way I use It and for now, we lost back surround each time a pause a movie......PLIIX for stereo source is not good, the immesion could be better......Wait and see the next firmware !