Poll on UMC-1

[ottaone]

Is this question fair game? Let me know if this is not a good time and I'll delete the poll.

[sbavnut]

Fair question, but you have to remember that the "passions" are high just after the release of a new firmware. People who may say that they are returning the unit may change their mind in a few days (and if so, I hope they can/will change their vote).

[stormchaser]

Part of the problem of such a poll is that folks who are enjoying their units tend not to post on/visit forums. So, that may be a bit of an issue too.

[klinemj]

I think it's a fair question, but I think you may need 1 more poll option. Specifically, a "Don't have it and I'm not sure if I will or not".

Had you had that choice, I would have selected that. Given you didn't, I cast my vote to "no, don't have it and I'm not buying it".

Last week, I was telling myself that if the new firmware solved the key issues, I'd be a definite "yes". (And, I am on the pre-order list and had been contacted that it was my turn just before the shutdown of production, so I've been debating this question a LOT lately).

But based on what I am hearing on the initial results of the new firmware, my answer today would be "no". That could change if things rapidly look up, but if I had to decide today - my answer would be "no" because:
1) the audio dropouts appear worse on many cable/sat boxes AND there are some reporting dropouts that cause missing the first bit of each song on CD's.
2) odd noises at certain frequency multiples as reported by ratmice were not fixed
3) the sudden high volumes some are reporting (including the at least 1 blown speaker reported).

Mark

[threxx]

I refuse to install the new firmware based on the current reports of sudden loud volume unless Emo wants to take out an insurance policy for my speakers. Not to mention it seems everything else has gone from bad to worse.

It's simply going to come down to Emo once again extending their return period until these issues are corrected, or me returning the unit.

Let's be honest about all of this though... in reality we're all a bunch of people that unknowingly paid in order to beta test this unit for Emo. So Emo's extension of the return period really just amounts to an extension of the beta period. If/when this product finally gets to final release, that's when we have to decide if it's worth keeping.

[aircav]

Not sure if it was legit for me to answer as I had the UMC-1 and returned it but that was after the second software update so it has been a while?

[hikinokie]

So it's been extended again?

[sbavnut]

only Dan can answer that...

BTW - am I going to be the only one with "don't have the UMC-1, but plan to get it later".

[jamesflames]

Apr 14, 2010 11:10:15 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I think it's a fair question, but I think you may need 1 more poll option. Specifically, a "Don't have it and I'm not sure if I will or not".

Had you had that choice, I would have selected that. Given you didn't, I cast my vote to "no, don't have it and I'm not buying it".

Last week, I was telling myself that if the new firmware solved the key issues, I'd be a definite "yes". (And, I am on the pre-order list and had been contacted that it was my turn just before the shutdown of production, so I've been debating this question a LOT lately).

But based on what I am hearing on the initial results of the new firmware, my answer today would be "no". That could change if things rapidly look up, but if I had to decide today - my answer would be "no" because:
1) the audio dropouts appear worse on many cable/sat boxes AND there are some reporting dropouts that cause missing the first bit of each song on CD's.
2) odd noises at certain frequency multiples as reported by ratmice were not fixed
3) the sudden high volumes some are reporting (including the at least 1 blown speaker reported).

Mark

This is pretty much where I stand as well. I'm holding out as I'm using an older receiver without hdmi or component but at the same time am growing tired of waiting it out. I'm actually glad I wasn't on the first pre-order list as I would be steaming that a product I waited so long for was shipped so crippled.

[1derbar]

+1...I gave up my spot on the preorder list after it's clear there are still issues that need to be resolved. I was really pulling for Emotiva to get it done with this update but alas...

[hikinokie]

Should Emo cut their losses & run away ala Parasound/Outlaw?

[ottaone]

Apr 14, 2010 12:41:30 GMT -5 sbavnut said:

only Dan can answer that...

BTW - am I going to be the only one with "don't have the UMC-1, but plan to get it later".

I just cast my vote so there are two or three now. Man, this is difficult. It is a case of high-risk, high-reward again. And I still have nightmares from my "trading days" in 2000. Of course, we are talking about $700 and not tens of $Ks so it shouldn't hurt as much except for our very high expectations of all Emo products.

[brettjb]

Apr 14, 2010 13:51:44 GMT -5 hikinokie said:

Should Emo cut their losses & run away ala Parasound/Outlaw?

With product already shipping? I think they'd be silly to back away from it now.

Admittedly, I'm less than thrilled with mine, and seriously weighing my options currently, but I don't think the problems are with the hardware. I do wonder about their software development shop, and their QC practices before release, but I don't have enough insight into developing audio processor software to do much more than make unsubstantiated guesses as to the nature of the problems. And those won't help anyone, so I'm not going there.

I'm not making any decisions today, but I do hope we get an update or official reaction soon. I'll base my decisions on that.

[2muchht]

I think you also need to add " I am considering it, but whether I buy or not depends on whether the consensus from those who have them says it is fully baked." Having bought an XPA, but then tossed it off to someone as I couldn't wait any longer for theUMC as a matching processor, now I'm waiting to see if it makes sense to dive in.

==========================
Today at 12:51pm, hikinokie wrote:Should Emo cut their losses & run away ala Parasound/Outlaw?
==========================

The difference is that Parasound and Outlaw didn't "run away", they cut their losses before releasing something in the first place. Emo has gone past the point of no return. The true test will be to see if Sherbourne will jump ship, as well as any other OEM customers they may have from the Jade side.

Can't say it's dull around here!

[billmac]

Apr 14, 2010 11:35:05 GMT -5 aircav said:

Not sure if it was legit for me to answer as I had the UMC-1 and returned it but that was after the second software update so it has been a while?

I would say it is legit as I have already returned mine before the latest FW. If the poll question is just for the latest FW I will retract my vote.

Bill

[sbavnut]

There is NO question of "running". There are issues, they will be fixed.

To me, it looks more like a mismanagement of the "bug fix" process than the actual ability to fix the bugs (things that were working are now broken).

Also, note that Parasound's HDP70 (http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Parasound_Unveils_New_Surround_Sound_Gear_HDR77_HDP70_and_Halo_C3.shtml) looked very similar to the UMC-1 (back looks similar, front looks different and the EQ was to be Audyssey)...

[mysterymachine]

Apr 14, 2010 13:13:39 GMT -5 jamesflames said:

This is pretty much where I stand as well. I'm holding out as I'm using an older receiver without hdmi or component but at the same time am growing tired of waiting it out. I'm actually glad I wasn't on the first pre-order list as I would be steaming that a product I waited so long for was shipped so crippled.

Me too.

I'm starting to worry that the dropouts etc are the fault of the cirrus chip and its searching/locking on methodology and no amount of firmware can fix it. Though who knows if they would effect me. My use is 35% oppo bdp-83, 50% PS3 fat 60GB for games or media streaming, 15% comcraptic cable box.

I got my email asking for credit card yesterday and right now I am on the fence.

[2muchht]

Apr 14, 2010 14:59:32 GMT -5 sbavnut said:

...There is NO question of "running". There are issues, they will be fixed...

Don't get me wrong. I'm not at all suggesting that Emo will "run". The reality is that they can't, and it would a great let down to many if they did. But we know they won't, so that's a closed item.

The biggest mystery in all of this is why, in the face of obvious problems of some sort, there has been nothing posted from EMO. They old "they are too busy dealing with the problem to talk now..." just doesn't cut it. Common sense, let alone good practice for these sorts of matters says that you should immediately communicate with consumers to let them know what is going on and what you plan to do with it. Let the hour it takes to write an e-mail and post it come out of the time it takes to develop a fix.

They are quick to self-promote (as they should be) and let us know when things are good; it is equally important to help us keep the faith when things are problematic. Not looking to start a "reality vs. fanboy" thing here, but Dan L. is not exactly sitting there slogging away at the code, and he should have learned from the past that a few words puts out the fires.

[monkumonku]

I just talked with Vincent at Emo's offices a few minutes ago regarding an unrelated matter but we also talked about the buzz on the forum regarding the FW update. He said if you are having problems, to CALL EMO AND TALK TO THE SUPPORT FOLKS, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR. Just thought I'd pass that along.

[markus]

Apr 14, 2010 16:26:12 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

He said if you are having problems, to CALL EMO AND TALK TO THE SUPPORT FOLKS, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR.)

What about the support folks not answering emails?