What's the chance of getting the new USP-1 remote?

[ramundo]

Nov 19, 2010 1:09:59 GMT -5 @KENZO said:

Hi,

I just yesterday ordered online a USP-1. The usp-1 page on the emotiva site indicates the new metal remote is shipped with all new orders.

Does anyone know anything to the contrary? Hard to believe they would advertise it on the order page if the metal remote was not shipping?

thanks,
ken

p.s. I have heard great things about the usp-1. I have what is considered pretty high end stuff (OTL tube amps, Reference 3A DeCapo speakers, power conditioner) so I am showing a lot of confidence in emotiva in fitting the the usp-1 into this very revealing system, and I have high hopes I won't be disappointed.

Ken,

Please post your impression of the USP-1 when it comes in. I am very pleased with mine. The noise floor is especially low. I have the cheesy plastic remote but I only used it long enough to learn the commands into my HTM MX-700 universal remote.

Ray

[kenzo]

I will be happy to.

Currently I have I think a quite high "resolving" system. Marantz CD transport or VAIO PC optical out (hi def chip in the VAIO) -> VALAB non oversampling dac -> Transcendent T8-LN OTL tube amp -> Reference 3A DeCapo I speakers.

The weak link is probably the DAC although non-oversampling DACs have a reputation for being very musical within their other limitations (distortion mainly).

I have requested an XDA-1 reserve. My previous DAC was a Benchmark DAC1-Pre (considered a reference standard by many). It was just OK to my ears- didn't provide any "oh my god" sound moments, which is why I sold it.

[EMO_tional]

I just got my USP-1
It came with a milled aluminum remote.

However, there's one flaw spoiling it's beauty, the screws for the back cover are not properly counter-sunk, so they rest about 1mm on the surface.

It's a small oversight, but it's a shame they didn't go the extra mile and make sure the screws were flush with the surface.

[kenzo]

Per Ray's request here is my listening impressions of a new USP-1 (new for me anyway, if it was a returned item that wouldn't bother me anyway as long as it was in good as new condition).

My system's previous configuration was biamped (actually triamped if you count the HSU sub).

Up to now I have been NOT been using an active preamp- for years instead of an active pre I have been using a biamped configuration of an active high pass HSU filter (with level control built in) to a Transcendent Sound T8-LN OTL tube amp for the tweeter signal and a CREEK passive attenuator to a QUAD 909 for the mid/bass of the DeCapo I speakers.

Tne new setup using the USP-1 is hi pass preamp out (cutoff at ~100hz) to the Transcendent T8 then to the DeCapos (no biamping.) The >100hz signal is going to both drivers of the DeCapos as full range.

The sub out of the preamp is now driving the HSU sub and the HSU's built in crossover is switched out.

First impression after only an hour or so listening: I AM IMPRESSED!

I cannot detect - after only a couple hours of listening admittedly - any decrease in resolution, high end air or extension, or speed from the passive attenuator/biamped configuration. This is actually a surprise to me! I expected to hear some loss of detail, resolution, and especially "speed". But that has NOT happened.

I am hearing improvements! Increased space and seperation between instruments - much improved "imaging".

Piano sounds meatier, I can hear the overtones and the sympathetic resonance as the other strings respond to the one being struck. But the percussive attack is still there when it is played hard.

Cymbals are fine, perhaps even a little more "bell like". No loss of "shimmer" there at all. Sibiliance is not a problem. If anything an improvement over the passive.

Low level details are very good, nothing seems to be lost in low level background noise.

Brass instruments have the correct bite and with realistic timbre.

Woodwinds are tuneful, while being airy and resonant.

Bass configuration of the system is now a bit different so a direct comparison to the old sound can only be made on the whole.

Since the preamp has a wider range of adjustment for the crossover frequency than the HSU active filter, I am taking advantage of that and sending 100hz and below to the sub (previous only 40hz and below).

The HSU is designed for this and it sounds fine. Bass is very tuneful- no "one note bass". And the benefit is that the stress on the T8 tube amp and the DeCapos is now reduced as they do not have to process anything below 100.

Overall a noticable improvement in some areas (especially imaging, low level resolution, and general "musicality", with no penalty in air, detail or resolution from previous configuration.

It is staying in my system!

[robmeul]

Nov 11, 2010 9:24:29 GMT -5 hoseroller74 said:

Just spoke with Vincent from Emotiva this morn.......(great guy) he informed me that they are currently working on this issue, and will be offering a retrofit / update for USP-1 customers in the new year. Seemed very genuine, and concerned! Hope this translates into resolve.

Is there any news on this?
Looking forward to the update because I never use the plastic remote a milled one would be an extra gem on the table!

[CrazyBlue]

I called yesterday afternoon day and ordered some B-stock UPA-1's and asked about the remote and/or update while I had them on the line.

Mike (who's Mike?) said that I'd have to send my USP-1 in for reprogramming (at no charge) and the remote itself would cost $50.

Did I read that the UMC-1 remote is $40?

If so, that $50 price for a USP-1 remote doesn't make sense.

I'm going to call back tomorrow and ask for Lonnie or Vince.

[wizardofoz]

what about for NON USA owners...not about ship a box 15000+ Kilometres for a software reload... same for the XDA attenuation fixes...

[CrazyBlue]

Dunno about overseas.

I talked to Vince today and he said that they're still testing the firmware and reprogramming process to get it in concrete and a final price hasn't been determined yet.

Soon.