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Post by EMO_tional on Nov 23, 2010 2:31:12 GMT -5
Just got my USP-1 today. (4 days to Canada.. not bad Emotiva)
I'll post a proper review after I've lived with it a bit.
If I could use one word.. Clarity.
It's very, very, clean, it's not warm, or cold.. just clear, almost transparent.
I could see how some might call it bright, but I don't think it is, it's just... there..
It's also very un-forgiving, if your source is less than superb, it shows all the warts. You WILL find the weak links in your system quickly.
And yes, mine came with an aluminum remote with controls for the ERC-1 as well.
It's not perfect, there is audible cross-talk on un-used inputs, I had to crank the volume up all the way, and put my ear up to the speaker to hear it, but it's there.
Most of the inputs are dead silent, however the phono pre is noisy, noisier than my stand alone ones, both in MM and MC settings.
Headphone output bleeds into the mains. If you are listening at a loud volume through headphones, there is enough signal coming through the speakers that can be heard 5 or 6 feet away in a quiet room.
My biggest gripe.. the "Tape Monitor".. as it is implimented, it is utterly useless, as you cannot monitor that actual output of the loop. This makes running an EQ properly, difficult.
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Post by kenzo on Nov 25, 2010 21:51:27 GMT -5
I'm on my third day of extended and careful listening to a new USP-1. I have been running some pretty high end gear for years such as Benchmark DAC, OTL tube amp, Reference 3A DeCapo I speakers.
All I can say so far after 3 days is WOW, very detailed, very clean, very punchy, vocals are excellent and very true to life, strings have great tone and still have bite, drums are sharp, dynamic, and DEEP when it's called for. Electric guitar is reproduced beautifully, just the right tone, attack and bite.
"Air" and imaging are pretty much amazing. Basically it sounds like someone moved my speakers about 3 times further apart than they really are. The sound stage widened out and is really deep front to back. I never had the sense of front-to-back depth before the USP-1.
This is not a subtle difference, the width and depth of the sound stage is quite noticeable.
My previous preamp was not an amp at all, just a passive attenuator. The improvement with the USP-1 is not subtle. You'd have to be deaf not to notice a big improvement.
All in all, I am extremely impressed (and I actually did not expect to be).
If the XDA-1 is comparatively as good (i put in a pre-order request) it will be a true giant-killer at the MSRP.
Cosmetics are not ultimate platinum standard, but they are perfectly fine. And I'd MUCH rather have my $$ go to sound quality than gold braiding...
Let me put it this way, if I had paid THREE TIMES the price, I would still have been satisfied with the purchase, given the sonics...
kenzo
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RPA-1 man
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Post by RPA-1 man on Nov 25, 2010 22:23:29 GMT -5
If you don't mind me asking, what passive pre were you using prior to the USP-1?
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Post by roadrunner on Nov 25, 2010 22:47:11 GMT -5
kenzo Welcome to the world of Emotiva "Sound Quality".  What you have experienced with the USP-1 is what we have learned to expect from all Emotiva equipment. The wonder of it all is how Emotiva is able to deliver such consistently superior sound quality at such affordable prices. The awe and wonderment you experienced with the USP-1 is just the beginning. The synergy afforded when combining additional Emotiva components allows you to experience sonic bliss on a plateau beyond your wildest dreams. Combine the ERC-1 CD player with the USP-1 stereo pre-amp and you will literally rediscover your love of music and realize that you can reproduce "life-like" music in its full splendor. This is what addicts us to Emotiva's products. Welcome to musical nirvana.  |
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Post by wizardofoz on Nov 25, 2010 23:30:57 GMT -5
I just built a lighternote passive pre www.buildanamp.com and while it's has no bass management nor phono pre the 2 are so far apart in features it's no contest to compare them. I got my usp-1 for the phono mainly but find it's a sweet pre for all my analogue sources in my stereo setup. I hope it will not detract from the XDA-1 outputs that will be passed thru it too. |
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kt10r
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Post by kt10r on Nov 25, 2010 23:55:41 GMT -5
Wow RR, I don't think it can get much fluffier than that! Did you take some extasy this evening?  |
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Post by autocrat on Nov 26, 2010 1:29:56 GMT -5
Gag factor = +10
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Post by roadrunner on Nov 26, 2010 15:18:50 GMT -5
Wow RR, I don't think it can get much fluffier than that! Did you take some extasy this evening? Ha, ha. kt10r. It does seem that I was in a very "fluffy" state of mind, doesn't it? That is what happens to me when I spend a few hours listening to my favorite music ever since I added the ERC-1 and the USP-1 to my audio system. I have had a love affair with good musical reproduction for over 45 years; and, the impact from adding those Emotiva components to my signal path has served to heighten my blissful state of mind... music calms the savage beast! If music touches your soul, listening to that music through the Emotiva ERC-1 and USP-1 enhances your ability to experience nirvana. That experience is just as mood altering and as addictive as extasy (the drug) would be. Actually, you picked the perfect word... ecstasy is the end-result. |
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Post by kenzo on Nov 26, 2010 17:40:03 GMT -5
If you don't mind me asking, what passive pre were you using prior to the USP-1? Hi RPA-1 man, Don't mind at all that you ask. It is a CREEK passive attentuator. It has 2 line "inputs" and a tape monitor/bypass as well as a mute function. It uses an external wall wart 18v power supply for the remote and input switching functions. It's now for sale! The problem with passive attenuators - at least the resistance type - is that you must be able to very correctly match impedances - and voltage levels for that matter - between the source signals and the amps, otherwise there can be noticeable deficiencies in the sound. In my case, the USP-1 clearly is a big improvement in dynamics, stereo seperation/imaging, attack, etc. It's no contest. It is my understanding that transformer based passive attenuators are less off a problem for matching impedances but still may not provide adequate signal for some amps. kenzo |
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RPA-1 man
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Post by RPA-1 man on Nov 26, 2010 17:52:09 GMT -5
Not to mention the cost of transformer based passive attenuators is an issue as well. It is really hard to beat the USP-1 at its price point. In fact probably impossible if you're talking purchasing new.
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Post by KENZO on Nov 27, 2010 11:34:14 GMT -5
Not to mention the cost of transformer based passive attenuators is an issue as well. It is really hard to beat the USP-1 at its price point. In fact probably impossible if you're talking purchasing new. Agreed, top quality trannies by themselves can easily be $100 to $200 EACH, and you'd need two for stereo. The other great feature of the USP-1 for me is the multiple outputs with the high and low pass filters. That feature has allowed me to remove the external HSU high pass filter as well as the CREEK attenuator and integrate my sub very simply. In the next few weeks I am going to experiment with tri-amping using those outputs. The flexibility of the USP-1 with those three sets of outputs is just great for me. |
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Post by kenzo on Nov 29, 2010 0:11:05 GMT -5
I spent a few hours today listening exclusively to the headphone output on the USP-1.
I am trying not to gush too much, but again, all I can say is WOW. This is the FIRST time I have spent hours listening to my Grado phones and been TOTALLY satisfied with the sound.
No harshness, but very wide frequency response- from deep bass up through cymbals and triangles. Vocals and piano still sound great also. No "compression" or "mushiness" in complex musical passages.
I have a test that I use: on a Telarc CD there is a very busy orchestral passage with a single triangle in the background. I can hear the difference in reproduction of this passage easily between different amps. Some amps kind of "lose" the triangle. It goes "distant" and is hard to hear against the busy orchestral section.
No problem however with the USP-1. The triangle is clear as a bell and easy to seperate from the louder orchestral pieces.
I will be spending a lot more time with my Grados now!
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Post by EMO_tional on Nov 29, 2010 4:44:31 GMT -5
I too, like the USP-1 headphone out.
I have a Little Dot I+ Hybrid Tube Headphone Amp.
I'm running MS-1's as headphones.
While the Little Dot has more output. (a lot more), it is brighter and somewhat harsh in comparison to the USP-1.
So there it is, the USP-1 sounds smoother than the Little Dot.
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Post by briank on Nov 30, 2010 19:14:25 GMT -5
Just wait till Ronnie gets a hold of the XDA-1, then you'll see FLUFFY. ;D
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RPA-1 man
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Posts: 2,109
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Post by RPA-1 man on Nov 30, 2010 19:19:58 GMT -5
Just wait till Ronnie gets a hold of the XDA-1, then you'll see FLUFFY. ;D Can't wait for that. |
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What you have experienced with the USP-1 is what we have learned to expect from all Emotiva equipment. The wonder of it all is how Emotiva is able to deliver such consistently superior sound quality at such affordable prices. The awe and wonderment you experienced with the USP-1 is just the beginning. The synergy afforded when combining additional Emotiva components allows you to experience sonic bliss on a plateau beyond your wildest dreams. Combine the ERC-1 CD player with the USP-1 stereo pre-amp and you will literally rediscover your love of music and realize that you can reproduce "life-like" music in its full splendor. This is what addicts us to Emotiva's products. Welcome to musical nirvana. 
