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Post by cantonreference7 on Jan 13, 2011 16:43:24 GMT -5
Hi! I have an XPA-2 and a USP-1 and I am totally happy with the sound which is totally superb! I have never heard a better sound EVER. But I have an issue with the bass management; I can´t provide my front speakers with full range if I connect the USP-1 to the XPA-2 reciever via the high pass output. And this is the only way to connect if I want to use the HT input, the full range output is quiet when the HT input is activated!!! I really need full range to feed my expensive and deep bass producing (down to 22 Hz!!!) Canton Reference 7.2 floor speakers. I also need the HT input to connect my exclusive Pioneer AV-amp. I don´t dare following Vincents (on Emo support) tip; to use AUX1 with maximum volume when watching movies; It can happen really bad things if someone changes the input to CD or TUNER with maximum volume!!! I currently use dual cables to feed my XPA-2, one cable from full range output to the balanced input, and one cable from te high pass output to the unbalanced input. Then I switch between the model with the switches on the back side of the XPA-2. But this is not a very satisfying solution since the switches are not made for daily use, and since I have to turn the amp off every time I make this switch...  Has anyone else had the same problem??? |
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Post by stuofsci02 on Jan 13, 2011 16:49:04 GMT -5
Yes.. This is a well known issue with the USP-1. Aside from making the modifications yourself, you are SOL..
IMO, Emo made some design errors with this pre-amp, not limited to what you have found.
Otherwise it is a decent sounding piece. You'll have to wait for the XSP-1 though if these problems are not acceptable.
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Post by aussie on Jan 13, 2011 17:39:44 GMT -5
Theres alot of people in the same situation, I myself am one of them but I just use the HP/LP outputs amd my sub so the whole range is covered. Not sure I'd call it a design flaw, think it's more a matter of Emotiva designed it with the intent of most folks using a sub with their mains.
Hard to complain at the price point though, my biggest issue is I seem to get woofer flutter with any real volume when playing records when using a sub. I know turning the sub off fixes that problem but then I lose everything below 50Hz.
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Post by stuofsci02 on Jan 13, 2011 17:56:43 GMT -5
I would still call it a design flaw.. For almost zero cost they could have made it work both ways..
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Post by cantonreference7 on Jan 13, 2011 18:02:06 GMT -5
Thanks for your quick replies! Yes the USP-1 is a price bargain, no doubt about it! Love the sound and the design and the metal remote!
Which are the other design errors, Stuofsci02? The big volume change when using the remote?
Can you describe what you mean with the woofer flutter, Aussie?
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Post by aussie on Jan 13, 2011 18:44:55 GMT -5
I would still call it a design flaw.. For almost zero cost they could have made it work both ways.. I agree, it would have been simple you would think and then everyone would have been happy. Thanks for your quick replies! Yes the USP-1 is a price bargain, no doubt about it! Love the sound and the design and the metal remote! Which are the other design errors, Stuofsci02? The big volume change when using the remote? Can you describe what you mean with the woofer flutter, Aussie? Yeah the volume is super sensitive/quick. Woofer flutter or rumble some folks call it, it's not a fault with the USP-1 at all but it's more to do with the type of head/cart used and turntable isolation. But I've not been able to isolate my turntable any better then it is and for normal listening volumes it's fine. Just when I use the subwoofer and turn the volume up quite high listening to records the sub starts fluttering or pumping. I may just try getting a rumble filter at some point but it's not really a big issue. Maybe I'll make a sandbox for my TT wallshelf or something when I have time. |
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Post by cantonreference7 on Jan 13, 2011 19:09:00 GMT -5
Where can I find more information regarding the XSP-1? When will it arrive? What will it cost?
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Post by aussie on Jan 13, 2011 19:13:40 GMT -5
Where can I find more information regarding the XSP-1? When will it arrive? What will it cost? Right here on the forums, do a search theres a few threads around the place on the XSP-1. Shouldn't be too much longer till it's out and for sale, think it's meant to maybe be first quarter this year |
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Post by stuofsci02 on Jan 13, 2011 22:36:48 GMT -5
Thanks for your quick replies! Yes the USP-1 is a price bargain, no doubt about it! Love the sound and the design and the metal remote! Which are the other design errors, Stuofsci02? The big volume change when using the remote? Can you describe what you mean with the woofer flutter, Aussie? For me the most major is the HT bypass only working on the crossed over outputs (as you found). Some others that are annoying are: 1. The unit needs to be on to be in HTbypass. Had they used the other contacts of the relays the unit would work in HTbypass in the off mode without the need to select bypass. 2. When headphones are plugged in, the pre-amp does not fully mute the outputs to the amplifier. 3. There is an issue with the tapeloop not working like a normal tapeloop, but this does not bother me since I don't use that function. 4. There is no dim for those bright blue lights. This would not be an issue for me if I did not need the unit to be on in HTbypass. 5. The volume moves about 3db with each push of the button. But all that said, if you were using it as a normal preamp connected to a poweramp for stereo listening only, then almost all of the problems above disappear. And it is still a helluva preamp for the price. |
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Post by VisN on Jan 13, 2011 23:10:32 GMT -5
But all that said, if you were using it as a normal preamp connected to a poweramp for stereo listening only, then almost all of the problems above disappear. And it is still a helluva preamp for the price. True. Stuart, regarding the remote volume issue, have you tried giving the volume button a quick tap with your finger rather than pressing it? I think it increments in smaller steps when I do that or it could just be my mind playing tricks on me. |
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Post by stuofsci02 on Jan 14, 2011 11:49:13 GMT -5
But all that said, if you were using it as a normal preamp connected to a poweramp for stereo listening only, then almost all of the problems above disappear. And it is still a helluva preamp for the price. True. Stuart, regarding the remote volume issue, have you tried giving the volume button a quick tap with your finger rather than pressing it? I think it increments in smaller steps when I do that or it could just be my mind playing tricks on me. Yeah I have tried that too on the USP-1 remote (mine is the older plastic one). I have also setup my Harmony remote to give the smallest time duration press, but no luck. |
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Post by VisN on Jan 14, 2011 17:32:35 GMT -5
Ok, I tried it again and my mind was playing tricks on me.
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Post by cantonreference7 on Jan 14, 2011 19:45:39 GMT -5
The volume/remote issue should become a lesser problem with -10 dB attentuators between the pre- and power-amp. Has anyone here tried this?
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klinemj
Emo VIPs 
Official Emofest Scribe
Posts: 15,090
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Post by klinemj on Jan 14, 2011 20:50:23 GMT -5
To the OP...sorry to hear of the dilemna. But, as others have posted, the USP-1 is simply not designed to do what you want.
On Vincent's suggestion - can you elaborate? That does not make intuitive sense. What would that change about the issue you report?
For others, I am really struggling to comprehend why some call aspects of the USP-1 that they don't like either "issues", "design errors", or "design flaws". I really don't get it...each thing mentioned was a choice that Emotiva made. The terms used make it sound like it either does not function as intended or that wrong choices were made.
Frankly, that my Honda Civic Hybrid does not do 0-60 mph in <6 second could be considered an issue/flaw/error or a choice. As an informed buyer of that car, I bought it well-knowing that it would not do this. Similarly, all the items noted in this thread are well-known things about the USP-1.
Bottom line - the sound quality is quite great for what it does do, and for what it does do - it works flawlessly. I see no flaw in that, and instead - I see reason to celebrate. I have never owned a preamp with its sound...and I love it for that. That it was 1/2 the cost of the last 2-channel pre-amp I bought (more than 15 years ago, so inflation adjusted - it's a HECK of a deal!) AND it sounds far better than that preamp is all the more reason to celebrate.
Net, I don't get why some people use the terms they do about these things.
My advice...be an informed buyer, accept what you get, or return it (and I realize for the OP that returning it involves a lot of shipping expense/etc...doubly sorry for that, but...? See above points.)
Mark
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Post by stuofsci02 on Jan 14, 2011 21:03:29 GMT -5
Mark,
The reason I refer to these "design choices" as errors or flaws is because they don't make sense. It is not like Emo chose "A" over "B" and gave something up to gain something somewhere else. They just simply didn't think things through in enough detail to make the piece the best that it could be. The reality is, all of those problems could be addressed without any real added cost. I really doubt anyone would disagree that fixing the above would make the unit better. They screwed up.. It happens...
I was well aware of all these issues before I bought it and am willing to live with them as I like the unit in all other aspects. I would have waited for the XSP-1, but this was 8 months ago, and the XSP-1 is still not a reality.
This is not like your Civic not going 0-60 in <6 seconds. It is more like my old car that did not have a cancel button for the cruise control. Whenever you came up behind someone and would like to disable the cruise control you would have to hit the brakes.. Design flaw....
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gfunk
Minor Hero
Posts: 30
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Post by gfunk on Jan 14, 2011 22:14:58 GMT -5
cantonreference7,i have 1 pair of 12 db harrison lab attenuators between my xpa-2 and usp-1 source is erc-1 speakers maggs m12. on each channel of my xpa-5 / umc-1,source pioneer blu-raybdp-05 ...speakers are 3 erm 6.2,2 erd-1.the sub that i share with this joint system is a marige bp 400 ,i use 2 in series with the xpa-5 /umc-1 combo and 1 with the xpa-2/usp-1 combo. the attenuators are as important and contribute as much as any piece of equipment that i own,i dont loose any quailty in the sound but gain with better use of volume.at around 25.00 a pair..sorry for my grammer
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gfunk
Minor Hero
Posts: 30
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Post by gfunk on Jan 14, 2011 22:27:49 GMT -5
my name is gfunk and i am a emo fan boy,the attenuators correct what i consider a design choice/flaw and bring synergy to my system. although im still tweaking my head is in the clouds. stay tune for xpa-1's,xda-1 ,xps-1 OMG.
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Post by cantonreference7 on Jan 15, 2011 4:15:34 GMT -5
Where can I buy high quality attentuators?
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gfunk
Minor Hero
Posts: 30
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Post by gfunk on Jan 15, 2011 8:16:32 GMT -5
parts express .com or amazon
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Post by mrarnold58 on Jan 15, 2011 10:39:07 GMT -5
To the OP...sorry to hear of the dilemna. But, as others have posted, the USP-1 is simply not designed to do what you want. On Vincent's suggestion - can you elaborate? That does not make intuitive sense. What would that change about the issue you report? For others, I am really struggling to comprehend why some call aspects of the USP-1 that they don't like either "issues", "design errors", or "design flaws". I really don't get it...each thing mentioned was a choice that Emotiva made. The terms used make it sound like it either does not function as intended or that wrong choices were made. Frankly, that my Honda Civic Hybrid does not do 0-60 mph in <6 second could be considered an issue/flaw/error or a choice. As an informed buyer of that car, I bought it well-knowing that it would not do this. Similarly, all the items noted in this thread are well-known things about the USP-1. Bottom line - the sound quality is quite great for what it does do, and for what it does do - it works flawlessly. I see no flaw in that, and instead - I see reason to celebrate. I have never owned a preamp with its sound...and I love it for that. That it was 1/2 the cost of the last 2-channel pre-amp I bought (more than 15 years ago, so inflation adjusted - it's a HECK of a deal!) AND it sounds far better than that preamp is all the more reason to celebrate. Net, I don't get why some people use the terms they do about these things. My advice...be an informed buyer, accept what you get, or return it (and I realize for the OP that returning it involves a lot of shipping expense/etc...doubly sorry for that, but...? See above points.) Mark Agree that some items were "design choices", such as how the HT bypass functions. However, the fineness of the volume control and the output jack not fully muting during headphone use don't fall into this category and are flaws, IMHO. I've not tried the tape loop, so I can't comment on it. Are these items deal breakers? For me they weren't and I agree this is still a good piece of equipment. Especially when considering the price charged. With a few more changes, it could be a great piece of equipment. |
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