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Post by matt501 on Feb 23, 2011 15:34:43 GMT -5
I'm running my Wadia and ERC to the XDA then to my UMC (UMC -> XDA5 -> speakers). I've used the "direct" setting on the UMC and it sounds good but maybe a little bright.
Question: Just to make sure I understand.. with direct mode the UMC does zero/nada/zip to the signal as it passes correct? So if I want to tweak the sound or add my sub I have to use the UMC stereo mode?
Matt
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Post by doc1963 on Feb 23, 2011 15:46:47 GMT -5
That's correct Matt. When using an analog input and setting that input's mode to "Direct", the UMC-1 passes the signal straight through, untouched, to the volume control.
FWIW, the UMC's 7.1 analog inputs are set up this way by design. No processing can be performed on that input at all.
Hope this helps.....
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Post by Topend on Feb 23, 2011 16:57:48 GMT -5
Matt, this is how I have my system connected. I like direct as I like my music untouched.
What speakers are you running. I'm on my iPhone so if you have them listed in your signature I can't see it.
Dave.
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Post by matt501 on Feb 23, 2011 18:39:23 GMT -5
Hey Dave,
ERC - XDA - UMC - XPA5 - ERA D14
The speakers have good bass when using the UMC, so much so that I have to change the crossover to 70 and just use my sub for the low end. I guess I could bypass the UMC by switching the cables and see how that sounds.
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Post by matt501 on Feb 23, 2011 20:34:09 GMT -5
Okay, I bypassed the UMC and went straight to the XPA. It sounded better for sure.. why the heck is that? At low volume you can't tell much but the louder the worse the UMC connection is while the straight connect was still very clean.
Next question: Is there a way to incorporate that two channel bypass within a HT setup? I watch TV, movies probably 20-30% more than two channel music.
Matt
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Post by vishal on Feb 23, 2011 21:01:08 GMT -5
I am having the exact same issue. Pre/pro is Integra DHC-9.9.
- Using "direct" mode I get no subwoofer output - this is by design. But I also dont get enough bass to my Mains (Magnepan 1.7 - not the greatest speakers for bass. It is recommended to use a good sub with the Maggies)
- Using "stereo" mode I get the sub output and also healthy bass in the Mains (probably because of my tweaks to the Equalizer).
As a result I have been avoiding "direct" mode - till now.
But now I have my XDA (balanced analog input to the Integra). The XDA sound is great for mid and high frequencies and I dont want "stereo" mode to muddle it. So I want to use the "direct" mode. However the sound is lacking in the bass frequencies. Even if I bypass the Integra and go straight to the amps the bass is weak. This confirms that the limitation is really in the speakers.
So it comes down to being able to use a sub with my XDA while going through the Integra "direct" mode. How do we achieve that? If I can't fix this I will pretty much have to return the XDA.
- I know I can use the second set of XDA Main output (RCA) to the sub but then I lose volume control on the sub as it bypasses the Integra. Not acceptable. Also in this case I will lose the sub for my HT usage. Also not acceptable.
- I know I can invest more on top of the XDA and get another Sub (and maybe a USP/XSP) for my 2-ch listening. I will have to bypass the Integra and use vol control of XDA/USP/XSP. Worse, everytime I want to listen to 2-ch I will have to manually toggle the RCA/XLR switch on the back of my two XPA-1 monoblocks. Not acceptable.
Any other ideas how I can use my system for both HT and 2-ch?
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Post by doc1963 on Feb 23, 2011 22:37:05 GMT -5
vishal,
Quite honestly, I have found that the best way to integrate a top quality dedicated 2 channel system into an existing HT system is through the addition of an analog 2 channel preamp with HT bypass.
Just so happens that Emotiva has an excellent choice in the USP-1 (which I own), but also has an upgraded "X" series version, the XSP-1, coming soon. There are options outside of Emotiva as well such as the Parasound 2100.
Splitting the system in this manner allows the best of both worlds by empowering each side of the system to do what it does best.
Let's say you purchased an Emotiva USP-1. In the signal chain, the USP-1 would reside between your current Integra pre/pro and your amps. The FL/FR/Sub outputs of the Integra would connect to the "HT Bypass" inputs of the USP-1. The L/R outputs of the USP-1 would route to your amp and the sub out would route to your subwoofer.
All of your dedicated 2 channel stereo sources (XDA-1, CD player, Squeezebox, Sonos..... and so on) would connect to, and be controlled by, the USP-1 with no involvement from the Integra whatsoever. The Integra doesn't even need to be turned on when you are only listening to your stereo sources.
Since the USP-1 also incorporates analog bass management, your subwoofer can be perfectly blended into your 2 channel system and utilized with no degradation of the source signal.
When it's time for HT use, the entire system is powered up and the USP-1 is placed into the "HT Bypass" mode. This allows the signal from the Integra HT processor to pass through the USP-1 completely untouched. NO PART of the USP-1 is functional in this mode and the volume would be controlled by your HT processor (Integra).
I hope this makes sense and helps to give you some insight to your options.....
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Post by vishal on Feb 24, 2011 11:40:04 GMT -5
doc1963,
As I said above, I do realize that getting a USP would be an option. But thanks for reminding me about the HT Bypass function. So the integration would be much more seamless than I made out in my post earlier. But USP lacks balanced I/O. My system is fully balanced and all dual differential (except for the Integra which is only Balanced) and I'd like to keep it that way for 2-ch at least.
Thanksfully Emotiva is working on XSP which seems to the only way to integrate the XDA into my system. This has got to be a very common problem.
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Post by doc1963 on Feb 24, 2011 14:36:53 GMT -5
doc1963, As I said above, I do realize that getting a USP would be an option. But thanks for reminding me about the HT Bypass function. So the integration would be much more seamless than I made out in my post earlier. But USP lacks balanced I/O. My system is fully balanced and all dual differential (except for the Integra which is only Balanced) and I'd like to keep it that way for 2-ch at least. Thanksfully Emotiva is working on XSP which seems to the only way to integrate the XDA into my system. This has got to be a very common problem. Ah yes... I should have noticed the dual XPA-1s in your sig. ;D Absolutely, the XSP-1 would be your best option. I, myself, am patiently awaiting its release. Good luck to you..... |
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Post by matt501 on Feb 25, 2011 16:38:04 GMT -5
I think I figured out why there was a BIG difference between using the UMC and not. When connected to the UMC I had the XDA at 80. This made the bass boomy and overall just didn't sound great at higher volume. When I was connected XDA straight to the AMP the most I ran the volume was 45 or so.
For a quick test with the UMC inline I lowered the volume to 50 and this seems to help some.
Straight to the AMP still sounds better so I need to figure out what to do there. I don't feel like dropping $450 on a preamp right now. I need to get another UMC 1st.
Any non preamp ideas other than just changing the cables on the AMP from UMC to XDA?
Matt
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