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Post by hiacedrifter on Feb 15, 2012 9:23:40 GMT -5
Hi all
I'm after an AV amp or processor for a very basic but high quality AV system (one source - Oppo BDP-93, one output - projector). The front L&R will output into my Naim stereo, the rears will go off to a power amp. So..... the UMC-1 looks perfect in terms of spec and price.... would the XMC-1 be overkill, and is the higher price only going to buy me features I don't need? Is the UMC-1 reliable enough now? I have looked briefly at the varous threads... there did seem to be some issues - have they now been fixed?
Thanks
hiacedrifter
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Post by Porscheguy on Feb 15, 2012 9:52:04 GMT -5
Yes, no, yes, no..... this is an Emotiva forum and most of us have UMC-1's so..... Whether its enough for you or not we wouldn't know because its so subjective.... Its a very good piece for the money and the issues have mostly all gone away.. The XMC-1 is a bit more focused on SQ in the analog domain....
Good luck!!
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Post by wisconsinite on Feb 15, 2012 9:57:27 GMT -5
Hi all I'm after an AV amp or processor for a very basic but high quality AV system (one source - Oppo BDP-93, one output - projector). The front L&R will output into my Naim stereo, the rears will go off to a power amp. So..... the UMC-1 looks perfect in terms of spec and price.... would the XMC-1 be overkill, and is the higher price only going to buy me features I don't need? Is the UMC-1 reliable enough now? I have looked briefly at the varous threads... there did seem to be some issues - have they now been fixed? Thanks hiacedrifter I dont think anyone can guarantee the UMC-1 stable there are good and bad posts all over the net , you have to decide if you want to take the chance , I decided not to |
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Post by Porscheguy on Feb 15, 2012 9:59:34 GMT -5
My UMC is two years old and it hasn't had one issue. 90+% of owners are very happy...
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Post by geebo on Feb 15, 2012 10:01:48 GMT -5
Well if you get a UMC now and decide its not enough, then use the 40% discount on the XMC. In the end, it'll be less money than just buying an XMC later on. And with the card, you will get in ahead of the general public. If the UMC turns out to be good for you and is all you need, then you've gotten yourself a great proc at $499. (the discount card is worth $599.60)
But I think the the UMC would serve you nicely.
If I had it to do over again, I would definitely get another UMC.
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Post by wisconsinite on Feb 15, 2012 10:03:14 GMT -5
At 499.00 for the UMC-1 B stock which includes a 40% upgrade card and 50.00 emo buck you cant go wrong , try it if you don't like it sell it you sure wont lose money .
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hemster
Global Moderator 
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,951
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Post by hemster on Feb 15, 2012 10:09:24 GMT -5
My UMC-1 is about 2 yrs old and no issues. Highly recommend.
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Post by laserman35 on Feb 15, 2012 10:30:09 GMT -5
I was using a $500 marantz receiver for a pre-amp.
When i upgraded to the UMC-1 it was big improvement in SQ for me I was surprised. For they money it can not be beat. Most would say it beats Pre-amps under $2000 if the bugs were gone.
With the new update for the most part it is bugs free. "At least for me it is"
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Post by monkumonku on Feb 15, 2012 11:00:02 GMT -5
I like my UMC-1. It did have issues early on with the early firmware versions but even then, nothing real serious. Now it is fine. It is an especially good deal now at the sale price.
That said, I am seriously considering the XMC-1, mainly because it is (or will be) there. The UMC-1 has everything I need, though. It does a great job.
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Post by thepcguy on Feb 15, 2012 13:46:35 GMT -5
The UMC-1 is enough for me. I have only 2 sources: Blu-ray player and a HTPC. Purely movies and music. I don't have cable TV. I don't switch from one source to another as much. My room is almost perfect rectangle so I calibrated manually.
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Post by Matt193 on Feb 16, 2012 20:51:23 GMT -5
Another UMC owner here. I recently purchased a b-stock unit and it was like new. The sound quality is a good step up from my previous H/K AVR. Movies are way more dynamic sounding and the top end is much more lively. Overall, it's a pretty solid unit.
With that said, I'm selling mine because the increase in 2 channel sound quality has made me realize I don't care that much about movies and I really want a musical system. So, my H/K has gone back into the rack and I'm on the prowl for a nice stereo preamp. I might hold out for the XSP or XMC and see how it sounds.
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xki
Emo VIPs 
Gwack!
Posts: 1,756
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Post by xki on Feb 16, 2012 21:06:11 GMT -5
So, you've gotten a condensed version of the last 2 years of forum posts.
Ask yourself these questions:
1) If there is a drop-out of a channel and you need to press a button to get it back, it that OK?
2) Are you OK with setting things up yourself rather than plug-n-play?
3) Are you OK with calling support if something just isn't either working as it should or you just can't figure it out?
4) Can you deal with a bright light on the front of the unit at all times?
5) If needed are you willing to spend a couple hours upgrading the firmware?
If you answered NO to any of these, you might need to reconsider.
Please keep in mind that all of the above issues have been reported but there are a great number of people who own a UMC-1 that have had NONE of these. I have had a couple and I'll still recommend the UMC-1 to anyone.
The new firmware is super compared to previous versions. Simply super. And like some posted above, it's a win/win with the 40% card and the closeout price.
Personally, I'm saving for the XMC-1 (might take till 2014) because of the TACT room correction. I'm pretty sure I won't sell my UMC-1. It just works/sounds so darn good!!
;D
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Post by hiacedrifter on Feb 16, 2012 22:33:31 GMT -5
So, you've gotten a condensed version of the last 2 years of forum posts. Ask yourself these questions: 1) If there is a drop-out of a channel and you need to press a button to get it back, it that OK? 2) Are you OK with setting things up yourself rather than plug-n-play? 3) Are you OK with calling support if something just isn't either working as it should or you just can't figure it out? 4) Can you deal with a bright light on the front of the unit at all times? 5) If needed are you willing to spend a couple hours upgrading the firmware? If you answered NO to any of these, you might need to reconsider. Please keep in mind that all of the above issues have been reported but there are a great number of people who own a UMC-1 that have had NONE of these. I have had a couple and I'll still recommend the UMC-1 to anyone. The new firmware is super compared to previous versions. Simply super. And like some posted above, it's a win/win with the 40% card and the closeout price. Personally, I'm saving for the XMC-1 (might take till 2014) because of the TACT room correction. I'm pretty sure I won't sell my UMC-1. It just works/sounds so darn good!! ;D Thanks for all the replies... xki thanks for your very helpful questions to ask myself... in order... 1. Fine... if only occasional. Is this less likely if never switching sources (I only have one) 2. No probs... if the effort is worth it. 3. I'm in the UK, so time zone might be an issue, but I'll cope. 4. Is this fixable? If not, that would bug me! 5. Yes, if only an occasional task! |
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xki
Emo VIPs
Gwack!
Posts: 1,756
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Post by xki on Feb 16, 2012 22:53:47 GMT -5
So, you've gotten a condensed version of the last 2 years of forum posts. Ask yourself these questions: 1) If there is a drop-out of a channel and you need to press a button to get it back, it that OK? 2) Are you OK with setting things up yourself rather than plug-n-play? 3) Are you OK with calling support if something just isn't either working as it should or you just can't figure it out? 4) Can you deal with a bright light on the front of the unit at all times? 5) If needed are you willing to spend a couple hours upgrading the firmware? If you answered NO to any of these, you might need to reconsider. Please keep in mind that all of the above issues have been reported but there are a great number of people who own a UMC-1 that have had NONE of these. I have had a couple and I'll still recommend the UMC-1 to anyone. The new firmware is super compared to previous versions. Simply super. And like some posted above, it's a win/win with the 40% card and the closeout price. Personally, I'm saving for the XMC-1 (might take till 2014) because of the TACT room correction. I'm pretty sure I won't sell my UMC-1. It just works/sounds so darn good!! ;D Thanks for all the replies... xki thanks for your very helpful questions to ask myself... in order... 1. Fine... if only occasional. Is this less likely if never switching sources (I only have one) 2. No probs... if the effort is worth it. 3. I'm in the UK, so time zone might be an issue, but I'll cope. 4. Is this fixable? If not, that would bug me! 5. Yes, if only an occasional task! I think you should be good to go! |
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Post by roadrunner on Feb 17, 2012 0:01:40 GMT -5
Thanks for all the replies... xki thanks for your very helpful questions to ask myself... in order... 1. Fine... if only occasional. Is this less likely if never switching sources (I only have one) 2. No probs... if the effort is worth it. 3. I'm in the UK, so time zone might be an issue, but I'll cope. 4. Is this fixable? If not, that would bug me! 5. Yes, if only an occasional task! I think you should be good to go! I have owned the UMC-1 since the first week they were released and I have never experienced a drop out of any kind. The UMC-1 is the easiest pre/pro I have seen to perform nearly limitless tweaks and obtain superb results that allow you to sculpt the output to match your every desire. Emotiva's tech support is the best I have ever found in the A/V industry. Very shortly, a European facility will be coming on-line to handle shipping and tech support. At this stage of its development, I don't think you are likely to encounter any need for tech support, but if you do Emotiva has great support techs. On the "bright light" on the UMC-1's front panel, it can be dimmed and many owners are not distracted by what light the front panel does have. I am not even aware of the lights when using the UMC-1 and it is mounted directly under the TV screen. Lastly, nearly all issue have beeen fixed and new FW releases are likely to be very infrequent. The UMC-1 is a dream machine for those who love sound quality, ease of use and enjoy tweaking the output to squeeze the best performance from their system. I love my UMC-1 and will be using it for years to come. When the XMC-1 is released, I will buy it for my main system and move the UMC-1 to my bedroom system. Audio quality is my main focus and that is what Emotiva is noted for. Their analog audio is far better than that available from the competition. Go ahead and jump on the UMC-1. At its price, it is the biggest bargain in all of A/V. Enjoy yourself at a bargain price. |
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Post by aliminas on Feb 17, 2012 6:13:31 GMT -5
For the price, UMC-1 is fairly decent pre/pro. You get quite good sound quality and nice features, like live channel trim etc; however some quirks i could not live with and mine had to go. Oh and the Blue Lazer Scorching Your Eyes!
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Post by hiacedrifter on Feb 20, 2012 1:16:38 GMT -5
For the price, UMC-1 is fairly decent pre/pro. You get quite good sound quality and nice features, like live channel trim etc; however some quirks i could not live with and mine had to go. Oh and the Blue Lazer Scorching Your Eyes! Which quirks could you not live with? Are they now fixed or just par for the course with the umc-1? Can the blue lasers be dimmed or turned off.... or do you just have to ignore them/wear Oakleys?  |
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Post by aliminas on Feb 20, 2012 7:23:25 GMT -5
Oakleys it is! Or stove the unit away, out of direct line of sight.
Quirks wise, i consider myself not too fussy and braved through occasional centre channel loss or handshake delays. The crucial straw was having to change input After Every Song due to loss of sound when processor was fed via optical in. That was with then latest firmware, updating which i never had any problems with. This might be well fixed by now.
As i said earlier, depending on your needs/use, you could be perfectly happy with it because it sounds pretty good; and it's bloody cheap, too!
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Post by dust770 on Feb 20, 2012 11:29:10 GMT -5
At 499.00 for the UMC-1 B stock which includes a 40% upgrade card and 50.00 emo buck you cant go wrong , try it if you don't like it sell it you sure wont lose money . I just reserved a UMC-1and I'm now wondering, are these B stock, as in refurbs? |
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Post by roadrunner on Feb 20, 2012 20:24:31 GMT -5
At 499.00 for the UMC-1 B stock which includes a 40% upgrade card and 50.00 emo buck you cant go wrong , try it if you don't like it sell it you sure wont lose money . I just reserved a UMC-1and I'm now wondering, are these B stock, as in refurbs? No, they are not refurbished units. They are brand new, fresh from the factory. Emotiva does sell some B-stock UMC-1, but you are told upfront they are. You receive the same warranty for B-stock as for a new unit. You also get a lower price and a 40 percent discount card, just like a new unit. All of Emotiva's B-stock products are thoroughly bench tested to ensure everything works properly. Most people are unable to tell the difference between New and B-stock because they look, smell and perform identically. |
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