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Post by phatfos1 on Mar 31, 2014 10:39:39 GMT -5
I got my Control Freak last week and brought it to work today to put between my XDA-1 and Airmotiv 5s. I found that the unit showed up in poor condition. It had glue residue all over it and the volume knob was not attached to the base. The volume knob popped off in my hand when I tried to take the unit out of the box. When I turned it over I found that there was very little glue used to attach the knob to the base. The glue apparently got everywhere except where it was supposed to go. I also noticed that at lower volumes (itunes all the way up and the XDA-1 all the way up) there is a left channel bias. The left channel is several decibels louder at these low volumes. The former issue is something that I am sure I could remedy myself, although it is a quality control issue that does concern me. The latter issue, however, is clearly something within the design or manufacturing process that has gone awry.
Has anybody else found issues with their Control Freak? I sent an email to Support and I'm hoping to get a new unit that is in good cosmetic and working condition. Just wondering if there are other similar experiences out there.
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Post by phatfos1 on Mar 31, 2014 10:45:39 GMT -5
I do have the Airmotiv 5s volume control all the way up as well. Without the CF in line the speakers play at the same level regardless of volume. But once I put the CF in line the left channel is louder at low volumes.
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Post by garbulky on Mar 31, 2014 12:26:28 GMT -5
I do have the Airmotiv 5s volume control all the way up as well. Without the CF in line the speakers play at the same level regardless of volume. But once I put the CF in line the left channel is louder at low volumes. Some potentiometers (volume knobs) will exhibit a channel imbalance at lower volumes. It shouldn't be so drastic that at normal low volumes it's very noticeable. (It's not noticeable on my passive pre-amp which used a not expensive at all potentiometer). But very near to it being silent, it's not uncommon for it to occur. It may be that one of the RCA wires is damaged. As you mentioned it appeared to have some quality problems with the glue, I would return it or ask them for a replacement and see if the replcament does any different. |
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rs6
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by rs6 on Apr 1, 2014 11:28:39 GMT -5
Mine also came in and it was kind of dirty on the bottom and scratched up, but just decided to keep it since the functionality seems to be fine and you can't see that part. I like it, but a couple of things that would have made it even better for me personally would be to make the unit heavier with more tension and also make the soft "click" at the max/min point more distinct. It feels kind of weird and mushy to me. Anyways, my 2 cents.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2014 11:32:16 GMT -5
I am confused how you are all buying a brand new product and are OK with it being broken and dirty?? also not working properly....this item was delayed a ton as well...I am very shocked it is not a "great" product...but to me seems like a disappointment...
maybe because its only 60$...what if you bought an XPR5 that was scratched on the bottom? would you say oh well you cant see it anyhow.
I am confused why Emotiva is shipping these sub par items? whats going on?
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 1, 2014 12:40:50 GMT -5
Mine came in clean, functional, and in perfect condition.
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Post by kkennally on Apr 1, 2014 12:40:58 GMT -5
I received mine without issue (Balanced version)a few days ago. The left/right volume level is balanced at all volume levels and I had no blemishes of any kind.
Running mine direct from ERC-3 to my XPA-200....Sounds better than my USP-1
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Post by milsap195 on Apr 1, 2014 18:02:37 GMT -5
Has any body compared the freak to a xsp-1 yet?
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Post by phatfos1 on Apr 2, 2014 0:14:37 GMT -5
It's just at really low volumes that I have the balance issue. Anything above a certain level is fine. They are sending me a new one and were apologetic. I do not find it acceptable to have a new item show up dirty or not functioning properly, even if it was only $50. I think the feel of the device is great and it does exactly what I want it to do (aside from the low volume issue). At volumes above about 20% I find it to be a fantastic little solution to the problem I was having with my XDA-1 and itunes namely lossey digital volume control.
I'll update this thread when I get the replacement. It was shipped today. Another example of great Emotiva customer service. I just wish I didn't have to deal with customer service so often in this hobby.
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Post by mercury on Apr 2, 2014 1:33:32 GMT -5
Got mine perfect condition and working properly.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2014 6:36:45 GMT -5
good to hear it was only an isolated few instances
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Post by phatfos1 on Apr 2, 2014 9:50:01 GMT -5
I should also point out that the very fine incremental volume control is super nice. I did find that aside from the resolution loss, the steps on the XDA were too wide--and certainly trying to slide my way to a comfortable volume within iTunes was a no-go. The CF does allow for very fine and very quick adjustments, and it feels so nice in the hand that small adjustments during more dynamic songs is not annoying at all. People often come in to talk to me in my office so it's nice to have a convenient and accurate volume control at my fingertips.
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Post by musicinmymind on Apr 4, 2014 0:29:35 GMT -5
What about SQ, is it really a lossless equipment
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Post by creimes on Apr 4, 2014 0:48:59 GMT -5
What about SQ, is it really a lossless equipment It's just a plain old volume potentiometer so yes what goes in comes out, there are no electronics of any sort to add to the sound, I'm ordering one right away, I will go straight from my ERC-1 to my XPA-5 for 2 channel listening, see if I will be able to tell a difference from my PT-7030 processor being in the chain. Chad |
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Post by cwmcobra on Apr 4, 2014 7:58:31 GMT -5
That will be an interesting comparison. Especially for those of us that have the 7030 as well.
Cheers!
Chuck
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Post by creimes on Apr 4, 2014 11:35:49 GMT -5
So whats the verdict on the channel imbalance at low volumes, is it more likely the unbalanced version with the RCA cables maybe due to the 2 gang instead of the 4 gang, I have placed my order for the unbalanced control freak and as well as some cables, I usually like to listen louder anyways  Chad |
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Post by phatfos1 on Apr 4, 2014 15:24:30 GMT -5
I'll def update when I get the replacement unit which shipped early this week.
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Post by creimes on Apr 4, 2014 16:48:52 GMT -5
Mine came in clean, functional, and in perfect condition. Boom did you grab the unbalanced or balanced CF |
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 5, 2014 5:43:33 GMT -5
Mine came in clean, functional, and in perfect condition. Boom did you grab the unbalanced or balanced CF Both |
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Post by bub on Apr 5, 2014 8:04:48 GMT -5
One of each ? Both clean and fully operational ?
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