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Post by unsound on Nov 20, 2014 11:11:57 GMT -5
I recently purchased a Fusion 8100 which was taking about 10s to switch HDMI sources. Emotiva sent me a replacement (their wonderful customer service in action again). The new unit switches in under 5s. The interesting thing is that the first unit had a firmware version ending in .51 whereas the new one ends in .54. I wasn't aware of there being firmware updates to the Fusion. Do you guys have the .51 or the .54?
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Post by fusioneer on Nov 20, 2014 13:20:37 GMT -5
Oh, hello there new firmware version!
I also have the .51 and have a problem with slow switching as I showed in my review. How does one go about updating firmware, short of sending it back for replacement? Any other changes you can notice?
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Post by unsound on Nov 20, 2014 14:05:48 GMT -5
I only had the .51 for about a week and got the .54 yesterday. So, I didn't have time to notice all the nuances. In the little that I've played with .54, I haven't noticed any difference at all in the OSD. To add to my switching comment above, I get video almost immediately and it's the audio that takes about 4-5 seconds with the new unit.
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Post by fusioneer on Nov 20, 2014 14:31:02 GMT -5
Thanks. The audio wouldn't bother me. It's the repeated blue screens that do (see thread "My fusion review").
The other major thing that bothers me is how it deals with interruptions in the audio stream. Don't know if you had a chance to see this much with the .51 unit, but is it something you notice with the .54? Specifically, mine slow to sync to the audio stream after an interruption, like changing channels or pausing my DVR and with some sources between songs. And it also engages the muting circuit, making the speakers pop a little. I'd love for either of these to get better.
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Post by unsound on Nov 20, 2014 15:15:50 GMT -5
Thanks. The audio wouldn't bother me. It's the repeated blue screens that do (see thread "My fusion review"). The other major thing that bothers me is how it deals with interruptions in the audio stream. Don't know if you had a chance to see this much with the .51 unit, but is it something you notice with the .54? Specifically, mine slow to sync to the audio stream after an interruption, like changing channels or pausing my DVR and with some sources between songs. And it also engages the muting circuit, making the speakers pop a little. I'd love for either of these to get better. Yes, I did see your review some time back. I think I also posted in that thread. I didn't see blue screens but I did see the image flash on and off until the handshake was finally completed with the old unit (.51). With the new unit (.54), it just comes on instantly and stays on. I didn't have any of the audio issues that you have - no odd sounds of any kind with audio interruptions. On 1 commerical (Viagra, of course), I did notice a half-second delay before the audio came on. I will see if it happens with other commercials as well. Mind you, I have no way of knowing if this is a firmware related issue. I believe other people have reported fast switching times with their fusions. I'd imagine those are .51 as they were still shipping out .51 until a couple weeks back. |
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Post by rossonero3 on Nov 20, 2014 15:26:29 GMT -5
How does the firmware get updated on these?
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Post by unsound on Nov 20, 2014 15:27:10 GMT -5
How does the firmware get updated on these? By ordering a new one  Good question, I'd like to know that too. |
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Post by fusioneer on Nov 20, 2014 15:57:34 GMT -5
Thanks unsound. I also think the unit has the potential to switch fast, it just doesn't for some devices. So I take it you haven't noticed anything odd with the old firmware either? Do you hear the muting circuit with old or new in situations like the Viagra commercial? Or DVR use? I'm trying to assess whether it's worth for me to go through some effort to upgrade the firmware, i.e. call and request files & instructions. The switching bothers me somewhat -- it actually makes the biggest difference when turning on everything, where the Fusion might get stuck to the input it's slow to bring online and end up in the wrong state. This does not go well with some users of the remote But on its own might not be worth a lot of trouble. For me, the bar for sending it back is much higher. I'm assuming the process is similar to the UMC-200 upgrades better documented here, which does sound like some effort. And getting the files in the first place, they don't appear to be posted anywhere. |
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Post by cryptic1911 on Nov 20, 2014 16:22:49 GMT -5
I only had the .51 for about a week and got the .54 yesterday. So, I didn't have time to notice all the nuances. In the little that I've played with .54, I haven't noticed any difference at all in the OSD. To add to my switching comment above, I get video almost immediately and it's the audio that takes about 4-5 seconds with the new unit. Ahhh.. I must have the .54 firmware on my unit (just bought it recently), and I actually just signed up to come and post about thataudio lag when pausing / unpausing. It's quite annoying when you pause in the middle of a scene, and after resuming, you see lips moving, but no audio. I was hoping there was some hidden setting that I hadn't seen |
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Post by unsound on Nov 20, 2014 16:22:46 GMT -5
Right, I hadn't noticed any odd sound issues with the older unit either. DVR use was fine too. My UMC-200 also doesn't have any odd sound issues. I'm assuming you've tried the "Factory defaults" solution.
Yes, I'd imagine the process is the same as the UMC-200, but I'm surprised Emotiva hasn't said anything about this newer firmware. I've never updated the UMC-200, but I did update my UMC-1 back in the day. It was a little painful, but not too bad.
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Post by fusioneer on Nov 20, 2014 16:47:13 GMT -5
unsound: I've tried Factory Defaults numerous times. It didn't help with anything.
The one that baffles me the most is the muting pop. Can you hear nothing at all? I.e. if you turn the volume all the way down, like 0.5, then mute on and off, you don't hear any pop at all? When transitioning from Mute Off to Mute On, that is.
I thought this was an endemic problem (not my specific unit), but maybe if others don't have it it might warrant asking for a replacement. It could be a bad capacitor in mine. Would get new firmware as well.
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Post by unsound on Nov 20, 2014 17:04:32 GMT -5
Just checked - completely silent on mute and unmute. I even put my ear next to the tweeter and heard nothing at all.
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Post by fusioneer on Nov 20, 2014 17:16:57 GMT -5
Wow. You are a lucky man. On mine it's loud and clear, in all speakers.
Time to ponder a replacement.
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Post by unsound on Nov 20, 2014 17:28:46 GMT -5
Wow. You are a lucky man. On mine it's loud and clear, in all speakers. Time to ponder a replacement. I think you might just have been unlucky. I've tried 2 Fusions in the last 2 weeks with neither demonstrating a problem. I got one for my sister (purchased from a lounge member), but that hasn't been hooked up yet. Keeping my fingers crossed on that - I was told the unit has no issues. Returns are always a pain, unfortunately. If you're within the 30-day window, you can have them send one out to you before you send yours back so there's no down-time. |
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Post by fusioneer on Nov 20, 2014 19:40:44 GMT -5
So the replacement is on the way. Between Amazon and Emotiva, I managed to have no Fusion downtime if the shipping is reasonably on time. It also happens that I made $50 because my initial order was just before the price drop. Not that I care much about it, as I mentioned in my review I'd pay $1K for a Fusion that works well, it's that good. Did not find a way to spend the $50 on faster shipping on emotiva.com. I hope this works out. unsound, thanks for the inspiration and the reports! I'll go ahead and at least partially attribute this to good karma from posting that initial review thread  |
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Post by unsound on Nov 20, 2014 19:47:11 GMT -5
So the replacement is on the way. Between Amazon and Emotiva, I managed to have no Fusion downtime if the shipping is reasonably on time. It also happens that I made $50 because my initial order was just before the price drop. Not that I care much about it, as I mentioned in my review I'd pay $1K for a Fusion that works well, it's that good. Did not find a way to spend the $50 on faster shipping on emotiva.com. I hope this works out. unsound, thanks for the inspiration and the reports! I'll go ahead and at least partially attribute this to good karma from posting that initial review thread Glad to be of help, fusioneer! Your review definitely played a part in me ordering the 8100, so good karma indeed Please be sure to post your firmware version when your new one arrives. If that's a .54 too and runs problem-free, we should get Emo to make the firmware available along with upgrade instructions. |
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Post by fusioneer on Nov 21, 2014 13:22:20 GMT -5
unsound: that's great to know. By the way, did you find that the sound quality lived up to my enthusiasm? I'm curious to hear from more seasoned audiophiles, i.e. those with more passion but more importantly more space (because that's my limitation) to have run the gamut of audio products.
I'll certainly post an update on the firmware and rewrite some of my review here and on Amazon if it turns out to be necessary (and I hope so).
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Post by unsound on Nov 21, 2014 14:28:01 GMT -5
unsound: that's great to know. By the way, did you find that the sound quality lived up to my enthusiasm? I'm curious to hear from more seasoned audiophiles, i.e. those with more passion but more importantly more space (because that's my limitation) to have run the gamut of audio products. I'll certainly post an update on the firmware and rewrite some of my review here and on Amazon if it turns out to be necessary (and I hope so). I did, I am very happy with the SQ of the Fusion. I'm only using it to power a 2-channel system in my living room, so I can't fully address the power output in a multi-channel system. In my usage, it's quite sufficient as the maximum I've run it at is a volume level of 55 (I believe 80 is the max) using my comcast stb as a source. Playing 2 channel content, it's loud enough at 45. My speakers are the KEF 201/2 (quite a bit more expensive than the 8100!) rated at 86 dB. Edit: In comparison to my Oppo 103, I did need to reduce the treble on the speakers by 1.5 dB (for TV material). The bass also needed to be turned down. I haven't run any measurements on the system yet and am not using any PEQs. I plan on running REW and setting up the PEQs sometime in December. |
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Post by fusioneer on Nov 21, 2014 18:41:41 GMT -5
unsound: thanks, I'm happy to know that I'm not just being a newb being overly excited about newb equipment. I'm a KEF man myself, I use the R300's, picked because they're standmounts that don't require a subwoofer. I'm helping them with the bass by bi-amping with the extra Fusion amps, and the little receiver is really making them sing. I'm trying to keep the footprint of the A/V stuff small and I would say very close to success. I might just need to try a new center, the current Martin Logan is okay but probably the weakest link in the system. My bass is just about adequate to my ears. Emotiva Auto EQ says to increase the treble but that sounds too bright to my ears so I'm just running Flat. And Happy.
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Post by unsound on Nov 21, 2014 21:04:52 GMT -5
unsound: thanks, I'm happy to know that I'm not just being a newb being overly excited about newb equipment. I'm a KEF man myself, I use the R300's, picked because they're standmounts that don't require a subwoofer. I'm helping them with the bass by bi-amping with the extra Fusion amps, and the little receiver is really making them sing. I'm trying to keep the footprint of the A/V stuff small and I would say very close to success. I might just need to try a new center, the current Martin Logan is okay but probably the weakest link in the system. My bass is just about adequate to my ears. Emotiva Auto EQ says to increase the treble but that sounds too bright to my ears so I'm just running Flat. And Happy. Maybe this will make you happier: forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/fs-kef-r200c-center-channel.92677/I was thinking about the bi-amp. I've read that this won't get me extra power, but I'm not sure I understand why not. I understand all channels share the same power supply, but the fusion is rated at 2x110W and 7x65W. Now, unless my calculator is sneakily depleting my scotch stash, one number is actually smaller than the other in spite of the same power supply. So, something doesn't add up. I'm hoping someone can explain. Do you notice a difference with the volume setting needed when bi-amped as opposed to not bi-amped? |
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