|
Post by akbungle on Feb 17, 2010 14:25:04 GMT -5
I thought I would give my first thoughts going from RX-V665 to the UMC-1. OMFG! huge improvement!!! Way more clarity, separation, depth, and sound stage. I did have a couple of issues getting it up and going. One is that the remote I received only works with the battery cover off. I have a PS3 and it does lose the sound between clicks but compared to the issue I have with the 665 not showing video after stopping a game or movie the clicking seems like nothing. Also on a "funny after the fact" note I first set it up and was getting no sound so I was think "just my f'ing luck I got a blown processor but of course just used the 7.1 inputs rather than the the pre-outs. repost
|
|
|
Post by bobn4burton on Feb 17, 2010 18:56:41 GMT -5
So I know there are a few of you in this thread who have already (or will soon) replace your 665/663 with the UMC-1.
If any of you are wanting to sell your 665/663, please send me a PM, I might be interested...
|
|
|
Post by majestyk on Feb 22, 2010 5:41:13 GMT -5
Does this mean the 663 sounds better than the 665 using it as a pre/pro?
|
|
|
Post by bobn4burton on Feb 28, 2010 13:28:52 GMT -5
Does this mean the 663 sounds better than the 665 using it as a pre/pro? I believe he was just referring to the amp section as the 665 has less power than the 663. Correct me if I'm wrong...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2010 16:56:22 GMT -5
Sound quality wise, the UMC is the hands down winner over the 665.
I had the UMC in my system and compared it directly to the 665 which I am very familiar with since it I've owned it over a year. Unfortunately, I returned the UMC because the Yamaha wipes the floor with it in terms of functionality. It works every time and has never faltered. Having said that, I will probably try the UMC in the near future once it is made more stable.
|
|
cgolf
Emo VIPs
Posts: 4,613
|
Post by cgolf on Feb 28, 2010 17:02:01 GMT -5
I also just replaced a 665 with a UMC-1. I agree 100%, the UMC sound is much fuller and more detailed. I've boxed up the 665 just in case I return the UMC but right now I'm planning on keeping the UMC.
My setup is easy and uncomplicated. I have a cable box and a blu ray hooked to it and everthing SEEMS to be working OK right now. Still some tweeking to do but the sound so far is fantastic. ;D
I'll give it a week or so before I make my final decision.
|
|
|
Post by Nodscene on Feb 28, 2010 20:19:29 GMT -5
Glad to hear there is that much of an improvement in sound. I have an older POS RX-V550 that's on its last legs (no sound in front channels unless I connect to zone B, also opticals are shot) and since I've connected my Angstrom speakers I haven't stopped listening to music as it sounds so amazing. Just waiting for the UMC and then I'll be able to connect that to the UPA-7.
|
|
|
Post by moe on Feb 28, 2010 21:02:10 GMT -5
Glad to hear there is that much of an improvement in sound. I have an older POS RX-V550 that's on its last legs (no sound in front channels unless I connect to zone B, also opticals are shot) and since I've connected my Angstrom speakers I haven't stopped listening to music as it sounds so amazing. Just waiting for the UMC and then I'll be able to connect that to the UPA-7. I predict when you hear music on the UMC you will want to listen to every bit of music you have again.
|
|
|
Post by carbonsummit on Mar 1, 2010 17:22:26 GMT -5
Ok I've been reading about peoples problems with the UMC-1 and native resolution. I can't say I follow exactly what the problem is but I know I hook everything to my 663 and never have a problem.
Those who own the UMC now what problems are you having now that you didn't have with your Yamaha. I want better SQ and PQ but not at the expense of fighting one problem or bug after another.
|
|
odeen
Emo VIPs
Posts: 107
|
Post by odeen on Mar 1, 2010 17:54:47 GMT -5
Ok I've been reading about peoples problems with the UMC-1 and native resolution. I can't say I follow exactly what the problem is but I know I hook everything to my 663 and never have a problem. Those who own the UMC now what problems are you having now that you didn't have with your Yamaha. I want better SQ and PQ but not at the expense of fighting one problem or bug after another. That's because the V663 does no video processing beyond analog-digital conversion and 480i to 480p deinterlacing. When fed a 480P or better signal through HDMI, the V663 simply strips the audio out of it and sends it to the display. Since the processing is minimal, there are minimal bugs. The UMC-1 deinterlaces and upconverts all the way to 1080P, so it's much more "involved" in the video stream. Consequently, there's more room for error. As a result, we - Occasionally lose audio wholesale
- Occasionally lose JUST the center channel
- A small signal interruption from a satellite receiver or cable box can cause the UMC-1 to renegotiate a DD 5.1 signal down to DD 2.0.
|
|
|
Post by johnnyg on Mar 1, 2010 18:12:14 GMT -5
As a result, we - Occasionally lose audio wholesale
- Occasionally lose JUST the center channel
- A small signal interruption from a satellite receiver or cable box can cause the UMC-1 to renegotiate a DD 5.1 signal down to DD 2.0.
Here's what I have done to help make the center/complete audio loss less aggravating until a firmware fix is ready: On my remote (Harmony 900) I have added a button called "Restore Audio" to the top section - when pressed it sends the discrete input for the current input. It is much faster than switching to another input and back again and reliably restores the missing audio channel(s).
|
|
|
Post by Topend on Mar 1, 2010 21:12:35 GMT -5
I have the RX-V3800. I am happy with the SQ and as for the PQ, I pass thru from a Oppo 83 in 1080p straight to the TV. Therefore PQ is very good. My main beef is the lack of on screen volume display.
I have concidered upgrading to the RX-V3900 or waiting for the next model to be released. This would prove costly. The other concideration is the UMC-1 or wait for the XMC-1. In Australia I could sell my 3800 for the cost of the UMC-1. I have been notified I should get my UMC-1 in April if I choose to go ahead.
Decisions?
|
|
|
Post by carbonsummit on Mar 1, 2010 23:57:35 GMT -5
Ok I've been reading about peoples problems with the UMC-1 and native resolution. I can't say I follow exactly what the problem is but I know I hook everything to my 663 and never have a problem. Those who own the UMC now what problems are you having now that you didn't have with your Yamaha. I want better SQ and PQ but not at the expense of fighting one problem or bug after another. That's because the V663 does no video processing beyond analog-digital conversion and 480i to 480p deinterlacing. When fed a 480P or better signal through HDMI, the V663 simply strips the audio out of it and sends it to the display. Since the processing is minimal, there are minimal bugs. The UMC-1 deinterlaces and upconverts all the way to 1080P, so it's much more "involved" in the video stream. Consequently, there's more room for error. As a result, we - Occasionally lose audio wholesale
- Occasionally lose JUST the center channel
- A small signal interruption from a satellite receiver or cable box can cause the UMC-1 to renegotiate a DD 5.1 signal down to DD 2.0.
I realize how the 663 handles video. I was reading a lot of people were just setting the UMC-1 to pass through which is what the 663 does for all practial purposes. Maybe I misunderstood what people were doing to avoid problems.
|
|
|
Post by bobn4burton on Mar 3, 2010 4:18:29 GMT -5
Ok I've been reading about peoples problems with the UMC-1 and native resolution. I can't say I follow exactly what the problem is but I know I hook everything to my 663 and never have a problem. Those who own the UMC now what problems are you having now that you didn't have with your Yamaha. I want better SQ and PQ but not at the expense of fighting one problem or bug after another. That's because the V663 does no video processing beyond analog-digital conversion and 480i to 480p deinterlacing. When fed a 480P or better signal through HDMI, the V663 simply strips the audio out of it and sends it to the display. Since the processing is minimal, there are minimal bugs. The UMC-1 deinterlaces and upconverts all the way to 1080P, so it's much more "involved" in the video stream. Consequently, there's more room for error. As a result, we - Occasionally lose audio wholesale
- Occasionally lose JUST the center channel
- A small signal interruption from a satellite receiver or cable box can cause the UMC-1 to renegotiate a DD 5.1 signal down to DD 2.0.
While what you say is technically true...it is still no excuse. There are PLENTY of higher end AVR's that do all the video processing the UMC does and they all work flawlessly (for the most part). So yes, the UMC does a lot more to video streams than a 665...however, that is still no excuse for all the bugs that users are experiencing. I've been following the UMC for quite some time now on the boards and have come to the conclusion: UMC can sound fantastic. UMC has quite a few bugs (even after the last firmware update). These bugs are not random/exotic bugs that only happen in rare circumstances...but hard bugs that should have been caught before product hit the market. Bugs like the messed up EMO-Q settings for some people and the subwoofer EQ that has no effect on subwoofer output and the speaker level settings that are 'saved' in the GUI but don't stick after a power cycle (even though the GUI is reporting the correct level...the actual level output is wrong until you change the setting). Anyways...your post just seemed like it was cutting Emotiva some slack because the video processing is 'complicated'? I don't buy that...two many other brands handle this 'complicated' video processing flawlessly. Having said all the above...I'm still interested in possibly getting a UMC-1. All the positive feedback on SQ and features make the UMC-1 a perfect choice for me. However...I'm following progress to see if the bugs all get ironed out. Bottom line...Emotiva is just inexperienced when it comes to pre/pro's. They have some great hardware to work with, they just need to iron out the bugs and the UMC should be a great unit.
|
|
tknice
Sensei
Movies!
Posts: 358
|
Post by tknice on Mar 3, 2010 11:39:19 GMT -5
Add another...I have a 663 hooked up to a UPA-7 and plan on getting the UMC-1. I'm also a little nervous about the stability of this unit.
|
|
|
Post by moe on Mar 3, 2010 11:45:43 GMT -5
Flawlessly(for the most part)? I've been thinking about getting an avr for another room,which ones are truly flawless?
|
|
cgolf
Emo VIPs
Posts: 4,613
|
Post by cgolf on Mar 3, 2010 11:50:49 GMT -5
As I've posted in the past, I went from a 665 to the UMC. My 665 is currently for sale on ebay. After playing with the UMC for about a week, I am still nervous. I love the way it sounds and it SEEMS to be working OK but I still need to test it and play with it.
As a backup plan, I bought an Onkyo RC180 from another forum member here in case I decide to return the UMC. I really don't know anything about the RC180 but it should work fine as a prepro until I decide what to do. ;D
|
|
|
Post by moparmudder on Mar 3, 2010 12:41:17 GMT -5
Has anyone compared a Z-11 to the UMC?
|
|
|
Post by carbonsummit on Mar 4, 2010 1:26:37 GMT -5
I've got the day off tomorrow so I'm up listening to some music. This may be the Captain Morgan talking but man the 663 sounds good right now. I'm listening to two channel hooked to my Klipsch Cornwalls and two subs. If I get the improved SQ from the UMC-1 everyone with 663/665 is talking about I'll be thrilled even more!!!
|
|
|
Post by carbonsummit on Dec 18, 2010 1:23:27 GMT -5
Trying to decide if I should jump off the fence and buy the UMC-1 now that the problems seem to be getting dealt with.
Any Yamaha owners who went to the UMC-1 have any insight for me about the differences between the two?
|
|