USP-1 Review

[jimbailey]

[USP-1 first impressions
Received it yesterday PM and have about 6 hours hooking it up, programming it into my Monster RF remote (Logitech system,) and listening. First and foremost, the audio quality seems to be exemplary. I listen primarily to acoustic jazz, vocals and fusion. A few CDs and HDCDs were auditioned via the ERC-1, USP-1, XPA-2, Carver Amazing speakers with the bottom octave crossed over to a Paradigm Servo sub at 50Hz so I could use the HT Bypass function. By the way, I had no trouble setting that up for a seamless transition with my gear.

Trigger output I used the USP-1 trigger output to trigger the XPA-2. This is nice since I don't have to light up all my amps when just listening to stereo audio. The UPA-2 and XPA-5 are triggered from the Marantz pre/pro via an ET-3. The Marantz is left in standby for stereo listening.

Some comments on the operational design

HT Bypass: I would have liked to use the Amazings full-range, but that's been discussed at length elsewhere on the forum.

Tape Monitor Function The tape monitor is not a classic Tape Monitor "loop" despite use of that term in the manual. Traditionally, whatever input (Phono, Tuner, CD, Aux1, Aux2) is selected always appears at the Tape outputs. When Tape Monitor is not selected, that input also is routed to the main preamp outputs. When Tape Monitor is selected the previously selected input is still routed to the tape outputs, but the Tape inputs are routed to the main preamp outputs. This allows tape/source switching on some tape decks, making it possible to listen to the material as it is being recorded.

The USP-1 doesn't work that way. When Tape Monitor is selected, the previously selected input is disabled and no longer appears at the tape outputs. So Tape Monitor is implemented just like another input and overrides the previously selected input. This means you cannot use the main preamp outputs to monitor a recording or use the "tape loop" to switch in an external processor of any kind. Hope this explanation is clear.

Mode buttons Just for your info, here's how the mode buttons work. Mono and Mute toggle their respective functions. Press once to engage, again to disengage. Tape Monitor and HT Bypass engage when pressed, but then you must select another input (CD, Phono, Tuner, Aux1 or Aux2) to disengage.

Volume control The motorized Volume control is fun to use and very smooth, but it's difficult to make fine adjustments via the remote. I would guess that the minimum change you can achieve with my RF remote is about 3db. Perhaps I need to play with this more to develop the proper "touch." Update: This helps significantly:

Aug 3, 2009 9:16:28 GMT -5 billmac said:

I recalled a setting in the 688s menu that would reduce or increase the timing for commands of the 688. After much searching in the menu I found it . If you go to the USP-1 device settings, then "Troubleshoot", then "A/V Receiver Responds to Some Commands to Many Times........" then you will see a setting with values from 0-5. The default is 3 so I set it to 0 which lessens the time of the commands of the 688 for the USP-1.

Once this setting was changed to 0 the volume level changes were much finer and all other functions (power on/off) worked fine . I am not sure if other Harmony remotes have the same type of menu or have these settings but I found it to be very helpful.

Halo lighting In my setup, the components are off to the side by about 45 degrees from the listening position and face squarely rearward. I would have liked to be able to dim or defeat the halo lighting, but it was not a big annoyance in a dark room in my setup. YMMV. The halo lighting on the slot of the ERC-1 is a distraction, but it can be turned off.

Listening first impressions With the setup described above, the sound quality is the best I've ever heard with my speakers. Dynamic range is outstanding. The whole frequency range is tight and controlled. Both my wife and I noticed subtleties in very familiar recordings that we had not heard before. Especially impressive to us was the decay of soft piano notes, usually at the end of solo piano cuts. The barely audible decays were completely stable and faded into absolute silence. And this where the average listening level for the songs was in the 80-90db range. The Amazings are power sinks, but I can get well over 100db out of them before the XPA-2 meters start venturing into the red warning zone.

[Ghumbs]

Thank you for the review. I'm very new to audio so I apologize if this question is dumb, but with regards to the Tape Monitor Function, are you saying that while recording vinyl to tape, you don't have the ability to monitor it?

Edit: I just looked in the manual and saw this:

"When the Tape Monitor button is not selected, any selected input will pass through to the Tape Monitor
outputs. When the Tape Monitor button is selected, the Tape Monitor inputs pass through to the Tape
Monitor outputs."

It seems as though the functionality is the same, however, the "Tape Mon" button needs to be pressed only when wanting to use the tape as an input.

Edit 2: Upon even further review, I think I understand the problem. Say I want to record a vinyl to tape, I can listen to the vinyl and assume that's precisely what's being taped, however, I'm not actually hearing whats being recorded to the tape. If this is the case, why did they do it this way?

[vincedog3]

Jimbailey nicely compiled and concise review on the new USP-1. The Observations of functionality will be valuable to others in the roll of investing and enjoying the USP-1. I realize that that you have only a few hours on the USP-1. Interesting thing about the tape monitor is that my Vincent SA-T1 Preamplifier worked a similar way to the USP-1.
I wonder if Emotiva did what Vincent Audio did and designed the tape monitor this way to help eliminate cross talk between the source and the "tape loop" or tape monitor. To say with 3 reel to reels and a cassette deck I am very interested to see how the tape monitor or tape loop functions.
Thank you for the review. Ghumbs thank you for excerpt from the owners manual about the tape monitor.
Definitely anticipating how the USP-1 will do in my system. Enjoy your USP-1 Jimbailey and Ghumbs.

[jimbailey]

Jul 25, 2009 11:44:55 GMT -5 Ghumbs said:

Edit 2: Upon even further review, I think I understand the problem. Say I want to record a vinyl to tape, I can listen to the vinyl and assume that's precisely what's being taped, however, I'm not actually hearing whats being recorded to the tape. If this is the case, why did they do it this way?

ghumbs, I think you're understanding: you can hear the source while recording, but not the actual feedback from the tape recorder's playback heads. Maybe I'm just a dinosaur, but I like to hear the actual recorded stuff vs. the source. Folks like me also used conventional tape monitor loops to switch in external processing. In my case it would be nice to be able to use my vintage dbx 3bx dynamic range expander with vinyl without hard wiring it sequentially into the processing loop. For most folks with other types of recording devices that don't offer source/tape monitoring, this probably isn't a big deal. E.g., "Tape, what's that?"

[henning]

Jul 25, 2009 8:48:33 GMT -5 jimbailey said:

I would have liked to use the Amazings full-range, but that's been discussed at length elsewhere on the forum.

I'm unaware of these discussions. I'll have to look for them. (The back of the unit has both fullrange and cutoff outputs, so I'm curious as to what you're talking about.)

Jul 25, 2009 8:48:33 GMT -5 jimbailey said:

Tape Monitor and HT Bypass engage when pressed, but then you must select another input (CD, Phono, Tuner, Aux1 or Aux2) to disengage.

What? That's weird. I almost understand the Tape Monitor, if it behaves as another input like you suggest. But the HT Bypass should be a toggle.

[a2058]

Henning,
For the first part, starts here:
emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=preamps&action=display&thread=5324&page=18#85977

[Lonnie]

Jul 25, 2009 11:44:55 GMT -5 Ghumbs said:

Thank you for the review. I'm very new to audio so I apologize if this question is dumb, but with regards to the Tape Monitor Function, are you saying that while recording vinyl to tape, you don't have the ability to monitor it?

Edit: I just looked in the manual and saw this:

"When the Tape Monitor button is not selected, any selected input will pass through to the Tape Monitor
outputs. When the Tape Monitor button is selected, the Tape Monitor inputs pass through to the Tape
Monitor outputs."

It seems as though the functionality is the same, however, the "Tape Mon" button needs to be pressed only when wanting to use the tape as an input.

Edit 2: Upon even further review, I think I understand the problem. Say I want to record a vinyl to tape, I can listen to the vinyl and assume that's precisely what's being taped, however, I'm not actually hearing whats being recorded to the tape. If this is the case, why did they do it this way?

Lonnie told me just now to let everyone know that he'll be addressing this issue and any other USP-1 related issues ASAP, and making some posts on them.

[vincedog3]

I guess the tape monitor doesn't bother me too much because I usually bypass the preamplfier anyway and record direct from source to the recording device. Old habit of mine. Love the USP-1. Continually running it in. Hopefully will have a review and thoughts later.

[vincedog3]

This is another example of give and take. A very interesting musical journey with the Emotiva USP-1 Stereo Preamplifier.


What I had before...The Vincent Audio SA-T1 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier


Introduction

I have a love affair with music since I was 5 and played a musical instrument, Clarinet since I was 11. My fascination with Audio Electronics and Music help quell my ADHD challenges as a child. ;D The First audio gear that got me hooked was the "Roberts" nee "Akai" Vacuum Tube Reel to Reel of 3 motors and 3 heads that had a 12au7 and 12ax7 tube preamplifier input and output section. I loved this mysterious heavy black box with these round things that would spin and move this brown tape and make music. More and more the fascination grew, and in High School it was all over for me in sports and chasing girls...ha. ;D. Audio was it. I even took a tape recorder editing and recording elective to quell my fix toward the electronics addiction I had. It didn't turn out as I expected but I still had fun.

All Growed up as they say.

Nakamichi was my next foray into high end with the LX-5 Cassette Deck I had to have with my modest audio system just out of high school. Rode my 10 speed bike to Henry Radio here in Anaheim Ca. and back in the day I looked like a 12 year kid, even though I was 19. No one would help me, and I had over $900.00 cash burning a hole in my wallet. Just crazy. Finally someone did help me, her name was Karen and she sold me the Nakamichi LX-5 Cassette Deck for $850.00 plus tax. My first bit of high end audio gear. Just loved that great deck. I had and have been a tape feign ever since. Analog was my reason for playing music for years. Turntables and Cassette Decks and Reel to Reels were the order of the day. A joke I told my friends with audio gear was that my bed was somewhere in my room, with all that audio stuff, almost just no room.

Fast Forward to Today

Selling audio gear for about 7 years straight and working for Xerox Corporation for almost 20 years, working on high end Copier Duplicators and Printers and Networks a bit it continued to drive my audio/ music addiction.

A customer came into my store and brought this Preamplifier he said I had to listen to. I said o.k. lets hook it up.

It was an "Emotiva" RSP-1 Preamplifier.


I was amazed by its sound, and asked how much he paid for it and he told me around $500.00 second hand, and from that point forward I needed to learn more about this company "Emotiva".

Absolutely hooked I bought the XPA-2 and the ERC-1 later and have been an Emotiva fan since.

Enter the USP-1

I replaced my venerable Vincent Audio SA-T1 with the new USP-1 by Emotiva and I was kind of wondering what the heck was I thinking. I sold a $1500.00 Preamplifier for one that was $399.00. Am I out of my mind???

Receiving the USP-1 from Fedex a few days ago I have been running the USP-1 nonstop to run it in or break it in as it were. At first I thought hmmm, sounds a bit harsh and edgy here. Did I really screw up here?? I said to myself be patient and let the USP-1 settle in and then hear what I think. So after 60 hours or so of run and listening here is the verdict so far.

Not all Rainbows and Buttercups but gee this Preamp has Mojo

Note I won't repeat others here as far as functionality other than to say the remote is well only fair and not quite the Emotiva Metal box vault like quality. Maybe a system remote someday Emotiva??

Build is great with that great Emotiva style with the blue light special look. Looks impressive in my rack of gear.


Chunky and solid enough though my Vincent Audio was chunkier in build and felt more Mosler Safe like. The Vincent Audio remote was a metal remote similar in quality to the Emotiva Metal remotes which is to say great.

Living with the USP-1 couldn't be easier. All my sources go right in no muss of fuss, and the only remaining addition pending is Vinyl. Still figuring that part out and am looking at options.

The sound of the USP-1 yes does remind a lot of the ERC-1, well balanced and even bodied, it has terrific detail and throws a nice sound stage and has depth like my Vincent Audio did. It is dead quiet when nothing is playing, it has good authority on the bass passages and control. Though my Vincent Audio did have more extension I think and had a greater sense of scale. Though not night and day, it was and is noticeable. If I didn't have the Vincent Audio before, all be good.

The Midrange I really like on the USP-1, the vocals male and female are nicely done though maybe a bit thinner in body than my Vincent Audio. But the detail and pace I think are better than the Vincent Audio. I noticed that I have to drive the USP-1 just a bit harder than the Vincent Audio to get the same satisfying level, but not a biggie there just an observation.

The highs are just a bit harder too than my Vincent Audio was. Solid State vs. Tubes I am sure people want to know which is better. I would hasten to say I love tubes and always will, but the USP-1 does not embarrass itself at all in tonality or engagement. It is just different flavor than the tube sound. It is leaner and with the poor source material can be meaner too. Playing my different sources especially my Tascam 2 track Reel to Reel gave some very wonderful performances from Rock to Jazz to Classical, the USP-1 is doing the business very well. Is it going to make me forget the Vincent Audio in comparison when playing my music.

Well no, again the Vincent Audio served it up my fuller and dare I say lusher than the USP-1 does, but sometimes when that happened I questioned was that all there was?? The USP-1 because it plays the details better than the Vincent Audio ever could. Leaner and cleaner is the best I can describe the difference between the Vincent Audio and the USP-1.

So in a nutshell given how hard it is to put electronics together that sounds good and still make it possible for every body to buy one, Emotiva has done it again. Absolutely great bang for the buck.

It is not going to slay any real megga dollar Preamplifiers I suspect and I think that is not a bad thing because I like the USP-1 for what it is and what it is not too.

Ultimately given all the trade offs and benefits, I believe I come out ahead with the Emotiva because of all the multi-media things I want to do that would not be friendly with the Vincent Audio. I.e. No Theater Bypass, or Subwoofer X-over and level adjustment, and also no Phono input with MM/MC support with the Vincent Audio. You have to buy that separately.

Competition closest to the USP-1 price wise would be this in my opinion if sound was the most important factor beyond feature set.

for about $200.00 more Emotiva has some competition. Some may venture with the Parasound Preamplifiers too or the Rotels.

In sum

I think the USP-1 is a terrific 2 channel Preamplifier and again still makes me excited to listen to my music and other multi-media goodies. It will remain in my system for years to come.

The Vincent Audio SA-T1 may have been in ultimate terms the better Preamplifier musically, but I think $1500.00 is going to turn a lot of people off. It was and is a good Preamplfier.

But the USP-1 gives so much back to the user and listener for so little up front.
A keeper and a great value.
Recommended Highly for the music listener and HT needing a great 2 Channel Preamplifier on the budget.
V.C.

[SticknStones]

Jim and V.C,

These are nice reports and I enjoyed the read very much! It is always fun to read others folks perspectives. I especially enjoyed the chronology of audio devices! I am waiting on the XMC but am really glad everyone is enjoying the USP-1!

[DoingOK]

Nice review........sad to say but I have a new USP-1 and UPA-2 sitting in their boxes waiting to be opened. Been very busy

[arrow]

Great reviews guys.

I've been living with the USP-1 for a week now along with the ERC-1 and UPA-2.

These replaced a Nakamichi CA-5, OMS-5 and PA-5II in my office.

My overall impression of the sound quality is a little sterile and bright. Since i replaced all three components at the same time it's impossible to make a critical determination of the individual components.

The ERC-1 remote arrived DOA but Emotiva service was exemplary and it is one of the nicest remotes I've seen.

The USP-1 remote worked fine right out of the box but it is one of the cheaper looking feeling remotes I've seen. I understand the USP-1 is built to a price point.

I received the ERC-1 and UPA-2 a week before the USP-1. Perhaps if I adn't been so imressed by the ERC-1 remote I wouldn't be so critical of the one for the pre-amp.

All in all I am very pleased with the operation of all three.

[vincedog3]

Interestingly I also spent some time with the Headphone stage of the USP-1 and found it great with my Sennheiser HD-580 headphones and very good with the AKG-701 headphones. The Senn's taking the award for me sounding richer and fuller. Also seemed the USP-1 had an easier drive with the Senn's over the AKG. The Senn's have a high impedance nominally vs. the AKG. The AKG though is very detailed telling me all on the recording, vs. the Senn's which makes a very warm seductive reason why I wanted to listen to the music in the first. So for just relaxing and closing my eyes and loving the music the Senn's are it, and for really finding out what the recording is made of, the AKG 701 is tough to beat.

[jimbailey]

Since the OP I've added an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge to my vintage Yamaha turntable. This cart seems like a great match for the USP-1 phono section. Great detail and dynamics on well-recorded LPs. Lots of low end punch, but respectable highs as well for a MM cart. I replaced a vintage Micro Acoustics 2002e which was a hot item in the day but hasn't been in production for 20+ years.

[Deleted]

JB and VC - wonderful views on the evolution of the USP 1 in your system. Many thanks for sharing your observations

[klinemj]

Here's my build to the USP-1 review: I bought mine at Emofest and got a heck of a deal!

I got home, hooked it up, and instantly noticed improved clarity and a punchier bass both on CD's and vinyl...esp. on vinyl.

My old Thorens TT never sounded so good.

On bass, what I noticed must be true. For the first time ever, our old cat (Wheezer) worked his way downstairs and settled down between my stand and the sub and sat contently listening. Quite strange...but a good indicator that he liked the bass, also!

So, here he is, giving the USP-1 "two ears up":



Mark

[vincedog3]

Hey, glad you love the USP-1 and many congrats. Love your cat. ;D

[klinemj]

Thanks Vince! Nice to meet you this weekend!

[vincedog3]

You too, I had a great time, best in a very, very long time. We have to do again next year. ;D