LMC-1 Review

[algreen345]

I don't know why there aren't any LMC-1 Reviews here on this board. Perhaps there were some that got deleted? It's a shame because it is a nice pre/pro for the prices you can get it today used.

I bought mine from a member on this board and it arrived three days later in pristine condition. Not a scratch anywhere and most of the package contents looked like they were never unpacked. The LMC-1 replaces an old Yamaha rx-v657 that I had been using to drive an XPA-3 in a two channel setup in my small den (18x12). The Yamaha was a fine receiver in its day, and still sounds OK driving the speakers. But the XPA-3 really opened up the soundstage and dynamics on my Axiom M3v2's. However, I always felt that the Yamaha compressed the mid-range and lost a lot of detail in complex recordings. It also took up a lot of space in my AV rack, and I was happy to get the svelt LMC-1 in its place.

The LMC-1 has a clean and open sound that immediately cleared up the mid-range, and extended highs and lows. I use an Oppo BluRay player in analog for sounds, and connect it, my DTV, and my WDTV all to my Panasonic Plasma directly via HDMI. I find the Oppo sounds terrific via analog out to the LMC-1, which I use in bypass mode.

I briefly tried the HDMI switcher but couldn't get it to work correctly. Maybe I wired it wrong. Switching inputs on the TV is no big deal, and I don't really care about HDMI audio since I'm only using 2 channels (and HDMI isn't about audio fidelity anyway).

I tested the tuner and it sounds as good as the old Luxman Tuner I had some years ago, which is pretty great. The LMC-1 doesn't have a lot of surround modes or fancy features. The OSD is basic, and the setup is simple. But for my limited needs, this pre/pro is a marked upgrade from my aging budget receiver. I enjoy the greater audio fidelity and like the fact that I now have dedicated separates.

I'm sure there are pre/pro's that sound better, but as far as I'm concerned there are no better bargains than a used LMC-1.

Once, the UMC-1 ships in 2012... I'll wait around for some of you to get bored with it...

[SticknStones]

Good plug for the LMC-1! Thanks for sharing!

[cgolf]

Aug 23, 2009 12:49:37 GMT -5 algreen345 said:

I don't know why there aren't any LMC-1 Reviews here on this board. Perhaps there were some that got deleted? It's a shame because it is a nice pre/pro for the prices you can get it today used.

I bought mine from a member on this board and it arrived three days later in pristine condition. Not a scratch anywhere and most of the package contents looked like they were never unpacked. The LMC-1 replaces an old Yamaha rx-v657 that I had been using to drive an XPA-3 in a two channel setup in my small den (18x12). The Yamaha was a fine receiver in its day, and still sounds OK driving the speakers. But the XPA-3 really opened up the soundstage and dynamics on my Axiom M3v2's. However, I always felt that the Yamaha compressed the mid-range and lost a lot of detail in complex recordings. It also took up a lot of space in my AV rack, and I was happy to get the svelt LMC-1 in its place.

The LMC-1 has a clean and open sound that immediately cleared up the mid-range, and extended highs and lows. I use an Oppo BluRay player in analog for sounds, and connect it, my DTV, and my WDTV all to my Panasonic Plasma directly via HDMI. I find the Oppo sounds terrific via analog out to the LMC-1, which I use in bypass mode.

I briefly tried the HDMI switcher but couldn't get it to work correctly. Maybe I wired it wrong. Switching inputs on the TV is no big deal, and I don't really care about HDMI audio since I'm only using 2 channels (and HDMI isn't about audio fidelity anyway).

I tested the tuner and it sounds as good as the old Luxman Tuner I had some years ago, which is pretty great. The LMC-1 doesn't have a lot of surround modes or fancy features. The OSD is basic, and the setup is simple. But for my limited needs, this pre/pro is a marked upgrade from my aging budget receiver. I enjoy the greater audio fidelity and like the fact that I now have dedicated separates.

I'm sure there are pre/pro's that sound better, but as far as I'm concerned there are no better bargains than a used LMC-1.

Once, the UMC-1 ships in 2012... I'll wait around for some of you to get bored with it...

I've had my LMC since they came out and love it. Yes it's basic but I like that. Works great, does everything I need and it will be my 2 channel pre/pro in our game room after I replace it with the UMC or whatever in the media room. ;D

[knucklehead]

After owning an LMC-1 for a few weeks - then jumping at the offer by ShopOnkyo for a refurbed SC885 for $529 - I decided to go back to the LMC-1 so I bought another one. I sold the SC885 for well over what I paid for it - damn near enough to cover the price of the second LMC-1.

Sound quality differences between the two isn't worth nit-picking over although the DAC in the 885 is better - it isn't a huge difference. They sound very similar.

Operationally they differ greatly. The SC885 was extremely slow at switching HDMI - the switcher that comes with the LMC-1 is functional and lets me watch tv without needing the LMC/amp on.

The only area that I feel the LMC-1 could have been improved on - at least for me - is in the area of speaker setup. Crossover points are not flexible - sub settings are crude - a 2db jump at a time does not allow for fine tuning. Other than that it is a great unit - and it matches my UPA-7 perfectly. The SC885 may be good looking on its own but sitting above my UPA-7 it always seemed out of place.

The LMC-1 will be on my audio rack for some time to come - at least until the UMC-1 is proved out and ready for prime time. I won't be so fast to replace this gem next time something catches my eye.

Oh, and a word on the new sub - the Elemental Designs A5-350 -

AWESOME!

Too bad Emo is so slow getting theirs to market - I just didn't feel like waiting any longer - the Infinity PS212 is a great sub for music - not so great for HT. It never did what the A5 can do - shake the floor!

[bfisher]

Thumbs Up

I did the same thing - I purchased a LMC-1 used and have been very happy with it. Oppo Blu-ray analog 7.1 out into the LMC-1 works great.

I don't use the HDMI switcher with the LMC-1, it introduced some hum for some reason. So I have a $20 automatic HDMI switcher I bought from Amazon doing it for me. I also wired the component video up to my projector so I can use the display when needed... but as knucklhead points out - the calibration settings are pretty weak.

The inability to adjust distances to each speaker seperately is my issue. 1 of my side speakers is about 2' farther away - but on the LMC they are set the same distance. Not a major issue - just not as ideal as it could be.

The LMC-1 is a bargain and looks great in the rack. I'm not in a rush for the UMC-1/XMC-1 because I spent $250 (or whatever, close to that) to pick up this little gem

(oh yeah - I too have a A5-350... and it's a bargain too!)

[MSchoen]

Does the LMC-1 have support for someone trying to run an integrated 2channel and HT system? ie: USP-1 to lmc-1 using HT bypass?

[oneliterpeter]

Nov 17, 2009 13:15:48 GMT -5 MSchoen said:

Does the LMC-1 have support for someone trying to run an integrated 2channel and HT system? ie: USP-1 to lmc-1 using HT bypass?

Dude... If you don't hate me already... You will soon enough. ;D

Your left and right main audio outs are the only thing that connects the LMC-1 or any other prepro to the USP-1 and the only reason why you would connect it up at all is so that you don't have to buy two sets of speakers and amps.

It works like this...

HT bypass enabled... Signal goes from your prepro to the USP-1 then straight out to the amp and then to the speakers.

HT bypass disabled... USP-1 is now handling whatever audio you have plugged into it and sends the signal out to the amp and speakers.

You can of course do some really neat things like... Listen to the audio of say Ironman on the center and surround speakers while you listen to Beethovens 5th symphony on your mains.

[ddmex101]

Thanks for you post I rhave a used LMC-1 but is there a difference in sound quality between LMC-1 and USP-1? OR should I just sell the LMC-1 and get the UMC-1 for a good 2 channel audio sound?

If I can just bypass the LMC-1 and use the USP-1 for my 2 channel listening that would be great!

Nov 17, 2009 16:58:21 GMT -5 oneliterpeter said:

Nov 17, 2009 13:15:48 GMT -5 MSchoen said:

Does the LMC-1 have support for someone trying to run an integrated 2channel and HT system? ie: USP-1 to lmc-1 using HT bypass?

Dude... If you don't hate me already... You will soon enough. ;D

Your left and right main audio outs are the only thing that connects the LMC-1 or any other prepro to the USP-1 and the only reason why you would connect it up at all is so that you don't have to buy two sets of speakers and amps.

It works like this...

HT bypass enabled... Signal goes from your prepro to the USP-1 then straight out to the amp and then to the speakers.

HT bypass disabled... USP-1 is now handling whatever audio you have plugged into it and sends the signal out to the amp and speakers.

You can of course do some really neat things like... Listen to the audio of say Ironman on the center and surround speakers while you listen to Beethovens 5th symphony on your mains.