FAQ: USP-1 Diagram Validated

[SticknStones]

Hello everyone! I have been loving this forum and Emotiva since the first of the year when I bought the XPA-3 then recently the ERC-1 (wrote a long review that took me 6 weeks to finish). I am slowly upgrading my system and waiting for the right products.

I am on the pre-order list for the XMC and did not think I would ever need a USP-1 but given the commentary from Lonnie and most of you it does seem like a good fit that would still be used for all things analog even with the XMC.

So now I have to figure out how to make the configuration work with my system and struggled with the USP-1 manual. I asked Dann today if he would send me the back photo of the USP-1 so I could mock up the config and got the picture like presto (Thank you Dann).

I re-read the USP-1 and I don't know maybe I am daft sometimes but I still could not tell how I was supposed to connect this thing up with my Denon AVR and use my sub for both devices.

I ended up downloading the Parasound 2100 Manual Parasound Manual and printed their schematic that showed me how to make the inline connections.

Here is the result: Please let me know if I got this right and then I am pretty certain it will go in the cart.

Thanks for your participation and thanks Emotiva!



I changed the thread title as this is now a validated configuration and I have the USP-1 Being delivered on the December 2009 Wednesday afternoon!

[roadrunner]

The only thing I would change is to move the L - R speaker out on the USP-1 to the High Pass connectors. That is the only way the HT ByPass switch will work.

You currently show that you have the Full Range Speaker output on the USP-1. I don't know if the sub would even play with this analog connection. The Full Range connector is meant to be used with Towers that have excellent bass performance and don't need a sub. Also, the L- R speakers will NOT pass thru if you use the Full Range speaker connections. I hope that makes sense. If not, PM me and I will provide much more detail. Good luck.

[ratmice]

The problem is the Parasound allows use of the HT bypass with the full range outs, whereas the USP-1 does not. So I believe you would have to have the high-pass outputs connected to the amp instead of the full range. This means you will be limited by the low end of the highpass output for your main speakers.

check out the previous USP-1 thread for more info.

p.s. obviously writeen at the same time as the above post.
The sub should play as all outputs are active simultaneously, I think.

[SticknStones]

Sept 17, 2009 17:55:01 GMT -5 ratmice said:

The problem is the Parasound allows use of the HT bypass with the full range outs, whereas the USP-1 does not. So I believe you would have to have the high-pass outputs connected to the amp instead of the full range. This means you will be limited by the low end of the highpass output for your main speakers.

check out the previous USP-1 thread for more info.

p.s. obviously writeen at the same time as the above post.
The sub should play as all outputs are active simultaneously, I think.

Ratmice and RoadRunner,
Okay thanks for the feedback. So if I move the L/R to High Pass will I still get the cross-over around 60Hz and is that like the LFE+Sub setting where those frequencies are output on both sub and mains? My B&W's have 4 total woofers that I still want to optimize in my setup.

My sub is not near good enough quality to have my B&W's act like satellite speakers for F/L. The sub is 10 yrs old with a 80W monoaural amp versus the B&W 804 having the XPA-3 so I really need the traditional bass range to be driven by the mains. Once the Emotiva subs come out then I will do that upgrade as well. I kind of like doing it a little at a time as I get to appreciate each improvement individually.

[doug917]

Moving the R/L to High Pass will allow you to control both what will be the highest frequency on the sub (Low Pass filter) as well as what the lowest frequency the L/R will play back (High Pass filter). This is the way to go for total control!

[Mr. Ben]

You must move the USP-1 outputs to the high pass connections, or else the HT bypass won't work. You don't have the option to use the full range outputs and HT bypass. If you turn the HP crossover dial down to 50, your main speakers will still get 50Hz+ frequencies, but not below (well, it's a slope, but I digress).

This should sound good, I don't think you'd want to send frequencies lower than that to your mains anyway.

[SticknStones]

Thank you everyone! I corrected the diagram and appreciate your inputs!

[ratmice]

Diagram looks correct now. Even the significant other should be able to hook it up. :-)

[klinemj]

sticksnstones...nice graphics! Also, from what I read, unless you didn't list them - it doesn't look like you currently have surrounds and centers. Is that correct? If so, I'd try running the front channels into the USP-1 in full range and only the sub into the low pass. You may or may not like that better for now if you think your sub is weak, as you note.

But then, once you add the surrounds and center, then of course run the fronts through the high pass filter inputs (as you can't HT pypass any other way) and also get a more powerful sub.

[SticknStones]

Sept 24, 2009 20:29:44 GMT -5 klinemj said:

sticksnstones...nice graphics! Also, from what I read, unless you didn't list them - it doesn't look like you currently have surrounds and centers. Is that correct? If so, I'd try running the front channels into the USP-1 in full range and only the sub into the low pass. You may or may not like that better for now if you think your sub is weak, as you note.

But then, once you add the surrounds and center, then of course run the fronts through the high pass filter inputs (as you can't HT pypass any other way) and also get a more powerful sub.

Thanks for the compliment. I did not document the whole setup. I have a DVDO Iscan that has a Digital Audio conx to Denon and a component video to Denon just for the Denon menus. All my video connections go through the DVDO which is an Anchor Bay technology with the HDMI 1080P video processing. I do have the other 5.1 connectors on the Denon where the XPA-3 does FL/C/FR and I use the Denon Amp for the surrounds.

My plan is USP-1 for all things Analog, XMC to retire the Denon and DVDO, and XPA-2 for L/R, new emo sub, new ERD and Center. My audio upgrade is a process that moves at the speed of money and Emotiva product releases!

I was struggling to figure out how to use the USP-1 with what I have and everyone was very helpful.

[oneliterpeter]

Sept 17, 2009 20:37:11 GMT -5 ratmice said:

Diagram looks correct now. Even the significant other should be able to hook it up. :-)

Well... Almost correct.

He's got the right and left channels going to the amp reversed.

Remember... You're looking at the rear of the unit.

[SticknStones]

Oct 23, 2009 16:17:33 GMT -5 oneliterpeter said:

Sept 17, 2009 20:37:11 GMT -5 ratmice said:

Diagram looks correct now. Even the significant other should be able to hook it up. :-)

Well... Almost correct.

He's got the right and left channels going to the amp reversed.

Remember... You're looking at the rear of the unit.

Ugh, You know I have to change that now as it will drive me nuts.

[oneliterpeter]

Oct 23, 2009 16:40:47 GMT -5 SticknStones said:

Oct 23, 2009 16:17:33 GMT -5 oneliterpeter said:

Well... Almost correct.

He's got the right and left channels going to the amp reversed.

Remember... You're looking at the rear of the unit.

Ugh, You know I have to change that now as it will drive me nuts.

I do have to give you props on the nice diagram though. ;D

[SticknStones]

Oct 23, 2009 21:21:33 GMT -5 oneliterpeter said:

Oct 23, 2009 16:40:47 GMT -5 SticknStones said:

Ugh, You know I have to change that now as it will drive me nuts.

I do have to give you props on the nice diagram though. ;D

Okay, I fixed it and continue to thank you all for your support. I use Microsoft Visio to create the diagrams, Save them in Portable Network Graphics format PNG, and then post to Flickr.

I hope to be buying the USP1 very soon!

[SticknStones]

My USP-1 is supposed to deliver today! I ran XLR's for the sub as it is a 25' run. I am interested to see if the XLR or RCA make a difference at that distance.

I have all my connections ready all I have to do is put it in the cabinet and sneak the boxes in the attic. I keep forgetting to tell my wife about my emo spending! ;D

2:00 EST 12/02/09 - Fedex Air truck passes my house and I think he is going to wrong house. I stop him on the return route and find out he is FedEx Air and the FedEx ground has my box. I went through this with the XPA where the time before they get here or my wife drives me nuts!

3:18 EST 12/02/09 - Another FedEx Ground truck passes my house and stops at neighbors. I ask him if he has a package for me and sez "Nope". I said well I am expecting a package today and he sez "Must be on the Home Delivery truck". Geesh they have several different categories of delivery. I called to verify my address as it does not say on the tracking notice. It is coming to the right address. The wife will be home any minute. Ugh, gonna have to hide and say its a Christmas present. Technically true as it will be mine!

Oops, I forgot to update this: Updated December 31, 2009

I did get the delivery and hooked everything up! The first time I played the unit it was immediately apparent that I was going to have to recalibrate as the sub was way to strong. Here is where I am with my settings thus far;

Denon:
Speakers small
LFE + main 80Hz
0 dB

USP-1:
Using XLR on Sub
Hi Pass 50Hz
Lo Pass set at about 11:00 or about 90dB

Rocket UFW 10:
LFE On
Cross over 150Hz as precaution
Phase 90
Gain - Used SPL to set all outputs to +/-75dB

Parametric EQ Settings still need to tweak.

I have not had much time with going to SFO on work assignments, and home time to truly get to do the final tweakings. I must say however that I am achieving sound quality that I have personally never experienced in my home audio and it is just fantastic! I do have to send my unit into EMO at some point on the Headphone as it does bleed to mains. This is a smaller priority at the moment. I do use my headphones almost daily using the HT Bypass for football games and such as the girls go to bed so much earlier than I.

I will do a much more formal posting of impressions in the not to distant future. Clearly a thumbs up right now! The configuration diagram above was used but I took advantage of the XLR connection instead of the RCA and works great!

SAFETY NOTE:

I had ground loop problems with my newly acquired sub as the new rocket has the amp on the sub versus separate amp in the cabinet like the NHT had. I used the cheater plug for about one week and ordered the Hum-x product
and it has worked great as well.

[Animo]

I could use a diagram like that to hook up my new SMS EQ.

[SticknStones]

Thanks Animo! I use Visio to draw my connectors and paste the images in Visio then host the finals on Flickr. I like flickr as it is easy to adust the image size that I want which allows me to blow it up to a larger size.

I also updated the post before Animo and totally forgot to continue the Fed-Ex saga plus tell everyone how it was going and it is going very well! ;D

[LCSeminole]

This thread is just what I needed to see. I ordered a b-stock USP-1 from Jana today and should get it tomorrow or Monday. I can't wait to get my 2 channel music up and running!!! ;D

[deftone]

Nice and informative diagrams.Please help and let me know how do i connect 3UPA-1 to USP-1 to UMC-1 to XPA-3.Thanks.Rather confusing for a newbie like me.Plan to get the 3 UPA-1 to dive my front LCR,USP-1 for L/R for stereo channel and the XPA-3 for the rears and Sub.Thanks.Any help will be much appreciated.

[ratmice]

The L/R mains would be hooked up just like shown above, except that the outputs from the USP go to 2 of the UPAs, instead of 2 channels of the XPA (as shown above). The center channel pre-out from the UMC-1 would go to the third UPA and then to the center speaker.