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Post by rvallejos on Jan 19, 2010 17:40:30 GMT -5
I realize I might be asking in the wrong forum but with the UMC 1 being 2-3 months out for me should I jump ship and pull the trigger on the Integra $945 new, if some one can maybe give pro and con with this unit any help would be appreciated.
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Post by billmac on Jan 19, 2010 18:26:57 GMT -5
I realize I might be asking in the wrong forum but with the UMC 1 being 2-3 months out for me should I jump ship and pull the trigger on the Integra $945 new, if some one can maybe give pro and con with this unit any help would be appreciated. That is a great price for the 9.9 especially being new and hopefully with a full warranty, I would go for it. I have the Onkyo 886 which is basically the same as the 9.9 and I think it is an excellent prepro. You can always get the UMC-1 when it will be available and do a comparison  . Bill |
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Post by towen7 on Jan 19, 2010 19:48:04 GMT -5
Just a second while I put on my flame proof jacket...
The UMC is reportedly a little buggy but will likely be fixed by a firmware patch soon. If you can afford to wait than why not see what happens by then. If you need something now and dont mind spending the extra money than get the Integra.
Keep in mind that sound quality is very, bery subjective and any claims at the moment that the Emo has better sound qualility is:
1. made by someone who pre-ordered the UMC and by that very fact can be swayed to think so
2. made by someone who has not done direct comaprisons
Pros -
Avaialble now
Bug free
Cons -
Money
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Post by rvallejos on Jan 19, 2010 19:48:43 GMT -5
unfortunatly its one or the other and im on the second preorderlist so I think its going to be awhile  |
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Post by beekermartin on Jan 19, 2010 21:25:48 GMT -5
unfortunatly its one or the other and im on the second preorderlist so I think its going to be awhile I also have the 886. I have been very happy with it. It has a few more features than the UMC-1 and it sounds excellent in my setup. I am using only digital sources. I imagine it is possible the UMC-1 may sound a bit better with analog sources but even that is debatable. Both of them can be tweaked in so many ways that you can make them sound anyway you want them to. I already received the email to contact Emotiva with my CC info so they can ship me the UMC-1. I wanted to do a comparison between the 886 and UMC-1 but after reading about all the problems I am a bit apprehensive. I have thought about ordering one now to try out and then selling it. I am a bit curious what it would sell for on Ebay right now!  |
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Post by chazk13 on Jan 19, 2010 21:42:07 GMT -5
unfortunatly its one or the other and im on the second preorderlist so I think its going to be awhile I also have the 886. I have been very happy with it. It has a few more features than the UMC-1 and it sounds excellent in my setup. I am using only digital sources. I imagine it is possible the UMC-1 may sound a bit better with analog sources but even that is debatable. Both of them can be tweaked in so many ways that you can make them sound anyway you want them to. I already received the email to contact Emotiva with my CC info so they can ship me the UMC-1. I wanted to do a comparison between the 886 and UMC-1 but after reading about all the problems I am a bit apprehensive. I have thought about ordering one now to try out and then selling it. I am a bit curious what it would sell for on Ebay right now! Here's one on audiogon for $799 - www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1269120759&/Emotiva-UMC-1-Rare |
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Post by jason1976 on Jan 20, 2010 1:23:34 GMT -5
I haven't heard the UMC, but I don't doubt that it will sound better than the Onkyo or any other mainstream pre/pro. You can call it blind faith if you want, but Emotiva has been using Onkyo as a benchmark since the inception of the UMC and they have a pretty strong record of excelling in audio quality.
I don't agree with the statements about being able to tweak a pre/pro to sound like another. There aren't adjustments for transparency, sound stage, dynamics, etc.
The way I look at it, if you are looking for the best sound for the price, Emo is a no brainer. If you are looking for the most features, then the more mass market products are going to be a better fit.
Personally I'm waiting till after the software release for a final determination on the purchase. I'm sure it is fine for all intensive purposes, but I don't want to spend all my free time futzing with the few items that need some work.
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Post by strindl on Jan 20, 2010 1:42:05 GMT -5
It sold for $799 too.
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Post by mariof16 on Jan 20, 2010 7:20:06 GMT -5
I would pull the trigger on the Integra at that price. It is a no brainer to me. I just got the 885 in my system about 3 days ago (Free), it replaced a Pioneer LX (Euro Elite) and I think it sounds great. I was on the pre-order list since May 2008 and got my CC request but decided to pass before all the software issues even happened. I just don't think there would be any improvement over the Onkyo. I love Emo products, but to say the UMC-1 is superior without hearing a complete, bug free comparison against an Onkyo/Integra pre/pro with equal or higher specifiations is funny to me. The 9.9 is proven and you can have it right now, get it and start enjoying it.
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Post by jason1976 on Jan 20, 2010 10:26:29 GMT -5
Well like I said, it is pure conjecture at this point, but based on the past products I think it is a safe bet. I'm sure someone will get around to comparing the two. If there wasn't a market for the product, then there wouldn't be a 3 month wait list to get one. Everyone would have done what you said and bought the Onkyo.
On the flip side to the Emo fans, there seems to be a crowd forming saying that nothing is going to sound better than my Onkyo! :-) The first true head to head comparison would be a juicy one!
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Post by sounder on Jan 20, 2010 10:33:29 GMT -5
Does the Integra have a second zone output? Reviews I've read don't mention it.
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Post by sergeantynot on Jan 20, 2010 11:15:43 GMT -5
Who is selling that Integra for that low price?
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Post by beekermartin on Jan 20, 2010 11:48:24 GMT -5
Does the Integra have a second zone output? Reviews I've read don't mention it. It has three zones. |
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Post by towen7 on Jan 20, 2010 11:48:31 GMT -5
Does the Integra have a second zone output? Reviews I've read don't mention it. Yes. The Integra does in deed have a second and third audio zone. Zone two has component video capability as well but, of course, only analog video sources can be routed to zone 2. Zone 3 is audio only. |
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Post by beekermartin on Jan 20, 2010 11:57:06 GMT -5
Does the Integra have a second zone output? Reviews I've read don't mention it. Yes. The Integra does in deed have a second and third audio zone. Zone two has component video capability as well but, of course, only analog video sources can be routed to zone 2. Zone 3 is audio only. True but it does have two HDMI outputs. Unfortunately they are not active at the same time. It is one or the other. |
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Post by mlkmgr on Jan 20, 2010 12:33:14 GMT -5
buy em both and be the first to do the side by side comparison. while your listening area is unique to your situation, it would give the first "real world" review of two great pre/pros. everyone is subject to choosing sides and we really do not need a "war" so to speak. this typically happens on this forum with the emo fans claiming price to performance ratio, customer service, etc and the otherside arguing less buggy, feature set, available now etc. having a member do a side by side comparison would be beneficial for all.
whichever one you decide to keep, sell the other. either will sell at the price you paid (or perhaps more) as they are both in demand at the moment. good luck with whatever your decision!
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Post by beekermartin on Jan 20, 2010 12:38:12 GMT -5
Well like I said, it is pure conjecture at this point, but based on the past products I think it is a safe bet. I'm sure someone will get around to comparing the two. If there wasn't a market for the product, then there wouldn't be a 3 month wait list to get one. Everyone would have done what you said and bought the Onkyo. On the flip side to the Emo fans, there seems to be a crowd forming saying that nothing is going to sound better than my Onkyo! :-) The first true head to head comparison would be a juicy one! I am 99% sure I am going to order the UMC-1. I will try to do a full comparison with it and the Onkyo 886. The only thing holding me back is the aggravation and time it takes to do a fair comparison. It can be fun as well but I don't have a lot of free time. |
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Post by mariof16 on Jan 20, 2010 12:55:18 GMT -5
Well like I said, it is pure conjecture at this point, but based on the past products I think it is a safe bet. I'm sure someone will get around to comparing the two. If there wasn't a market for the product, then there wouldn't be a 3 month wait list to get one. Everyone would have done what you said and bought the Onkyo. On the flip side to the Emo fans, there seems to be a crowd forming saying that nothing is going to sound better than my Onkyo! :-) The first true head to head comparison would be a juicy one! Well the OP asked what our opinions are for the two pre/pros and gave an outstanding price for the integra, so in my opinion, I think he should jump all over a great deal on a great pre/pro. I never said in my post that I think the UMC-1 is an inferior product, I just think it is funny to give the OP advice saying that it is almost certain that the UMC-1 will sound better than the Onkyo/Integra and any other "Mainstream" pre/pro. I just don't agree with that advice. Also, in my opinion, the wait list has more to do with dollar/performance than overall performance. If money was no object for everyone on the wait list, I am pretty certain it would be much shorter. In the brand new Pre/Pro market, the UMC-1 has zero competition, but for a few hundred dollars more, like in the OPs situation, I think the Onkyo/Integra is a worthy opponent with tons of features that in some cases, outclass the UMC-1. |
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Post by jason1976 on Jan 20, 2010 13:04:00 GMT -5
Well like I said, it is pure conjecture at this point, but based on the past products I think it is a safe bet. I'm sure someone will get around to comparing the two. If there wasn't a market for the product, then there wouldn't be a 3 month wait list to get one. Everyone would have done what you said and bought the Onkyo. On the flip side to the Emo fans, there seems to be a crowd forming saying that nothing is going to sound better than my Onkyo! :-) The first true head to head comparison would be a juicy one! I am 99% sure I am going to order the UMC-1. I will try to do a full comparison with it and the Onkyo 886. The only thing holding me back is the aggravation and time it takes to do a fair comparison. It can be fun as well but I don't have a lot of free time. Very cool! We appreciate you doing this. I don't blame you for waiting. |
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Post by jason1976 on Jan 20, 2010 13:41:55 GMT -5
Well like I said, it is pure conjecture at this point, but based on the past products I think it is a safe bet. I'm sure someone will get around to comparing the two. If there wasn't a market for the product, then there wouldn't be a 3 month wait list to get one. Everyone would have done what you said and bought the Onkyo. On the flip side to the Emo fans, there seems to be a crowd forming saying that nothing is going to sound better than my Onkyo! :-) The first true head to head comparison would be a juicy one! Well the OP asked what our opinions are for the two pre/pros and gave an outstanding price for the integra, so in my opinion, I think he should jump all over a great deal on a great pre/pro. I never said in my post that I think the UMC-1 is an inferior product, I just think it is funny to give the OP advice saying that it is almost certain that the UMC-1 will sound better than the Onkyo/Integra and any other "Mainstream" pre/pro. I just don't agree with that advice. Also, in my opinion, the wait list has more to do with dollar/performance than overall performance. If money was no object for everyone on the wait list, I am pretty certain it would be much shorter. In the brand new Pre/Pro market, the UMC-1 has zero competition, but for a few hundred dollars more, like in the OPs situation, I think the Onkyo/Integra is a worthy opponent with tons of features that in some cases, outclass the UMC-1. I don't have any beef with your opinion and was talking more about some of the other posts. The Integra at 1k is a good deal. I base my audio comparison observation on the fact I used to work for a mass market audio company and understand the feature/price/quality balance that Japanese engineers employ. The balance will almost always go to features because that feeds the machine and drives sales year to year. This has created a niche for smaller companies to fill in terms of audio quality. So based on Emotiva's past performance and using mass market products as targets, I don't see a problem with the generalization. I never said for sure that it does sound better, I haven't heard it yet and disclosed that in my post. I simply said that I and most others waiting would be shocked if it didn't. If it doesn't, then I won't keep it. I don't think you are completely right on the price comparison either. Myself and many others could easily afford more expensive units. Many have "downgraded" from products that are supposed to be better, but are really just more expensive. For me, I get a thrill in buying something that outperforms products costing 2-3 times more. Maybe I'm in the minority there. |
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