|
|
Post by nickwin on Feb 10, 2010 21:32:39 GMT -5
Cant you just run your front speakers full range to get bass from the 7.1 in's? Or is the OP talking about not being able to get bass to output threw his subwoofer? Yes I was talking about not being able to get bass or very little ouput from the sub. I really would not want to run my speakers on full because they are not full range. They are Paradigm Ref.20s and they go down to maybe 38-40. OK, I was worried there for a sec... I have Ref 20's as well and I actually like how they sound full range with most music. At least that way you have a pure analog signal path. Once you get used to having the extra bass of a sub though its hard to go back (and of course with movies a sub in essential) |
|
|
|
Post by doc1963 on Feb 11, 2010 10:03:19 GMT -5
powerwindow, OK, gotcha. Now I understand why you're getting adequate bass where others aren't. You've compensated where OPPO has not. It's not that the BDP-83 doesn't create a .1 channel, it's that it doesn't create a "correct" 2.1 (stereo+sub) mix. You've done so by adding the +10 db boost in the subwoofer setup. Normally, you wouldn't need that kind of boost on the HT end. That's a boatload of available signal to your sub. I, myself, have done a similar thing. The C/SR/SL/SW analog outs of my BPD-83 are connected to my Outlaw 990's 7.1 ins and my L/R analog outs are connected to an Emotiva USP-1 (which does analog BM and has HT bypass). The SW is also routed from the 990 through the USP-1. I've applied a +7 db boost at the BDP-83 (which brings the bass in music exactly where I want it) and cut the LFE trim in the 990 by -5 db. The USP-1 will extract the bass information from the L/R channels (at the selected crossover points) and send that to the sub. When the USP-1 is in HT Bypass mode, the signals coming in from the 990 are passed through untouched. That effectively equals things out for both music and HT. Just to make thing clear, I've never intended to imply that you can't work your way around this shortcoming. You can if you either want to make sacrifices on one end or the other (music with good bass response or movie soundtracks with overblown LFE). However, given the fact that the OP would likely need to make further equipment investments to do both equally well, the easiest thing for the OP to do would be to let the UMC do it all. Especially if it really does sound as good as those who already have one say that it does. Once I get mine, my set up may change  Hope this helps. |
|
|
|
Post by powerwindow on Feb 11, 2010 11:37:48 GMT -5
Doc1963,
Thanks for clearing things up. I do recall the Oppo having issues w/ its sub level. I thought it had something to do w/ sub signals usually being mixed 10 db down(?) and processors compensate for that by increasing it 10 dB, where the Oppo does not. For movies I run HDMI from Oppo to AVR and let the AVR handle BM and I get the results I want for both situations.
I'm waiting on my Christmas XPA-5 to ship and second preorder UMC-1. Then I foresee doing exactly what you are doing w/ a USP-1 for 2-channel. I'm already upgrading before the first wave has arrived (mentally at least). Would you recommend the USP-1 or wait and see how the UMC handles preamping analog signals?
Anyway, thanks for the info. Maybe you can enlighten me once again on the Oppo's sub issue. I thought they have fixed it w/ an update, but that may only have been to keep it at the previous setting after shutting down. It had been going back to its default setting, which was 0dB.
Thanks,
powerwindow
|
|
|
|
Post by doc1963 on Feb 11, 2010 12:01:55 GMT -5
powerwindow, Honestly, I think that you should wait to hear the UMC before pursuing a USP-1. I LOVE my USP, but it "may" become unnecessary unless the DACs in my BDP-83 SE are clearly superior to those in the UMC. I'd rather not give up all of the "goodies" that the UMC bring to the table if I don't have to. It's been good sharing information with you and hopefully, our situations go a long way in helping others....... |
|
|
|
Post by powerwindow on Feb 11, 2010 12:14:28 GMT -5
Doc1963,
Thanks for the insight. It's funny how the specs of gear can be misleading. As far as I know the Saber DAC in the Oppo SE is an outstanding DAC and on paper quite possibly superior to the UMC's DAC. However, as I've learned, the DAC process is not all about the DAC chipset itself, but moreso the associated circuitry and how it is all incorporated. I've stuck w/ the standard Oppo-83 and went for an external Scott Nixon Tube DAC. That being said, your USP-1 w/ HT bypass teamed up w/ a UMC-1 should be a great way to get the best out of both entertainment situations. The thing I'm curious about is how much a dedicated stereo preamp can out perform the "purely analog" section of the UMC pre/pro.
Cheers
|
|
|
|
Post by doc1963 on Feb 11, 2010 12:45:52 GMT -5
powerwindow,
Yes, you're quite right. Everything always looks great on paper. I've learned, as well, only "your" ears can decide if the costs involved are worthwhile. In my situation, the $299 upgrade to the ESS Sabre 32 Ultra DACs was money well spent and, since I'm maintaining a pure analog path, it shows.
I can't wait to see how running a straight digital path through the UMC holds up and, you're right, with the USP, I will always have either option at my disposal.
Take care.......
|
|
|
|
Post by mdanderson on Feb 14, 2010 19:06:58 GMT -5
Well I seemed to have solved my lack of bass issue when playing 2 channel music. I am now using the Oppo 2 channel analog stereo outs and I have them connected to analog 1 input on the UMC-1. The bass is fine now in stereo mode. Thanks for all the suggestions and help.
On a side note, I watched Prince Caspian bluray last night through the hdmi pass through and it looked fantastic and I let the UMC-1 do the decoding of the 7.1 DTS HD MA and it sounded great as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by doc1963 on Feb 15, 2010 6:39:23 GMT -5
mdanderson, Glad to hear that you've found a solution. That's the great thing about forums such as this, sharing problems and finding answers to them (although sometimes people get out of hand ). One suggestion, if I may. I recommend that you still give one of the digital outputs from the BDP=83 to the UMC a try. Using the analog outs and running the UMC in "stereo" mode is creating an additional A/D-D/A conversion. Using a digital path into the UMC would not (and you'd still generate the subwoofer channel you're looking for.) Hope this helps....... |
|
|
|
Post by mdanderson on Feb 15, 2010 13:47:26 GMT -5
mdanderson, Glad to hear that you've found a solution. That's the great thing about forums such as this, sharing problems and finding answers to them (although sometimes people get out of hand ). One suggestion, if I may. I recommend that you still give one of the digital outputs from the BDP=83 to the UMC a try. Using the analog outs and running the UMC in "stereo" mode is creating an additional A/D-D/A conversion. Using a digital path into the UMC would not (and you'd still generate the subwoofer channel you're looking for.) Thanks doc1963 for the tip about digital inputs. I am going to use both type of inputs. I like that the digital domain does not have to do the extra conversion. Hope this helps....... |
|
