DHC-40.1 or UMC-1?

[pynchon]

I'd love a fairly unbiased assessment between the integra 9.8 and umc-1 (from someone who has spent time with both obviously).

[BillBauman]

pynchon, I have the Onkyo version of the Integra 9.8. I am tempted to get the UMC-1. If I do, I will do my best to compare the two, but it won't be much. I no longer live in a big house with a dedicated HT, I am now in a very small 1-bedroom apt and only listen in 2-channel (despite still using the Onkyo and XPA-5 to do so). Within that context, if I ever got the option to purchase a UMC-1, I will do my best to compare the two.

[billmac]

Feb 14, 2010 11:05:04 GMT -5 pynchon said:

I'd love a fairly unbiased assessment between the integra 9.8 and umc-1 (from someone who has spent time with both obviously).

I would as well. Especially the "unbiased assessment" part .

Bill

[billmac]

Feb 14, 2010 1:00:20 GMT -5 @snodog said:

Well there are plenty of people who have had no problems at all with theirs but I know what you mean, I guess from what the happy owners claim it has excellent SQ and with pretty minimal equipment Im not too concerned with any complicated bugs.

I have not seen one post from one member here who has said their UMC-1 is totally bugfree. If someone is happy with the UMC-1 in its present form thats great. But why would you want to own a component that has any complicated bugs? To me it takes away from the joy of owning a component if all the features do not function as they should. But to each his own .

Bill

[pynchon]

Thanks Bill.
I am deep on the preorder list for the umc-1 and the wait is starting to get to me
My wife has ok'd the 700, but likely nothing much over that - so I'm pretty much cemented into the umc-1 or the 9.8
If I had tenure at this point I'd likely be getting the nad 175hd and not look back - oh well, some day...
I wish they'd give a umc-1 to hometheater mag - Kris Deering had a love affair with the 9.8 - I wonder what he'd have to say about the umc-1

[billmac]

Feb 14, 2010 19:34:52 GMT -5 pynchon said:

Thanks Bill.
I am deep on the preorder list for the umc-1 and the wait is starting to get to me
My wife has ok'd the 700, but likely nothing much over that - so I'm pretty much cemented into the umc-1 or the 9.8
If I had tenure at this point I'd likely be getting the nad 175hd and not look back - oh well, some day...
I wish they'd give a umc-1 to hometheater mag - Kris Deering had a love affair with the 9.8 - I wonder what he'd have to say about the umc-1

That is what I would like to see as well. A review from Kris or Kal Rubinson which would be totally unbiased reviews from well respected reviewers. Some sites I see doing reviews that have huge advertising banners on their sites from the companies whose components they are reviewing makes me wonder sometimes .

Bill

[BillBauman]

Here's an offer. I will buy a UMC-1 today, and Emotiva can ship it to Kris Deering, then to Kal Rubinson, and then to me. I'm in no rush. If that would help to get some professional reviews out there, I'd be happy to do it.

[Indycolts]

I have not seen one post from one member here who has said their UMC-1 is totally bugfree. If someone is happy with the UMC-1 in its present form thats great. But why would you want to own a component that has any complicated bugs? To me it takes away from the joy of owning a component if all the features do not function as they should. But to each his own .

Bill

I have finally had the weekend after doing the firmware upgrade on Wednesday to run the Emo Q and get everything to my liking. I was impressed before and now I am OVERLY impressed. I watched some movies this weekend SD, BLu RAY and Direct TV movies that I had saved on my DVR not to mention many channels that I have went through since the upgrade some music, discovery channel etc. etc. I am getting ready to watch the NBA ALL STAR GAME right now through my awesome UMC-1 so tomorrow I can give a review since I have Presidents day off.

[pmd918]

Feb 14, 2010 19:39:43 GMT -5 billmac said:

Feb 14, 2010 19:34:52 GMT -5 pynchon said:

Thanks Bill.
I am deep on the preorder list for the umc-1 and the wait is starting to get to me
My wife has ok'd the 700, but likely nothing much over that - so I'm pretty much cemented into the umc-1 or the 9.8
If I had tenure at this point I'd likely be getting the nad 175hd and not look back - oh well, some day...
I wish they'd give a umc-1 to hometheater mag - Kris Deering had a love affair with the 9.8 - I wonder what he'd have to say about the umc-1

That is what I would like to see as well. A review from Kris or Kal Rubinson which would be totally unbiased reviews from well respected reviewers. Some sites I see doing reviews that have huge advertising banners on their sites from the companies whose components they are reviewing makes me wonder sometimes .

Bill

The folks at Emotiva would have to be out of their minds to put this in the hands of one of those guys. They would get crucified. Maybe after the bugs are worked out.

[ntrain42]

I have to ask real quick, what is the Onkyo equivalent of the 40.1?

[NorthStar]

Feb 13, 2010 22:39:31 GMT -5 pultzar said:

thelordoftherings, EmoQ simply determines values that are set for the manual eq. There aren't separate EmoQ filters and manual EQ filters that are applied. So as far as I can tell, it is all graphic EQ.

Thank you very much, that's what I tought.

* Oh, and you can call me simply LOTR, or even Bob, up to you.

[NorthStar]

Feb 14, 2010 7:39:01 GMT -5 Nemesis.ie said:

To confirm, my Yamaha has a manually adjustable PEQ, so if you have the ear or gear you can fiddle with the settings the YPAO gives you.

With YPAO in natural mode and the mic sitting on the seat back (so it's got free air between it and every speaker) I am now very happy with the sound, it's not overly bright nor muddy.

I will buy the UMC-1 as well too as I believe it is great value, with luck will sound as good (I hope it will be even better) and will use less power than having my receiver amps running and doing nothing.

Yes, your Yammy 2500 has indeed a manual Parametric EQ, with frequency, levels, and of course adjustable Q too.
This is a more serious EQ than the Graphic one, but as you mentioned, you need to know what you're doing, plus the right tools. But even with it's superiority, it is not perfect, as it does introduce some drawbacks about time delays.
But still much superior than a Graphic EQ, which is a No No in my book (too many speakers destroyed in my earlier years ), if you know what I mean.

Personally, I still prefer FIR filters (Finite Impulse Response) that works in the time domain. IIR filters (Infinite Immpulse Response) are similar to Parametric ones, but still more sophisticated.

There is also the wild card, TRINNOV. I keep a serious eye open on that one. And I bet there will be much more in the future about digital Room EQ Correction. We are only scratching the surface. Trust me, I know, you'll see.

Have a nice Sunday evening,
Bob

[NorthStar]

Feb 14, 2010 19:23:02 GMT -5 BillBauman said:

pynchon, I have the Onkyo version of the Integra 9.8. I am tempted to get the UMC-1. If I do, I will do my best to compare the two, but it won't be much. I no longer live in a big house with a dedicated HT, I am now in a very small 1-bedroom apt and only listen in 2-channel (despite still using the Onkyo and XPA-5 to do so). Within that context, if I ever got the option to purchase a UMC-1, I will do my best to compare the two.

That would be very cool Bill.

[NorthStar]

Feb 14, 2010 19:39:43 GMT -5 billmac said:

Feb 14, 2010 19:34:52 GMT -5 pynchon said:

Thanks Bill.
I am deep on the preorder list for the umc-1 and the wait is starting to get to me
My wife has ok'd the 700, but likely nothing much over that - so I'm pretty much cemented into the umc-1 or the 9.8
If I had tenure at this point I'd likely be getting the nad 175hd and not look back - oh well, some day...
I wish they'd give a umc-1 to hometheater mag - Kris Deering had a love affair with the 9.8 - I wonder what he'd have to say about the umc-1

That is what I would like to see as well. A review from Kris or Kal Rubinson which would be totally unbiased reviews from well respected reviewers. Some sites I see doing reviews that have huge advertising banners on their sites from the companies whose components they are reviewing makes me wonder sometimes .

Bill

Hi Bill,

I agree with you, a review of the UMC-1 by Karl and Khris (and few other great reviewers too) would be very nice.
But I already know what would be in their reviews.
Right now, I don't think the UMC-1 is ready for a prime time review, and these reviewers are smart and do know that.

Patience is a great virtue.

[NorthStar]

Feb 14, 2010 20:20:27 GMT -5 Indycolts said:

I have not seen one post from one member here who has said their UMC-1 is totally bugfree. If someone is happy with the UMC-1 in its present form thats great. But why would you want to own a component that has any complicated bugs? To me it takes away from the joy of owning a component if all the features do not function as they should. But to each his own .

Bill

I have finally had the weekend after doing the firmware upgrade on Wednesday to run the Emo Q and get everything to my liking. I was impressed before and now I am OVERLY impressed. I watched some movies this weekend SD, BLu RAY and Direct TV movies that I had saved on my DVR not to mention many channels that I have went through since the upgrade some music, discovery channel etc. etc. I am getting ready to watch the NBA ALL STAR GAME right now through my awesome UMC-1 so tomorrow I can give a review since I have Presidents day off.

Are you a professional reviewer with a proven record?

[NorthStar]

Feb 14, 2010 21:29:24 GMT -5 ntrain42 said:

I have to ask real quick, what is the Onkyo equivalent of the 40.1?

For the receiver, it is the TX-NR807.
For the pre/pro, I'm not sure, but you can easily find out at the Onkyo web site.

[ntrain42]

Why would we be even comparing an AVR to a dedicated processor?

[NorthStar]

Feb 14, 2010 22:26:36 GMT -5 ntrain42 said:

Why would we be even comparing an AVR to a dedicated processor?

Sorry, I know what you're saying.

Here's the total scoop:

The Integra DTR-40.1 A/V receiver is equivalent to the Onkyo TX-NR807.
The Integra DHC-40.1 pre/pro does not have an Onkyo Pro equivalent.

* If you are looking at an Onkyo Pro pre/pro, there is the top model which is the PR-SC5507 Pro, but much superior to the DHC-40.1 from Integra.
There is also, coming very soon, the Onkyo PR-SC887 Pro, also superior to the DHC-40.1.

You'll have to compare those two last ones with the Integra DHC-80.1 Surround Processor.

Hope this helps.

[billmac]

Feb 14, 2010 21:29:24 GMT -5 ntrain42 said:

I have to ask real quick, what is the Onkyo equivalent of the 40.1?

There is no Onkyo equivalent to the DHC-40.1. The closest would be the 707 but that is an AVR not a prepro. I read that some have gone with the 707 over the DHC-40.1 as ithe 707 can be found much cheaper. But you lose some features such as audio streaming.

Bill

[Nemesis.ie]

Feb 14, 2010 22:11:18 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

There is also the wild card, TRINNOV. I keep a serious eye open on that one. And I bet there will be much more in the future about digital Room EQ Correction. We are only scratching the surface. Trust me, I know, you'll see.


Bob

I agree - as we get more and more processing power for the same or less money, there should be more and more amazing things happening.