Post by LuisV on Feb 15, 2010 19:23:11 GMT -5
Let me start off by saying that I have an XPA-5 on order and it's scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, so at this time I have not been able to test anything else other than 2 channel sound. Once I connect the XPA-5 to my system I'll update this review.
Let me also state that I am currently using a Mitsubishi rear projection TV that is approx 14 years old, so I can't test video processing from the UMC-1. I have a 58" Plasma coming in next week, so I will add video comments once that TV is mounted.
That being said...
FedEx promptly delivered my UMC-1 and without hesitation, I unboxed it, took note of the contents, found an insert stating it was flashed with the latest firmware and started disconnecting my Marantz processor from the rest of my system.
So far... all I can say is WOW! As with the rest of the Emotiva gear I own, it's very well made, has a nice lay out and is very sleek looking.
After a few minutes of admiring the unit, I powered it up and guess what? Nothing happened. No sound. No video. Nothing. Zilch. The UMC-1 was on, but it didn't trigger my XPA-2 on. Huh?
Well guess what? Caulk it up to my foolishness, my laziness of not rereading the manual as I forgot to run through the setup process for my component inputs. So what's to be learned here? Read the manual as you connect your UMC-1... it will save you time and confusion.
After I picked up the manual and started rereading it, I quickly found out what my problem was and here's where my review will start.
Minor gripes:
So far... that's it. Nothing major in my eyes and they are more cosmetic than anything else.
Compliments:
So far I'm in love with the unit and have nothing major to complain about. The gripes I listed above are cosmetic and in my opinion not of major concern.
Once my XPA-5 arrives, I'll connect it to my system and will provide additional commentary on movie soundtracks and surround sound modes. Unfortunately I need to wait until next week to see how it will perform with a video signal... but so far... so good! Kudos to the Emotiva staff...
Let me also state that I am currently using a Mitsubishi rear projection TV that is approx 14 years old, so I can't test video processing from the UMC-1. I have a 58" Plasma coming in next week, so I will add video comments once that TV is mounted.
That being said...
FedEx promptly delivered my UMC-1 and without hesitation, I unboxed it, took note of the contents, found an insert stating it was flashed with the latest firmware and started disconnecting my Marantz processor from the rest of my system.
So far... all I can say is WOW! As with the rest of the Emotiva gear I own, it's very well made, has a nice lay out and is very sleek looking.
After a few minutes of admiring the unit, I powered it up and guess what? Nothing happened. No sound. No video. Nothing. Zilch. The UMC-1 was on, but it didn't trigger my XPA-2 on. Huh?
Well guess what? Caulk it up to my foolishness, my laziness of not rereading the manual as I forgot to run through the setup process for my component inputs. So what's to be learned here? Read the manual as you connect your UMC-1... it will save you time and confusion.
After I picked up the manual and started rereading it, I quickly found out what my problem was and here's where my review will start.
Minor gripes:
- As stated above, my current rear projection TV is ~14 years old. That being said, it can't display any video sent from the UMC-1. My assumption is that it can't display 480p as that is the lowest video setting on the UMC-1. I'm not overly upset as my 58" Plasma is due on Monday, so until then I connected a small 19" LCD so I can see the OSD and edit my setup. Because of this slight issue, my gear is connected directly to the TV. Lesson learned... make sure your TV can display the video output from the UMC-1.
- Although the remote is very functional, compared to my other Emotiva gear it falls short on quality. In my opinion, this is not an issue as I can control the UMC-1 from my Harmony remote. I prefer that Emotiva spends their efforts and money on the components within the UMC-1 rather than spending it on a remote that will end up in my drawer. Your needs / opinion might differ, but for me this is not an issue.
- It could be my eyes, but the blue color surrounding the buttons look to be different hues. The smaller buttons seem to have a deeper blue with the other ones with a lighter color blue. Again, not an issue, but I wanted to point it out as some might find this to be an issue.
- My last gripe is the text color on the display seems more greener than blue, but again this is nothing major as I won't be looking at the unit's display once my Plasma is in place.
So far... that's it. Nothing major in my eyes and they are more cosmetic than anything else.
Compliments:
- Two channel sound is just fantastic. Music is very spacious and compared to my Marantz processor I prefer the UMC-1. So far I've played numerous CDs thru my Bluray player and various songs from my iPod... so far I'm extremely happy with the stereo sound.
- It has more than enough inputs for me. Personally, I just need 4 (Bluray, DireccTV, Popcorn Hour and iPod), but now I have room for growth.
- Menu navigation is very simple. I've already relabeled my inputs and removed the ones I'm not using. I've set the amp triggers based on input and so far no issues. Remember, at this time I'm only testing in 2 channel mode.
- OSD is very intuitive and easy on the eyes. For my taste, it's just the right combination of colors and display size.
- As with all Emo products, build quality is excellent and packaging is top notch.
So far I'm in love with the unit and have nothing major to complain about. The gripes I listed above are cosmetic and in my opinion not of major concern.
Once my XPA-5 arrives, I'll connect it to my system and will provide additional commentary on movie soundtracks and surround sound modes. Unfortunately I need to wait until next week to see how it will perform with a video signal... but so far... so good! Kudos to the Emotiva staff...
So far, the system sounds incredible and I couldn't see replacing anything except for the sub. Don't get me wrong, the Def Tech hits hard and deep, but I'm considering adding another sub or selling the Def Tech and picking up two Epiks or two SVS subs. 
