UMC Review

[Deleted]

Just got my UMC and it replaced the 665. Over two years of waiting, so here we go...

From a build stand point, I don't think anything near the price can touch it. Bugs are going to be the issue with the success of the UMC. As you'll read on, some problems are not necessarilly Emotiva's fault.

Anyway, I am setting up the UMC and I was experiencing issues with it such as the trigger shutting off the amp when switching inputs, I resolved that by manually changing EVERY input to "on" for the trigger. ...

Next, I have a Logitech 670 remote that had the UMC listed as an option which I downloaded. It appears the codes are a problem because hitting an activity on the Logitech forces the UMC to go in the wrong input every time, regardless of which activity I choose. I hope someone figures out a solution fast. I spoke to Logitech support and they were pretty useless. I'm hoping someone savvy on this forum can make some headway.

VIDEO
The video portion is pretty good as Dan said. I have a particular problem with my setup in that my Oppo 83 player and UMC don't play nice for 1080 24p signals. In the Auto setting, the UMC outputs a 1080p 60hz signal, but when set to Pass, the 24p is fine. The channel switching dealy time for "pass" setting is around 10-15 seconds. Too long. For "Auto", it's only a few seconds.

SOUND
There is a distinct improvement in sound compared to my Yamaha 665. Clearer and more articulation. Not night and day, but noticeable. I will be checking the cd sound through the multi channel inputs shortly to see how they sound.

[Deleted]

PS. The EMOQ worked pretty well except that it detected a surround back channel that does not exist. Overall, the changes were minor adjustments that were made. I levelled out a few areas such as Dan suggested in his video.

[darien87]

Feb 16, 2010 18:03:03 GMT -5 neekos said:

Next, I have a Logitech 670 remote that had the UMC listed as an option which I downloaded. It appears the codes are a problem because hitting an activity on the Logitech forces the UMC to go in the wrong input every time, regardless of which activity I choose. I hope someone figures out a solution fast. I spoke to Logitech support and they were pretty useless. I'm hoping someone savvy on this forum can make some headway.

Have you turned "off" all of the inputs that you aren't using? If not you need to go into the setup and make them all invisible. Also, you need to make sure that the order you have the inputs set up in your Logitech profile is exactly the same that you have them on the UMC-1. Mine goes to the right input almost every time. I think the only time it has trouble is on start up. Sometimes it seems to take a really long time to be able to accept commands.

[Deleted]

what do you mean by "order" ?

[pmd918]

Feb 16, 2010 18:03:03 GMT -5 neekos said:

. . .

VIDEO
The video portion is pretty good as Dan said. I have a particular problem with my setup in that my Oppo 83 player and UMC don't play nice for 1080 24p signals. In the Auto setting, the UMC outputs a 1080p 60hz signal, but when set to Pass, the 24p is fine. The channel switching dealy time for "pass" setting is around 10-15 seconds. Too long. For "Auto", it's only a few seconds.

. . .

Unfortunately, that is the way the unit is designed. The only way to get 1080p 24Hz is through pass-thru mode. Can't comment on the switching delay.

[lonnie]

Feb 16, 2010 23:34:51 GMT -5 pmd918 said:

Feb 16, 2010 18:03:03 GMT -5 neekos said:

. . .

VIDEO
The video portion is pretty good as Dan said. I have a particular problem with my setup in that my Oppo 83 player and UMC don't play nice for 1080 24p signals. In the Auto setting, the UMC outputs a 1080p 60hz signal, but when set to Pass, the 24p is fine. The channel switching dealy time for "pass" setting is around 10-15 seconds. Too long. For "Auto", it's only a few seconds.

. . .

Unfortunately, that is the way the unit is designed. The only way to get 1080p 24Hz is through pass-thru mode. Can't comment on the switching delay.

Actually this is not quite true. In Auto mode it will also output 1080/24 but only if the monitor or project tells the UMC 1080/24 is the preferred resolution (this is done in the EDID info). Now most monitors and projectors can handle 1080/24, but when you read the EDID info it shows the preferred resolution is 1080/60 and in Auto mode this is what it will select.

Just thought I would throw it out there and hopefully help some.

[Deleted]

Thanks Lonnie. The picture in Auto mode is really good, which impresses me. The Genesis Torrino is doing an admirable job.

I guess for my situation, I could always switch the UMC to Pass mode when watching Blu Ray movies.

More to come. Today is the audio comparisons.

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

Here are some shots of my new ED A3-300 sub which was used for the listening period.

[Deleted]

MUSIC

I can tell you this, after living with the Yamaha RX-V665 for over a year as the Pre/Pro, the UMC is in another league. Mind you, this is for audio. Using the 7.1 inputs of the UMC and Sub input, I was able to hear the ERC mated with the UMC in its purest path. The sound was immediate, strong and detailed. The 6.2's with the ED A3-300 sub were stellar. Compared to the Yamaha with the same setup, the UMC wins on all accounts. It has higher voltage which did not need to be pushed as much as the Yamaha. One striking difference is something I always listen for and that is sibilance. The S's sounded more distinct and real through the UMC and the overall articulation in voices was outstanding. Emo struck it right with the analog 7.1 inputs.

I urge anyone who has the ERC and UMC to try running rca's from the ERC into the 7.1 inputs of the UMC. If you want to use a sub, run a single rca from the second output of the ERC into the sub input of the UMC. Since it is a full signal being output by the ERC into the UMC, all I did was dial in the sub's crossover to around 70hz and adjusted the volume. EXCELLENT results..

For movies, the UMC shines. I watched The Dark Knight and The Day After Tomorrow on Blu Ray in Dolby Digital True HD and in certain scenes I jumped out of my couch. The synergy between the ERM's, the ED sub and the electronics are something to behold.

More to follow...

[SticknStones]

Feb 17, 2010 15:44:56 GMT -5 neekos said:

MUSIC

I can tell you this, after living with the Yamaha RX-V665 for over a year as the Pre/Pro, the UMC is in another league. Mind you, this is for audio. Using the 7.1 inputs of the UMC and Sub input, I was able to hear the ERC mated with the UMC in its purest path. The sound was immediate, strong and detailed. The 6.2's with the ED A3-300 sub were stellar. Compared to the Yamaha with the same setup, the UMC wins on all accounts. It has higher voltage which did not need to be pushed as much as the Yamaha. One striking difference is something I always listen for and that is sibilance. The S's sounded more distinct and real through the UMC and the overall articulation in voices was outstanding. Emo struck it right with the analog 7.1 inputs.

I urge anyone who has the ERC and UMC to try running rca's from the ERC into the 7.1 inputs of the UMC. If you want to use a sub, run a single rca from the second output of the ERC into the sub input of the UMC. Since it is a full signal being output by the ERC into the UMC, all I did was dial in the sub's crossover to around 70hz and adjusted the volume. EXCELLENT results..

For movies, the UMC shines. I watched The Dark Knight and The Day After Tomorrow on Blu Ray in Dolby Digital True HD and in certain scenes I jumped out of my couch. The synergy between the ERM's, the ED sub and the electronics are something to behold.

More to follow...

Hi Neekos! Thanks for your commentary! I am glad that the unit is making good impressions.

I am not following the logic on the ERC to the 7.1 inputs??

I would think the ERC goes into cd analog and the multi-channel device goes into the 7.1?

Are you using HDMI for the Multi-Channel and using the 7.1 for the CD inputs? If so why would that be superior?

Just trying to follow your logic and such so just a little confused on my part. I have the USP-1 and waiting to hear what others think about the ERC to USP1 to UMC configuration.

[Deleted]

Well, according to Lonnie and Dan, the 7.1 inputs are the purest path in the UMC. Only the volume control is engaged. Even the cd input on the UMC goes through stages of conversion so its best to stick with the 7.1 inputs.

The ERC is the only analog input I use on the UMC. My Oppo 83 takes the HDMI duties for everything else.

As I understand it, the analog section in the UMC is pretty darn good, with the USP supposedly taking it a step further

[Chris]

Feb 17, 2010 19:46:50 GMT -5 neekos said:

Well, according to Lonnie and Dan, the 7.1 inputs are the purest path in the UMC.

This is does not to appear to be true any longer according to a statement in another thread where Lonnie stated unequivocally that any of the two channel analog inputs when set to Direct mode are pure analog. He stated this was not widely known at the time.

I have listened to my high end turntable setup using one of the analog inputs in Direct mode and I believe this to be true. The sound quality appeared to be excellent and unadulterated. I have only had a short time to test this so I will continue to test and evaluate just to be sure I am not mistaken. But, I am taking Lonnie at his word that this is in fact true. I do not know how to independently test this beyond extensive listening tests?

-CB

[lonnie]

Feb 17, 2010 19:46:50 GMT -5 neekos said:

Well, according to Lonnie and Dan, the 7.1 inputs are the purest path in the UMC. Only the volume control is engaged. Even the cd input on the UMC goes through stages of conversion so its best to stick with the 7.1 inputs.

The ERC is the only analog input I use on the UMC. My Oppo 83 takes the HDMI duties for everything else.

As I understand it, the analog section in the UMC is pretty darn good, with the USP supposedly taking it a step further

Actually if you go into any of the analog audio inputs and select Direct it is also a pure analog path and does not go through any conversions of any kind. But if you select any of the other modes, then it will get converted and run through the DSP. Just thought you would like to know. ;D

[Deleted]

Thanks for the clarification Lonnie. When I spoke to you a while ago, the issue of the "Direct" option was not commonly known, not to me anyway, so thank you for the input.

[SticknStones]

Hey Neekos, Nice pics!

[Deleted]

Thanks. I try, but I would like some day to take better ones. There are so many variables.

[Deleted]

Great feedback. Thanks for the photos Neekos. Seeing the Furman 15DMi in your signature and that of Tomcat also was the reason I looked at and then bought that unit. A great match with all the Emo blue lights. ;D

[Deleted]

Thanks Chuckie. I also love the Furman products.

[2infinity]

Neekos,

Thanks for the great early review! I am extremely jealous as I got my UMC-1 on Monday but can't hook it up until I get a project I am working on finished this week. I hope to post my impressions over the weekend as well.

Cheers!