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Post by algreen345 on Feb 26, 2010 0:01:22 GMT -5
I got my UMC-1 today and so far I like some things better than the LMC-1 and some things less. Using HDMI is a convenience. And the video does appear to be better with the UMC-1 in the mix.
But I only have two channels in my living room and with only 2 speakers enabled, the PLIIx modes aren't available. I have an Oppo BPD-83 hooked up via HDMI and it does sound better than via either analog or coax to the LMC-1.
But I also have a WDTV Live and an Acer Revo XMBC box - both connected via HDMI. And here, the differences between stereo and direct is really legligible. To be honest, those sources sounded better on the LMC-1 in the PLIIx Matrix mode.
Not sure why Emotiva disables that mode in 2-channel, but soundwise I'm not convinced yet that the UMC-1 is a huge improvement over the LMC-1.
I'll listen some more tomorrow. Anyone else compare their UMC-1 to LMC-1 in 2 channel and have similar observations?
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Post by sbavnut on Feb 26, 2010 9:42:26 GMT -5
al - I am not understanding this... you have TWO speakers - why would you want PLIIx mode enabled when you only have 2 speakers?
I sold my LMC-1 a while ago so I cannot test this, but if the LMC-1 allows you to apply PLIIx with only TWO speakers enabled, then it is a BUG. In the PLIIx mode, the LMC-1 was probably taking a Front L/R signal, expanding it to 7 (or 7.1) channels and then collapsing it back to the Front L/R. In the process, it was probably adding a few dbs (causing it to sound louder?)...
UMC-1 not allowing you to apply PLIIx (in your situation) is the correct behavior...
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Post by algreen345 on Feb 26, 2010 10:55:53 GMT -5
That makes sense. When I pass hdmi or coax or toslink to the umc-1 it always displays the input as PCM. I've now tried this on the oppo and to be honest the sound difference is not that great between hdmi and coax when playing cd's. Sure there is some better separation of instruments. But it isn't earth shattering. In fact, there is less bass and the sound is a little thinner on hdmi.
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Post by merlinwerks on Feb 26, 2010 16:13:03 GMT -5
al - I am not understanding this... you have TWO speakers - why would you want PLIIx mode enabled when you only have 2 speakers? I think a lot of people do this to generate a "phantom center channel" to forgo a physical center speaker. |
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Post by loopinfool on Feb 26, 2010 16:27:18 GMT -5
I think a lot of people do this to generate a "phantom center channel" to forgo a physical center speaker. The standard stereo downmix already does that. The various Pro-Logic modes are used to create surround channels from fewer channels, not the reverse. Yes, when PLIIx is applied, it needs to know if there's a center speaker or not, so it can do the "phantom center" thing if necessary. - LoopinFool |
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Post by merlinwerks on Feb 26, 2010 16:34:35 GMT -5
I think a lot of people do this to generate a "phantom center channel" to forgo a physical center speaker. The standard stereo downmix already does that. The various Pro-Logic modes are used to create surround channels from fewer channels, not the reverse. Yes, when PLIIx is applied, it needs to know if there's a center speaker or not, so it can do the "phantom center" thing if necessary. - LoopinFool Yes, I did have that backwards, been a long day... |
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Post by BillBauman on Feb 27, 2010 11:29:49 GMT -5
That makes sense. When I pass hdmi or coax or toslink to the umc-1 it always displays the input as PCM. I've now tried this on the oppo and to be honest the sound difference is not that great between hdmi and coax when playing cd's. Sure there is some better separation of instruments. But it isn't earth shattering. In fact, there is less bass and the sound is a little thinner on hdmi. algreen, can you tell me/us how you think the sound is when listening to the analog outputs of the BDP83 to the UMC-1 vs. the HDMI output to the UMC-1? |
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Post by iblaineman on Feb 27, 2010 17:36:25 GMT -5
I am also only runnig two channels. I have a pair of Mackie HR824s. I have been using a Theta Pro Gen Va and Theta basic transport connected to a passive balanced volume control. I wanted better sound from the analog outs of the cablebox and Panasonic BD-35 blueray. I haven't spent a lot of time listening to music but I will say that the umc sounds about the same as a processor and an analog preamp. I would say of course the Theta gear sounds much better.
Question while watching TV in Dolby Digital I have a ton of bass. I'm not sure turning down LFE makes any difference. I had to change to stereo.
I should also note that I ran Emo-Q it ended setting a subwoofer and crossovers set to 200hz.
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