madfusker

So I have the UMC1 going now and it really seems like the EmoQ sets the voices very sharp. I really wish you could lock the EQ for the front mains together since it's very hard to adjust L and then R individually. Also I wish there were a slot to copy different configurations to. I see EmoQ Auto, Preset 1-3, but I can't see any way to copy one to another. Not much fun to manually setup each one if you just want your last setting plus or minus some bass. So here are a few questions: 1) How do I select which EmoQ preset to use? I see how I can edit them, but not sure how I put it in that mode. 2) EmoQ pretty much sets the EQ pretty flat and I didn't think it sounded that great. In fact it was distributed almost inverse of how I would set a "Rock" EQ (try to picture more of a hill than a valley). Would anyone with my similar setup post their EQ settings? I tweeked it a little, and last left it here as shown in the pictures below. Surrounds are pretty much still all flat so I didn't post those pictures.

Indeed. What I worry about is Emotiva being bought out which could render the 40% useless under new management. In the end the 40% helps, but shouldn't be the cliff hanger in your decision. I look at the 40% as a bonus if it ever happens, and at $629 I think it's still priced OK. Yeah, the clicky remote does kinda suck with the hard/loud clicks, but I usually have it up so loud that you can't hear the clicks. Personnaly I just don't like the clicky feel however I will probably replace with a Harmony remote of some type eventually. As you can see I didn't buy it for the remote either. 2 cents...

Indeed, go for it. I've had mine one night and it seems like good stuff. The XPA-5 is a killer and IMHO is what makes the system! There has to be a million ways to cover that power light, but so far for me it hasn't been a big deal for me. I haven't looked, but maybe it can be disconnected from the back side? Attached is a picture with the UMC1 dimmed down. I will tell what drives me crazy is the BRIGHT blue LED on my computer you see to the far left. It's days are numbered and the next time that case comes off the wire is getting pulled! The Emotiva gear however has a soft blue which I think makes it OK. But, if you like it ultra dark they would be super easy to cover. Heck, even black tape if its always dark (j/k, that stuff is sticky). In my pic left to right: Computer LED, Wii LED, UMC1, XPA5, and last is green cable modem lights. Note that the XPA-5 channel lights are so dim they're not worth turnning off. I kinda like them.

Jeff, That XPA-5 is going to blow you away! Thanks for the offer on the help. I am sure I will need it! ----- So, can anyone recommend what settings works best with the UMC1 and my speaker setup? I know it's all about preference, but surely they has to be a starting point that's easier to start from rather than defaults. Has anyone written a howto UMC1 since the manual is so basic? or just auto calibrate and adjust from there? Someone out there probably has my *exact* same setup and can probably offer some details on what sounds best or how to tune. ?? I'm just looking for the most amount of information I can get before it arrives Wednesday. I would rather spend the time figuring it out now.

Well, it's ordered (UMC1). I was going to get the $599 B stock before the sale, but then I just waited and got the regular for $629. I figured the extra $30 may help resale value since I don't have to list it as a B stock later (even though after I open the box it is essentially B stock). It will probably do what i need for a few years as then the XMC *might* be out and I can evaluate my 40% off for that unit.

I think I am going to pull the trigger tomorrow. Should have it next week. [Y]

It does really seem hard to beat for the price. As for the sharpies; I've seen a lot of erase boards that can't be cleaned very well. I would opt for a screen protector for a couple bucks myself.

Ha! We should post our XPA-5 weight bearing mods! I too dislike bright blue lights, but the XPA-5 isn't bad at all. Is the UMC1 a lot brighter?? Is it dimable? I was thinking I could take a cell phone screen protector and "tint" it down with your sharpie idea. [:^)] It might actually work! [*-)]

That is the way i am leaning, though I would bet the UMC1 resale value will drop quite a bit once the XMC hits the market. On a side note, I can also bet the XMC won't hit the market anytime soon. < Joke,, sort of..

SuBXeRo (or anyone else), What are the remaining issues with UMC1? I am on the Integra 9.8 vs. UMC1 teeter totter now thanks to you guys! They are about the same price and it seems like the Integra offers a lot more for features.

I did practically need a crane! My shelf is glass so I had to take some caution there. It's rated for 50lbs and what I did was hang it off the back and slipped a 2x4 on the carpet behind to catch the back feet. That puts right at 42lbs on the front two feet and since it's a long dog it came out just right on the face depth. [] Also the front feet are perfectly situated over a metal brace to not stress the glass. I don't have a prepro yet so I am just running 2 channel audio from my laptop. Holy crap though... It can crank. First real amp if you coudn't tell. [8-)] PrePro: Well, I was thinking about picking up a UMC-1B for $599. I guess talk me out of it! I put most of my $$ into speakers and the XPA5 so I was looking for the best prepro bang for the buck and the UMC looks like it. I am not a complete perfectionist and thought I could live with its minor flaws maybe. I really dont have too much room (or $$) to go crazy on a prepro. I am 5.1 right now and may add one back channel someday, or *maybe* 2 back channels for 7.1 but not in the short term anyway. (So no real need to have a 10.2 or 22.2 prepro is what I am saying). The Integra: I like that it has HD Radio... Someone tell me about balanced inputs. What would I be missing if I got the unbalanced UMC1?

Did I mention HOLY CRAP?? Time to get the ole Pioneer on ebay now...

HOLY CRAPOLIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [] [Y] [] I heard my 17 month old RF-83's for the first time today. [] Now my head hurts and I need to go find some Excedrin! []

Yeah, fireplace is tricky with all the heat. Slider door is easy. I went ahead and set it up that way and skewed it towards centering a little more on that shorter wall (kind of in the middle of those two options). It doesn't look as bad as I thought. I will have to get the RS-52's up and do some evaluations.

Ahhh, It's chrome. Doesn't like tinyMCE.. Using Micro$oft exploder now and it loads the MCE extensions. [8-)]

Windows 7 with Chome. I tried about everything I could think of. Shift enter, Control enter.. Maybe I should try my phone!

Thanks for all the input everyone. I will have to do some experimenting. @youthman, I was wondering about that speaker a few weeks ago when I looked at your thread! Thanks for the details. WTF is the deal with no carriage returns on this site anyway??? Looks like everyone else is doing them but I can't for some reason. ????

Do you think there would be an advantage to making a mount for the RS-52's to angle them properly? If I got really creative I could probably make a piece of wood to cover the gap on the backside and get the proper 90 degree angle to the couch. I can probably get some assistants and have them hold there to test it but was just wondering if anyone here has ever experimented with this before.

See the attached diagram. Freehand, so stop laughing! Those mains really are angled at the couch properly! Ideally I would setup my system head on with the top wall, but I cant due to the red areas which won't allow the RS-52's anywhere in that 90 - 110 degree angle from the couch (patios doors and large fireplace in the way). So alternatively I am looking at the attached placement. I am wondering if the angles on the RS-52 will work right on a wall at a 45 degree angle from couch instead of the preferred 90. I have labeled them #1 and #2 and drawn in the sound output direction with arrows. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Might be a stupid question, but can you get the XPA-5 and only use 2 channels at times? Sometimes I just want to run my main speakers for 2 channel stereo and sometimes I want all 5 channels for 5.1 movies. Hopefully you can because it seems like a waste to buy XPA-2 and another XPA-3 to make that work!

Thanks Marty! I already ordered the in wall rated stuff at monoprice but really like the looks of the Karma SS for my mains and center. I'm not really sure if twisted pair is any advantage, though I know it is when it comes to data cables.

This site cracks me up. Drop 10 big ones on a pair of cables here.... http://www.musicdirect.com/category/41 Theory is here: http://www.audioquest.com/pdfs/aq_cable_theory.pdf

To bite, or not to bite? I may just have to order one... I wish I knew what the next generation was going to offer and how much it's going to cost. Anyone have the inside scoop on this?

Thanks wuzzzer! I was in the market for some wire and that looks like the ticket!

I've been on the fence too and would like to pick up the UMC1 however I can't get a XPA-5 because they are out of stock. I've had nothing with disappointment from receivers I've owned because they always come up short on power. Probably some of the problem is that I've never had a *really* expensive one with a lot of ka-pow. But even so, when that receiver technology gets outdated you have to swap the whole thing, amp and all. I think I am sold on the pre/pro and amp.