Danzo

SubXero, even in video'passthrough' UMC-1 does DSP as it needs to insert OSD hehe.

Thank You for sharing experience and welcome to the forum. Pretty much 180 degree opposite experience with UMC1 and XPA-5 amp (contains same modules as XPA-3) . Shame it didn't work out for you.

If Pioneer Kuro is not an option, you cannot go wrong with Panasonic plasmas [Y]

I can also recommend KV3, it's a decent speaker with Fortes.

'Stereo' mode, besides mains, also uses subwoofer and employs your EQ settings. Another quite interesting mode to try is PLII which uses more speakers, like centre channel and can be surprisingly satisfying. I usually prefer 'direct' mode though, i think setting speakers to 'Full' range also helps.

While i am waiting for Rich'es academy to arrive, i've been wondering if i should be getting different setup. My setup is 2x Forte 2 as mains, KV3 centre (fairly satisfied with it, but i expect Academy to be better) and KG4.5 as surrounds. Sub is Epik Legend (300W dual 12''). Thing is, i like watching movies quite alot, my setup sounds pretty good with likes of Master and Commander, Iron Man, Matrix, etc etc. I expect it to only get better with new centre speaker. However, i am also thinking of buying a RF83/RC64 setup and see i if it would impress me more with movies. Why am i posting this in 2Channel section then? Well, i love my music too, to which i listen on my Forte 2s. Holly Cole, Otis Redding, John Lee Hooker, Norah Jones.. I listen to rock and other genres too, but the point is that vocals are quite important where mid range driver/horn of fortes come in. Would RF83 pair also deliver that sweet sound? The only other 2 way pair i had a chance to listen to in my room is my KG4.5s and Fortes sound considerably better to me. However, i am not sure of the main reason for it, whether it's the lack of dedicated midrange or simply KG4.5 is inferior speaker with worse components/craftsmanship/XO etc ? I like listening to music both using my tube preamp/tube monoblocks and UMC-1/UPA1 monoblocks (have not decided which set to sell yet). I read through many forums like 'Heritage vs RF', '2Way vs 3Way' etc but have not been able to form a firm opinion as of yet. I understood that RF series are great for watching movies though, easy access to biamping also a bonus. I guess the only sure way would be to buy RF83/RC64 and compare both setups for myself, unless anyone would have any word of advice or experience to share about this particular case? Regards

Get Forte IIs.

Hi; If you are looking for 2nd hand, Marktplaats is a good place to start. If 2-way is your thing, there are a few pairs of RF-7 or RF-82 on, if you want 3 way, there's like 5 sets of LaScalas and a pair of Cornwalls. While some people bought RF-7 to replace their Fortes and were very impressed, others did quite the opposite thing and love that midrange horn. You'd do well to listen to a few and decide for yourself.

Flick through these forums, there are some good sounding Blurays recommended by members, such as Black Hawk Down, Transformers, Iron Man etc etc Make sure they add nice sub to the setup eh

Have you considered tubes? Adding at least a good tube preamp into chain might be your answer.I prefer sound of my Croft Micro 25 tube preamp over my UMC-1, but not enough to forgo convenience of a remote control.

At least fella offered taking unit back. Anyways, although his opinion about pre/pros is not high in general, i think this guy pretty much nailed it about UMC-1 vs more expensive debate: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rprea&1293740318

ok i will bite. sound any good?

I just watchet The Cooler. Great music and beautiful film! *feels inadequate

Another chance for me to point out how happy i am with Emotiva amplifiers! 2x Upa-1 monoblocks and their Preamp should fit into your price range nicely. They also offer 30 day return policy in case it does not do it for you. By the way, did you try any other amp than yours to make sure it's not your room making sound bounce all over? Preamp also has huge impact on sound although i don't recall people complaining about bright Macs

You just have to keep telling them Wuzzer hehe Southern, what crossover did you use to biamp fortes? I am thinking to go active with mine instead of renewing passives, but i only have tube amps for mids, rest of my amps are SS. Did you keep high/mid portion of original passive XO?

Congratulations with improving your sound TNRabbit! Interesting project; Rudy81, i might be wrong, but you used to have EV DC-ONE before Ashly Protea? How would these two compare feature/quality wise? I am thinking of trying active crossovers and can get DC-ONE and Protea 3.24CL for similar price.

Some, as you see, sniff at 'mere 3db increase with doubling of power' and go with 'small but good', others firmly believe that 'you need 400W per channel for proper headroom and slam'. Would be best if you could try different ones for yourself and see if it makes difference for you. Enjoy your new speakers!

Quad II monoblocks (converted to EL34 by mr.Croft) from Croft Micro 25 preamp and sometimes 2x Emotiva UPA-1 monoblocks from Emotiva UMC-1 preamp/processor both setups sound sweet to me; also, make sure it's your amp making you dislike your mid/highs and not the room

Could it be that your Chorus have tired crossovers? It is really surprising that people could like RS series better than Chorus.. Also, trying matching surrounds and mains/centre should have helped. In any case, have fun and let us know how you like your new system o/

Lurkers representin' o/ No dissing my avatar yo.

If you don't want it to play too loud and upset your tenant, you might as well get Epik Legend. Although it's only half output of Empire, but it should extend to 18HZ and do 750w peaks which is not to be sniffed at for a cute little sealed dual 12 incher. It works quite well for HT and is beautiful for music. Am i partial because i liked this sub enough to keep it? Who knows Donkeys. Just checked and Legends are out of stock at Epik so that stuffs it

Eh? What am i missing? Shouldn't all good capacitors sound the same? 'Lovely troubles' you have there, Youthman, hehe. I wish i had problems like that: RF7 or RF-83?!

If you are considering Emotiva amps, go ahead and give them a go. Last time i checked, Emotiva were offering 30 day return on their gear, also quite long transferable warranties. Their XPA-1 monoblocks rank quite high in SS amplification.

Aha the even harmonics and its effect on 'average human ear' argument; i largely enjoy both SS and tube amp/preamp combos and i find sound of both pleasing while they are obviously different Have to agree with you about with more expensive tube gear with large power supplies actually delivering good bass However, i am not even convinced that odd harmonics are exlusive to transistors and even - to tubes; Anyways, what matters in this case is that we agree on similar advice - go and listen to diferent gear and decide which one you prefer.

If you want decent sound with solid state and save monies you can always give Emotiva a go, they have 30 day return policy (which probably not many people want to use anyways). 'Warm sound of tubes' is largely effect of amp clipping, and sometimes lower frequencies suffer quite a bit. Now that is not necessarily a bad thing, many people prefer this kind of sound(i myself still have Quad II 14W monoblocks and Croft Micro 25 preamp and enjoy them). Try and test both and decide which ones tickle your happy bits more. Who knows, maybe you'll decide to have best of both and biamp your speakers with sweet tubes for mid/high and solid state for bass \o/