kde Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Thought this would be an intriguing subject line. If you have been following any of my posts -- you will know that I am having trouble finding a pre/pro or AVR. Quick recap -- I went from Pioneer Elite VSX-54 to the UPA7 + first an onkyo 885 (that had an issue and was returned), and now have the UMC-1 (but not completely satisfied). I really think my set up in very close to perfect -- just want a hassle free pro / avr that works as intended. So...what would you do with $1,500 if you were me? To complete an Ultra II THX 7.2 set up with the UPA-7 (that runs through a furman)--- what would you pair with it for the price range? Options: a. Keep the UMC and get used to the settings, etc and be happy knowing I have a 40% coupon to update later (and only have $700 invested). b. Go back to the familiar and get a Pioneer Elite SC-37 and use it to power the surrounds and use the UPA7 to power the fronts (not sure I need the addiitional power). c. Same as above but try to the Denon 4311 (recommended at local store). d. Get a tried and true Marantz AV7005. e. Other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heritage_Head Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Thought this would be an intriguing subject line. If you have been following any of my posts -- you will know that I am having trouble finding a pre/pro or AVR. Quick recap -- I went from Pioneer Elite VSX-54 to the UPA7 + first an onkyo 885 (that had an issue and was returned), and now have the UMC-1 (but not completely satisfied). I really think my set up in very close to perfect -- just want a hassle free pro / avr that works as intended. So...what would you do with $1,500 if you were me? To complete an Ultra II THX 7.2 set up with the UPA-7 (that runs through a furman)--- what would you pair with it for the price range? Options: a. Keep the UMC and get used to the settings, etc and be happy knowing I have a 40% coupon to update later (and only have $700 invested). b. Go back to the familiar and get a Pioneer Elite SC-37 and use it to power the surrounds and use the UPA7 to power the fronts (not sure I need the addiitional power). c. Same as above but try to the Denon 4311 (recommended at local store). d. Get a tried and true Marantz AV7005. e. Other I heard the umc-1 has had many problems. Its bummer they make such good amps for the money. I guess it will really depend on what you all want as far as features go. I would think $1500 should get you a great piece of gear. I just don’t have a lot advice on pre pros though. What part of the umc-1 do you not like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kde Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 I like the UMC1... when it is working well. It just has kinks that you have to deal with -- blue screen every now and then, pause for sound to come on at certain times, remembering to turn on UMC first then the tv, restarting it from time to time, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechnut Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 Audiogon. Onkyo PR-SC5507 Last years model. Listed under $1100 http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1308929562&/Onkyo-PR-SC5507-Surround-Proce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburnwilly Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Here you go ! http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARAV8003A/Marantz/Av8003-Networking-Av-Preamp/processor-NEW/1.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elitedemo Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 the umc just had new firmware released again, id attempt an update (i myself am unable to update currently for some odd reason, the updater program is flawed terribly as ive tried 2 different computers and end up with two different problems that make getting the firmware onto the unit impossible at this time, but i also dont experience any issues so im not terribly disappointed) no release date on the xmc yet and it could easily be months yet but it does look like a beast if waiting and toying with updates works for you im not sure the 8003 provides much bang for the buck as its a more expensive sidestep, the 7005 is newer but there are small differences between that and the 8003 if it were me id wait on the xmc as theyve been pushing it back so far so it should hopefully be refined on release, and i think it was rumored at a 1k release price which would make the upgrade in my eyes easier to choke down than any others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuBXeRo Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 wait for the new outlaw pre/pro to come out. They have been in production for a long time and have srapped things a few times further pushing back its release. it should be a stellar unit when complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Get a tried and true Marantz AV7005. e. Other I figured I’d post even though I don’t have much advice as I’m kind of in the same position... I have also been considering the AV7005 while cautious of the Emotiva... looking for other alternatives. One option I’m considering as well is using the Anthem MRX 500 as a pre-pro due to the ARC software. I’m currently looking for a dealer (and free time) where I could audition one head to head with a Marantz... Just thought I’d throw it out there… ROb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kde Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 Thanks for the post. I looked at one of the Anthem models awhile ago and then decided to leave the AVR world and get a straight processor. Now as I have gone full circle, and am starting to look back at the AVR's. However, I am very very happy with the UPA7 and for having an amp. While I don't think I need more power -- I would be interested to know what more power sounds like. Hence thinking more seriously about adding the AVR for the surrounds. Don't want to get another amp as I don't have any more rack space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elitedemo Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 being the thx ultra ii's i imagine more power is going to sound about the same, i would think a upa7 is going to do about as much as youll get from them seeing the sub(s) take care of the heavy work for that series, if your going to passive biamp with the upa7 and use avr for surrounds i would suggest just adding another upa7 to keep things firmly even (tried mono block marantz ma500s on my rf83s and noticed very little gain not even close to what the xpa2 does but the 83s also suck up some juice and drop to 2.8 ohms at times if i remember correctly) if nothing else you could try finding a mps1 or 2 (that would be my choice as you want 1 amp and they are all individual modules inside at i think 200wpc) im betting that would make your setup get that little boost your looking for or something like a b&k 200.7 would be very good choice as well its to bad emo didnt create a xpa7 they really left a giant hole between the upa7 and the xpr7 that will follow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kde Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 being the thx ultra ii's i imagine more power is going to sound about the same, i would think a upa7 is going to do about as much as youll get from them seeing the sub(s) take care of the heavy work for that series, if your going to passive biamp with the upa7 and use avr for surrounds i would suggest just adding another upa7 to keep things firmly even (tried mono block marantz ma500s on my rf83s and noticed very little gain not even close to what the xpa2 does but the 83s also suck up some juice and drop to 2.8 ohms at times if i remember correctly) if nothing else you could try finding a mps1 or 2 (that would be my choice as you want 1 amp and they are all individual modules inside at i think 200wpc) im betting that would make your setup get that little boost your looking for or something like a b&k 200.7 would be very good choice as well its to bad emo didnt create a xpa7 they really left a giant hole between the upa7 and the xpr7 that will follow I see that you have the UMC-1 -- do you like it? Any regrets on the purchase? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuBXeRo Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 i know you didnt ask me but i thought i'd chime in. Since the most recent update to the UMC-1 i have been a lot less stressed with it. There are a few quirks still like the volume bar gets huge sometimes and the vid handshakes can take a few seconds. For all other purposes, things seem to be working ok. I am very anti HDMI, i think the technology was a good idea but the connectors suck and i think that doesnt help any video problems that may seem inherint to the UMC-1. For the price it cost and the options it has i have been very happy. The GUI took some getting used to but is great now. I think that wioth one last final patch, one good solid finisher and the UMC-1 could be flawless. Yes there are issues with the upgrades and that is probably the load/everyone has a different computer and hardware which can make it difficult. Although the XMC is coming out, i dont know if it would be worth an upgrade espexially if the software is similar to the UMC-1. If it has different, more refined and upgraded coding then it would be worth it IMO. In a way, you could have problems with any processor, everyones configuration is different and adds to the plethora of potential problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elitedemo Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 i havent experienced any problems myself aside from the upgrade process and i am disappointed in that, for the money i am very happy with my purchase and would do it over easily, might debate the xmc msyself depending how it turns out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nezff Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I bought my Onkyo 5508 from 6ave.com for $1499 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I would buy an onkyo TX-NR1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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