Using Onkyo 706 as a pre-amp
Comments
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Given:
1. Price range
2. Needs set
I don't think he can do much better than the UMC-1. It has what he wants and none of what he doesn't want (the amplification stage).
Plenty of people are happy with the sound quality of this unit. Since he is using it for HT primarily I don't see any receiver in his price range really providing better sonic quality.
Even a subjectively 'better sounding' analog pre just can't do what he needs.
And I have no illusions the UMC-1 for two channel audio is near the end all be all. But it isn't too shabby either. Instead of taking cheap pot shots at his scenario and possible choice of pre-pro why don't you offer some real alternatives that he can live with? -
If you are concerned about sound quality I would pass on the emo.
It looks to me like you just want HD sound for blu-ray movies, so as I said you can just let the blu-ray decode the sound. If you want a quality pre/pro with HDMI they are made but just cost so much. 700 bucks is still alot of dough and if your going for new then, well, you already have been checking them out, you might just want to reconsider an avr for now that will do what you want.
RT1 -
grimmace19 wrote: »^ I guess I don't truly agree with this statement. I'm concerned about sound quality mainly in my home theatre quest meaning TrueHD is something I want to have. I don't want any simulated crap based on using anything other than HDMI. I listen to music most of the time via an external hd from mp3s so I'm not going to get great sound quality though those any way I go. So basically I just want the LSI's to sound the best for movies, run efficiently off the adcom and prevent something from going into protect mode while I'm running things. In my audio journey, it seems that the emotiva does provide me the best route for what I'm looking at doing and gives me a lot of versatility if I want to step into the vinyl realm. I'm also not saying there aren't other options... but for the price, nothing comes close unless I'm missing something?
No Grimmace you aren't missing anything, you are just hearing from the hardcore 2 channel guys who disdain HT & Emotiva products. (well RT has a HT rig, but he is more into 2 channel.)
Emotiva & Outlaw Audio make great gear at reasonable prices that is perfect for newbies to get their feet wet when it comes to seperates. So if the Emotiva has all of the bells & whistles that you want it to have to do the job you want it to do, GET IT.
There is no right or wrong answer here, it all just comes down to personal preference, & money. The gear should keep you happy for years to come along your own PERSONAL audio journey.:)Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2 -
Considering the time investment involved disdain for the Reel Time Theatre is a complete oxymoron. You should come by.
RT1 -
That's why I clarified it Ted. I know you have one slamming HT system, but I also know you are more into 2 channel as well.
But what you have to take into account with newbies and don't is that we all have to start somewhere, and like it or not, Emo & Outlaw offer outstanding bang for the buck, and will most certainly sound better than any receiver, or HTIAB.
The automatic shoot down of Emo is BEYOND old and just plain wrong. Everyone says seperates are better....oh except for Emotiva. THAT is a complete oxymoron.
If he's leaning towards it, then leave him alone to get it, because if he stays around here long enough, he will probably be upgrading again to something else in time.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2 -
Some folks are always looking for that giant killer, that piece of gear that performs or even out performs gear costing much, much more. A few that I recall were the Toshiba DVD/CD player that "everyone" was raving about. Turned out to be a piece of junk that didn't sound very good either. Another was the DK integrated amp, which "everyone" thought was the second coming. You can't give them away today. Yet another was the Sony XA-777 ES SACD/CD player that was so hot folks were paying more than the MSRP. Turns out the SACD playback was pretty decent, but the redbook was terrible. Try selling one of those today. In the last year or two, Outlaw got a lot of attention, yet today you hardly hear a word about them. It seems that Emo is this years great giant killer hopeful. Anyone want to bet how long that lasts?
Before anyone complains that I'm bashing gear, I'm not. What I am doing is showing a pattern that over hyped, giant killer audio gear rarely, if ever, stands the test of time.
That said........grimmace19, if it fits what you want today, by all means get it, but go in with your eyes open.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Those of us who have been on here for a long time have learned that good gear will last a long time & you can get exceptional bargains shopping the used market so that is what we will usually go for.
With todays economy being what it is, I would guess even places like Outlaw, may be too expensive for some & that is why we are probably hearing less about them, but I haven't seen or read about them having any QC or performance issues.
But on boards like this, most of us who have tried out the entry level gear have moved onto bigger & better.
No one in this thread or any other in recent memory has declared that Emotiva or Outlaw are the be all & end all.
But that still shouldn't mean that this entry level gear should be taken off of the recommended list for newbies just starting out, just because in the past other more enthusiastic newbies have raved about it thereby ticking off more experienced members who have gone on to bigger, better & more expensive gear.
There simply needs to be a more balanced presentation in these kinds of threads so that newbies have a good idea about the full range of products available to them at all price points and in both new and used markets and with entry level and beyond gear.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2 -
I guess at this point, Knowing I want HDMI and TrueHD and running with my adcom gfa-7500.
YES or NO
The emotiva will sound better than a receiver at this price point with the same features. -
grimmace19 wrote: »I guess at this point, Knowing I want HDMI and TrueHD and running with my adcom gfa-7500.
YES or NO
The emotiva will sound better than a receiver at this price point with the same features.
You are asking for a linear answer for a very non-linear question. Anyone that desires to represent the truth of the matter (that is not be a jerk because a simple hate of a company regardless of it's product and totally disregarding that they never heard the piece they are slamming outright) will tell you that it's up to YOUR ears. No one elses.
If you are looking for a night and day sonic difference you most likely aren't going to be pleased. Even with a 2K or 3K Cary or Anthem HT (NOT 2 CHANNEL) pre-pro. They are all going to have good video processors and high S/N ratios.
You need to be willing in this hobby to experiment. But I also know that you are not made of $$. It's going to possibly cost you ~$40-$50 to try the UMC-1 (if you ship the UMC-1 back) vs a similarly priced receiver. I would encourage you to do so.
If it where my money and I was purchasing NOW I would get the UMC-1 based on all the positive feedback and AVS/HT Shack/AH etc... But that is me. The UMC-1 wasn't available so I went with my HK. -
grimmace19 wrote: »I guess at this point, Knowing I want HDMI and TrueHD and running with my adcom gfa-7500.
YES or NO
The emotiva will sound better than a receiver at this price point with the same features.
Grimm, we can't tell you what YOUR ears are going to hear. At some point you just have to make the leap & find out for yourself if different peices of gear sound better to YOUR ears.
I've started out with seperates, went to a receiver, and am now back to seperates. To MY ears seperates sound better over a receiver.
The Emo, has 2 of the key features that you want it to have at a reasonable price, and I would bet not many other seperates makers have them at all.
You have all the relevant info any of us can give you based on OUR experience. It is now up to YOU to gather together YOUR experiences and the only way to do that is for YOU to try it.
Good luck.:)Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2 -
^ So let me get this straight... you guys want me to be the sucker and actually try something for myself that I will have to live with for a few years? ARE YOU NUTS???? All jokes aside though I think I'm going to sack up and try the emotiva... like its been said all I will likely lose is shipping costs if I don't enjoy it. This way I can avoid another receiver issue, stay in a reasonable monetary ballpark (next nearest separate I found was a 1200 dollar integra with these features), and get something that will hopefully sound superior to the New receivers in this price category.
Next step... save up 6 grand for the JL Fatham 212 I got my ears on this morning
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Keiko,
All we ask is that if you come into a thread it is in the spirit of participation. So far CFrizz and I are the only ones to provide any sane advice to the needs set of the OP:
1. New gear
2. Does HT
3. Supports the HD audio/video codecs
4. Integrate with his external amp
I mean the guy has a fixed budget and needs to maximize the $$ spent. If you actually have a better prepro in mind that does multiple HDMI in and supports all the latest formats then by all means please mention it to the OP so he has another valid option.
If you don't could you please refrain. It just makes you look like a child.
*** Keiko, you weren't quick enough on the post deletion. It's been reported. Have to love instant email notifications of posts in a thread. -
FYI: I didn't delete it, but I still stand by it. I quess you failed to notice your snide cheap shot to F1 was deleted also. M...n.
Holy crap, moderators do exist:D Snide cheapshot? All my posts have been above the boards. -
You have made 5 posts (two removed) with nothing of merit to contribute in any of them.
I've done what the mods have asked and reported you. I'll let them sort you out.
Grimm I hope the thread has been useful. Cathy said it best: You have the information you need to make the best decision you can. Drop me a PM or start a thread with your experience on the UMC-1 I would love to hear about it. Take care. You have taken your first step on a fun and fulfilling hobby.
NOW I'm done;) Peace all. -
Gimmace to get back to your dilemma. The UMC does everything you want, meets your budget, and by all accounts that I've read by users has pretty good sound. But I would advise you if you haven't already to go to the EMO forum and read all the drama this processor has created. There are some bugs with the unit that have not been worked out yet. Not everyone sees them in their application and associated gear, so it would be unknown if you would see them. Just a heads up to help you make an informed decision. I'm waiting for it to all play out, but I have an AVR that works, so I have the luxury of being able to wait. Also noticed vinyl being mentioned, be aware the UMC does not have a phono stage, although this quest looks to be focused on HT I wanted to clarify that.
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I've been checking in at the emo forum especially to see if any good prices on used come up (nothing yet ... 635 is a joke). It seems like most issues are solved and anything that may still linger is in very specific applications of the product. If I got the darn thing and it had bugs for just plugging in hdmi I would then understand why everyone seems to hate the company
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^ See, links like that are helpful. Saying nothing but "they suck" or "its going to sound like donkey ****" isn't helpful.
Thanks for the insight. That thread actually shows the progress the unit has made from the start and the problems still existing. -
grimmace19 wrote: »^ See, links like that are helpful. Saying nothing but "they suck" or "its going to sound like donkey ****" isn't helpful.
Thanks for the insight. That thread actually shows the progress the unit has made from the start and the problems still existing.
Nick, I had a UMC-1 and ,for a while, used it with the Adcom I sold you. You can PM me with any questions.
Ted -
That's why I clarified it Ted. I know you have one slamming HT system, but I also know you are more into 2 channel as well.
But what you have to take into account with newbies and don't is that we all have to start somewhere, and like it or not, Emo & Outlaw offer outstanding bang for the buck, and will most certainly sound better than any receiver, or HTIAB.
The automatic shoot down of Emo is BEYOND old and just plain wrong. Everyone says seperates are better....oh except for Emotiva. THAT is a complete oxymoron.
If he's leaning towards it, then leave him alone to get it, because if he stays around here long enough, he will probably be upgrading again to something else in time.
I am honored you are so knowledgeable of my thoughts, yes unlike anyone else I was never a newbie, my genetic code is a miracle of science, I am the only known male to possess such appitude, since you also never heard my theatre you are highly telepathic to know its slamming even though your wires were out of phase to mention me and disdain and HT together. The only apparent mystery is what all these receivers and pre's in closets around here are doing here, what the heck is this Dolby Pro=Logic thing, from who....Sony, what is this Sherwood thing, Fisher, Kenwood, Onkyo, Harmon Kardon???????
Thanks for saying what I need to do as well as for having a deep
understanding of my audio preferances regarding formats and rigs I might want to explore
or have in my home, again I am honored you feel so compelled to address me directly with your impressive audio pedigree. That said and appropriate homage paid I am sorry to bust your SQ cherry, as there are many receivers that would outclass Outlaw or Emotiva. My concern with either is the SQ of their products are not as good as some others, that is it.
You don't have to like it. You don't have to agree with it. You are free to complain, respond, hissy fit, conipt, or even have a total global meltdown.
Edit, now before you guys get the wrong idea or read to much into it, she and I are longtime friends and agree on much more than we might disagree on.
RT1--Born an Audio Genius Extrodinare. -
Nick,
Try what you want ,get what you want ,enjoy what you get!!!
You got to get your ears on my Pioneer, and for once I agree with X, those Pioneers are hard to beat.. Don't let the problem I had with mine keep you from looking at them. these receivers have balls... You also got to hear the XPA-3 in my HT and for what it is it's doing the job for now..
Relax and enjoy the Journey because as you can see what it has done to me, and I am still in the beginning stages..LOL -
reeltrouble1 wrote: »I am honored you are so knowledgeable of my thoughts, yes unlike anyone else I was never a newbie, my genetic code is a miracle of science, I am the only known male to possess such appitude, since you also never heard my theatre you are highly telepathic to know its slamming even though your wires were out of phase to mention me and disdain and HT together. The only apparent mystery is what all these receivers and pre's in closets around here are doing here, what the heck is this Dolby Pro=Logic thing, from who....Sony, what is this Sherwood thing, Fisher, Kenwood, Onkyo, Harmon Kardon???????
Thanks for saying what I need to do as well as for having a deep
understanding of my audio preferances regarding formats and rigs I might want to explore
or have in my home, again I am honored you feel so compelled to address me directly with your impressive audio pedigree. That said and appropriate homage paid I am sorry to bust your SQ cherry, as there are many receivers that would outclass Outlaw or Emotiva. My concern with either is the SQ of their products are not as good as some others, that is it.
You don't have to like it. You don't have to agree with it. You are free to complain, respond, hissy fit, conipt, or even have a total global meltdown.
Edit, now before you guys get the wrong idea or read to much into it, she and I are longtime friends and agree on much more than we might disagree on.
RT1--Born an Audio Genius Extrodinare.
:D:D Ted even when we disagree, you crack me up big time!:D Rock on with your big bad self!:) Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
