Emotiva Amps and Processor for Home Theater?

The XPA 5 is a nice amp. All you need for HT. However the UMC is just aweful. The entire unit is flawed with EQ issues & digtal distortion in the eq system. Also EXTREMELY buggy. Stick with their XPA amps only IMO

As Marty states, paying for the extra channels. Again, thanks for the feedback.

Brian

If the OP's issue is paying for the extra channels, I kinda get it. The good news is that - presumably - the bulk of the cost associated with "unwanted" channels fall to the power amplification - particularly if you're looking at equipment with a reasonably high quality power amp section.

Once you go with separates, the problem largely goes away. I just bought a 9.2 channel pre-pro for use exclusively with a 2 channel amp in a music only 2.2 system.

My advice to the OP would be to do the same thing I did. Accept the extra channels on the pre-pro, buy but a 5 channel (in this case) power amp.

I have no experience with/opinion on the Emotiva, but am very happy with the Onkyo I bought.

Marty

IMO stay far away from the UMC-1. The thing was bug ridden and there are issues with the auto set up etc. Just read the thread on the AVS forum to see.

I've owned their amps, XPA-1's etc. Didn't care for them in 2 channel as found them to be too bright for me. If using for HT they were fine though.

Also as others said you don't have to use all 7 channels. They are just there.

If you want some good AVR's check out Pioneer Elite. The SC series is awesome and works wonderfully. Otherwise if you want to go seps, I would check out Integra or someone else besides Emo for that.

Of course. That's why I added the smiley.

If I'm not mistaken, you can tell any HT receiver what channels you have hooked up. Some allow the extra 2 channels to be your remote system (the porch).

The OP has a phobia for 7 channel devices. ;-)

Kal

I think Emotiva amplification is worth it. In a smaller HT room I use an Emotiva UPA-7 amplifier along with an Outlaw Audio 990 processor for 90% HT and the occasional concert performance. The combo does a fine job. I've had no issues with the UPA-7 whatsoever or the Outlaw.