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Emotiva UMC-1... Still a science-lab affair?

Hi, I'm new to Audiogon, and hi-fi in general. I started my journey on Audiogon looking for a new AVR to replace my beginner, entry-level Yamaha with something that will do my new speakers justice:

B&W CDM 7 Special Edition
B&W CDM C center channel

I picked out the Marantz SR6005, but asked a very knowledgable friend of mine about all of this and he suggested instead the Emotiva UMC-1 and a 2-channel amp for now; later I can buy another amp and pick up the rear channels. He said I can't beat the value for dollar, and the sound will be much better than the SR6005 that I am auditioning right now.

Whatever I get, I want to run in 2 channel (plus sub) most of the time and later do 5.1 when my theatre room is ready.

Problem is, my initial research on the UMC-1 is that most owners are really having to tinker with it to resolve bugs or get it to function properly. I can't tell if the bugs are worked out or not. I really don't want to live on a forum to see if "my issue is normal" or "do I need to update the software yet again."

His advice is probably very good, but should I stay away from the UMC-1?
hades281

Showing 1 response by dfgkali

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dfgkali
23 posts
 
I have just taken delivery of the XDA-1 DAC.
My system consists of:
Denon AVR 3300
Rotell 991 Audiophile Edition
x Carver a500x amps (mono mode
DCM Time Window 7 (signatures)
Monster power source

the XDA made a HUGE difference in my digital music, all those ripped CD's, even in Loss Less mode, still sounded amazing w/the XDA and my CD Player...Much warmer, Diana Krall never sounded that good!
BUT, (yup there is a but)...I placed the unit on top of my AVR, and althogh the AVR is only being used as preamp, it does get hot and the XDA's bottom gets hot so the heat sandwiched in there broke something on the USB connection. USB wouldn't work, 4 windows computers, and 1 mac later..I gave up..called Emotiva and they're sending me a new one.

when funds become available, i'm going for their reference XPA1 amp. 1000wpc in 4 ohm, will be very nice for the DCM Time Window 7's :) and their next gen XSP 1 preamp. unless I learn and understand more about tube then I'll go tube.

DFGKali
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