Looking for a receiver that sounds like UMC-1 but works like my Onkyo 705

Several things in my system have been replaced over the last 4 years or so but for the most part, my receiver has stayed the same. I have been fairly pleased with my Onkyo 705 until I got interested in separates and decided to try Emotiva amps. Up until about a month ago I was using the 705 as a pre/pro along with an Emotiva XPA-3 and XPA-5 for amplification. The difference in adding these two pieces was huge and I would never go back to just a standalone receiver. Being impressed with the Emotiva line I decided to give the UMC-1 a try. Even with all of it's bugs I was immediately impressed, even amazed at the sound quality from it. I was hearing things from my surrounds that I never heard with the Onkyo. My usage is 95% home theater and the UMC-1 sounds so much more dynamic and detailed than my Onkyo and I'm now afraid to try anything else in fear of being disappointed in the sound. However, one very important shortcoming of the UMC-1 in my setup is it's lack of a true "passthrough" mode. I have confirmed that it is in fact doing a colorspace conversion and some video processing that I would prefer my DVDO scaler and Oppo Blu Ray player handle. Having said all of this, I'm now curious if there is something that would give me UMC-1 like audio but the features and true video passthrough of a more mainstream AVR? Regarding budget I would like to stay in the $800-$1000 range if possible. Things that are important to me whether it be a processor or AVR would be as follows:

-True video passthrough, I don't need the AVR or processor to do anything to the video.
-Onscreen GUI over HDMI where I can still see the movie while making adjustments (something I have come to enjoy in the UMC-1).
-Preouts for connection to my external amps.
-At least 4 HDMI inputs.
-Easy firmware updates, preferably via Ethernet connection.
-Processing of all the high def audio formats via bitstream from the Oppo player.

I think that is about it.

I'm intrigued by what you propose here but can't seem to wrap my brain around it right now.

Ah, I understand now. I have 4 sources right now and my scaler is a VP50. I think it has at least 4 inputs on it maybe more. I was trying to avoid adding another link in the video chain, especially something like a switch or splitter which can be questionable quality unless you go crazy money. This is still a consideration though so I may give it a try just to see what happens.

I'm using Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE for front and left, CMT-340SE for center and (4) HTM-200SE for surrounds. My subwoofer is an eD A2-300.



And I wish you were here to help me do all of that! I don't have measuring equipment or the knowledge to use it either. I have an SPL meter and that's about as advanced as I got with my setup, 75db level matched the speakers. The 705 I used the Audyssey setup measuring 8 listening positions. I usually ended up going back to the manual adjustments because it didn't sound lively enough to me with the Audyssey engaged. For the UMC-1 I ran Emo-Q once and then manually tamed some of the sharp increases in the trims. Corrected the crossovers to what I was used to (80hz and 90hz) and changed the subwoofer distance to the actual measurement.


Yeah, I really need to do that. Of course I'm not sure how much hearing the 40.1 in your room with your speakers would tell me about how it would work in my setup. The DVDO is a pain to setup and if it wasn't for my wanting 72hz refresh rate for my projector I probably wouldn't have it at all. I need to find out when the wife will be away so I can come over and pick your brain.

I'm patiently awaiting a reply from penngray because I know it's coming...

Well, so far the most interesting idea is for me to try a splitter.

While I appreciate the fact that nobody has flatly said that my UMC-1 is junk and have instead suggested ways to make what I have work, I would also like to hear some suggestions regarding a total replacement. As stated before I really have no recent experience with anything other than my Onkyo 705 and the UMC-1. I don't mind buying a less expensive AVR that will be strictly passthrough for video and just used as a pre/pro for audio. The sound and tweakability of the sound is what I'm interested in.

Should have left well enough alone. V6 Beta 2 and I now have problems that didn't exist before. I'm about to say "to hell with this" and just buy a $400-$500 receiver to use as a pre/pro, sell the UMC-1 and Onkyo and use the proceeds to buy a new sub.

I know Onkyo has some nice new receivers but if they sound anything like my 705 (which was fine before I heard the UMC-1) then I would rather try something else. I don't know if that means Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, I have no clue because I have never heard any of these.


A 40.1 might be a possibility and I have read some good things about those as well as several forum members here owning them. I have an opportunity to hear one locally if DStrasse and I can work out a time. Life gets in the way of HT sometimes.



I guess I just got used to having an AVR do the switching and being able to name inputs, etc. I have the VP50 which is now a "legacy" product and not eligible for an upgrade path. So, the VP50 Duo makes the most sense for me with 2 HDMI outputs, v1.3 HDMI, lots of inputs, etc. My VP50 only has one output. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have a scaler/processor at all if I didn't have a CRT projector. I need the VP50 for 72hz output and the processing it does. I would buy an EDGE but it won't do 72hz.

Actually, it looks like they ARE doing upgrades from the VP50 right now. If I read the site correctly I could get a DUO for $299 after the trade in credit! I may just have to do that regardless of what I end up with for a pre/pro or receiver. I could have sworn I just checked this a few weeks ago and it wasn't an option. It does say "for a limited time" so it must be a fairly new offer. Thanks for mentioning this or I may not have checked the site again and missed out!