Emotiva UMC-1

Many people are still having problems with the 7.04.00 firmware. I am having centre channel dropouts on BluRay, Cable & Satellite. I have tried HDMI, Coax & Toslink with the same results.

Here's my story with a UMC-1

I recently purchased an Emotiva UMC-1 , XPA-5 and a XDA-1. The amplifier and DA converter work fine, the UMC-1 on the other hand have been plagued with all sorts of problems. The first one had no sub woofer output, either on the balanced output or the RCA output. When an IR receiver was plugged into the rear IR input it didn't function at all and locked the unit up. To get the unit unlocked I had to unplug the main power cord to get it to function gain. I contacted tech support at Emotiva, here both the tech and I figured it would be faster if the sent me replacement boards and I would install them. This I did, it solved the IR issue but still no sub output. So I called tech support again, this time a new unit was to be sent out. I requested that the unit be burned in and that all functions be tested. When I received the unit the burn in I request showed no evidence of being done. There were no marks on any of the HDMI connectors, binding posts or even the main power cord. This could be a go thing I thought, a brand new unit was sent, not a B stock. After removing my Denon AVR for the second time I connected the UMC-1, I have subwoofer output! I then set the system up using my RTA and once satisfied decide to play Avatar from the BluRay. Here starts more issues with the UMC-1. Now I'm getting digital pops, clicks through the speakers! So I try different settings, PLII, Dolby Pro, etc, all have these pops, clicks coming through. After spending a lot of time trouble shooting I determined that it is the digital processor causing the problem, because if I go direct or stereo mode there are no pops present. The noise comes from all my sources, Apple TV, BluRay, media server and cable box but only when using any of the digital processing. Once again I contacted tech support, via email, I received an automatic response saying the email has been received. A couple of days later and my frustration level increasing, I call and was told the techs have received the email and they are working on it. To help with being clear on the problem I record the noise and send it to the techs, still no answer back. I call again and get the same answer, the techs are working on it! So now it's the weekend back goes in the Denon AVR which has no noise problems and so I wait.

Did I just waste $500 + on a processor?

Rant over!

If the UMC-1 is not working out in your system I would request a refund if possible.

Bill

I would love to but they have it posted no returns on this product! Almost like they knew something is wrong with it.

Seeing this is the second UMC-1 you have owned with both having issues I would insist on a refund. Worth a shot.

Bill

Well Monday has now come and almost gone and not a word from Emotiva about the issues with my second UMC-1!!!! I guess service is something not to expect from them. I've always said you can solve most issues with communication not silence. I guess I will have to become the squeaky wheel to get this resolved!

Did you email or call Emotiva? From my experiences it is best to call them to get a quick response.

Bill

Emotiva usually has exceptional customer service. Emo Fest is this week end and everyone is likely involved in preparing for the event. Not a good excuse I know.

I have experienced the speaker clicking in one channel only. This occurs when using either my Yamaha A3000 or UMC with the XPA-5. Have you used your XPA with any other processor and not experienced the clicking/popping? My XPA is with Emotiva for repair.

To ramble on. I have the latest update in my UMC-1 and no longer have drop outs as with the other versions. I am an intolerant person, however, I like the sound of the UMC so much that I will take it for what it is.

I talked with Emotiva today, they are going to send out another UMC-1. I guess I will see if this one works, 3rd time lucky I hope!

I have a UMC-1 with 4 HDMI devices connected and I don't have any of these problems. I'm pretty sure 7.04.00 is not the latest firmware. I think it ends with .19, so that may be your issue.

I have a UMC-1 with 4 HDMI devices connected and I don't have any of these problems. I'm pretty sure 7.04.00 is not the latest firmware. I think it ends with .19, so that may be your issue.


I will make sure that I have the updated software.

Thanks

Upgrading the UMC-1 can be just as frustrating as using it. In my case, there were 3 or 4 times where I was sure I bricked it and would have to send it back. Anyway, before you start, be sure to check out http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/umc1 and scroll to the bottom of the page to get the very latest and official drivers and the upgrader program itself (I failed my upgrade process a few times because the upgrader program I was using was not compatible with their current firmware I was trying to install).

Once you have that, I would follow the directions found here.... http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=preamps&action=display&thread=21370

The upgrade process can be very finicky so I suggest doing the best you can and following each step to the 'T'.

I couldn't get my upgrade to take the 'official' way found in the readme. The alternate method worked like a charm however. You will likely get an apology from Emotiva, because all of their units are SUPPOSED to come fully upgraded. Mine was the same version as yours when it arrived, however I never even did anything with it until I was sure it was fully upgraded. I didn't want all the potential bugs I heard about to ruin my first impression. Anyway, with the newer upgrade, I really hope your UMC-1 gets better. It will probably still have a few quirks when you do get it upgraded, but hopefully it will be much less frustrating for you to use. The sound quality is great!

And if it doesn't work like it should, you should have an upgrade card for their next processor if you haven't already lost too much faith in them as a company. Hopefully in a few weeks, we will have a pretty good idea what the XMC-1 will be like.

I've since check with Emotiva and the unit I have does indeed have the latest software.

Well as "they" say 3rd time lucky!!! I've had the 3rd UMC-1 now installed for about a week and no issues so far.