EMOTIVA Thread Q&A [TECHNICAL TALK ONLY] - Page 9

This thread contains posts from Musicfirst and Patjessi that compare the LCM-1 and LPA-1 to high end receivers and other expensive pre/pros. Both feel the Emotiva easily exceeds them with regard to sound quality. Both 2-channel and DD/DST. I have a LPA-1 on my radar screen to try in my system. I'll be ordering in a couple weeks or so.

Jim

In answer to an earlier question, I don't know what 5/7 stereo mode is either, if it's a Denon setting, I've never owned a Denon, so you have me there. For DirectTV, XBOX 360, and PS3 game that are not in DD, I'm using the Dolby Prologix 2x. I have a 5.1 set up though, so not sure if that is lining up with the 5/7 question if that is used in a 7.1 set up

And to address another above comment, I do believe the Emotiva's market their gear as "best bang for the Buck". To my ear though, they sound better than my previous arcam, as well as a high end Marantz that I demo'd when I purchased my current speakers. I don't think that the LMC1-/LPA-1 combo will out perform and out dazzle a $10,000 pre/pro set up (Nor does Emotiva as they have higher end units in their own line), but then I don't think my ears will hear $9k worth of sound improvement. At some point, the cost factor for sound quality starts yielding diminishing returns.

Ok, I apologise, I did misread that. However the point remains that the DMC1 will outperform other pre/pros in that price range (if you can find one) Outlaw Audio excepted because of the EMO value for money. Secrets of HT and Audioholics both said in their reviews :
From Secrets....

At two thousand dollars for seven channels x 200 watts, the bench test results of the MPS-1 are so good, they are scary.

Conclusions

The Emotiva DMC-1 surround sound processor and MPS-1 multi-channel amplifier pair are big, bold, and beautiful. The extensive features and the solid performance that they offer are hard to beat at their price point. And they can even challenge products from the higher priced competitors.
From Audioholics....

The Emotiva is a beautiful processor to look at - as much a piece of artwork as it is a high-performance machine for high-end audio. This product is geared towards audio enthusiasts who desire the best sound quality possible. With an MSRP of $2495 it also comes in at almost $1500 less than the Sunfire Theater Grand IV, which has nearly identical innards and the same processing core. Add an MPS-1 7-channel amplifier and you beat an equivalent Sunfire combo by almost $3000. If you want all the latest features and gadgets, or if you are trying to spend as little as possible for your home theater system then look elsewhere, this product isn't for you. If, however, you want to enter the realm of high-end audio and experience separates at a competitive price to their peers, then the DMC-1 is a great processor to drive the reference system in your listening room.

As of note this DMC1 now sells for $1499 the MPS1 for $1599 in 7 channel config.

My point is that one cannot argue the value for money on these products, if you have never seen and heard this gear in person you simply will not understand.

I would have to disagree.. If you want the best "bang" for your buck go with Outlaw Audio.

Well guys, I have been interested in going the PRE/PRO and Amp separates route for some time. My budget held me back though, so the Ultra Theater LMC-1/LPA-1 combo is very interesting to me!

Here is my hitch:

I just bought a Pioneer Elite VSX-82txv and a PS3 for Blu-Ray. I have been stoked about the whole LPCM thing.

My thoughts are that Emotiva combo would likely sound better. I have a 7.1 setup, Polk RTi70's, CSi40, RTi28's, and FXi30's. May be going to their LSi series in the near future, which is a 4ohm speaker, so in that case, separates are almost necessary.

I suspect I would get better sound from the Emotiva Combo, especially with the 4ohm LSi's, but am I going to be giving up ALOT in terms of LPCM?? The futre 40% off deal is great so I could get the newer processor in the future, but right now, is the loss of LPCM a killer?

Oh, I will have the PS3 and either my HD Cable box or a Dish VIP622DVR hooked up to it. Nothing else to speak of, so the HDMI pass through switch will work.

My projector (Optoma HD70) has the Faroudja DCDi scaler, which I would lose form the ELITE. Should the scaler in the projector do the same thing for me interms of UPSCALING an upconverted signal from the Emotiva pre/pro via component?

Thanks in advance!

Sorry guys after several hours of tweaking this just doesn't cut it. Next I will try the LPS-1 amp and the denon as a prepro. Prior to this I had Parasound Halo C2 and their 5 ch. amp and it sounded much like the Emo stuff.

I have been at this for 40 years and when I started to like surround there was no going back. the emo stuff sounds great in stereo but does not compare to the Denon 5/7 ch. stereo.

More people should try it. We are all being hyped by the articles raving about dolby for years.

I am curious. What Outlaw combo would you say competes with the Emotiva Pre/Pro/Amp/HDMI Switcher LMC/LPA for $900?

Just wanted to say, I just received my LPA-1 today, and actually this is my second time with an LPA-1. Both times, I am using my Pioneer 1014 as a pre-pro. Anyway, I prematurely got rid of the first LPA-1 a little to fast and did not give it much time. Since then, I did a lot of research and decided that based on my listening habits, the LPA-1 was just what I needed, so I ordered again! I sure am glad I did!! The LPA-1 is truely a HUGE bargin and really cannot be beat. I am happy as a clam and this time it will stay!!! If anyone is one the fence, try this amp out and I bet you will not be sorry!! Thanks Emotiva for a great product!!

Exactly - and this is coming from a person who owns the Emotiva LMC-1 and the Outlaw 7125

(I went with the Outlaw 7125 as I am bi-amping my front L/R speakers - needed 125x7 - otherwise I would have surely gone with the LPA-1 at about half the price of the 7125)

I think he was joking about the Outlaw having the biggest "bang." Get it coyboys, guns, bang bang....

Subtle but funny nonetheless!

So I am interested in thoughts about the Outlaw 7125 vs the LPA-1. I have been reading as much as I can about the Emo's and have been looking at Outlaw for several years waiting to upgrade.

I currently have a Yamaha RX-V2095 and PSB speakers - 500 mains, 100c center and Alpha's for surrounds. I plan on putting PSB T65's and a C60 up front. I am about 60/40 movies/music. I rarely use any DSP fields but audio over HDMI is somewhat attractive.

I am considering three options and would appreciate any/all feedback.

1. Replace 2095 with RX-V2700
2. Replace 2095 with Emo UL combo
3. Add Outlaw 7125, replace 2095 with LMC-2 or next gen Outlaw (990 follow-on).

I would say get the RX-V2700, and combine it with an MPS-1.

5-channel stereo isn't a Denon exclusive. It's just a mode that takes the left channel and sends it to the speakers on the left, sends the right channel signal to the speakers on the right, and puts the combined signal in the center channel.

It's probably not in the Emotiva line because audiophiles would listen to 2-channel music in 2, 2.1 or at the most DPLII.

I never liked 5-chan stereo, or even the DPLII modes, for stereo music. You get no imaging or soundstage that way.

The DMC-1 has a mode called Party. You can in this mode create a 5 channel stereo setup. I have mine set with the center channel off and use my fronts and rears only, works great for me.

You are quite correct that 5/7 Stereo isn't exclusive to Denon. You can find it on Denon, Rotel, Harman/Kardon, Adcom, Outlaw, and Pioneer offerings (and probably others as well).

I don't know if that's the actual reason. Emotiva's processors all include modes like Hall, Party, and Stadium - none of which are generally of interest to audiophiles.

I've used 7 Stereo before for background music during parties or holiday gatherings. Aside from those cases, I tend to listen to my music in its native mode (stereo for CD's, multichannel for things like DVD-A and SACD).

Anyone here ever directly compared (as in, with their ears ) the Gemstone Blue Diamond to the MPS-1? These are my top two amp candidates at the moment ...

paul

Paul, I have asked tha question in the past & have not heard an answer. I hope we find someone tha has them both.

One of these days I'll probably order the MPS-1 and give it a try. I had the Gemstone and didn't like it much.

R

I have to say their amps are great but the mmc-1 doesn't cut it I am now using the denon 3805 as a preamp only and it sounds great with the lps=1 as it's new amp

Bill,

The Denon is superior how? In terms of sound quality? Ease of Use? or was it still the 5 channel stereo?

Just curious, thanks!

thanks for the response! The other amp on my list is the NAD M25 ... anything to say about that?

paul

I haven't heard the NAD. The amps I've heard in my system are the Integra Research RDA-7.1 and RDA-7, the ATI 2007, the Gemstone, the Parasound 2205, the Sony TA-N9000es and the Carvin HD1800 pro amp. The Carvin was really good and the best value by far, it's a stereo amp though and would need 4 for a 7.1 system. At $329 the Carvin is the best value by far.

R

I've been doing some research on amps the past week or so and was pointed to the Emotiva line. I gotta Say, after everything I've read on them, I'm impressed and very close to pulling the trigger on the LPA-1. I'd be using an onkyo-804 as the pre and Infinity primus 360's, 250's, 160's, and a c25 for the speakers. All of my speakers are rated between 150 and 200 RMS. My question is, would the LPA-1 be enough power? I've read in some posts that speakers with similar power ratings should have between 200-400 amps per channel. I already plan on using the onkyo to power the two 160's. Would I be a lot better of with the MPS?

I just want to play loud and guarantee enough headroom to prevent clipping. (I don't want to replace any more tweeters)
Any thoughts?

The LPA-1 will fit the bill! I think some people really get hung up on the watts per channel number. If you double the LPA-1's watts per channel, you would gain a whopping 3db

while the LPA-1 will work fine (especially for $499.00), I would go for the MPS-1 if you can afford it. As far as I'm concerned 150W to 200W per/chan (all channels loaded) is just about right.

One of the best amp's available in it's class. Has NAD's new built-in "variable-speed" fan technology. The guys at my local shop (NAD dealer) just rave about this amp.

Actually I use three NAD C272 amps (150W X 2 each), combined with a Yamaha RX-V1600 (as pre-pro only), it's a beautiful sounding thing!

It just plain sounded better or equal in all modes including stereo but in the end I am still using 5 CH stereo. I have had several people listen and they all agree.

If you haven't seen it, here is an interesting read on power required for speakers.

Best
Ray

Great post Ray!

From another perspective. My amp has readouts in watts for each channel or amp total. Only 0s show up most of the time with loud scenes bumping up to 6-8 at 75dB. If I turn up the volume to really loud, it might hit 20.

I just ordered my LMC/LMP 1 from emotiva to replace my Pioneer Elite 72 Everyone over there was very helpful. I will post a review shortly!