anthem mrx300 vs yamaha 2010 vs emotiva umc1 and xpa 5
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What exactly are you asking?
The main difference between the three is the Room EQ scheme they employ. (That, and possibly reliability, for which I'd probably go with Yamaha.)
But if you are looking into Room EQ, perhaps you should also include Audyssey and (my favorite) Trinnov (the R-972 with Trinnov Optimizer can still be found for dirt cheap at accessories4less).
The main difference between the three is the Room EQ scheme they employ. (That, and possibly reliability, for which I'd probably go with Yamaha.)
But if you are looking into Room EQ, perhaps you should also include Audyssey and (my favorite) Trinnov (the R-972 with Trinnov Optimizer can still be found for dirt cheap at accessories4less).
Ryan i appreciate your help, have you owned any of these? If so I would like to know about bugs, sound quality etc. I know sound quality is subjective and it sounds to me like you are one of those who believes all amps sound the same however I know my Rotel sounds better than my friends 300.00 pioneer when hooked to my speakers. I am just looking for general impressions from those that have used these units.
I have the MRX 700. When they were compared, I had the B&K 200.5 amp to the UMC. B&K sold and UMC returned. I am very happy with ARC and the sound of the MRX 700. If you get the 300, I would compared with AMP on and off. For the 700, I did not need the AMP, but I am not sure about the 300. My speakers are B&W 805D.
I have the MRX 700. When they were compared, I had the B&K 200.5 amp to the UMC. B&K sold and UMC returned. I am very happy with ARC and the sound of the MRX 700. If you get the 300, I would compared with AMP on and off. For the 700, I did not need the AMP, but I am not sure about the 300. My speakers are B&W 805D.
I have not owned them, but have considered them all.
While I do believe that blind testing is the only way to test these things (as opposed to asking random strangers about "sound quality"
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), I assumed that you are asking about the processor functions of these boxes. If so, again, the main difference will be Room EQ.
The Emotiva unit appears to have some fundamental Room EQ implementation problems, in addition to other quality control issues.
ARC has good reviews and it looks potentially as a winner among the three, but there are a few too many reports of reliability problems, with warranty service possibly prone to present more hassle than many other brands.
Yamaha has good reliability and service reputation, but I am not certain that their Room EQ is on par with Audyssey or ARC (and I find Trinnov considerably better than Audyssey XT). Perhaps someone can chime in on how YPAO-R.S.C. compares to the rest.
You do not mention the size of your room, but if average, you are unlikely to need a separate amp -- the CM7s are relatively efficient, although I remember something about a larger than normal dip in the mids (impedance issue?) which may or may not be audible, depending on where it is. Presumably it should be improved by a good Room EQ, so whatever you get, is likely to improve things compared to your old Rotel.
I have not owned them, but have considered them all.
While I do believe that blind testing is the only way to test these things (as opposed to asking random strangers about "sound quality"
The Emotiva unit appears to have some fundamental Room EQ implementation problems, in addition to other quality control issues.
ARC has good reviews and it looks potentially as a winner among the three, but there are a few too many reports of reliability problems, with warranty service possibly prone to present more hassle than many other brands.
Yamaha has good reliability and service reputation, but I am not certain that their Room EQ is on par with Audyssey or ARC (and I find Trinnov considerably better than Audyssey XT). Perhaps someone can chime in on how YPAO-R.S.C. compares to the rest.
You do not mention the size of your room, but if average, you are unlikely to need a separate amp -- the CM7s are relatively efficient, although I remember something about a larger than normal dip in the mids (impedance issue?) which may or may not be audible, depending on where it is. Presumably it should be improved by a good Room EQ, so whatever you get, is likely to improve things compared to your old Rotel.
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