[AKishkovsky]

Has anyone here used the Usp-1 from Emotiva, Im feeling around for input. Seams like a nice way to integrate 2 channel music without havinf to build a seperate dedicated system. Ill likely use this with the upa-2 amp if and when I can pull the trigger on a purchase.


A little bit of background,


I am currently using a Marantz sr5002 receiver with paradigm monitor7 mains and SVS Subwoofer. The feature that attracts me is the low pass/hi pass Cross over capability of the unit. In my head I'm thinking about setting the low pass for the sub to 80hz meanwhile limiting the bass on my mains to 60hz. Anyoo, Im still a noob to this for the most part.


All input is good input.

 

[Eternal Velocity]

Nice pre, but I'd pair it with two UPA-1 mono blocks

 

[AKishkovsky]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Eternal Velocity /forum/post/19519202


Nice pre, but I'd pair it with two UPA-1 mono blocks

I like the way you think......However my wife/financial accountant doesn't.

Anyhoo, the long term goal is to get ahold of a used or refurbed sacd player and maybe a half way decent turntable. I guess what Im looking for is some opinions on functionality, sound quality etcetera...... Maybe I havent looked hard enough on the forum but I havent seen really much info or insight from owners of this unit.

 

[math wizard]

I have this unit. You can use it just the way you described. Mine is use with an Emotiva ERC-1 CD player and connected to a Emotiva XPA-3 amp. I have my fronts and subs crossed over similar to what you want to do. The HT bypass feature is also great (allows you to use one set of speakers for 2-ch and home theater).

 

[AKishkovsky]



Quote:
Originally Posted by math wizard /forum/post/19519405


I have this unit. You can use it just the way you described. Mine is use with an Emotiva ERC-1 CD player and connected to a Emotiva XPA-3 amp. I have my fronts and subs crossed over similar to what you want to do. The HT bypass feature is also great (allows you to use one set of speakers for 2-ch and home theater).

Thanks for the input, You actually set off another light bulb. Im looking at a couple of players/transports. This may sound retarded of me, but Im scared of front slot cd players vs. tray types. Ive got a collection of out of production classical music that I refuse to put anywhere near the cd player in my truck.....LOL. Do you have any problems with that player scratching your cd's. Please don't hesitate to call me a fool. Its a matter of perception

 

[Bill Mac]

I had the USP-1 in my system for awhile and for the cost it is a great preamp with excellent features. I eventually bought a Parasound 2100 which costs more than the USP-1 but has the features I wanted.


One feature that the 2100 has that the USP-1 does not have is use of the full range outputs when using the HT Bypass. The other big feature is the 2100 does not have to be powered up when using the HT Bypass where the USP-1 has to be powered up. The USP-1 has non dimmable front panel lights so it is quite bright when it is on watching a movie with the lights off. If you have your gear in a enclosed cabinent then it would not be an issue.


The USP-1 does have more flexible bass management controls with adjustable low pass and high pass settings. The 2100 has an adjustable low pass (20-140Hz) but the high pass is fixed at 80Hz. I have the LP on my 2100 set to 80Hz and with the fixed HP at 80Hz it works fine in my system. I think the UPA-2 would work fine especially if your room is not that large. Of course two UPA-1s would be nice as well

.


You can read through the 2100 thread I linked below to get other 2100 owners impressions. For the money you can not beat the USP-1 but if you can spend a bit more I would go with the 2100.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1136817

http://www.parasound.com/nc/2100.php


Great price on refurbished 2100s at Audio Advisor with full Parasound warranty. I bought my 2100 as an open box from AA and it was actually brand new in a sealed box.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...umber=2PAC2100


Bill

 

[AKishkovsky]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Mac /forum/post/19519877


I had the USP-1 in my system for awhile and for the cost it is a great preamp with excellent features. I eventually bought a Parasound 2100 which costs more than the USP-1 but has the features I wanted.


One feature that the 2100 has that the USP-1 does not have is use of the full range outputs when using the HT Bypass. The other big feature is the 2100 does not have to be powered up when using the HT Bypass where the USP-1 has to be powered up. The USP-1 has non dimmable front panel lights so it is quite bright when it is on watching a movie with the lights off. If you have your gear in a enclosed cabinent then it would not be an issue.


The USP-1 does have more flexible bass management controls with adjustable low pass and high pass settings. The 2100 has an adjustable low pass (20-140Hz) but the high pass is fixed at 80Hz. I have the LP on my 2100 set to 80Hz and with the fixed HP at 80Hz it works fine in my system. I think the UPA-2 would work fine especially if your room is not that large. Of course two UPA-1s would be nice as well

.


You can read through the 2100 thread I linked below to get other 2100 owners impressions. For the money you can not beat the USP-1 but if you can spend a bit more I would go with the 2100.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1136817

http://www.parasound.com/nc/2100.php


Great price on refurbished 2100s at Audio Advisor with full Parasound warranty. I bought my 2100 as an open box from AA and it was actually brand new in a sealed box.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...umber=2PAC2100


Bill

Thank you for input anbd the links. The 2100 looks great with the exception of the High pass cutoff being limited to 80 hz. My receiver already does that. What has prompted me to look at a pre with ht bypass is that I have found myself listening to alot of music and depending on the source material I switch from Pure direct which sends full range signal to my speakers (paradigm monitor7 v.6), to crossed over at 80hz between the mains and the sub. and on some I do a mix of full range plus sub. The monitor 7's do great when crossed over, and they do pretty damn well well in pure direct/full range mode. However, I think there is a sweet spot to be found with the digms. Although they are rated to extend down to 41hz or so, I really think that a cross over point of somehere between 50 and 60 hz could really let them shine. the last peice of the puzzle when trying this would be some critial listening with the sub limited at 60hz and at 80hz to help round out the bass. The monitor 7's do have their limitations, but I have a hunch that they can be overcome with a new toy from Emotiva. hopefully Im not lying to myself.

 

[John Schneider]

Anybody have an opinion on the phono preamp of this unit?


I need to get a phono preamp of some sort (good quality) and this would solve two issues for me at the same time.


What does it compare to sound quality wise?

 

[Jive Turkey]



Quote:
Originally Posted by John Schneider /forum/post/19525154


Anybody have an opinion on the phono preamp of this unit?


I need to get a phono preamp of some sort (good quality) and this would solve two issues for me at the same time.


What does it compare to sound quality wise?

I'm not sure if your're asking about the Emotiva or the Parasound, but I was surprised at how nice the phono stage in the 2100 was. I'm still going to use my SimAudio Moon LP-3 outboard, I like it's level of detail, but I wouldn't hesitate to listen to vinyl through the 2100. In my system it's a warmer sound than the LP-3, and does throw a nice soundstage.

 

[John Schneider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jive Turkey I'm not sure if your're asking about the Emotiva or the Parasound, but I was surprised at how nice the phono stage in the 2100 was. I'm still going to use my SimAudio Moon LP-3 outboard, I like it's level of detail, but I wouldn't hesitate to listen to vinyl through the 2100. In my system it's a warmer sound than the LP-3, and does throw a nice soundstage.

Forgot to specify

Was referring to the Emotiva

 

[math wizard]



Quote:
Originally Posted by AKishkovsky /forum/post/19519661


Thanks for the input, You actually set off another light bulb. Im looking at a couple of players/transports. This may sound retarded of me, but Im scared of front slot cd players vs. tray types. Ive got a collection of out of production classical music that I refuse to put anywhere near the cd player in my truck.....LOL. Do you have any problems with that player scratching your cd's. Please don't hesitate to call me a fool. Its a matter of perception

Sorry about the late reply. There has been no scratching of CD's with this unit.