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Onkyo 885 or Emo UMC-1

1874 Views 23 Replies 14 Participants Last post by rboster, Feb 19, 2010

lrock59040

Discussion Starter · Feb 10, 2010

I can get the Onkyo now for a bit more money than the what I would pay for UMC-1 but I've been eyeing the umc-1 for quite awhile now. Does anybody think that there would be anything to gain by waiting for the UMC-1 or should the Onkyo be at least an equal performer?

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

RoboRay

· #2 · Feb 10, 2010

I've had an Onkyo 885 for almost two years and am not planning a change at this time, but would be seriously considering the UMC-1 if I were shopping now. They are comparable performers, although both have minor advantages over the other. I think the UMC-1 is still too new to take a decisive position on their relative merits.

I think most people would be happy with either, so long as Emotiva fixes the current problems with UMC-1.

Also, since you're considering the 885, take a look at the 886. It's a year newer and comes with a couple of worthy improvements, along with fixing a couple of minor bugs that are still in the 885.

rtart

· #3 · Feb 17, 2010

^^+1

I bought an 885 over a year ago after waiting a long time for my UMC-1. I'd look at the 886 as well if you can find one. The 885 and 886 will do balanced outputs, if you need it (I use them) and are a stable (as in mostly past the bug-fix stage) platform. I own an Emo XPA-5 and UPA-2 and have been very happy with them. I'm not very happy, however, with Emo's handling of the pre-buy process for the UMC-1. I have no idea, literally, of when my name will come up. When it does I will probably give/sell my slot to someone and keep my 885. It would look cool on top of my other Emo gear, but cosmetics are not worth the wait and the possible update hassles. I'll buy Emo again if needed, but not unless it is real, proven already-been-shipping-a-while gear.

It's a shame, since I really wanted the Emo unit - when it was promised- well over a year ago. I'm very happy I pulled the trigger on the 885, since I've had it for over a year, and see no reason to swap it out now.

NJTEX

· #4 · Feb 17, 2010

Why not do free 30 day trials with both to really see what you like better? One or the other could also even work a lot better with your system too.

rtart

· #5 · Feb 17, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by NJTEX /forum/post/18153607

Why not do free 30 day trials with both to really see what you like better? One or the other could also even work a lot better with your system too.

Always a good idea, but I'm not sure one can find a 885 or 886 with those terms.

Heck, I may try the Emo and see if I am "wowed" enough to swap my 885 for the UMC-1.

ccotenj

· #6 · Feb 17, 2010

considering one unit "works" and the other "is laden with bugs, with no foreseeable end in sight", i know which one i'd choose...

akbungle

· #7 · Feb 17, 2010

2

Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj /forum/post/18154237

considering one unit "works" and the other "is laden with bugs, with no foreseeable end in sight", i know which one i'd choose...

That is a bit more than rough.

Laden with bugs? Since the firmware update most of the issues were taken care of.

Yes there are still a few bugs lingering but the unit is solid and every pre-pro/receiver(many) I've used since DVI days has had an issue or two that either was never dealt with or took months for a solution.

I received my UMC-1 yesterday and am trilled with the quality of the sound and picture I am receiving from it.

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Elmo C

· #8 · Feb 17, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj /forum/post/18154237

considering one unit "works" and the other "is laden with bugs, with no foreseeable end in sight", i know which one i'd choose...

I've been more than happy with my UMC,I've owned many Onkyos.We all have different taste,only you can decide.

ccotenj

· #9 · Feb 17, 2010

2

at the risk of this turning into another "emo rules/emo sucks" thread... especially since i think they neither rule nor suck...

i have no skin in the game, i'm a pioneer ho'...

so i'm looking it at it as a "disinterested third party"... from that disinterested third party position, my post is "correct"... although i should have figured that the emo cheerleaders would find fault with my post...

that being said, i've been following the umc odyssey with great interest for a long time... to suggest that it's anywhere close to ironed out (even with the most recent firmware) is a bit "hopeful"... it would be nice if it was... then it really would be the "no brainer" that many would like to believe it is...

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penngray

· #10 · Feb 17, 2010

Emo Amps Rule.......Emo Pre/pros suck......

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penngray

· #11 · Feb 17, 2010

2

Quote:
Originally Posted by akbungle /forum/post/18155546

That is a bit more than rough.

Laden with bugs? Since the firmware update most of the issues were taken care of.

Yes there are still a few bugs lingering but the unit is solid and every pre-pro/receiver(many) I've used since DVI days has had an issue or two that either was never dealt with or took months for a solution.

I received my UMC-1 yesterday and am trilled with the quality of the sound and picture I am receiving from it.

Great to read!

I will upgrade my "Emo Pre/Pros suck" too....Emo Pre/Pro could be a great value pick soon.

Of course I will now wait until its $499 in about 6 months

I still want to know about HDMI to Component video functionality because I have a specific need.

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crOwcaine

· #12 · Feb 17, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray /forum/post/18156011

Emo Amps Rule.......Emo Pre/pros suck......

+1

What sucks even more are the responses people are getting from Lonnie concerning the botched EmoQ. Disgraceful...

ccotenj

· #13 · Feb 17, 2010

2

Quote:
Originally Posted by penngray /forum/post/18156011

Emo Amps Rule.......Emo Pre/pros suck......

Quote:
Originally Posted by crOwcaine /forum/post/18156037

+1

What sucks even more are the responses people are getting from Lonnie concerning the botched EmoQ. Disgraceful...

ok, ok... emo amps rule and emo pre/pros suck!!

yes, the emo-q fiasco is one of the reasons why i noted that the umc is far from "ironed out", regardless of what a few vocal posters might have you believe....

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Elmo C

· #14 · Feb 18, 2010

Well...there you have it,the 885 must not suck so it's the one to buy.I know I always let other people tell me what sucks,especially people with only MY best interest in mind,and not their own agenda,lol.

mbyrnes

· #15 · Feb 18, 2010

I would go with the 886. Really just to get Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ. Two features My 805 doesn't have that I would really like.

Brian-HD

· #16 · Feb 18, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj /forum/post/18155982

at the risk of this turning into another "emo rules/emo sucks" thread... especially since i think they neither rule nor suck...

i have no skin in the game, i'm a pioneer ho'...

so i'm looking it at it as a "disinterested third party"... from that disinterested third party position, my post is "correct"... although i should have figured that the emo cheerleaders would find fault with my post...

that being said, i've been following the umc odyssey with great interest for a long time... to suggest that it's anywhere close to ironed out (even with the most recent firmware) is a bit "hopeful"... it would be nice if it was... then it really would be the "no brainer" that many would like to believe it is...

But you do have some skin. If you are the same Christ with the AMP.

jpmst3

· #17 · Feb 18, 2010

I was in the same boat. I do like the fact that Emo gives you a considerable discount when the next model is released.

I am just going to wait for a 1.4 and IIz version...

ThisOneKidMongo

· #18 · Feb 18, 2010

I think you need to take your specific needs into account for this decision. Me, I prioritize functionality--so I just sold my UMC and picked up an 885. I got sick of the bugs and did not feel like going through several rounds of FW updates. (The fact that Emo-Q is STILL bungled so badly in their super-duper-thoroughly-tested FW revision, and their pithy excuses for it, does not fill me with confidence, either.) What pushed me off the fence were smaller operational foibles, most of which will likely never be affected by FW updates: slow boot-up (which plays horribly with Harmony remotes), slow HDMI switching (YMMV, but 5-10 seconds vs 1-2 for the Onkyo), no selectable video output, no way to pass 1080p/24 other than passthrough. Adding all these up, I began to wonder what my $700 really was paying for. Older, tested hardware began to make a lot more sense to me.

Frankly, unless you are a complete two-channel freak I can't imagine anything about the UMC will "wow" you to the point where you'd definitely want it over the 885. And SQ is, of course, subjective. What I do miss about the UMC are the slim profile, cosmetics (hey, it matched my LPA-1) and pretty GUI, but those sure weren't worth the headache to me. My new 885 may be ugly as sin, but it's nice to be able to turn on my system now and not wonder if everything is going to work okay.

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RoboRay

· #19 · Feb 18, 2010

Hey, if you think the Onkyo is ugly, you should check out the Integra versions!

ccotenj

· #20 · Feb 18, 2010

2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian-HD /forum/post/18157397

But you do have some skin. If you are the same Christ with the AMP.

nope. i don't have any emo products, and the only onkyo piece i have is an ancient avr that claimed from my dad's house when i bought him a yammy a few years ago... that's sitting in the "land of misfit a/v equipment" in my shed, awaiting a project that still hasn't gotten off the ground...

i was initially tempted to answer "neither" (given my preference for pioneer products), but realized that probably wasn't helpful...

i understand the excitement around the umc, especially for long time emo customers... however, as much as someone likes a particular brand, they still have to look at things realistically...

i look at it this way... as noted, i'm a big pioneer guy... but when i replaced my trusty old bdp-s1 with a new machine, i replaced it with the oppo unit, and not one of the pioneer units...

oh well... i don't think i'll change anyone's mind...

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1 - 20 of 24 Posts

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