Replace my Emotiva USP-1 for something else. Help

[ematthews]

I want to replace my Emotiva USP-1 Preamp with a Pre that has tone controls. Is there anything out there that is in the same category as the Emo with tone controls.

My HK3490 Harmon Kardon system sounds better than my Emotiva USP-1 hooked up to my XDA-2.....It's a shame since I spent 275 on the HK and over a grand on the Emotiva

Help with some suggestions please

 

[PENG]

If the hk sounds better why not just use it?

 

[ematthews]

The Polk's are a 4ohm very demanding speaker. The big amp is good for them. I also need two systems. One inside. The other in the bed room

 

[agarwalro]

My HK3490 Harmon Kardon system sounds better than my Emotiva USP-1 hooked up to my XDA-2.....

I'm assuming you meant XPA-2.

You're simply replacing the USP-XPA with the HK and it sounds better. Maybe the pre is broken somehow. Maybe the amp is malfunctioning. There is no way the amp is limiting factor in terms of powering the Polks.

I'm in a slightly shocked state that's all. It's just that your statement defies logic and reviews and forum feedback.

 

[ematthews]

I'm assuming you meant XPA-2.

You're simply replacing the USP-XPA with the HK and it sounds better. Maybe the pre is broken somehow. Maybe the amp is malfunctioning. There is no way the amp is limiting factor in terms of powering the Polks.

I'm in a slightly shocked state that's all. It's just that your statement defies logic and reviews and forum feedback.

Yes. XPA. Sorry
And the HK Does sound better. That is why I am here talking about it. Frustrated.

 

[walter duque]

I want to replace my Emotiva USP-1 Preamp with a Pre that has tone controls. Is there anything out there that is in the same category as the Emo with tone controls.

My HK3490 Harmon Kardon system sounds better than my Emotiva USP-1 hooked up to my XDA-2.....It's a shame since I spent 275 on the HK and over a grand on the Emotiva

Help with some suggestions please

Highend preamps do not have tone controlls.

 

[agarwalro]

IMO the USP and HK pre sections will be equally neutral. The XPA on the other hand will trounce the HK amps. It is primarily the latter makes this situation tough to comprehend.

And the HK Does sound better. That is why I am here talking about it. Frustrated.

It is odd and I hear you on the frustration bit, but, I think this is a win win situation. Offload the Emotiva gear and you will recover a big percentage of the investment. Never look back knowing that you gave a stereo pre and dedicated amp a fair shot and have kept what sounded better.

That said, ears are not a good judge of tonal accuracy. You should pull off some room measurements and eliminate the room from the variables. Don't forget that there is an Emotiva forum and their technical support is really good too. Make sure the decision to remove the Emotivas is an informed choice rather than a psychoacoustic aberration.

Last but not the least, for the sake of my curiosity, how exactly does the HK sound better than the Emotiva gear.

 

[slipperybidness]

Back to your original question.....
check out the parasound 2100. Can get a used one for around the same price as a new USP-1. Check out the review here Parasound 2100 Stereo Preamplifier and 2250 Stereo Power Amplifier

I was highly considering this unit a few weeks ago, but I ended up going with the USP-1 instead

My USP-1 is paired to a parasound 1206 and infinity primus p362 towers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Highend preamps do not have tone controlls.

Exactly.

I wouldn't want any tone control either. They will just mess up the Pure sound.

Changing the Polk speakers to Infinity P363 is the way to go.

 

[slipperybidness]

Exactly.

I wouldn't want any tone control either. They will just mess up the Pure sound.

Changing the Polk speakers to Infinity P363 is the way to go.

Well, the ones that do are defeatable for that reason. I'm not arguing the point, but answering the original question that was ignored along the way.

That was one of the items steering me to the USP over the 2100, but seems the OP may be steering the other direction.

 

[j_garcia]

What Polks are we talking about? LSis? LSi-ms?

FYI: the H/K has preouts. Just use those with the XPA-2. Problem solved.

I too am sort of surprised that the USP-1 doesn't best the H/K, but if that's what you hear, then keep the H/K.

 

[cpp]

Look around on Audiogon there are lots of good pre-amps at a decent price.

 

[Solid-State]

I want to replace my Emotiva USP-1 Preamp with a Pre that has tone controls. Is there anything out there that is in the same category as the Emo with tone controls.

My HK3490 Harmon Kardon system sounds better than my Emotiva USP-1 hooked up to my XDA-2.....It's a shame since I spent 275 on the HK and over a grand on the Emotiva

Help with some suggestions please

If you can afford it, want to kill two birds with one stone, then look no further than Kingwa's Reference-10.2

I can't see how that cheap HK AVR even comes close to a USP-1 and XPA-2. Something is wrong there...

PS sorry wrong price bracket/market bro ... LOL

 

[Solid-State]

Exactly.

I wouldn't want any tone control either. They will just mess up the Pure sound.

Changing the Polk speakers to Infinity P363 is the way to go.

IMHO he would be better off with a pair of Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SEs than EITHER plus he'll have money left in his pocket...

CMT-340 SE Mini-Tower Loudspeaker

That Infinity PC351BK center though looks nice. The mid range drivers remind me of Tangband W4-1337WD or Zaph's mid though I doubt it as it's $65 bucks EACH and there is no way a $300 dollar speaker has that high a calibre drivers in it.

BTW there is something seriously wrong with your gear if the HK rig sounds better.

Are you using cheap transport IE DVD player? I bet your feeding the HK an SP/DIF signal and then the converters in the AVR are being used. I bet when you use the same player with the USP-1 your using it's ANALOG outs thus it's SHITTY CONVERTERS I/V and single ended circuit and prob have it hooked up with boxed CRAP RCA cables...

NO OTHER EXPLANATION

other than component failure in the XPA-2 or USP-1

100% PEKCAK due to lack of understanding of the "audio chain"... your transport chain... or something is seriously wrong with the Emo gear.

You can't tell me it's his ears!

SOMETHING IS WRONG

Take the pre outs from the HK AVR and jack them into the XPA-2. Does it still sound better than the USP-1 !?!

ahh

you just discovered something guy guy...

DAC and I/V STAGE IS EVERYTHING!

Instead of selling off your emo gear you should be buying MORE... like their CD player for example or get a decent DAC! Your transport should be a PC with a decent DAC DUDE!

As a side note and rant, IMHO anybody farting around with LPs or even CDs for that matter outta get their heads examined... It's the 21st century haven't you guys heard of DACs and computers! owh right you tried that and it sounds horrible right... mp3s PC audio sucks right... you ripped it with iTunes (Fraunhofer encoder crap) in CBR 128 and your output converter/source/transport was a mini pin to RCA cable OUTTA YOU iMAC headphone jack you DUMMY!!!

If I only had a dollar for every 55+ old school audio guys (and 20-30 plus LUDDITE/technoweenie/liberal arts types/macheads) that thought these things and have been brainwashed into believing it... whilst they drop $1k on a friggin stylus or can't cue-up a party mix at their house during a GTG/party.

WHAT A JOKE

Seriously how do you guys even find tracks to play? Memorize the track numbers! I seriously don't get it...

Playing music without meta data is like using digital TV without a friggin onscreen TV guide!

PS I find it AMAZING other A/V guys wouldn't clue in right away it's the converters in his transport... to be into this stuff and not spot that right away tells me you haven't even graduated past grade 1 in understanding this stuff and you sure as hell shouldn't be doing it for a living. Or took a $2k weekend CEDIA cert course... hahahhah LOL ROTFLMFAO to have 2k plus posts and not spot this... and be into it... you're an id__t

 

[96cobra10101]

After that last post, I'm subscribed.

 

[agarwalro]

IMHO he would be better off with a pair of Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SEs than EITHER plus he'll have money left in his pocket...

CMT-340 SE Mini-Tower Loudspeaker

That Infinity PC351BK center though looks nice. The mid range drivers remind me of Tangband W4-1337WD or Zaph's mid though I doubt it as it's $65 bucks EACH and there is no way a $300 dollar speaker has that high a calibre drivers in it.

BTW there is something seriously wrong with your gear if the HK rig sounds better.

Are you using cheap transport IE DVD player? I bet your feeding the HK an SP/DIF signal and then the converters in the AVR are being used. I bet when you use the same player with the USP-1 your using it's ANALOG outs thus it's SHITTY CONVERTERS I/V and single ended circuit and prob have it hooked up with boxed CRAP RCA cables...

NO OTHER EXPLANATION

other than component failure in the XPA-2 or USP-1

100% PEKCAK due to lack of understanding of the "audio chain"... your transport chain... or something is seriously wrong with the Emo gear.

You can't tell me it's his ears!

SOMETHING IS WRONG

Take the pre outs from the HK AVR and jack them into the XPA-2. Does it still sound better than the USP-1 !?!

ahh

you just discovered something guy guy...

DAC and I/V STAGE IS EVERYTHING!

Instead of selling off your emo gear you should be buying MORE... like their CD player for example or get a decent DAC! Your transport should be a PC with a decent DAC DUDE!

As a side note and rant, IMHO anybody farting around with LPs or even CDs for that matter outta get their heads examined... It's the 21st century haven't you guys heard of DACs and computers! owh right you tried that and it sounds horrible right... mp3s PC audio sucks right... you ripped it with iTunes (Fraunhofer encoder crap) in CBR 128 and your output converter/source/transport was a mini pin to RCA cable OUTTA YOU iMAC headphone jack you DUMMY!!!

If I only had a dollar for every 55+ old school audio guys (and 20-30 plus LUDDITE/technoweenie/liberal arts types/macheads) that thought these things and have been brainwashed into believing it... whilst they drop $1k on a friggin stylus or can't cue-up a party mix at their house during a GTG/party.

WHAT A JOKE

Seriously how do you guys even find tracks to play? Memorize the track numbers! I seriously don't get it...

Playing music without meta data is like using digital TV without a friggin onscreen TV guide!

PS I find it AMAZING other A/V guys wouldn't clue in right away it's the converters in his transport... to be into this stuff and not spot that right away tells me you haven't even graduated past grade 1 in understanding this stuff and you sure as hell shouldn't be doing it for a living. Or took a $2k weekend CEDIA cert course... hahahhah LOL ROTFLMFAO to have 2k plus posts and not spot this... and be into it... you're an id__t

I need whatever you're on .

 

[cpp]

I need whatever you're on .

me too

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

IMHO he would be better off with a pair of Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SEs than EITHER plus he'll have money left in his pocket...

CMT-340 SE Mini-Tower Loudspeaker

I agree the Ascend would be better. They cost more, but I think it's worth the higher price.

 

[Solid-State]

Yeah AcuDef Dave can't be touched at that price point. Well it is possible with a DIY from GR or a Nat P etc but man...

The first time I hooked up those speakers for a client I almost fell on the floor I was so SHOCKED at the SQ of those speakers for under a grand.

They sound better than a lot of big names at $1-2.5k because of Dave's industry contacts in obtaining QUALITY drivers modified to his spec not to mention he has a hell of a good ear! I also think that gel midwoofer is really something. It has a plastic basket/cage and I seriously wonder if that doesn't help the sonic performance of the driver due to dampening in the cage/basket.

 

[Solid-State]

I need whatever you're on .

me too

OK personal insults suggesting I'm on drugs...

So what is wrong with any of my assertions!?!

I think you two should read this.

http://www.theaudiocritic.com/back_issues/The_Audio_Critic_26_r.pdf

The most LUDICROUS manifestation of the antidigital fallacy is the preference for obsolete LP over CD. Not the analog master tape over the digital master tape, which remains a respectable controversy, but the clicks, crackles and pops of the vinyl over digital data pits' background silence, which is a perverse rejection of reality.

Here are the scientific facts any second-year E.E. student can verify for you: Digital audio is bulletproof in a way analog audio never was and never can be. The 0's and 1's are inherently incapable of being distorted in the signal path, unlike an analog wave form. Even a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, the lowest used in today's high-fidelity applications, more than adequately resolves all audio frequencies. It will not cause any loss of information in the audio range-not an iota, not a scintilla. The "how can two sample points resolve 20 kHz?" argument is an untutored misinterpretation of the Nyquest-Shannon sampling therom. (Doubters are advised to take an elementary course in digital systems.)

The reason why certain analog recordings sound better than certain digital recordings is that the engineers did a better job with microphone placement, levels, balance, and equalization, or that the recording venue was acoustically superior. Some early digital recording were indeed hard and edgy, not because the engineers were still thinking analog, compensating for an anticipated losses that did not exist. Today's best digital recordings are the best recordings ever made. To be fair, it must be admitted that the state-of-the-art digital recording, at this stage of their respective technologies will probably be of comparable quality. Even so , the number of Tree-Worshiping Analog Druids is rapidly dwindling in the professional recording world. The digital way is simply the better way.

Yeah but they are GROWING in the home audio segment Peter!

BTW what are you two ____ smoking !!! BANANA PEALS !!!