Emotiva MC-700 pre-pro

[rasiahm]

I have a Emotova UMC-200 pre-pro right now. Great sound but does not image well at all. Want to upgrade to Emotiva MC-700. Does anyone know if this MC-700 image well? Afraid to buy until i know.....thanks, Mano

 

[lovinthehd]

What do you mean by image? Generally more a product of the recording and your speakers/room.....

 

[rasiahm]

Thx for your response. I am not an expert but it is the same thing as "soundstage", I think; ie, in direct or stereo mode the sound from instruments and singers voice, will appear to come from their actual location in the stage, especially the singer's voice will be heard in the middle between the 2 front speakers, as the singer is usually in the middle of the stage. I have an old Onkyo sr804. I use the pre-outs in the 804 and It images very well compared to the Emo-UMC200 (using the same equipment and cables). I am hoping the MC-700 does a better job but do not want to buy until I hear what current owners think.

 

[lovinthehd]

That's what I was referring to, while you may have some dsp that may change it, this is essentially what is baked into the recording and the results of the interface of speakers and your room, not the electronics. Good luck, tho.

 

[rasiahm]

Playing the same song. Only switching the 804 for the emo700. No other variables. 804 images better. Thus my question. Thx Lovinthehd

 

[lovinthehd]

Describe your comparison more. Is it level matched at least?

 

[rasiahm]

Yes volume set to same; I am only switching the DSP's. Everything else is same....thx

 

[lovinthehd]

That isn't necessarily level matched then (due gain differences); small differences in volume generally have the slightly louder one perceived as "better". Slow switching like that doesn't help, sonic memory tends to be quite short. I think you're over worrying about it in any case.

Why not just use the Onkyo if you think it sounds better to you?

 

[rasiahm]

Ok thx. While Onkyo seem to image well the overall sound is not as rich as the Emo. I also want to upgrade to 4k. Onkyo is 1080p. Thats why I am looking at the Emo-700. I do not know how to level match or have the equipment to do that anyway.....thx again.

 

[lovinthehd]

Ok thx. While Onkyo seem to image well the overall sound is not as rich as the Emo. I also want to upgrade to 4k. Onkyo is 1080p. Thats why I am looking at the Emo-700. I do not know how to level match or have the equipment to do that anyway.....thx again.

Doing a proper level matched test can be hard to setup. You can use an spl meter, or even better yet a multimeter to measure voltage but it's generally said you need to match within 0.1 dB when comparing such, and preferably have a way to switch back and forth quickly and not be influenced by knowledge/sight.....

I'd choose any new pre-pro based on the features and connectivity and price....maybe a consideration of output level depending on the sensitivity of the amp being used.

 

[rasiahm]

Thx Loveinthehd. I am sure I will end up getting the Emo-700. Gd reviews, price and I know Emo provides excellent service.

 

[MalVeauX]

Hi,

The factory refurbs sale on the MC700 is up and its available for a good price. I actually want one, but at the same time, I worry about its processing options for surround, its lack of upmixing for surround channels at the level of Dolby Surround Upmixer and of course the lack of being able to expand the surround channels to atmos and the future HDMI protocols. Unfortunately their next step up processor is several thousand, nothing in between.

Very best,

 

[j_garcia]

It isn't that great of a price at $630, when it wasn't much more new. I have the MC700 and I like it, imaging is not an issue. That has more to do with your speakers and source than the Pre, though it does contribute. I had the UMC-200 before it and the MC700 has a better calibration software and does sound better.

No issues with surround processing, it handles Atmos tracks perfectly fine as TrueHD, but you are correct that you cannot add height speakers, something I am interested in doing as well. There's not really another option in their lineup until you get the XMC-2 that has Atmos and the height channels. The XMC-1 was not too big of a step up in price, but it lacks height channels as well. I am considering the XMC-2 but the Marantz 7705 is less and appears to have pretty much the same features.

 

[rasiahm]

It isn't that great of a price at $630, when it wasn't much more new. I have the MC700 and I like it, imaging is not an issue. That has more to do with your speakers and source than the Pre, though it does contribute. I had the UMC-200 before it and the MC700 has a better calibration software and does sound better.

No issues with surround processing, it handles Atmos tracks perfectly fine as TrueHD, but you are correct that you cannot add height speakers, something I am interested in doing as well. There's not really another option in their lineup until you get the XMC-2 that has Atmos and the height channels. The XMC-1 was not too big of a step up in price, but it lacks height channels as well. I am considering the XMC-2 but the Marantz 7705 is less and appears to have pretty much the same features.

Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear no imaging issue with your MC700. For my room configuration the MC700 should do fine. I went ahead and ordered the factory renewed although I agree with you 630$ is not really a great deal......thx

 

[slipperybidness]

What speakers are you running?

As far as imaging, I would be looking at speaker placement and playing around with toe-in before throwing $ at it. A little speaker placement experimentation may be the answer.

 

[rasiahm]

Using Paradigm Studio 80; pretty old but great sound. Have spikes on and have played with placements. But from all the responses I dont see anyone having imaging problems with the UMC-200 or MC-700. So I went ahead and ordered the MC700. Thanks for sharing.