Good pre-amps/amps for SongTowers?

writeface · « **Reply #40 on:** 28 Feb 2010, 01:15 am »

Thanks K Shep.

I called Music Lovers@SFO about VTL TL 2.5. As per Alex the tubes are not engaged during the bypass mode and hence the life is not affected.

TJHUB · « **Reply #41 on:** 2 Mar 2010, 12:18 pm »

Quote from: charmerci on 2 Mar 2010, 11:35 am

If you want Emotiva products, all you have to do is wait a while and their prices (used) should drop considerably but you can forget about company support for now -

http://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/av123-mark-schifter-indicted-grand-jury

Emotiva has nothing to do with AV123 or Mark Schifter.

charmerci · « **Reply #42 on:** 2 Mar 2010, 12:31 pm »

Ooops SORRY!

(They parted ways.)

ralfale · « **Reply #43 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 04:18 pm »

Has anyone tried the emotiva umc1 + power amp combo with ST?

taoggniklat · « **Reply #44 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 04:37 pm »

Quote from: ralfale on 4 Mar 2010, 04:18 pm

Has anyone tried the emotiva umc1 + power amp combo with ST?

Not too many people out there have a UMC-1. There are several members who use or have used Emotiva power amps.

TJHUB · « **Reply #45 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 04:44 pm »

Quote from: ralfale on 4 Mar 2010, 04:18 pm

Has anyone tried the emotiva umc1 + power amp combo with ST?

Have you been following the UMC-1 on the Emo forum? I would't touch that thing! Even for free, they can keep it.

divisionbell77 · « **Reply #46 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 05:45 pm »

Emotiva does not seem to excel at cheap, working, surround sound processors.

TJHUB · « **Reply #47 on:** 4 Mar 2010, 05:47 pm »

Quote from: divisionbell77 on 4 Mar 2010, 05:45 pm

Emotiva does not seem to excel at cheap, working, surround sound processors.

Well said! Although the key word there is "working".

ralfale · « **Reply #48 on:** 5 Mar 2010, 06:23 pm »

If it is only firmware problem which over time will fix, then there is nothing to worry. Unless it is the components used that are sub standard, then there is reason not to put this into consideration.

ctviggen · « **Reply #49 on:** 5 Mar 2010, 07:06 pm »

Quote from: divisionbell77 on 4 Mar 2010, 05:45 pm

Emotiva does not seem to excel at cheap, working, surround sound processors.

To me, $700 for a processor with no amps doesn't seem that cheap. This is still on my short list of processors (I don't need amps), but I have another few months before I need a processor. So, Emotiva may have the bugs worked out by then.

divisionbell77 · « **Reply #50 on:** 5 Mar 2010, 07:27 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 5 Mar 2010, 07:06 pm

To me, $700 for a processor with no amps doesn't seem that cheap. This is still on my short list of processors (I don't need amps), but I have another few months before I need a processor. So, Emotiva may have the bugs worked out by then.

It may not seem cheap, but for a brand new current generation processor it actually is very cheap. This is the starting point for processors, and they are all the internet direct route like Emotiva or Outlaw Audio.

Emotiva does indeed have some nice products, but their entry level(i.e. cheap) processors have been nothing but buggy.

Now, if this is around your budget price, the way to maximize your return is to look at the used market. You will get far better value for your money there. I would look at the Arcam AVP700 or similar products will give better sound quality but lacks the bells and whistles, IMO. The Integra DHC-9.9 for around $850 to $1,000 will give you a lot more bells and whistles, while matching the sound quality of the Emotiva/Outlaw, IMO.

divisionbell77 · « **Reply #51 on:** 5 Mar 2010, 07:30 pm »

Quote from: ralfale on 5 Mar 2010, 06:23 pm

If it is only firmware problem which over time will fix, then there is nothing to worry. Unless it is the components used that are sub standard, then there is reason not to put this into consideration.

Their history shows that releasing firmware to fix the issues is just not there. There are still threads on forums with people that still have their first gen entry level processor that is buggy and no firmware has fixed them.

Their mid level and high end one never seemed to have these issues. Kinda just seems like they tried to do too much with too little, and no amount of software can get around the hardware just not being good enough.

With their entry level, it just seems like you are getting what you pay for.

I would go after quality 'yester-year' technology for the same price than current entry level products from Emotiva. Again, just IMO.

ctviggen · « **Reply #52 on:** 5 Mar 2010, 07:45 pm »

Quote from: divisionbell77 on 5 Mar 2010, 07:27 pm

It may not seem cheap, but for a brand new current generation processor it actually is very cheap. This is the starting point for processors, and they are all the internet direct route like Emotiva or Outlaw Audio.

Emotiva does indeed have some nice products, but their entry level(i.e. cheap) processors have been nothing but buggy.

Now, if this is around your budget price, the way to maximize your return is to look at the used market. You will get far better value for your money there. I would look at the Arcam AVP700 or similar products will give better sound quality but lacks the bells and whistles, IMO. The Integra DHC-9.9 for around $850 to $1,000 will give you a lot more bells and whistles, while matching the sound quality of the Emotiva/Outlaw, IMO.

I'm also considering those. I need the HD audio, including 7 channels. I also need HDMI and scaling would be preferable.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #53 on:** 5 Mar 2010, 07:50 pm »

Been using the Onkyo SC885, an older model, for almost 3 years with great results. A cousin of the Integra IIRC. A very flexible unit.

divisionbell77 · « **Reply #54 on:** 5 Mar 2010, 08:06 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 5 Mar 2010, 07:45 pm

I'm also considering those. I need the HD audio, including 7 channels. I also need HDMI and scaling would be preferable.

With the right bluray player, you do not need to have any HD decoding on the processor. My OPPO does it just fine.

Don't handcuff yourself thinking you need to have that decoding ability built in, and specifically in a processor.

Also, look at good receivers to use as a pre/pro. Denon, Onkyo, Integra, Yamaha and Pioneer are solid ones that can be found used in this price range, and again will be better than the Emotiva, IMO.

I really think the used Integra DHC-9.9 is one you should be concentrating on. It may be last gen model, but comes with all the current decoding, HDMI, good room EQ and from what I have been ablke to tell, excellent video.

This is not a knock on Emotiva. They make very good product for their prices, it is just their 'cheap/entry level' processors just seem to never work correctly.

oldmp3 · « **Reply #55 on:** 10 Mar 2010, 01:21 pm »

Has anyone matched the SongTowers with a nice tube integrated? I'm looking at Cary SLI-80, Primaluna Prologue 2, and Rogue Cronus, which are in the OP's price range (for a used Cary, others new). Would like to know impressions of any of these integrated amps.

Thank you.

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #56 on:** 10 Mar 2010, 01:37 pm »

Cary's can be a little bloated.

AmpDesigner333 · « **Reply #57 on:** 10 Mar 2010, 02:04 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 10 Mar 2010, 01:37 pm

Cary's can be a little bloated.

How about DAC4800A (Cherry)??? You have one, right? Just curious if anybody is using our amps on the Song Towers already...

writeface · « **Reply #58 on:** 11 Mar 2010, 05:30 pm »

I am thinking of getting Mapletree's Line 2A SE preamp to use with HT-3. Dr.Peppard offers HT-bypass too and this preamp is inexpensive. It seems to sell quickly in the used market also.

Are there any Salk owners using Mapletree? Any impressions....

evan1 · « **Reply #59 on:** 11 Mar 2010, 09:48 pm »

Quote from: AmpDesigner333 on 10 Mar 2010, 02:04 pm

How about DAC4800A (Cherry)??? You have one, right? Just curious if anybody is using our amps on the Song Towers already...

Quote from: AmpDesigner333 on 10 Mar 2010, 02:04 pm

How about DAC4800A (Cherry)??? You have one, right? Just curious if anybody is using our amps on the Song Towers already...

You can bring one to Toprounds rave and leave it with me for a while and I'll let you know