Emotiva UMC-1 + UPA-7 vs. $1400 receiver

[painted_klown]

The title says it all gang. I have been doing a LOT of reading, asking silly questions, deciding on something then reading another review and changing my mind...

Anyway I had (kind of) settled on getting a Pioneer Elite SC-07 receiver when tax time rolls around. I was thinking it would be ridiculous sounding and possibly the next best thing to buying seperates. However after reading this review http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/r.../pioneer-sc-07 I began to re-think my options.

If I am going to spend roughly $1400 on the Pioneer then what do other receivers have to offer at this price point? Could the offerings from Denon, Marantz, Sony, Yamaha, ect. best the Pioneer?

Then I kept reading great things about Emotiva and their products. I have read what seems like endless reviews of Emotiva products and ALL of them highly recommended the piece of gear in question with no hesitation. One especially positive review was for their flagship XPA-1 mono amp. The reviewer had reviewed an older Emotiva amp and was so impressed he switched his personal amp to the Emotiva amp. Then he got his hands on the XPA-1 and once again swicthed his main listening amp setup!!!

This review can be seen here http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power...er-review.html

From my understanding of these components I can get a UMC-1 pre/pro and connect it via "rca" cables to the UPA-7 amplifier and I have essentially pieced together a "reciever". This would allow me to use the HDMI outs for audio and video without sacrificing quality in the audio department department.

So...I guess this all boils down to the question of weather or not receivers at this price point can beat the two Emotiva components partnered up. Any thoughts, opinions, ideas, suggestions, ect..are welcome.