The Official Emotiva Q&A thread

[Animo]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

$999 (free shipping and no tax) from Accessories4less.com. I've been reading that Onkyo is shipping new units in preparation for the replacement model. There's no indication (stickers or what not) on the box or the unit itself that it's reconditioned. It looks brand new to me, no marks, nothing. You can also go to Onkyo's website and sign up for an extended 2-year warranty that adds to the 1 year that it comes with (which I plan on doing if I keep it).

It looks to be B-stock from the sticker on the front of the box,

[Animo]

Originally Posted by PitbullMike

Damn when did you get here Animo LOL

About 2 weeks ago

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by Animo

It looks to be B-stock from the sticker on the front of the box,

It is a factory reconditioned unit with a 1 year warranty from Onkyo. Units like this could have been returned for any reason including the original buyer did not want it. Onkyo stands behind these units and and their technicians go over them to make sure that everything is OK. That is more that can be said for the units that come off of the assembly line.

I have had excellent luck with "reconditioned" components with no issues whatsoever.

Originally Posted by red_5ive

$999 (free shipping and no tax) from Accessories4less.com. I've been reading that Onkyo is shipping new units in preparation for the replacement model. There's no indication (stickers or what not) on the box or the unit itself that it's reconditioned. It looks brand new to me, no marks, nothing. You can also go to Onkyo's website and sign up for an extended 2-year warranty that adds to the 1 year that it comes with (which I plan on doing if I keep it).

Have you gotten the Onkyo 886 up and running? What do you think so far?

Rich

[Animo]

I have no problems with B-stock and know the concept well.
I have an Outlaw970 B-stock that I am very happy with, until I get my XMC-1.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by Amino

I have no problems with B-stock and know the concept well.
I have an Outlaw970 B-stock that I am very happy with, until I get my XMC-1.

Amino,

Personally, I would stay away from the XMC-1. This is not the kind of component (s) that Emotiva specializes in. I expect that there may well be a lot of headaches with this. It is not as straight forward to build a Pre/Pro as it is an amp. I think that you will better off buying a Pre/Pro from an established maker like the Onkyo/Integra duo. But, that is just my opinion.

If you know someone in the US that you could have the Onkyo 886 shipped to from Accessories4less.com. (who would then ship it to you) or you live close enough to the US to pick up the unit, it may be something to consider.

Rich

[Drew664]

Rich,

I'm semi in the same boat. I'm finding out that the UMC-1 is lacking some features that I want, and I'm not too keen on purchasing the XMC-1 (waiting on details/performance reviews) right now. I know you've talked about upgrading the 886 through the upgrade company. I'm guessing that the cost of the upgrade would depend on what you wanted to do with it, so let's say I would use this processor for 95% home theater. What kind of dollar amount would I be expecting to pay. Also, is the upgrade worth it for HT?

[bigred7078]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Amino,

Personally, I would stay away from the XMC-1. This is not the kind of component (s) that Emotiva specializes in. I expect that there may well be a lot of headaches with this. It is not as straight forward to build a Pre/Pro as it is an amp. I think that you will better off buying a Pre/Pro from an established maker like the Onkyo/Integra duo. But, that is just my opinion.

If you know someone in the US that you could have the Onkyo 886 shipped to from Accessories4less.com. (who would then ship it to you) or you live close enough to the US to pick up the unit, it may be something to consider.

Rich

hmmm well thats definately your opinion. Jade Designs builds all things audio for companies you would be shocked about

[D_M]

Question for you guys:

When the XPA 3 arrives I am using it to power the L/C/R, and the UPA 7 for the 4 rears. The UPA is rated (as you all know) 125 watts into all channels, so how many watts will it be feeding just the four? Any ideas? Thanks.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by Drew664

Rich,

I'm semi in the same boat. I'm finding out that the UMC-1 is lacking some features that I want, and I'm not too keen on purchasing the XMC-1 (waiting on details/performance reviews) right now. I know you've talked about upgrading the 886 through the upgrade company. I'm guessing that the cost of the upgrade would depend on what you wanted to do with it, so let's say I would use this processor for 95% home theater. What kind of dollar amount would I be expecting to pay. Also, is the upgrade worth it for HT?

Hi Drew,

It is not inexpensive. The basic upgrade is about $1,000 for either the 885 or the 886, but there is a further upgrade of the 7 Hi End fuses for $273 (their cost) that really brings the performance to a new level. The upgrades benefit the performance in all areas of performance. However, you can purchase either the 885 or the 886 directly from Dave Schulte of the Upgrade Company and quite possibly save yourself some money.

Originally Posted by bigred7078

hmmm well thats definately your opinion. Jade Designs builds all things audio for companies you would be shocked about

That has nothing to do with it. A Pre/Pro is a very different animal than a lot of other components. It is not only about the equipment and design and parts, but there is a lot of software and programming, etc. that goes into the design. If the designer does not have the knowledge or the design experience it could potentially be a real problem to the buyer. Now, if they have someone with experience in this area or it is being designed for them outside of Emotiva that could be another question. But, there is always concern when a company starts manufacturing products in a new area (and in this case a complicated one) that they have no experience making. All you and others can do is wait to see the outcome and await the reviews unless you just wish to be one of the original buyers.

Rich

[Drew664]

Originally Posted by d_m1010

Question for you guys:

When the XPA 3 arrives I am using it to power the L/C/R, and the UPA 7 for the 4 rears. The UPA is rated (as you all know) 125 watts into all channels, so how many watts will it be feeding just the four? Any ideas? Thanks.

Here you go. From Dann himself.
http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/i...ay&thread=1837

8 ohms:
Number of Channels | Watts:
7 - 125
6 - 135
5 - 140
4 - 150
3 - 160
2 - 170
1 - 180


4 ohms:
Number of Channels | Watts:
7 - 185
6 - 200
5 - 210
4 - 235
3 - 260
2 - 280
1 - 300

THD: 0.007
20hz - 150khz

Thanks for the response, Rich. Might be a little much for what I was willing to spend, but you never know.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by Drew664

Here you go. From Dann himself.
[url]Thanks for the response, Rich. Might be a little much for what I was willing to spend, but you never know.

Drew,

The upgrades can be done at any time in the future. Either the Onkyo 885 or 886 are still very good to excellent Home Theater Pre/Pros in the stock form. They can be made quite a bit better and most definitely can be substantially improved for the music performance (which is lacking in stock form but taken care of with the upgrades).

Rich

[D_M]

Thank you so much Drew.

Rich, I was waiting for the UMC to come out, but I get the impression that you would recommend the Onkyo as a pre/pro. I'm looking at all options here.

[Drew664]

The Onkyo 886 has come up on my radar simply because it has a few key feature sets that the UMC does not.

-Phono input
-Balanced audio (vs RCA)
-Better variety of sound field selections
-Available now
-Two HDMI outs
-Possibility to Bi-Amp the fronts
-Proven audio calibration

However, the UMC-1 is an unknown. And both components are missing a headphone jack. Best bet for myself is just to wait it out.

[D_M]

Originally Posted by Drew664

The Onkyo 886 has come up on my radar simply because it has a few key feature sets that the UMC does not.

-Phono input
-Balanced audio (vs RCA)
-Better variety of sound field selections
-Available now
-Two HDMI outs
-Possibility to Bi-Amp the fronts
-Proven audio calibration

However, the UMC-1 is an unknown. And both components are missing a headphone jack. Best bet for myself is just to wait it out.

I agree, but I'd really like to replace the 663 stat.

[D_M]

One other caveat because this has come up. I will never use the UMC or Onkyo for music, only for blu-ray. I have my 2 ch set-up for that.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by Drew664

The Onkyo 886 has come up on my radar simply because it has a few key feature sets that the UMC does not.

-Phono input
-Balanced audio (vs RCA)
-Better variety of sound field selections
-Available now
-Two HDMI outs
-Possibility to Bi-Amp the fronts
-Proven audio calibration

However, the UMC-1 is an unknown. And both components are missing a headphone jack. Best bet for myself is just to wait it out.

Hi Drew,

I am not sure if you are saying that the Onkyo 886 is lacking a headphone jack. My Onkyo 885 has a 1/4" one on the left side under the front door of the unit. The ad/link below indicates that the Onkyo 886 has one as well (it would have made no sense to remove this freature).

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/4613

Originally Posted by d_m1010

One other caveat because this has come up. I will never use the UMC or Onkyo for music, only for blu-ray. I have my 2 ch set-up for that.

Don't be surprised if an upgraded Onkyo 885 or 886 would outperform your stock Meitner Preamp for music. We have found that they outperform most anything stock that we have compared them to $10,000 and possibly more in cost. We already know that the upgraded Denon DVD players outperform the 1 and 2 box stock Meitner CD players. And my upgraded Denon 5910 with the upgraded Lavry DA10 DAC may outperform the upgraded 2 box Meitner player. The latest work to be done on my Denon 5910 in naked form may outperform the upgraded 2 box Meitner player.

Rich

[D_M]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi Drew,

I am not sure if you are saying that the Onkyo 886 is lacking a headphone jack. My Onkyo 885 has a 1/4" one on the left side under the front door of the unit. The ad/link below indicates that the Onkyo 886 has one as well (it would have made no sense to remove this freature).

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/4613



Don't be surprised if an upgraded Onkyo 885 or 886 would outperform your stock Meitner Preamp for music. We have found that they outperform most anything stock to $10,000 and possibly more. We already know that the upgraded Denon DVD players outperform the 1 and 2 box stock Meitner CD players. And my upgraded Denon 5910 with the upgraded Lavry DA10 DAC may outperform the upgraded 2 box Meitner player. The latest work to be done on my Denon 5910 in naked form may outperform the upgraded 2 box Meitner player.

Rich

Very interesting - thank you Rich.

By the way, I had Ed Meitner himself upgrade both the pre amp and amp so I wonder how they compare.

[Drew664]

Ah, I just couldn't find a site that had the headphone jack listed as a spec. Chalk another one up for the 886 then.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by d_m1010

Very interesting - thank you Rich.

By the way, I had Ed Meitner himself upgrade both the pre amp and amp so I wonder how they compare.

Ed has not been very happy with Dave Schulte of the Upgrade Company because Dave has been improving the performance of his players for some time. Dave had pointed out that some of the parts in the Meitner units could have been better choices. That has added fuel to the fire between them.

Rich

[PitbullMike]

Wow Rich are you in love with Onkyo or something?For reals thou this is an Emotiva thread and you come in here trying to push people away from Emotiva products it seams like.Whats the deal?????