Yet Another Emotiva UMC-1 &/or XPA-5 Problem

[28BlusLater]

Well, it's multiple problems. I'm getting sick of dealing with this.

Here are the problems I've had with the UMC-1 and XPA-5 combo:

1. Most of the time, I put in a movie and I'll get NO audio whatsoever. I have to unplug the UMC-1 and plug it back in to get ANY audio.

2. Sometimes, I'll put in a movie and I'll get nothing but LOUD crackling sounds from all speakers.

3. Sometimes, all audio will stop out of nowhere and I'll get loud crackling from only the front 3 speakers.

4. Dolby TrueHD tracks are VERY soft (with all speakers) but especially with very sloppy and soft bass when my subwoofer is turned halfway up and I get VERY aggressive bass during DTS-HD flicks.

The XPA-5 always has the 5 full blue lights on, so it's not reading an issue. What the hell is going on? Over time, I'm noticing NONSTOP problems with that UMC-1 especially. I'm almost ready to just get rid of it and get something that I don't need to keep unplugging and plugging back in every single damn time I watch a movie.

This is ridiculous. Anybody have any ways to fix this or if I should just get rid of this problematic processor?

I kind of want to get a Pioneer Elite to go with my XPA-5, since those seem a lot more trustworthy than the UMC-1. I'm getting sick and tired of plugging and unplugging every single day.

When I first purchased this, it was great and worked perfectly. Over time, it slowly started developing problem after problem after problem. Emotiva has tried to help many times, but nothing is working.

Advice please?

With Feast, when the kid is taken by the creature at the beginning and the monster vomits, nothing but crackling. Ive tried EVERYTHING, restarting, unplugging, etc. and NOTHING is working.

[LordoftheRings]

I'd say simply return your UMC-1 for a full refund, and use another pre/pro, or receiver as a pre/pro (like the Pioneer Elite you just mentioned for example) that will not give you those type of unnecessary aggravations. Life is just too short for headaches and complications.
Go for relaxing and happy moments.

Your XPA-5 on the other way is perfectly fine.

[4x12]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

I'd say simply return your UMC-1 for a full refund, and use another pre/pro, or receiver as a pre/pro (like the Pioneer Elite you just mentioned for example) that will not give you those type of unnecessary aggravations. Life is just too short for headaches and complications.
Go for relaxing and happy moments.

Your XPA-5 on the other way is perfectly fine.

+1

But I did hear there's another update for the UMC coming up on Wmo's webcast I think... Might solve some of those issue. I'm finally loaded with a pre/pro setup Elite and UPA-5 and sounds damn good. I wouldn't trade the Elite at all... its a sexy beast and very reliable.

[28BlusLater]

I bought my UMC-1 brand new off the Emo forum. I have the warranty transferred to my name, but I can't return it for a refund from Emotiva (I would if I could).

Not sure what to do...

I was trying to watch the movie Feast earlier and during the SAME moment, audio would stop and would just hear loud crackling and I have to fast forward around 10 minutes past that and then it's fine for the rest of the movie.

[4x12]

Originally Posted by 28BlusLater

I bought my UMC-1 brand new off the Emo forum. I have the warranty transferred to my name, but I can't return it for a refund from Emotiva (I would if I could).

Not sure what to do...

I was trying to watch the movie Feast earlier and during the SAME moment, audio would stop and would just hear loud crackling and I have to fast forward around 10 minutes past that and then it's fine for the rest of the movie.

With out an actual refund.,have you trid getting them to exchange it? The unit is obviously defective.

[Zman2k2]

What firmware are you running? There were some DTS problems with the 7.14 firmware. Even with 7.2, I have an issue with my XBox360, that when I turn it on, I get static from the speakers. I have to switch inputs, then switch back, and it's fine. It might be the HDMI handshake issue, it is a cheap cable on there.

[red_5ive]

I would try a factory reset first. I haven't had a single audio drop-out with my current UMC-1 that I had replaced back in May (my first UMC from January was littered with problems and I finally exchanged it after 3 firmwares that didn't fixt it).

The second unit was fine the last 5 months. That was up until 2 days ago when I messed with the Input settings by enabling a new Input for a 360 Slim I just bought. Suddenly I'm getting audio dropouts with blu-rays and also those "pops" and "static" when an audio signal is first detected after switching inputs like others have reported on the Emotiva forums. As much as I'd like to blame the problems on the Xbox 360 Slim , I think something got corrupted with the system. I did a fctory reset and everything seems to be ok again.

The sad thing is I shouldn't have to do a factory reset just by making changes. I think I'll be using the upgrade certificate when the XMC-1 releases (providing it's stable). Note though if you decide to do this you'll have to reconfigure everything as you'll lose all your settings. If that doesn't fix anything, I'd call Emo for an exchange.

[Irrob]

Looks to me its time to pick up that phone and call the good folks over at Emotiva. I personally find them pleasant to deal with.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by irrob

looks to me its time to pick up that phone and call the good folks over at emotiva. I personally find them pleasant to deal with.

+1 :d

[28BlusLater]

Those at Emotiva are probably getting very irritated with me haha. I've called so much because of these problems and nothing is fixing it.

I'm running the most current firmware (just updated on Saturday everything that was new), but I've had these problems with the older firmware, as well. It didn't just start. It's just becoming more frequent.

All of the HDMI cords being used are very sturdy and thick cables and none are the bendable ones, so I don't think it has anything to do with the HDMI cords. I get audio drop outs very often, especially during big scenes.

Ex. The huge waves in Triangle. The attack on the kid in Feast.

I wish I could get a refund, but I got it off the Emotiva Lounge a while back, even though I have the full warranty now. However, it was working PERFECT when I first got it. It started a few months after using it.

I've tried resetting and it didn't work. I want a Pioneer Elite!!

[28BlusLater]

So what do you guys recommend? I either try to sell it for as much as I can and transfer the warranty to someone so that they can deal with it and buy myself either an Onkyo or a Pioneer Elite to pair up with my XPA-5? Or keep trying to solve all the UMC-1 problems?

[progers13]

Originally Posted by 28BlusLater

So what do you guys recommend? I either try to sell it for as much as I can and transfer the warranty to someone so that they can deal with it and buy myself either an Onkyo or a Pioneer Elite to pair up with my XPA-5? Or keep trying to solve all the UMC-1 problems?

I love my Pio Elite / XPA-5 combo. So much so that I added an XPA-2 into the mix. I would recommend it. I've never had an issue with my Elite, and given what you're describing, I would have drop kicked that pre/pro long ago

[markob50]

You might call and talk to Nick in the tech department. He is very sharp. Good Luck!

[28BlusLater]

I'm thinking about just selling it on eBay or something. I'm just sick of every time I want to watch a movie, I have to unplug and re-plug the UMC-1.

Anyways, video quality is important to me. Since I have my amp, I don't have to even think about how much power a receiver has. What do you guys recommend to me in terms of receiver/processor that is within the $500-$700 price range that has the best video quality possible.
However, I might be getting the Oppo BDP-93 when it's released and if I do, I'll have one HDMI going to the tv directly and one to the receiver so that I get the true video quality from the player.

I'm interested to hear what you guys think.

Also, I'm so sick and tired of these damn updates. There's a lot of them and they're much more complicated than what's necessary. I want something that's simple, easy to use, I don't need to mess with much after it's set up, doesn't get burning hot, I'm able to hook amps up to it, and finally...looks cool.

[progers13]

Originally Posted by 28BlusLater

I'm thinking about just selling it on eBay or something. I'm just sick of every time I want to watch a movie, I have to unplug and re-plug the UMC-1.

Anyways, video quality is important to me. Since I have my amp, I don't have to even think about how much power a receiver has. What do you guys recommend to me in terms of receiver/processor that is within the $500-$700 price range that has the best video quality possible.
However, I might be getting the Oppo BDP-93 when it's released and if I do, I'll have one HDMI going to the tv directly and one to the receiver so that I get the true video quality from the player.

I'm interested to hear what you guys think.

Also, I'm so sick and tired of these damn updates. There's a lot of them and they're much more complicated than what's necessary. I want something that's simple, easy to use, I don't need to mess with much after it's set up, doesn't get burning hot, I'm able to hook amps up to it, and finally...looks cool.

I'm not up-to-date as far as how much the new Elites go for. Not sure if one of them is in your budget, but you could always price them and go from there. I know a number of people on here who have Elites (myself included), and they are very well regarded.

[28BlusLater]

Well, how much do you guys think that the UMC-1 would go for on eBay or the Emotiva Lounge?

I could clear it out and somebody else who wants to just get it fixed by Emotiva can. It's in perfect condition, no scratches or anything. I've only had it since June of this year.

[blujacket]

28BlusLater, Best Buy has a great deal on the Pioneer VSX1120K. $499 Not an Elite model, but has alot of the features. It also has pre outs.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+...&skuId=9917876

[28BlusLater]

Originally Posted by blujacket

28BlusLater, Best Buy has a great deal on the Pioneer VSX1120K. $499 Not an Elite model, but has alot of the features. It also has pre outs.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+...&skuId=9917876

Thanks for the link!

But first, how much do you guys think my Emotiva UMC-1 will go for? I need to know that first to know what I can get with just that and not taking money out of my pocket. If I have to that's okay, but I want to see how much I'll get for the UMC-1 before jumping on anything.

[progers13]

Originally Posted by 28BlusLater

Thanks for the link!

But first, how much do you guys think my Emotiva UMC-1 will go for? I need to know that first to know what I can get with just that and not taking money out of my pocket. If I have to that's okay, but I want to see how much I'll get for the UMC-1 before jumping on anything.

Well, the UMC-1 is currently selling for $699 with free shipping, plus $100 in Emo-bucks (essentially making it comparable value of $599). And that is new. Given the state yours is in, even though it may look flawless, you may have to knock another couple hundred bucks off it to entice someone enough to want to take a chance with fixing it.

If it were me, since it is still under warranty, I would exchange it for another one, and then try to sell that one (preferably a new unit). You might be able to drive $500 for it.

[28BlusLater]

I put in Se7en (my UK import) for the first time and got the crackling/hissing problem again. Thought I'd take a video to show you guys what I'm talking about:

http://s991.photobucket.com/albums/a...t=P1000370.mp4