Emotiva XSP-1 Pre-amp

I ended up selling this preamp. The YS Audio Balanced A2SE is a far better preamp than the Emotiva XSP-1. The McIntosh MCD201 CD player made the Emotiva sound better, but I just couldn't get passed the Emotivas' dry two-dimensional sterile sound. Very poor customer service too.

I own the UMC-200 and find it extremely high quality sound. The DAC's are superb even comparing to the Oppo 105 DAC's. besides the qwercky menus I would say this is topnotch. I think people should look out for the XMC-1 coming. If it surpasses the UMC-200 it will be huge. Especially If including the TACT calibration and better processing.

You mean the XMC that was promised last June? It's still not released, and after re-promising it before the end of 2012(without room correction which would come separately later) Emotiva has been silent on a release date. I wouldn't go near it until it's been in owner's hands for at least a couple of months.

Too many horror stories from the UMC.

Runnin makes a solid point. i had an mmc-1 processor that worked flawlessly in the time that I owned it, and still have an emotiva IPS-1 amp that is fantastic, but I would be hesitant to go back to one of their processors afer the UMC debacle. I'm sure they're working hard to make sure the XMC is done right, but the delays sure are telling.

I think Emotiva redeeemed themselves with the UMC-200. I think as they are spending the extra time with the XMC-1 it will turn out great in the final product. WE HOPE!!!!