Review of Emotiva Processors

You can find some feedback on these processors at emotiva lounge.com (company-sponsored forums). Their current processor (UMC-1) has been VERY buggy, but SQ is reportedly good (when it works correctly).

Emo products are pretty good for the money, more geared towards HT use than musical.

However, I think they've gotten a bit in over their heads, for whatever reason, on their processors. I myself am waiting for the XMC-1 to be released, hoping the bugs will get worked out by then.

Emotiva is an OEM manufacturer for Sherbourn electronics.

If I were you, I would do the opposite of what you're proposing, Emo amps and Rotel processor. I think that Amps are just inherently simpler to engineer than processors, which Emo can use to their advantage.

My reasoning for the Emotiva pre is the price point, reported SQ, and features. I need HDMIs, USB, auto EQ, and all for under a grand. I would rather buy used but even used, pres with all these features would be a stretch.

Why go with Emco amps over Rotel? Just curious. I realize neither are really top of the line but all I can get into at this point.

I was really about to take the plunge into an Elite receiver and rather trying to decide if going to a pre/pro system on my Klipsch reference speakers will benefit me much. Thoughts?

You probably cannot find "professional" reviews of Emotiva 'cause they're a direct marketer who's not buying enough ad space to be considered for a positive review...

If you need HDMIs I'm assuming HT use - then I'd consider going w/ a reasonably feature-rich receiver as a pre and maybe Emo XPA-3 as amp (if you're focused on something Emotiva). With luck you can find something like a Yamaha 2065 for ~$900 (saw that at BestBuy last week) that has USB, network, etc. Or an Onkyo, maybe one of the (surprisingly cheap) new Pioneers, etc. - the Emotiva prepro seems to be way too buggy to pin my hopes on at this time (and SQ can be affected by buggy processing).

Because my system doubles for 2CH use and HT, SQ is a high concern. I am also trying to reduce the noise floor. My current Denon 2802 does NOT impress and I consider it's sound rather grainy and harsh. I am told just having the new auto EQ systems in the loop can fix a LOT of issues.

I was looking hard at the Elite SCs or a preamp. Some have indicated a preamp will "substantially" reduce my noise floor because the preamp and amp are now separated. Because my KLipsches are horn loaded, they tell all with noise so low noise is very important. However, I would not see to point in separates if I am going to get .01% (example) improvement over a receiver setup. I am already running my mains on a Rotel RB1090 which reduces serious demand from a receiver.