LMC1 / LPA-1combo
Ultra Theater Series;
www.emotiva.com/products.htmlI purchased this particular combo for three reasons.
1. It was in my price range
2. I wanted this amplifier, it has more than enough power (225@4ohms) for my needs. My system is 5.1 and I don't see it expanding to 6.1 or 7.1 any time in the foreseeable future.
3. Emotiva's 40% discount for next gen processors
I've had this combo for almost a week now, I am impressed with the sound, compared to my previous setup.(AVR340/GFA600)
Setup:
Mains; Natalie P DIY bookshelves (4ohm)
Center; Polk CSi3
Surround; Polk R15
Sub: Dayton sub 120(turned off for music)
CD player; Denon 2910 universal player
Power: PureA/V PF30
Wirung; Audioquest Diamondback, BJC LC-1, BJC Canare 4S11.
LPA1 amplifier;
Build quality is outstanding, nice fit and finish, rubber feet for isolation. Auto sense for 110/220v.
I popped the top to check out the guts, fairly clean weel arranged setup, large torroid power supply(approx. 3.75" deep x 6" diam.
www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=647497&postcount=401Nice large heat sinks for all 6 channels (the 6th channel can be split to 2 channels at lesser power)
This thing is pretty big, even knowing the dimensions and weight I was a little surprised at its size, especially the 19" depth.
Main power rocker switch in back, soft power switch in front, has a 12 volt trigger.
Shipped with a very stout 2 prong IEC power cord.
Easily handled the loud loads I put to it and barely got warm.
LMC1 pre/pro
Build quality for me on this is iffy. I had to return the first unit becaus it would not power on, and the volume knob was wobbly like something inside was coming apart.
The replacement unit powered on just fine, however the multi function knob is just a little wobbly, but this is a push in and rotating knob, may be designed like that.
This also has a main power rocker switch on the back and soft power on front, with 12 volt trigger.
Sound;
I first fired up this combo and tuned in to a local FM station that happened to be playing Dire Straits Money for Nothing, I immediately noticed more clean articulate, and powerful bass than my old
setup, I even had to double check that my sub was off.
I played plenty of music through it this weekend, and a couple of movies.
I thought my old combo sounded good, but this was a huge step up in sound quality.
All the adjectives used to describe good sound apply to this setup, more open, airy, detailed soundstage.
The instruments in music all seem to be better balanced loudness wise , if that makes any sense.
I switched between the DACS in my Denon and the DACS in the LMC1 and found myself liking the LMC1 better.
In movies also, I found my self letting the LMC1 do the processing rather than the Denon.
The LMC 1 seems to do Dolby PLII better than my old H?K, but that may be due to the more powerful amp.
Operation;
There are some operational issues with the LMC1, ( supposedly fixed in their last soft/firmware update) see:
av123forum.com/showthread.php?t=19727www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=850166While these issues can be annoying to some , I knew about them beforehand, and they really don't bother me.
I highly recommend the LPA-1 amp if you don't require gobs of power, and are only running a 5.1 or 6.1 setup.
The LMC-1 sound wise is great, and the 40% off future pre/pros sounds like a great deal.
If the operational issues are fixed ( mine shipped before the last update) and you are on a budget, check this pre/pro out. 30 day satisfaction guarantee.
If the issues haven't been corrected and you want ease of use, look elsewhere.
Posted at Polk audio first;
www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53891
