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Submitted by
Quality Counts
a Audio Enthusiast
from Date Reviewed: November 8, 2010
Bottom Line: I purchased the USP-1 new based on reviews. I've used Carver, Pioneer and other preamps prior to the Emotiva.
As far as build quality is concerned, I could not believe how well built this preamp is for the money. The chassis is very rugged and has some weight to it. The volume control and switches, with the exception of the power button, are solid billet aluminum. Emotiva did not skimp in the construction phase of this piece. The faceplate is solid aluminum as well. It's not plastic made to look like aluminum like so many manufacturers do these days. The remote that shipped with earlier USP-1's is a little disappointing but Emotiva now ships the USP-1 with a solid aluminum remote as well. Good choice.
As far as sound quality, it is extremely neutral, neither adding or taking anything away from the music..I love the fact that it is dead silent. There is no hiss at all coming from this unit even with the volume all the way up and my ear up against the tweeter on all source inputs and only a slight hiss from the phono input. Of course this assumes the amplifier you're using is quiet as well.I am running an Emotiva RPA-1 power amp with the USP-1 and it is a dead silent amp as well.
It has no tone controls and no balance control. I have not used the HT bypass feature.I am a 2 channel stereo listener at heart so I have no use for the HT Bypass feature. The adjustable High Pass and Low Pass outputs allow for use of a satellite speaker setup where a separate sub may be desirable.
There are Inputs for Phono, Tuner, CD, Tape, Aux 1, Aux 2 and HT Bypass.
Outputs include Full Range, adjustable High Pass and Low Pass.
The 30 day in-home trial and 5 year warranty make this preamp a no brainer. As far as I'm concerned the USP-1 can easily keep up with preamps costing much more.
If you're in the market for a new preamp that won't get in the way of the music this unit will satisfy your thirst. Don't waste your hard earned money a more expensive preamp. Use the money you save to buy other toys instead.
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