Music

Part of what I loved about the LMC-1 is that it does what I want it to do with minimal (if any) effort. For example, when I put a CD into my CD/DVD player, the LMC-1 automatically switches to bypass (stereo) mode. When in "bypass mode," the processor bypasses all signal processing and/or decoding functions and reverts to a "pass through" type 2-channel mode. This is what I want when listening to CDs. I want to turn off my sub and just listen to my main left and right speakers, and the Emotiva does this for me when it senses a 2-channel PCM signal.

Lyle Lovett - Joshua Judges Ruth
Lyle Lovett records are some of the best sounding recordings I have found. I always find myself popping this disc in when evaluating a new piece of gear or speakers. The arrangements are amazing, with plenty of space for things to spread out. The song Church is a great gospel tune filled with all kinds of tasty things to fill up a room. The handclaps and acapella vocals in the beginning were rendered with such realism that if I closed my eyes I could just imagine myself in a small country church in front of the gospel choir members. As the piano, bass and drums join in, I found myself wanting to stand up and sway. The song is full of powerful dynamic shifts, and the LPA-1 never blinked.

Jet - Shine On
Jet is a great mash-up of AC/DC, Pink Floyd, and the Beatles. The songs move from trashy garage rock to melodic ballads and back to something in-between over the course the record. When I cranked this disc up, the Ultra Theater Series combo pushed my speakers to place I had not yet experienced - volume levels that hurt my ears! In other words, my speakers gave out before the combo did. (Suddenly this affordable gear became considerably more expensive - I need new speakers!) The amp stayed clean and precise, but was incredibly loud.

Movies

I watched several sci-fi and action flicks on the Emotiva combo, and all were impressive. I also find the sound design of most PIXAR movies to be fantastic for demos. But I am a sucker for great multichannel music on DVD. There are several concert DVD's that sound great, not to mention some musicals I love.

Cars
The opening scene of Cars is a fantastic test of any system. The throaty roar of the stock cars intercut with the solitude of Owen Wilson's nervous pre-race voiceover, followed by the theme song performed by Sheryl Crow - it all happens in the first five minutes. The Emotiva combo handled every bit of it with brawn. I listened to this scene at reference levels and never heard a hint of clipping. The balance across the front soundstage was perfect.

Moulin Rouge
One of the things I listen for in a great amp is not only the ability to deliver the powerful stuff, but how it performs with delicate sound design as well. Chapter 32 begins with Nicole Kidman beginning to sing in what is almost a whisper. As her vocal builds, so does the music and sound effects. Eventually Ewan McGregor joins her in the duet, and when you see and hear a pistol get cocked, the scene explodes with sound and music. The amp tracked the transition with grace, taking my room from whisper level to chaotic dance hall level with ease.

Sarah McLachlan - Afterglow Live
This DVD is more or less my musical reference disc to hear what a new amp or set of speakers sounds like. Track 14, Fear, will take you to an amazing musical place. The song starts at the piano and the bass line will warm up your entire house. As she moves into the chorus, the entire band comes crashing in, and the Emotiva filled my room with concert-quality (and dB level) sound. I had never experienced this song with such richness and power. The dynamic headroom simply blew me away.

Conclusion

I have already talked a friend of mine into ordering this combo to replace his current $1000 a/v receiver. As far as build quality and amplifier power, I am confident you cannot find a better setup than the Ultra Theater Series combo. I would say this even if were priced at $1299! (In fact, I am replacing the $1299 British receiver in my reference room with this combo.) The Emotiva setup excels in simplicity, not to mention raw power.

At $899 shipped, it is very hard to find anything to complain about with this combo. Although there is no HDMI built into the unit, the supplied HSM-1 external HDMI switcher should work seamlessly with the LMC-1. The remote control is not backlit, which made it hard for me to use in my darkened reference room. That's about all I can really find to complain about - this is a fantastic product. The Emotiva combo is the best value I have seen in the marketplace. The company is dedicated to building great gear at affordable prices, without skimping on quality. For all of you out there who have mid-range a/v receivers, this is a much better option in my opinion. The Emotiva Ultra Theater Series combo does indeed fall into the league of big-boy gear. Now, isn't it time you grew up?