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Post by roadrunner on May 31, 2012 22:13:05 GMT -5
Since the XMC-1 would be slated for my dedicated HT I may be in the minority here when I say my hopes for how this device performs are firmly planted in this camp. I would also add that when I did my side by side comparisons of the UMC-1 to various AVR's I did not perform any 2-ch listening tests. I was focused only on multi-channel audio and video performance. When I did my side-by-side comparison of the sound quality of the UMC-1 versus other processors I spent about half of my time listening to 2-channel music and the other half listening to multi-channel SACD and DVD-A. I also evaluate the sound quality of DVD and Blu-ray movie soundtracks, but found it far more difficult to compare the movie sounds against each other. What is a car crash supposed to sound like? What does a SCUD missle supposed to sound like. When evaluating video processing I picked certain chapters from movies like Master and Commander, Seven, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Star Trek and Avatar. I also use various calibration DVDs to test video performance, head to head. I have to admit I spent more time listening to music than I did watching/listening to movies -- about 60 percent vs 40 percent. I enjoy watching good movies and videos, but music is my addiction and its sound quality is the single most important feature for me. I check out how logical usage is, the ease in learning and how much flexibility it offers. I tend to be a tweaker and I found the UMC-1's EmoQ to be a great tool for sculpting the output to sound like real life music presentations. The UMC-1 is a music lover's dream machine. I imagine that we all place different emphasis on what features are most important to us. With music being my addiction, it receives more of my time than other subsystems do, but I examine and rank all the subsystems the competing processors have to offer. With summer fast approaching, I suppose some of the picnic lovers will give the Onkyo bonus points for being able to BarBQ the burgers and hotdogs on it cover. ;D ;D
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Post by jdskycaster on May 31, 2012 22:50:18 GMT -5
Chuck, I had the UMC-1 in my HT two years ago just after it was released so my comparisons could be long gone as many of the original UMC-1 threads have been archived for posterity. To summarize I directly compared it to Onkyo 708, Pioneer SC-27 and Denon 3311CI. These were the latest offerings from each and could be obtained at street prices ranging from $500-800 which was comparable to the cost of the UMC-1 at that time (unless you had a 40% off upgrade coupon which I did not). In my HT and using each as a pre-pro I ultimately preferred the 3311CI over all the others. Audyssey XT did the best job in my already treated room. Putting room correction aside I think the Pioneer actually would have taken top billing for both audio and video but the SC-27 did not have OSD so I had to eliminate it. All of my equipment is completely out of sight in another room so that is a must for me and a shocker that Pio overlooked it on this once higher-end model in their lineup. Given the UMC-1 is now $499 and includes an upgrade coupon it is a solid deal and many of the original issues have been worked out with subsequent firmware upgrades. That said Emo-Q is still not one of it's strong points from an HT perspective. Granted this is not as important for 2ch listening but for HT modern room correction is no longer just some gimmick targeted at the less than capable or knowledgeable. In fact as good as Audyssey is great care must be taken in order to achieve optimal results from it which is why I think opinions on its effectiveness can vary widely. As for the whole AVR as a pre-pro vs. a purpose built pre-pro I am probably more on the fence now than ever as modern AVR's with pre-outs offer amazing performance and features for the dollar. At the same time I still feel there is that almost indescribable quality that only a dedicated pre-pro can deliver and that is what I hope for in the XMC-1. JD
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Post by SticknStones on Jun 1, 2012 10:18:09 GMT -5
It's June!
"The Emo ladies sing this song, Doo-da, Doo-da The XMC countdown's five days long Oh, de doo-da day
Goin' to play it all night Goin' to play it all day I bet my money on a bob-tailed nag Somebody bet on the day"
I been composing songs again and I bet June 30th is the day!!! ;D
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Jun 1, 2012 15:42:11 GMT -5
You're a nice guy. So I don't want to take your money. But June 30, 2102 is much, much too optimistic for release when they are just now signing off with MDS in the 1st week of June. The safe bet is some time in October 2012 with September being the most realistic, especially that we have a summer release date that is reported to be on schedule. I think that at the end of this month, the product page will be updated to give the final production specs and release update.
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Post by suffolk112000 on Jun 1, 2012 16:51:00 GMT -5
You're a nice guy. So I don't want to take your money. But June 30, 2102 is much, much too optimistic for release when they are just now signing off with MDS in the 1st week of June. The safe bet is some time in October 2012 with September being the most realistic, especially that we have a summer release date that is reported to be on schedule. I think that at the end of this month, the product page will be updated to give the final production specs and release update. LMAO, I HOPE it's out before 2102. If not, my great grand kids will certainly enjoy it during their retirement. My bet on the XMC-1 release date is sometime in August. I've made a few calls to Emotiva over the last few weeks re: the UMC-1 and when I ask about the XMC-1, they always allude to the fact that they are not only on schedule, but ahead of schedule. So I am going with a mid-late summer release.
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Post by Topend on Jun 1, 2012 17:27:20 GMT -5
You're a nice guy. So I don't want to take your money. But June 30, 2102 is much, much too optimistic for release when they are just now signing off with MDS in the 1st week of June. The safe bet is some time in October 2012 with September being the most realistic, especially that we have a summer release date that is reported to be on schedule. I think that at the end of this month, the product page will be updated to give the final production specs and release update. LMAO, I HOPE it's out before 2102. If not, my great grand kids will certainly enjoy it during their retirement. My bet on the XMC-1 release date is sometime in August. I've made a few calls to Emotiva over the last few weeks re: the UMC-1 and when I ask about the XMC-1, they always allude to the fact that they are not only on schedule, but ahead of schedule. So I am going with a mid-late summer release. If they are on schedule, wouldn't July be on the money? Dave.
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Jun 1, 2012 17:37:20 GMT -5
You're a nice guy. So I don't want to take your money. But June 30, 2102 is much, much too optimistic for release when they are just now signing off with MDS in the 1st week of June. The safe bet is some time in October 2012 with September being the most realistic, especially that we have a summer release date that is reported to be on schedule. I think that at the end of this month, the product page will be updated to give the final production specs and release update. LMAO, I HOPE it's out before 2102. If not, my great grand kids will certainly enjoy it during their retirement. My bet on the XMC-1 release date is sometime in August. I've made a few calls to Emotiva over the last few weeks re: the UMC-1 and when I ask about the XMC-1, they always allude to the fact that they are not only on schedule, but ahead of schedule. So I am going with a mid-late summer release. You're a sick man! But thanks for the catch and the levity ;D ;D ;D
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Jun 1, 2012 20:26:09 GMT -5
It's June!"The Emo ladies sing this song, Doo-da, Doo-da The XMC countdown's five days long Oh, de doo-da day Goin' to play it all night Goin' to play it all day I bet my money on a bob-tailed nag Somebody bet on the day" I been composing songs again and I bet June 30th is the day!!! ;D That would be almost as grand as your song writing. But I think it's a bit optimistic. I'm thinkin' availability J.I.T. for Emofest ;D
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Post by dragonV on Jun 1, 2012 21:19:23 GMT -5
LMAO, I HOPE it's out before 2102. If not, my great grand kids will certainly enjoy it during their retirement. My bet on the XMC-1 release date is sometime in August. I've made a few calls to Emotiva over the last few weeks re: the UMC-1 and when I ask about the XMC-1, they always allude to the fact that they are not only on schedule, but ahead of schedule. So I am going with a mid-late summer release. If they are on schedule, wouldn't July be on the money? Dave. Perfect!!! Just in time for the big 4th of July sale..... ;D
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Jun 2, 2012 7:25:00 GMT -5
4th of July sale Labor day sale Emofest 2012 All great opportunities to get some good pieces. But I don't think that you'll see the XMC-1 on sale before 2014. Because, if we do, it would mean that it was not successful in either manufacturing or sales as anticipated .
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Post by G-Man on Jun 2, 2012 8:31:06 GMT -5
Agreed. Don't look for sales prices on the XMC-1 any time soon. That's an indicator that sales at full price are out of line with inventory. It may also send the wrong signal to the marketplace that there's a potential problem.
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Jun 2, 2012 8:37:50 GMT -5
Agreed. Don't look for sales prices on the XMC-1 any time soon. That's an indicator that sales at full price are out of line with inventory. It may also send the wrong signal to the marketplace that there's a potential problem. In fact, I was hedging for a modest price increase once the pre-order list and the 40%-ers are served. But, I think that Emo might want to see what the competition (Onkyo, Outlaw, Marantz, etc) are offering and at what costs
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Post by G-Man on Jun 2, 2012 9:06:43 GMT -5
Denon/Marantz are releasing a bunch of new products this summer including the successors to the AV7005 and the AVP-A1HDCI. There is also a chance Outlaw's long awaited pre-pro may finally hit the market. NAD, Anthem, and Parasound aren't standing still either.
Pricing decisions will need to be made in the context of the overall market, consumer preferences, and competing products.
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Post by suffolk112000 on Jun 2, 2012 9:43:07 GMT -5
You're a sick man! But thanks for the catch and the levity ;D ;D ;D LMAO... I couldn't resist.
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Post by suffolk112000 on Jun 2, 2012 9:46:52 GMT -5
Denon/Marantz are releasing a bunch of new products this summer including the successors to the AV7005 and the AVP-A1HDCI. There is also a chance Outlaw's long awaited pre-pro may finally hit the market. NAD, Anthem, and Parasound aren't standing still either. Pricing decisions will need to be made in the context of the overall market, consumer preferences, and competing products. Exciting times for sure. But how much will those Anthem, NAD and Parasound units cost?
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Jun 2, 2012 11:42:35 GMT -5
NAD, Anthem, and Parasound aren't standing still either. NAD has already released the T175HD replacement, the T187, and Anthem is updating their current processors with HDMI 1.4. Didn't know that Parasound was going to return to the processor arena, what are they planning?
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Pauly
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Post by Pauly on Jun 2, 2012 12:08:52 GMT -5
I'd love to have that NAD. But 3K for that thing? No thank you. I love NAD, and have been a big fan of theirs for a while, but they need to drop their prices on the processors and AVRs. It's just ridiculous for what you get imo. If the XMC turns out to be half as good as the hype, then there is absolutely no reason to buy the NAD at twice the price. But, people will still do it. That's how it works.
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Jun 2, 2012 12:20:06 GMT -5
I'd love to have that NAD. But 3K for that thing? No thank you. I love NAD, and have been a big fan of theirs for a while, but they need to drop their prices on the processors and AVRs. It's just ridiculous for what you get imo. If the XMC turns out to be half as good as the hype, then there is absolutely no reason to buy the NAD at twice the price. But, people will still do it. That's how it works. I was surprised that NAD didn't include Audyssey XT32 with the T187, and for $3000 they should have. If they played their cards right, their modular design could be a game changer. I do agree that NAD has always put audio first.
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Pauly
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Post by Pauly on Jun 2, 2012 12:24:07 GMT -5
Yep, for 3k it should have XT32 and balanced connections.
I bet it sounds very nice though, and I'd probably buy it if I had 3k to blow. So who am I to complain it costs too much? lol
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Jun 2, 2012 13:35:09 GMT -5
I believe that it was DYohn who once stated that some people don't buy if the price is too low. And many high-end manufacturers are well aware of that mentality and do make a good living off it ;D
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