|
|
Post by glennr01 on Jul 11, 2014 20:39:11 GMT -5
Mr. Laufman gave me the go-ahead to post my thoughts on the XMC-1. I received the unit about a week ago and my first impressions are... impressive! This baby is complex, yet intuitive. Most importantly, a sonic masterpiece - the sound stage is comparable to anything I would use in the studio. I have a feeling I'll be purchasing another unit for studio reference. Top end is very smooth, nothing shrill, no high end modulation or phase distortion. Very solid clocking, no audible jitter - very transparent. Mids feel natural without any 'honkyness', low end has plenty of warmth, but no lack of definition. The imaging is powerful, substantial - reproduction of some of my favorite recordings show no unpleasant surprises. Actually, the XMC-1 revealed sonic details that I forgot existed.
There's a bit of a learning curve here. Again, while the menu is intuitive and works as expected, Dan's team built a box for the most detail-oriented audiophile. Getting used to the power of that control takes some, um, getting used to. But its as if Emotiva engineers anticipated each feature as I think of it. From multiple filters to preset memory to an array of surround options, they've really left no stone unturned.
I've yet to fully delve into even a quarter of what the XMC-1 is capable of, and will continue to post my thoughts as I learn more about the unit. But needless to say, I'm certainly not disappointed. And Dan... it was worth the wait. So far, so good.
|
|
|
|
Post by lbrown105 on Jul 11, 2014 20:50:38 GMT -5
glad to see it is working well for you and thanks for posting this. Dirac should be fun as you get more time with the unit.
|
|
|
|
Post by newguy on Jul 11, 2014 21:13:41 GMT -5
How does it compare to prism sound DACs  ? |
|
|
|
Post by FilmMixer on Jul 12, 2014 0:42:19 GMT -5
Glenn.. what was the pre-pro you are comparing this to (i.e. what have you been using to listen to your work?)
And what have you used in the past for listening to consumer content?
What are your sources and how are they being fed into the XMC?
And you didn't say if you had run a Dirac setup yet.. the second post seems to intimate not, but would like to get details from you.
Thanks for the report...
|
|
|
|
Post by wizardofoz on Jul 12, 2014 3:57:39 GMT -5
can you please post a pic of the remote
|
|
|
|
Post by chaosrv on Jul 12, 2014 5:37:59 GMT -5
can you please post a pic of the remote I think there is a picture of the remote in one of the On the Road in Atlanta threads. If I wasnt on my phone I would dig it up for you.... from what I recall, it is a big metal weapon of a remote similar to the XSP remotes |
|
|
|
Post by emocustomer on Jul 12, 2014 7:38:22 GMT -5
Would you mind confirming that Dirac is actually implemented on your unit and that you just haven't had chance to test it yet? Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by glennr01 on Jul 12, 2014 8:24:08 GMT -5
How does it compare to prism sound DACs ?I don't own or currently use Prism Sound DAC's Glenn.. what was the pre-pro you are comparing this to (i.e. what have you been using to listen to your work?)
For home use, I was using the Emotiva UMC-200. Prior to that, Sony ES product. In studio, Avid HD IO, Avid 192 Analog IO, Avid Omni IO, IZ Radar all clocked to Apogee Big Ben. And what have you used in the past for listening to consumer content?
See above. What are your sources and how are they being fed into the XMC?Kindly see signature below. And you didn't say if you had run a Dirac setup yet.Dirac not currently implemented.
|
|
|
|
Post by petew on Jul 12, 2014 8:26:55 GMT -5
Are you saying Dirac is not implemented in your setup, or not implemented in the XMC-1 itself? Thanks for your reports. Much appreciated!!
|
|
bootman
Emo VIPs 
Typing useless posts on internet forums....
Posts: 9,358
|
Post by bootman on Jul 12, 2014 8:37:44 GMT -5
So the beta units had no Dirac?
I'm confused.
|
|
|
|
Post by glennr01 on Jul 12, 2014 9:01:19 GMT -5
Dirac is not currently implemented in my unit. I cannot speak to other beta unit's or production model's current feature sets.
|
|
|
|
Post by emocustomer on Jul 12, 2014 9:03:14 GMT -5
So the beta units had no Dirac? I'm confused. Not the beta - the release. This is, so I am told, the content of the email received: |
|
|
|
Post by pop on Jul 12, 2014 9:14:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the review Glenn. I have been waiting for a thread like this for years.  If you don't mind would you take some pictures of the XMC implemented in your room? Thanks again |
|
|
|
Post by audioguy123 on Jul 12, 2014 9:27:27 GMT -5
Before reading this thread I was really pumped about getting my XMC-1 given the announcement email I received. I am a huge fan of Dirac as I am using it in my server and also on a borrowed $20,000 Datasat RS20i.
Seriously?? Complex but NO room correction installed!! Really?
Now I'm really confused. I was under the (apparently incorrect) impression that a good part of the delay in getting this product to market was the implementation and testing of Dirac - which is the ONLY reason I would ever consider purchasing it. And while I have no doubt that they will eventually get Dirac released, they have zero credibility with me for meeting deadlines.
Certainly based upon past announcement dates and meeting those date, to say that I am leery of them meeting their "fully implemented shortly" forecast would be an understatement. I wonder if they are willing to give us a hard definition of "shortly" or is just a "trust us". The post above suggests 60 days or less for Dirac implementation. If that is a guarantee I would take the unit but only if I received it at such a time that I would get the Dirac software prior to my 30 day trial expiring.
If this delay for Dirac can not be guaranteed to be within 60 days, I will allow someone else to have my place in the queue (though probably not a very near term place).
I am soooooo bummed as I was really excitied. REALLY!!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Priapulus on Jul 12, 2014 9:36:12 GMT -5
> The Dirac Room Correction firmware is not currently installed on these first units; as promised Dirac will be fully implemented shortly
The umc-1 was also launched incomplete; we know how that ended...
/b
|
|
|
|
Post by glennr01 on Jul 12, 2014 9:42:12 GMT -5
Another quick comment... The more I use the XMC-1, the more I realize Emotiva's vision not for a simple processor device, but for a very complete platform. And there's room to grow here. In looking under the hood, I can see how options for implementation of yet unreleased technology would be easily accomplished. This is just my opinion, but I can see Emotiva supporting this project for years to come, with the potential for sophisticated add-ons, software enhancements, etc. The chassis is purposed-designed especially for this. Also, Emotiva is listening. As these units are distributed and delivered to end-users, I'm fairly convinced that opinions for updates and upgrades would be polled. Certainly, I already have had a couple of very minor tweak suggestions that have been put into play. The design team has done a remarkable job of 'forward-thinking' the XMC-1 - I think you'll find your experience with the unit similar to mine.
|
|
bootman
Emo VIPs
Typing useless posts on internet forums....
Posts: 9,358
|
Post by bootman on Jul 12, 2014 9:46:24 GMT -5
Another quick comment... The more I use the XMC-1, the more I realize Emotiva's vision not for a simple processor device, but for a very complete platform. And there's room to grow here. In looking under the hood, I can see how options for implementation of yet unreleased technology would be easily accomplished. This is just my opinion, but I can see Emotiva supporting this project for years to come, with the potential for sophisticated add-ons, software enhancements, etc. The chassis is purposed-designed especially for this. Also, Emotiva is listening. As these units are distributed and delivered to end-users, I'm fairly convinced that opinions for updates and upgrades would be polled. Certainly, I already have had a couple of very minor tweak suggestions that have been put into play. The design team has done a remarkable job of 'forward-thinking' the XMC-1 - I think you'll find your experience with the unit similar to mine. This was the promise made here a few years ago regarding the platform. |
|
|
|
Post by Dan Laufman on Jul 12, 2014 10:24:58 GMT -5
This is correct.
Those of you you have been contacted have been clearly apprised of the situation. Either you want it now, or you want to wait.
The Dirac room correction engine is fully functional and working fine. There is no chance that Dirac will not be implemented at this point.
We are finishing up the firmware that allows verification, updates, and communication, etc. with Dirac. That's all.
The Dirac system requires a real time connection with Dirac HQ to perform the final optimization of the filter design and authentication of the license. This only occurs during the measurement phase. After that the unit is self contained with the correction coefficients held in memory.
We're almost done with this work.
There is nothing needed from a hardware standpoint to implement Dirac, Units shipped now will need a quick USB flash and be ready to go.
If you do not want the XMC-1 until the Dirac is loaded, just sit tight. You will not lose your place in line.
We are not putting anyone on the spot. Either you want it now or you don't.
I find it amusing that there are units out there for $10k that don't do half as much as the XMC-1 does right now and no one has an issue with them. Oh well.
In the meantime, let the planets collide as they will. We're doing our best to give you a remarkable product and we'll just keep at it.
Cheers,
Dan
|
|
|
|
Post by AudioHTIT on Jul 12, 2014 10:57:38 GMT -5
Another quick comment... The more I use the XMC-1, the more I realize Emotiva's vision not for a simple processor device, but for a very complete platform. And there's room to grow here. In looking under the hood, I can see how options for implementation of yet unreleased technology would be easily accomplished. This is just my opinion, but I can see Emotiva supporting this project for years to come, with the potential for sophisticated add-ons, software enhancements, etc. The chassis is purposed-designed especially for this. Also, Emotiva is listening. As these units are distributed and delivered to end-users, I'm fairly convinced that opinions for updates and upgrades would be polled. Certainly, I already have had a couple of very minor tweak suggestions that have been put into play. The design team has done a remarkable job of 'forward-thinking' the XMC-1 - I think you'll find your experience with the unit similar to mine. Glenn - Thanks for your comments, can you answer another simple question that's been slipping through the cracks. How many configurable inputs are on the XMC-1? The UMC-1 had 16, the UMC-200 had 6, some of us are hoping for a number near the former. This of course is in the setup where you've obviously had some input for the team. (Ha, an input pun). |
|
|
|
Post by petew on Jul 12, 2014 11:18:29 GMT -5
Dan
So much drama could have been avoided if this Dirac information was out there front and center earlier this week.
We're starving for any new info on the XMC-1. Test reports were good to see but how about getting some more info out pronto?
Thanks
|
|
?
