morfious
Minor Hero
Putting the XMC-1 through its paces
Posts: 75
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Post by morfious on Jul 19, 2014 10:02:18 GMT -5
I'm going to take this "opportunuty" to clean out the rat's nest I have in the back right now and tidy things up a bit. But hey, it'll be a fun Saturday for me. Every time I make a valiant effort to cleanup the rats nest it takes 3 hours and looks 0.01% better than it did before I even started! Can't wait for the review and screen shots of the unit in action.
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geebo
Emo VIPs
"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
Posts: 24,203
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Post by geebo on Jul 19, 2014 10:19:23 GMT -5
Hey George, yes the GUI can be overwhelming at first, but as you've already experienced the more you use it the easier it gets. You'll find that it goes deeper than what you've been used to on the UMC-1 and at times you think you've gone as deep as you can and a simple click of the right hand arrow button will move you further into the GUI. Oh yeah, you'll find the subwoofer channel(s) quite a bit hot(at least I did), so level the channels with an SPL accordingly. If you're using XLR cables you also might find those channels a tad bit hot as well. Thanks, LC for the heads-up. I'll start with a level balance before I do anything. You are very right about the menu. I am beginning to like it very much. And deep is a good description as well.
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geebo
Emo VIPs
"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
Posts: 24,203
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Post by geebo on Jul 19, 2014 10:28:24 GMT -5
I have not finished the wire connections because of the time spent drilling the rack ears (they are for the UMC-700 and not drilled for the other 3RU equipment, but I'm told there will be some, however) and rearranging the rack and getting everything placed where I wanted.. But I did make the HDMI connection to the TV so I could play with the menu system. It's a bit strange at first and takes a bit of getting used to but after a few minutes it gets much easier and more intuitive. A bit overwhelming at first but that's because the degree of customization is beyond anything I've experienced. It quickly gets easier to navigate the more you use it though. I already like it. Start up time of the XMC was measured at 45 seconds from low power standby and from "Video on Standby" to on is almost instantaneous. I wonder what the power draw is in that mode. Maybe Lonnie or Kieth can enlighten us. So now begins the task of rewiring everything in the rack so I can get to some listening. Man, we are all jealous. Even if it means a bunch of tweaking and re-wiring (which is NOT my favorite activity) I'm sure any one of us would rather be in your shoes. Hopefully, it's a breeze to install so you can got to the good stuff!! Congrats. I've been waiting over 4 years for this day. I'm gonna take my time, enjoy it, and do it right.
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Post by SticknStones on Jul 19, 2014 10:32:35 GMT -5
I have not finished the wire connections because of the time spent drilling the rack ears (they are for the UMC-700 and not drilled for the other 3RU equipment, but I'm told there will be some, however) and rearranging the rack and getting everything placed where I wanted.. But I did make the HDMI connection to the TV so I could play with the menu system. It's a bit strange at first and takes a bit of getting used to but after a few minutes it gets much easier and more intuitive. A bit overwhelming at first but that's because the degree of customization is beyond anything I've experienced. It quickly gets easier to navigate the more you use it though. I already like it. Start up time of the XMC was measured at 45 seconds from low power standby and from "Video on Standby" to on is almost instantaneous. I wonder what the power draw is in that mode. Maybe Lonnie or Kieth can enlighten us. So now begins the task of rewiring everything in the rack so I can get to some listening. George your equipment rack looks fantastic and nice creativity on the emo box. I ordered new xlr cables and will have a major initiative to pull everything out.
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geebo
Emo VIPs
"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
Posts: 24,203
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Post by geebo on Jul 19, 2014 10:37:13 GMT -5
I have not finished the wire connections because of the time spent drilling the rack ears (they are for the UMC-700 and not drilled for the other 3RU equipment, but I'm told there will be some, however) and rearranging the rack and getting everything placed where I wanted.. But I did make the HDMI connection to the TV so I could play with the menu system. It's a bit strange at first and takes a bit of getting used to but after a few minutes it gets much easier and more intuitive. A bit overwhelming at first but that's because the degree of customization is beyond anything I've experienced. It quickly gets easier to navigate the more you use it though. I already like it. Start up time of the XMC was measured at 45 seconds from low power standby and from "Video on Standby" to on is almost instantaneous. I wonder what the power draw is in that mode. Maybe Lonnie or Kieth can enlighten us. So now begins the task of rewiring everything in the rack so I can get to some listening. George your equipment rack looks fantastic and nice creativity on the emo box. I ordered new xlr cables and will have a major initiative to pull everything out. Thanks, I too have some brand new XLR cables from Emofests past that have been put away until now.
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,498
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Post by LCSeminole on Jul 19, 2014 10:45:07 GMT -5
Looks like I'm not the only one to have taken advantage of Emotiva gear during EmoFest and stashed those away until now, namely the XLR cables.
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Post by bluemeanies on Jul 19, 2014 10:52:53 GMT -5
George congratulations. Love the blue light effect in the box. Of course a lot of people want a review as do I but PLEASE in your review tell if there are any complications with set up. Right now I am in the market for a lot of things to address my Home Theater and two channel listening experience. As my mother use to say..." You have expensive tastes and a poor mans wallet". LOL.
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Post by autiger on Jul 19, 2014 10:55:00 GMT -5
I'm going to take this "opportunuty" to clean out the rat's nest I have in the back right now and tidy things up a bit. But hey, it'll be a fun Saturday for me. Every time I make a valiant effort to cleanup the rats nest it takes 3 hours and looks 0.01% better than it did before I even started! Can't wait for the review and screen shots of the unit in action. WHEN XMC arrives I'll also reorganizw the rat's nest. Mine is in a large wall unit Going to install some pvc pipes to run wires through to organize. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by bluemeanies on Jul 19, 2014 11:11:26 GMT -5
I used PVC while constructing my home theater room. There is PVC for plumbing and also for electrical. Not sure what the difference is except that the electrical tubing might be a tad thicker? Not sure. One thing I would suggest is the size. Whatever you THINK you need go "BIGGER". My saying is "you never know". That is right now you may not even be thinking of upgrading cables but you do not know what the future will bring. Also the idea that you may add more equipment. Which means more cable. The second is to have patience. I have reorganized more times that I can think of for various reasons and patience is required especially when you originally thought what you did in the past would be permanent. One other thing that I tried to do and it did help. I did not disconnect every cable from all of my equipment. It saved time and was less confusing. I disconnected from one end and labeled the cable to what it was connected too.
Nice wall unit.
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HDSapper
Emo VIPs
"Any problem on earth can be solved with the careful application of high explosives."
Posts: 833
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Post by HDSapper on Jul 19, 2014 14:56:06 GMT -5
Looks like I'm not the only one to have taken advantage of Emotiva gear during EmoFest and stashed those away until now, namely the XLR cables. Same here. I'm using one to connect a sub, but I have another long one for the second sub and 5 short ones for the XPA-5 stashed away. Soon I'll get to enjoy that new cable smell. Ahhh!
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HDSapper
Emo VIPs
"Any problem on earth can be solved with the careful application of high explosives."
Posts: 833
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Post by HDSapper on Jul 19, 2014 15:03:31 GMT -5
I used PVC while constructing my home theater room. There is PVC for plumbing and also for electrical. Not sure what the difference is except that the electrical tubing might be a tad thicker? Not sure. One thing I would suggest is the size. Whatever you THINK you need go "BIGGER". My saying is "you never know". That is right now you may not even be thinking of upgrading cables but you do not know what the future will bring. Also the idea that you may add more equipment. Which means more cable. The second is to have patience. I have reorganized more times that I can think of for various reasons and patience is required especially when you originally thought what you did in the past would be permanent. One other thing that I tried to do and it did help. I did not disconnect every cable from all of my equipment. It saved time and was less confusing. I disconnected from one end and labeled the cable to what it was connected too. Nice wall unit. Good advice. I gave up long ago making the cables look pretty though. Used to use a butt-load of zip ties, but then I had to cut them every time I need to change something. Now I mainly just try to keep my power cords separated from interconnects. By the way, George, this thread has my complete attention now. Take you time, enjoy it, but.... Hurry UP!!!
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,498
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Post by LCSeminole on Jul 19, 2014 15:05:32 GMT -5
Looks like I'm not the only one to have taken advantage of Emotiva gear during EmoFest and stashed those away until now, namely the XLR cables. Same here. I'm using one to connect a sub, but I have another long one for the second sub and 5 short ones for the XPA-5 stashed away. Soon I'll get to enjoy that new cable smell. Ahhh! Be careful, that smell could lead to some intoxicating sound!
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Post by pop on Jul 19, 2014 16:05:14 GMT -5
Geebo, quit looking at it and plug the freaking thing in!
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Post by Mike Ronesia on Jul 19, 2014 16:49:43 GMT -5
I used PVC while constructing my home theater room. There is PVC for plumbing and also for electrical. Not sure what the difference is except that the electrical tubing might be a tad thicker? Not sure. I believe the water pipes are the thick ones. They need to deal with water pressure and potential leaks. The more of this I see and read, the more I don't want to wait for Dirac. Learning the XMC first will make it all less overwhelming.
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geebo
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"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
Posts: 24,203
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Post by geebo on Jul 19, 2014 16:58:06 GMT -5
Got everything hooked up and tested. All speakers present and accounted for. That is, after I realized I had the bal / unbal switch to the wrong position for the left surround speaker. Music plays fine but now I have to get out and mow the stupid lawn. Then I'm going to set levels and all the other stuff. The sub levels are somewhat overbearing but I'll get that squared away later. The UMC-1 remote codes seem to work fine. I've been able to use the Harmony without any changes or command learning thus far. Initial impression is, well, most definitely worth the wait. I can'r wait to get back to it.
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geebo
Emo VIPs
"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
Posts: 24,203
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Post by geebo on Jul 19, 2014 16:59:11 GMT -5
I used PVC while constructing my home theater room. There is PVC for plumbing and also for electrical. Not sure what the difference is except that the electrical tubing might be a tad thicker? Not sure. I believe the water pipes are the thick ones. They need to deal with water pressure and potential leaks. The more of this I see and read, the more I don't want to wait for Dirac. Learning the XMC first will make it all less overwhelming. And there is a lot to learn about this wonderful piece of gear.
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bootman
Emo VIPs
Typing useless posts on internet forums....
Posts: 9,358
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Post by bootman on Jul 19, 2014 18:58:34 GMT -5
I used PVC while constructing my home theater room. There is PVC for plumbing and also for electrical. Not sure what the difference is except that the electrical tubing might be a tad thicker? Not sure. I believe the water pipes are the thick ones. They need to deal with water pressure and potential leaks. The more of this I see and read, the more I don't want to wait for Dirac. Learning the XMC first will make it all less overwhelming. I hear you. I chose to wait until Dirac is factory loaded before I make a final decision. It gives me time to read up on all of you lucky first timers. Here is hoping everything is smooth sailing from a hardware point of view. Now who is going to be the first to post REW traces of their room after using those 11 bands of PEQ? (and 11 more for the sub!)
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LCSeminole
Global Moderator
Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,498
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Post by LCSeminole on Jul 19, 2014 19:27:31 GMT -5
I've come to the conclusion that REW is a must do with the subwoofer channels, I'm not however a proponent of using it for the mains/center/surrounds. To me it constricts what the overall tonal qualities of what your particular speakers are supposed to sound like. I've tried my home theater with just the subs P-EQ'ed and also with all 7.2 channels P-EQ'ed, and I prefer just the subwoofers P-EQ'ed as there is a huge difference in cleaning up the muddiness in the low frequency range from around 15Hz to 100Hz or so. I'm hoping DIRAC can improve my thoughts on this.
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Post by BassThatHz on Jul 19, 2014 19:45:48 GMT -5
Indeed! All new gear is confusing for the first two weeks or so as your fingers adjust to the new remote and menu layout. Do you run stereo subs out of your XSP-1 in Reference Mode, by chance? I do, and my concern was that I'd have to drop down into Direct Mode on the XMC-1 to get the stereo subs. Not a huge deal but I wonder if there is a noticeable impact on the highs with the inline ADC? If so, I'd have to keep my XSP-1, as I prefer its powered outputs rather than resorting to using XLR Y-splitters on the L/R, that and... I enjoy my stereo subs in Reference Mode (I suppose you could say I'm spoiled in that regard by the XSP-1!) If not... just a general SQ-comparison of the two units would be great too! (Which I'm sure you will...)
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geebo
Emo VIPs
"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
Posts: 24,203
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Post by geebo on Jul 19, 2014 20:01:39 GMT -5
Indeed! All new gear is confusing for the first two weeks or so as your fingers adjust to the new remote and menu layout. Do you run stereo subs out of your XSP-1 in Reference Mode, by chance? I do, and my concern was that I'd have to drop down into Direct Mode on the XMC-1 to get the stereo subs. Not a huge deal but I wonder if there is a noticeable impact on the highs with the inline ADC? If so, I'd have to keep my XSP-1, as I prefer its powered outputs rather than resorting to using XLR Y-splitters on the L/R, that and... I enjoy my stereo subs in Reference Mode (I suppose you could say I'm spoiled in that regard by the XSP-1!) If not... just a general SQ-comparison of the two units would be great too! (Which I'm sure you will...) Sorry, but I've already sold the XSP so I won't be able to make that comparison.
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