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Post by Axis on Jul 8, 2017 14:02:22 GMT -5
Wow I just came across this thread, I have had small, annoying issues since I bought my 700 last December and it finally gave up the ghost about three weeks ago. Basically after about half an hour it would go silent and then let out an incredibly loud bang of static that I was sure destroyed my speakers. Thinking that it was a fluke I powered the unit down, gave it about 30 minutes to cool off, powered it back up and continued playing John Wick. Again about 30 minutes into the movie bang, static. Immediately the next day I called Emotiva and told the person on the phone the issue, she sounded really tired and on the edge of not caring, she said it needed a firmware update and that I had to send it back to get it done, I found this a little weird because I thought most modern day components would be able to have their firmware upgraded over the net. It was my fault for not checking on here first before sending it in for the update but I think it may be more involved than a simple upgrade. I have owned 9 pieces of Emotiva equipment over the years and I have to say the 700 has me a little leary of buying one of there processors again. The three week wait time to get my processor back doesn't help either but if it gets the unit working again it will be worth it. Thanks guys, I figured I should post my experience. There XMC-1 and soon to come RMC-1 are not built like the UMC-1, UMC-200 and MC-700. If you have the money the XMC-1 is a great Emotiva processor. I have a feeling that Emotiva will make a great low priced entry level processor in the future. It would serve there customers and themselves very good to do so. That has been the mission of Emotiva for a long time and served both us and them well with many products they have made. The build of the MC-700 came from chips that were the only ones Emotiva could use in the beginning and they are working toward the high end right now. I figure when they get the XMC-1 upgraded and the RMC-1 on the market that they will go back and rethink what a entry level prepro is. Everything is changing right now and you cant even get the stuff you need to make it happen unless your one of the big guys that have big bucks. Emotiva is just a little company compared to the big guys. They'll get there !  |
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Post by kevinc25 on Jul 9, 2017 10:01:45 GMT -5
I just wanted to report that, after reading through the various "issues" threads relating to the MC-700, I was pretty concerned but I decided to order one anyway figuring I could take advantage of the free return policy if I experienced the sort of problems that others have suffered. I purchased it to try against my aging TAG McLaren AV32R 192kHz non-HDMI processor. I wasn't really expecting to sound as good as the TAG but I wanted the extra 4K HDMI convenience possible in my two room setup and thought I would try this and if I liked it perhaps upgrade to the XMC1 in time.
My unit arrived at the end of June loaded with firmware 2.9.0. Out of the box impressions re appearance and build quality were very good. I hooked it up to my htpc which I use for Windows Media Center (cable TV), Plex (bluray and dvd movie library) and Foobar music and also connected my Roku Ultra, Apple TV 4, MiBox Android TV box and LG 4K TV as well as my family room second zone LG TV. My initial take on the sound was that it was poor - tinny and artificial though undoubtedly the DAC was clear. However, before making any firm assessment I ran the room correction and this was a transformation - now the DAC still sounds very clear (I would say more transparent than the old TAG) but surprisingly natural and overall an improvement over the old TAG. The improvement is clear with both Foobar music and Plex bluray movies. My wife agrees the Emotiva wins hands down and the TAG has finally been mothballed. I was pleasantly shocked. When we bought the TAG in 2005 it was after testing the then current offerings from Krell, Wadia and others for music and the TAG was in a league of its own. Although technology has clearly improved since then, I had not expected this $600 unit would sound better today than those high end products. Perhaps my old TAG is finally starting to fail in ways that are hurting the sound and we had not noticed, but whatever the reason I am very happy with this purchase for sound.
As for the rest, well I have so far been very happy with performance. I am getting used to the slight quirks of using it with a htpc on the main output while direct to a family room TV on the second output (always switch the MC-700 on BEFORE the main zone TV and switch off AFTER the main zone TV or Plex and Foobar will have setting problems...) and yes I have found a few music tracks where the first moment of sound of a playlist/album is clipped off and a few other things, but nothing major that I can't live with or that surprises me in a world where I regularly have to troubleshoot issues with my htpc setup. I have now used the IR codes document to import the MC-700's codes into the AnyMote Smart IR Remote Android app on my Samsung Galaxy Tab S (the Emotiva IR codes AnyMote have didn't work) and designed my own remote layout on the tablet and things are working well. No complaints!
If anybody is reading through all these complaint posts and hesitating about buying one, I would recommend giving it a go and forming your own opinion - with the 30 day return policy you don't have much to lose.
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Post by dbesh2 on Jul 9, 2017 16:14:59 GMT -5
I would agree with you, overall. I had a couple of quirks early on, but now find with the latest software operating very smoothly and quietly. If anything, there seems to be a little more delay in how the unit responds to commands. Not annoyingly so, more subtle. Maybe that is part of the 'cure' with recent updates, or just how my aging neurons are perceiving how it functions.
There are still a couple of complaints about noisy switching but I don't appear to be using the same equipment or hookups so have not been able to duplicate the same conditions.
SQ & PQ seem optimal in most every situation. Maybe not always 'perfect' but never disappointing or unexpectedly poor.
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Post by bluebottle on Jul 13, 2017 12:43:38 GMT -5
MC-700 Analogue input question - can it be set to direct pass through to the front stereo speakers without any or minimal digital processing (e.g. basic stereo volume control, no sub output etc ). Reason is that my CD player has a very enthusiastic output that's too large for my old NAIM stereo preamp (saturates it with 2 volts versus 75mv capacity) and I want to tame it with the MC-700 (alas there's no dig out from my CD so that's not an option)
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Post by jolaca on Jul 13, 2017 16:59:32 GMT -5
MC-700 Analogue input question - can it be set to direct pass through to the front stereo speakers without any or minimal digital processing (e.g. basic stereo volume control, no sub output etc ). Reason is that my CD player has a very enthusiastic output that's too large for my old NAIM stereo preamp (saturates it with 2 volts versus 75mv capacity) and I want to tame it with the MC-700 (alas there's no dig out from my CD so that's not an option) I think you'll have no problem. The stereo mode does that. It doesn't apply emoQ at all(so minimal digital path) and then outputs to your front speakers. |
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Post by GTPlus on Jul 14, 2017 9:55:54 GMT -5
I wish I could say the same as some of you regarding sound quality, but to me my UMC-1 sounded better. I can't for the life of me get this thing dialed in. No matter how many times or where I place The mic, I can not get Emo-Q to sound good. I will be eventually measuring and manually EQ'ing it, but it is not a real user friendly experience. I miss the visual on the EQ of the UMC-1
The HDMI switching is way better though.
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telmar
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by telmar on Jul 14, 2017 14:46:38 GMT -5
Haven't heard too much about the new MC-700 firmware up date? Do you think it will officially be released soon?
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Post by kevinc25 on Jul 15, 2017 9:15:47 GMT -5
MC-700 Analogue input question - can it be set to direct pass through to the front stereo speakers without any or minimal digital processing (e.g. basic stereo volume control, no sub output etc ). Reason is that my CD player has a very enthusiastic output that's too large for my old NAIM stereo preamp (saturates it with 2 volts versus 75mv capacity) and I want to tame it with the MC-700 (alas there's no dig out from my CD so that's not an option) I think you'll have no problem. The stereo mode does that. It doesn't apply emoQ at all(so minimal digital path) and then outputs to your front speakers. I think jolaca means Direct mode does not apply emoQ. |
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Post by rbk123 on Jul 15, 2017 14:13:14 GMT -5
Haven't heard too much about the new MC-700 firmware up date? Do you think it will officially be released soon? If you're referring to the one Dan had said, it has been out now for a couple of weeks now. It's 2.9.2 and is mentioned here: emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/50402/new-beta-mc-700-firmwareI'm not aware of another update mentioned since then. |
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telmar
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by telmar on Jul 15, 2017 17:03:01 GMT -5
From what I am able to gather it is still a beta test and has not been officially released. If you go to the MC -700 product page, the 2.9 version shows. I believe the new firmware is still in the testing stage and has not been released with notes. I do not want to add the new firmware to my MC - 700 while it is still in the review stage. Your thoughts please.
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Post by rbk123 on Jul 15, 2017 21:25:07 GMT -5
My thoughts? Try it and see. You can always reload 2.9.
Flashing and trying will take less time/effort than posting/reading/waiting here in the forum.
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minhhi
Seeker Of Truth
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Post by minhhi on Jul 20, 2017 8:26:49 GMT -5
I have my MC700 for two weeks now , and I would have to say it performed great with XPA 5 Gen 3. There are noticeable bugs which I can live with until the next firmware release. Currently on 2.9.2 beta.
The only caveat is the MC-700 would default to All-Stereo automatically for all inputs on powered up, which play all my 5.1 in stereo. My preferred mode is Stereo for all inputs. That should only play my left/right towers and the subwoofer. Anytime it get powered power and back on, it just set it to All-Stereo. I try to set HDMI1 as stereo, but it just reset itself. Is there a way to set all inputs as stereo and still get the auto switching of the appropriate 5.1 mode. My previous Onkyo TX-656 didn't have this problem. Any feedback would be appreciate.
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KeithL
Administrator 
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Post by KeithL on Jul 20, 2017 10:45:45 GMT -5
You can configure the default mode for each type of input separately.... so you can set it to use Stereo for Stereo inputs and Surround for Surround inputs. I have my MC700 for two weeks now , and I would have to say it performed great with XPA 5 Gen 3. There are noticeable bugs which I can live with until the next firmware release. Currently on 2.9.2 beta. The only caveat is the MC-700 would default to All-Stereo automatically for all inputs on powered up, which play all my 5.1 in stereo. My preferred mode is Stereo for all inputs. That should only play my left/right towers and the subwoofer. Anytime it get powered power and back on, it just set it to All-Stereo. I try to set HDMI1 as stereo, but it just reset itself. Is there a way to set all inputs as stereo and still get the auto switching of the appropriate 5.1 mode. My previous Onkyo TX-656 didn't have this problem. Any feedback would be appreciate. |
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Post by harlan on Jul 22, 2017 0:21:33 GMT -5
You can configure the default mode for each type of input separately.... so you can set it to use Stereo for Stereo inputs and Surround for Surround inputs. I have my MC700 for two weeks now , and I would have to say it performed great with XPA 5 Gen 3. There are noticeable bugs which I can live with until the next firmware release. Currently on 2.9.2 beta. The only caveat is the MC-700 would default to All-Stereo automatically for all inputs on powered up, which play all my 5.1 in stereo. My preferred mode is Stereo for all inputs. That should only play my left/right towers and the subwoofer. Anytime it get powered power and back on, it just set it to All-Stereo. I try to set HDMI1 as stereo, but it just reset itself. Is there a way to set all inputs as stereo and still get the auto switching of the appropriate 5.1 mode. My previous Onkyo TX-656 didn't have this problem. Any feedback would be appreciate. With a decent manual that we were promised months ago, these type of questions wouldnt need to be rehashed. Do you mind sharing how to do that? |
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Post by jonas79 on Jul 22, 2017 11:14:13 GMT -5
My own experience after a couple of days in Sweden are some Noice when switching channels on my satbox appears in right front speaker and it happens on some channels not every time.
Very hard to get a signal on 4K video throw the MC700 to my Samsung UBD-K8500, 4K bluray player.
" Edit: I find the problem for the pitchure problem on my Samsung UBD-K8500 to MC700 processor.
I must play a Movie with UHD HDR so the LG Oled 55B6V sends out a HDR Signal first then i get the pitchure.
This must be wrong and defactive ??
That means that i must start a game on My PS4 PRO with HDR like Uncharted 4 with no pitchure and when HDR signal pops in i get the pitchure. "
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Post by bwooster0 on Jul 23, 2017 14:56:40 GMT -5
I've been testing the 2.9.2 beta firmware and it has solved a problem I was having with PS4 Pro 4k HDR output to my Sony tv. I still haven't figured out how to get the audio to my theta cb3 ssp. My main goal has been to get 4k HDR working from my ps4 to my tv so I can play Last Of Us in HDR. I can connect the ps4 pro directly to the tv and get a 4k HDR picture (using this setup the audio went from the ps4 pro spdif port to my ssp). I tried to hook the ps4 pro to the MC-700 via its #1 hdmi port and then send the output to the tv (using this setup the audio would go from the MC-700 via cdmi to the theta ssp). Using firmware 2.9 this setup would not work. No picture would get sent to the tv, though I could hear the audio from the tvs speakers. Using firmware 2.9.2 this setup works! PS4 Pro -> MC-700 -> tv allows me to send an RGB HDR 4k signal to the tv. I haven't figured out how to get the sound from the MC-700 via hdmi output 2 to my theta ssp using this setup.  I tried going to the MC-700 set up menu and saw that there is an option that says something like "HDMI Audio". There are two options, "Amplifier" and "TV". If I select "TV" I get two channel audio sent to my tv speakers (not what I want). If I select "Amplifier" no audio comes from the tv speakers and my theta ssp gets no audio signal (it has a screen that can show you what audio data it is getting). I thought that choosing "Amplifier" would send the audio from the ps4 pro out cdmi out #2 to my ssp but that doesn't seem to work. The version 1.1 manual does not seem to have any information about what the "HDMI Audio" option does. I've also tried to pass a signal from my version 1 Nvidia shield thru the MC-700 and the results were very poor with firmware 2.9. I couldn't get the shield to pass a 4k HDR signal thru the MC-700 to the tv. I'm afraid to try other things like an Oppo UHD player or a Roku 4. Im at the point where I spend more time testing than actually watching Netflix or playing a game. The best solution might be to just get a new ssp, Ive heard great things about the Anthem AVM 60. I also never got the spdif input to the unit working. |
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Post by jthomp27 on Jul 24, 2017 13:07:14 GMT -5
I have also noticed that I no longer have handshake issues with 2.9.2 firmware btw my PS4 Pro and my Panny Plasma. Thank you!
Any chance we can see a summary of changes introduced in the beta firmware?
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Post by jonas79 on Jul 24, 2017 14:20:14 GMT -5
I have also noticed that I no longer have handshake issues with 2.9.2 firmware btw my PS4 Pro and my Panny Plasma. Thank you! Any chance we can see a summary of changes introduced in the beta firmware? Must try the new beta firmware tomorrow then. I get black screen with No pitchure with My Ps4 Pro and my Samsung UBD-K8500. But the funniest i seen yet when starting a a HDR Movie and tv responds with HDR logo the pitchure come throw the MC-700 not before. |
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Post by kevinc25 on Jul 27, 2017 14:43:08 GMT -5
Does anyone know why there's a mini-USB on the back as well as a regular size USB? I knowthe manual says these are BOTH "USB Update Inputs" and that "These two inputs are reserved for installing updates and future enhancements on the MC-700" but it seems a little odd to have the mini as well as the full size. I had originally assumed the mini was to connect to a PC USB output so the MC-700 could act as an external DAC if the firmware could be upgraded to allow this, but there's never been any mention of such a feature being planned.
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Post by jolaca on Aug 1, 2017 4:51:34 GMT -5
Yeah Kevin, I was thinking about this too. It would be nice to enable this USB PC input to accept hi-res digital audio from a PC. And the manual states it is for 'future enhancements' so, hopefully, it might be enable in the near future.
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