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Post by davidl81 on May 17, 2019 9:33:08 GMT -5
I am looking for some input on if now is the time to switch to the RMC-1 from my AV8802A. It seems like while not perfect, the RMC-1 has really stabilized quite a bit recently. Right now I have a 7.2.4 setup, and it is unlikely I will go more than that based on my room size, so I do not need the 9.1.6 that the RMC offers. I am looking at this from strictly a sound quality standpoint. It will be installed in my theater room with a mix of 75% movies, 25% 2 channel music. The music is split between Tidal via Apple TV, and turntable (Rega Planar 1). Right now the AV8802A has a built in pre-amp, where I have to buy one on the RMC-1 (XPS-1). The $200 is not a huge deal, as I am thinking I may get better sound out of the XPS than I do from the built in pre amp on the AV8802A.
The one thing I like (besides the great stability of my AV8802A) is how I use it for my outdoor setup. I run both zone 2 and zone 3 with it. My Zone 2 speakers are on my patio and Zone 3 are my deftechs that point out towards my pool. My preference is to be able to individually control each set of speakers since I do not always have both pairs playing, but that just my not be possible on the RMC-1 since I think I will be stuck just splitting the Zone 2 output and running four channels off of that. Also the Marantz has spotify Connect which is great for streaming outside. On the RMC I would either have to use my phone-appletv-airplay-RMC or look into Roon or some other player that I can control remotely with a phone or ipad.
All of this being said it is a pretty big effort (and some trade offs) going from the AV8802A to the RMC-1. I have a 40% off card which helps with the cost. It brings the RMC down to $3000, and I should be able to sell my AV8802A for $1500ish. I am going to list my equipment and if anyone has had issues using any of these items please let me know.
Sources:
Apple TV4K
Panasonic UB-820 UHD Player (preferred source for movie watching)
Xbox X
Sony PS4
Rega P1 TT
Display:
Sony VPL-VW385ES
Amps:
Emotiva DR-2 (L/R)
XPA-5 (C/Surrounds)
A-700 (Atmos Channels, Zone 2)
A-300 (Zone 3)
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on May 17, 2019 11:02:55 GMT -5
Why would you need to buy a preamp for the RMC1?
One of the reasons to switch to the RMC1 would be for it’s superior 2 channel sound and Dirac.
I think since Dirac isn’t out yet, it may be fine to hold out until Dirac is delivered on the RMC1. I say this as advice but I’ll probably buy the RMC1L or XMC2 right away but my needs are way more immediate than yours.
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Post by davidl81 on May 17, 2019 11:06:16 GMT -5
Why would you need to buy a preamp for the RMC1? One of the reasons to switch to the RMC1 would be for it’s superior 2 channel sound and Dirac. I think since Dirac isn’t out yet, it may be fine to hold out until Dirac is delivered on the RMC1. I say this as advice but I’ll probably buy the RMC1L or XMC2 right away but my needs are way more immediate than yours. My understanding is for the Rega P1 I would need a pre-amp to go from the TT to the RMC1 since the gain on the TT is too low (as all TT's are that do not have a built in pre-amp). My Marantz has a dedicated Phono input that has a built in pre-amp. |
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Post by thrillcat on May 17, 2019 11:06:54 GMT -5
Why would you need to buy a preamp for the RMC1? Phono preamp for his turntable. |
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Post by cwt on May 17, 2019 13:42:48 GMT -5
My understanding is for the Rega P1 I would need a pre-amp to go from the TT to the RMC1 since the gain on the TT is too low (as all TT's are that do not have a built in pre-amp). My Marantz has a dedicated Phono input that has a built in pre-amp. I haven't seen any posts not liking the RMC1's sound quality to alternatives[even without dirac] so far David . I would expect the afterthought IC the Marantz has for a TT would not compare to 1. the better isolation of the pre pre amp away from the emi/rf of the main chassis [ especially with the very low level-under pre amp level- signals the xsp deals with ;and 2. the ability to properly match the loading of your MM cartridge by the xsp rather than an inferior generic average  Maybe wait a while to see what the expansion docks get ie the slim line streamer is mentioned a lot ; or see what the RMC1L brings ; it may compensate in other ways for its lack of expansion ports ? |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on May 17, 2019 17:31:43 GMT -5
Why would you need to buy a preamp for the RMC1? One of the reasons to switch to the RMC1 would be for it’s superior 2 channel sound and Dirac. I think since Dirac isn’t out yet, it may be fine to hold out until Dirac is delivered on the RMC1. I say this as advice but I’ll probably buy the RMC1L or XMC2 right away but my needs are way more immediate than yours. My understanding is for the Rega P1 I would need a pre-amp to go from the TT to the RMC1 since the gain on the TT is too low (as all TT's are that do not have a built in pre-amp). My Marantz has a dedicated Phono input that has a built in pre-amp. Ah! I see for your record player. My bad. 😊 Maybe the RMC1 can use an expansion port for that purpose. |
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Post by davidl81 on May 17, 2019 17:54:35 GMT -5
My understanding is for the Rega P1 I would need a pre-amp to go from the TT to the RMC1 since the gain on the TT is too low (as all TT's are that do not have a built in pre-amp). My Marantz has a dedicated Phono input that has a built in pre-amp. I haven't seen any posts not liking the RMC1's sound quality to alternatives[even without dirac] so far David . I would expect the afterthought IC the Marantz has for a TT would not compare to 1. the better isolation of the pre pre amp away from the emi/rf of the main chassis [ especially with the very low level-under pre amp level- signals the xsp deals with ;and 2. the ability to properly match the loading of your MM cartridge by the xsp rather than an inferior generic average Maybe wait a while to see what the expansion docks get ie the slim line streamer is mentioned a lot ; or see what the RMC1L brings ; it may compensate in other ways for its lack of expansion ports ? Waiting for the expansion slots may make sense. Let’s say they add a phono input, stream module, and extra zone outputs. Then my issues are solved and I can use the 40% off card on all of it. Of course the cost may jump up pretty quickly. |
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Post by adaboy on May 17, 2019 22:09:04 GMT -5
I haven't seen any posts not liking the RMC1's sound quality to alternatives[even without dirac] so far David . I would expect the afterthought IC the Marantz has for a TT would not compare to 1. the better isolation of the pre pre amp away from the emi/rf of the main chassis [ especially with the very low level-under pre amp level- signals the xsp deals with ;and 2. the ability to properly match the loading of your MM cartridge by the xsp rather than an inferior generic average Maybe wait a while to see what the expansion docks get ie the slim line streamer is mentioned a lot ; or see what the RMC1L brings ; it may compensate in other ways for its lack of expansion ports ? Waiting for the expansion slots may make sense. Let’s say they add a phono input, stream module, and extra zone outputs. Then my issues are solved and I can use the 40% off card on all of it. Of course the cost may jump up pretty quickly. The cost WILL jump up very quickly! |
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Post by cwt on May 18, 2019 0:47:02 GMT -5
Waiting for the expansion slots may make sense. Let’s say they add a phono input, stream module, and extra zone outputs. Then my issues are solved and I can use the 40% off card on all of it. Of course the cost may jump up pretty quickly. Hopefully there will be a sliding scale of costs as some have extra dsp processing and programming incorporated and simpler ones like zone outputs just need some routing and rca's It wouldn't hurt too to lose some sp difs and re route them to zones if feasible  I had an integra dtr10.5 once and its modules were different prices ; they threw in some analog input ones for gratis.. |
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Post by jagman on May 18, 2019 22:08:49 GMT -5
Why would you need to buy a preamp for the RMC1? One of the reasons to switch to the RMC1 would be for it’s superior 2 channel sound and Dirac. I think since Dirac isn’t out yet, it may be fine to hold out until Dirac is delivered on the RMC1. I say this as advice but I’ll probably buy the RMC1L or XMC2 right away but my needs are way more immediate than yours. Have they said when the RMC-1L and XMC-2 will be released? |
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Post by davidl81 on May 18, 2019 22:59:12 GMT -5
3rd Quarter 2019, but let’s take that with a grain of salt. We also don’t know when the expansion modules will be available.
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on May 18, 2019 23:49:10 GMT -5
Why would you need to buy a preamp for the RMC1? One of the reasons to switch to the RMC1 would be for it’s superior 2 channel sound and Dirac. I think since Dirac isn’t out yet, it may be fine to hold out until Dirac is delivered on the RMC1. I say this as advice but I’ll probably buy the RMC1L or XMC2 right away but my needs are way more immediate than yours. Have they said when the RMC-1L and XMC-2 will be released? At Axpona, they said summer. I’m hoping they make good on their promise or at least let me be a beta tester. 😬 |
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Post by mfeust on May 19, 2019 9:17:01 GMT -5
Have they said when the RMC-1L and XMC-2 will be released? At Axpona, they said summer. I’m hoping they make good on their promise or at least let me be a beta tester. 😬 This is the kind of post that gets people yelling at each other. Was it really a PROMISE? or just a statement. Mark |
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LCSeminole
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Res firma mitescere nescit.
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Post by LCSeminole on May 19, 2019 9:25:03 GMT -5
At Axpona, they said summer. I’m hoping they make good on their promise or at least let me be a beta tester. 😬 This is the kind of post that gets people yelling at each other. Was it really a PROMISE? or just a statement. Mark I don't remember in any of Big Dan's YouTube interviews on the new upcoming processors that he used the word "promise". |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on May 19, 2019 10:20:34 GMT -5
At Axpona, they said summer. I’m hoping they make good on their promise or at least let me be a beta tester. 😬 This is the kind of post that gets people yelling at each other. Was it really a PROMISE? or just a statement. Mark I’m not gonna name the Emotiva official but his words and I quote is “I don’t want to say any release dates bc it makes people all get up in arms so I will say summer.” So they didn’t PROMISE per se, but it’s actually these types of nit picking that I find pretty annoying even though I’m a big Emotiva fan. So I’ll take the other side....you are right, whatever they say, it’s worthless and should be taken with a grain of salt. Hopefully they will release in the summer but I won’t hold my breath. Is this better? |
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on May 19, 2019 10:24:51 GMT -5
This is the kind of post that gets people yelling at each other. Was it really a PROMISE? or just a statement. Mark I don't remember in any of Big Dan's YouTube interviews on the new upcoming processors that he used the word "promise". I don’t either. I never said Big Dan said anything. So yes, my bad. Emotiva doesn’t make promises...they make hopeful release goals but can’t meet these dates. Is this better? |
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Post by davidl81 on May 19, 2019 11:01:25 GMT -5
I would think the RMC-1L should be close to release date since it’s internal hardware is identical to the RMC-1, so it should be fairly simple to release. The XMC-2 May be different as I assume it has different hardware inside for the cheaper price point.
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on May 19, 2019 11:03:58 GMT -5
I don't remember in any of Big Dan's YouTube interviews on the new upcoming processors that he used the word "promise". I don’t either. I never said Big Dan said anything. So yes, my bad. Emotiva doesn’t make promises...they make hopeful release goals but can’t meet these dates. Is this better? Mfeust is right, there are many members here that tend to take a simple word or something paraphrased from a video or conversation and make it a factual statement said by Emotiva. Thus ensues the personal back and forth sniping at one another, and I have to step in and play the adult in a conservation that has gone south. This is simply where I’m coming from. |
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Post by petew on May 19, 2019 11:13:59 GMT -5
I would think the RMC-1L should be close to release date since it’s internal hardware is identical to the RMC-1, so it should be fairly simple to release. The XMC-2 May be different as I assume it has different hardware inside for the cheaper price point. I think the DSP board (and definitely the HDMI board) are identical across all three models. The main analog board is unique to the XMC-2. Emotiva is good at analog and DAC's so hopefully they're far along in the development cycle. I'd guess if they ever get the RMC-1 sorted out, the other two will also work without much drama. Ditto for Dirac. I'm glad I won't need a processor until late this year. |
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Post by Bonzo on May 19, 2019 11:24:14 GMT -5
This is the kind of post that gets people yelling at each other. Was it really a PROMISE? or just a statement. Mark I’m not gonna name the Emotiva official but his words and I quote is “I don’t want to say any release dates bc it makes people all get up in arms so I will say summer.” So they didn’t PROMISE per se, but it’s actually these types of nit picking that I find pretty annoying even though I’m a big Emotiva fan. So I’ll take the other side....you are right, whatever they say, it’s worthless and should be taken with a grain of salt. Hopefully they will release in the summer but I won’t hold my breath. Is this better? I agree. Its typically the Bonzomites who call them on "their word," but I think any Bonzomite who holds them to ANY statement they make, especially ones dealing with dates, needs to follow the Bonzomite President, Bonzo himself, when I say nothing they say is reality. Only when a product shows up is it real. And sometimes even then its not what they said it would be (RMC-1 case in point). So I no longer hold them to anything or believe a word they say. As you say, their words are "worthless." I let the actual product do the talking. What's frustrating for us Bonzomites, is that there are still blue koolaiders who ALWAYS support, follow, and believe them, no matter what or how many times they get fooled or conned. I find it amazing. I was just at a local Emotiva dealer (at least the were) yesterday and I brought up Emotiva. I could tell there was no real love there, except for the older XPA series amps. And when I told the guy about how I feel regarding Dan and their lack of direction, he basically agreed with everything I said, and said he was glad an outsider could see the issues too. He went on shaking his head when I brought up the RMC-1. Said there was no way they could sell that thing as it is because it would make them look bad. So they have Marantz. When I told him I have the 8802a, he smiled big and said "AWESOME!" |
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