Sayer
Sensei
Chasing better sound.
Posts: 139
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Post by Sayer on Nov 9, 2021 12:17:18 GMT -5
Today and tomorrow my new XPA-5, T2+, C2+ and B1+ and power conditioner arrive. I have an inexpensive Yamaha RX-A880 receiver that will do pre/pro duties until I upgrade. My setup will probably continue to be 5.1, but I'm not 100% sure that I won't want to explore some of the extra speaker options in the future.
I've heard rumors that the XMC-1 refurbs may become available during the Black Friday event, or at least sometime soon. Trying to decide If the XMC-1 does become available should I grab one, or should I wait for for the new BasX processor that is due early next year.
I realize that the new BasX processor will have growing pains. I can keep using the RX-A880 for as long as needed. I'm not interested in spending $2500 or more on a processor.
Grab the XMC-1 if they become available... or wait for something with more modern options? |
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Post by routlaw on Nov 9, 2021 14:24:27 GMT -5
You'll probably receive a lot of different opinions on this but I would choose a refurb XMC-1 if for no other reasons you would balanced I/O's throughout. Higher signal to noise ratio and ability to run much longer interconnects if needed. My guess is it would also have more flexibility as well. My 2¢ worth.
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Post by 405x5 on Nov 9, 2021 16:15:28 GMT -5
All of today’s top high end competing AV processors are ATMOS equipped.
For a guy like me who wants true high end AV without the ATMOS baggage, the XMC is more worth its weight in gold than ever before.
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Sayer
Sensei
Chasing better sound.
Posts: 139
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Post by Sayer on Nov 9, 2021 16:27:33 GMT -5
You'll probably receive a lot of different opinions on this but I would choose a refurb XMC-1 if for no other reasons you would balanced I/O's throughout. Higher signal to noise ratio and ability to run much longer interconnects if needed. My guess is it would also have more flexibility as well. My 2¢ worth. Hadn't considered the balanced outputs, that is a plus for the XMC-1. I keep starting down the rabbit hole wondering if I will want to eventually add one or two pairs of height channels. The XMC-1 won't allow for it, so it would not work. But, trying to find another device that will allow something like 5.2.4 puts me in the $3000 plus range. So, then I figure it is not worth the hassle, and the XMC-1 starts to look attractive. The entire multi-channel concept is at best frustrating. It seems like the wild west with little in the way of best practices and reasonably priced solutions. |
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Post by routlaw on Nov 9, 2021 16:36:15 GMT -5
FWIW, even though I now have the RMC-1L traded in from the XMC-1 I do not have any interest in going the ATMOS ceiling height route. But the RMC sounds awesome even for two channel music.
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Sayer
Sensei
Chasing better sound.
Posts: 139
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Post by Sayer on Nov 9, 2021 16:36:18 GMT -5
All of today’s top high end competing AV processors are ATMOS equipped. For a guy like me who wants true high end AV without the ATMOS baggage, the XMC is more worth its weight in gold than ever before. I've never heard Atmos, and have been happy with my 5.1 setup. Maybe that is the best way for me to go. How old is that Sunfire amp you are using? I remember looking at them years ago. I ended up with an ATI AT2505 amp, which died several years ago. |
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Sayer
Sensei
Chasing better sound.
Posts: 139
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Post by Sayer on Nov 9, 2021 16:38:10 GMT -5
FWIW, even though I now have the RMC-1L traded in from the XMC-1 I do not have any interest in going the ATMOS ceiling height route. But the RMC sounds awesome even for two channel music. You upgraded for sound quality rather than features? Is there anything on the RMC-1L that you use that wasn't available on the XMC-1? |
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cawgijoe
Emo VIPs 
"We made too many of the wrong mistakes." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 4,913
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Post by cawgijoe on Nov 9, 2021 16:44:08 GMT -5
All of today’s top high end competing AV processors are ATMOS equipped. For a guy like me who wants true high end AV without the ATMOS baggage, the XMC is more worth its weight in gold than ever before. I've never heard Atmos, and have been happy with my 5.1 setup. Maybe that is the best way for me to go. How old is that Sunfire amp you are using? I remember looking at them years ago. I ended up with an ATI AT2505 amp, which died several years ago. I don't have Atmos currently, but have heard it and it sounds great. I won't be putting in ceiling speakers in my home now, but will in the future when I move and retire. If you do Atmos, the choices are using a mid-level Atmos receiver as your av preamp connected to your Emotiva amp,or going to an expensive av preamp with atmos capability. If you decide not to do Atmos, the XMC-1 refurb is a great deal. Gives you fantastic sound quality as well as XLR connections to your amp. I guess it all boils down to what you want and what you are willing to pay for and sacrifice. |
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Post by routlaw on Nov 9, 2021 17:13:09 GMT -5
You upgraded for sound quality rather than features? Is there anything on the RMC-1L that you use that wasn't available on the XMC-1? Improved sound quality, extended warranty, HDMI 2.0 for my new Epson 5050 projector (although it could be connected directly) were the main reasons. I considered upgrading just the HDMI board with 2.0 but kept hearing about the sound quality of the RMC and make no mistake at least in my system it is noticeably better than the XMC-1. At the time those HDMI boards were unobtanium too. Still the XMC-1 sounds great, such not on the same level as the RMC |
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Post by 405x5 on Nov 9, 2021 19:59:23 GMT -5
All of today’s top high end competing AV processors are ATMOS equipped. For a guy like me who wants true high end AV without the ATMOS baggage, the XMC is more worth its weight in gold than ever before. I've never heard Atmos, and have been happy with my 5.1 setup. Maybe that is the best way for me to go. How old is that Sunfire amp you are using? I remember looking at them years ago. I ended up with an ATI AT2505 amp, which died several years ago. Been in service since January of 2001. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 9, 2021 20:16:45 GMT -5
I’m in the XMC-1 camp for your situation as well as the balanced outs (I would want the V3 board), and then there’s the consideration of how long it might actually be for the alternative.
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Post by creimes on Nov 9, 2021 21:54:38 GMT -5
Another +1 for the XMC-1, it has superior sound for surround duty and 2ch use, I very much enjoy the XMC-1 and think to myself why they couldn't just keep building it for us poorer audio nuts, or like me have no interest in Atmos and am fine with 5.2 and amazing 2ch SQ.
Chad
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Sayer
Sensei
Chasing better sound.
Posts: 139
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Post by Sayer on Nov 9, 2021 22:57:48 GMT -5
I've never heard Atmos, and have been happy with my 5.1 setup. Maybe that is the best way for me to go. How old is that Sunfire amp you are using? I remember looking at them years ago. I ended up with an ATI AT2505 amp, which died several years ago. I don't have Atmos currently, but have heard it and it sounds great. I won't be putting in ceiling speakers in my home now, but will in the future when I move and retire. If you do Atmos, the choices are using a mid-level Atmos receiver as your av preamp connected to your Emotiva amp,or going to an expensive av preamp with atmos capability. If you decide not to do Atmos, the XMC-1 refurb is a great deal. Gives you fantastic sound quality as well as XLR connections to your amp. I guess it all boils down to what you want and what you are willing to pay for and sacrifice. Agree, Atmos is either an AV receiver with mediocre sound, or all in on a very expensive processor. There seems to be no middle ground. I'm starting to lean toward the XMC-1, it is the more realistic solution for my situation. |
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Sayer
Sensei
Chasing better sound.
Posts: 139
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Post by Sayer on Nov 9, 2021 22:59:34 GMT -5
You upgraded for sound quality rather than features? Is there anything on the RMC-1L that you use that wasn't available on the XMC-1? Improved sound quality, extended warranty, HDMI 2.0 for my new Epson 5050 projector (although it could be connected directly) were the main reasons. I considered upgrading just the HDMI board with 2.0 but kept hearing about the sound quality of the RMC and make no mistake at least in my system it is noticeably better than the XMC-1. At the time those HDMI boards were unobtanium too. Still the XMC-1 sounds great, such not on the same level as the RMC I'm thinking the XMC-1 would be a significant upgrade in sound compared to the RX-A880 receiver. Thanks for the input! |
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Sayer
Sensei
Chasing better sound.
Posts: 139
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Post by Sayer on Nov 9, 2021 23:00:34 GMT -5
I've never heard Atmos, and have been happy with my 5.1 setup. Maybe that is the best way for me to go. How old is that Sunfire amp you are using? I remember looking at them years ago. I ended up with an ATI AT2505 amp, which died several years ago. Been in service since January of 2001. Wow... now that's getting your monies worth. Congrats! |
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Sayer
Sensei
Chasing better sound.
Posts: 139
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Post by Sayer on Nov 9, 2021 23:01:55 GMT -5
I’m in the XMC-1 camp for your situation as well as the balanced outs (I would want the V3 board), and then there’s the consideration of how long it might actually be for the alternative. I'm not familiar with the V3 board you mention. I'm guessing it is not on the refurb units? |
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Sayer
Sensei
Chasing better sound.
Posts: 139
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Post by Sayer on Nov 9, 2021 23:03:43 GMT -5
Another +1 for the XMC-1, it has superior sound for surround duty and 2ch use, I very much enjoy the XMC-1 and think to myself why they couldn't just keep building it for us poorer audio nuts, or like me have no interest in Atmos and am fine with 5.2 and amazing 2ch SQ. Chad Very good points... I think I'm sold on the XMC-1 at this point, now I just need to grab one when/if they become available again. Thanks for the input. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 10, 2021 0:01:36 GMT -5
I’m in the XMC-1 camp for your situation as well as the balanced outs (I would want the V3 board), and then there’s the consideration of how long it might actually be for the alternative. I'm not familiar with the V3 board you mention. I'm guessing it is not on the refurb units? It’s the HDMI 2.0 / 4K board, I upgraded my XMC-1 with it when it first came out. I know some referb units come with it, but not sure they all do, just saying I’d make sure to get it. It’s the same board that’s in current XMC-2, RMC-1/L. |
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Post by 405x5 on Nov 10, 2021 8:37:00 GMT -5
Not to forget those of us who are not viewing 4K or doing UHD switching are just fine with the original 1.4 HDMI board
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Post by 405x5 on Nov 10, 2021 8:39:56 GMT -5
Been in service since January of 2001. Wow... now that's getting your monies worth. Congrats! It will blow up if I brag |
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