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Post by aussieemolearner on Feb 23, 2015 6:48:23 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
After being on the list for purchasing the XMC-1 for a long time, when it came up I wanted to wait for Dirac to be available on account of being a long way from Emotiva land, South Australia to be precise. Well now the aussie dollar isn't doing so well against the dollar and we also have to pay tax on its arrival, so even with the generous discount card, it still costs.
My lovely wife likes the sound Emotiva produces ( have umc-1, xpa-5), but really wants wifi connection to the PC in the study and the ability to stream effortlessly. Hence my question how can I still get the XMC-1, which doesn't currently have those features, by getting another unit as well (remember folks in aussie land equipment costs a lot more down here) that does have that ability and still come under the pricing of the other units mentioned in the title. Marantz AV8802 ($5990 Aus), AV7702 ($3390). Onkyo PR-SC5530 ($4000) or even the Yamaha CXA5000 ($3500).
The XMC-1 would come to approx $2,500 to $3,000 (Aus) so I would have about $1000 to spend on such equipment to keep the lady happy. Any suggestions will be gratefully accepted! Oh yeah it must work extremely well with the XMC-1.
Thanks all David
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Post by linvincible on Feb 23, 2015 9:36:39 GMT -5
You need to be sure your wifi is up to the task, otherwise use power outlet to ethernet bridges.
Then you need a small and cheap streamer : a Raspberry Pi can do the job, has anyone tested that directly into the XMC-1's USB?
Or an SOtM sMS-100 (more expensive)
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Post by wilburthegoose on Feb 23, 2015 9:41:20 GMT -5
I moved from a Denon (same company as Marantz) that had all those bells and whistles.
I'm using my Roku 3 and my PC connected to the XMC-1 via USB. I have all the functionality I needed from the Denon/Marantz, but much better audio. And, interestingly, the picture quality seems better - probably not because the XMC-1 is doing, but perhaps because the Denon/Marantz WAS doing something it shouldn't have.
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Feb 23, 2015 10:06:52 GMT -5
Isn't your Apple TV doing that duty now?
What do you want the other units to do on top of what the apple TV does now?
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Post by aussieemolearner on Feb 23, 2015 21:33:15 GMT -5
Hi Bootman
The Apple only connects the Apple gear, we also have FLAC files and my partner wants deezer etc as well, so I need to be able to do all the things Marantz can do, exactly as wilburthegoose has stated. Can I get a Roku here in Aussieland, haven't seen them about. Wilbur does that allow me to see menus on the screen or via an app for the phone or tablet using the Roku or similar devices.
Cheers David
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Post by khollister on Feb 23, 2015 21:51:15 GMT -5
Not sure exactly what you want to do - are you wanting to stream to the PC or from it? FLAC files can be easily converted to ALAC via XLD (free) and you can run iTunes on the PC, urn on Home Sharing, and the ATV's will see the files.
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Post by khollister on Feb 23, 2015 21:53:01 GMT -5
And, interestingly, the picture quality seems better - probably not because the XMC-1 is doing, but perhaps because the Denon/Marantz WAS doing something it shouldn't have. Yup - noticed the same thing. The Denon was softening the picture even though all I had turned on was the video overlay. Much sharper/contrastier picture with XMC |
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Post by wilburthegoose on Feb 23, 2015 22:52:02 GMT -5
Yeah - that actually jives with what my ISF calibrator told me. But I liked the Denon overlays so much that I left them on. Oops  |
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Post by aussieemolearner on Feb 24, 2015 7:22:55 GMT -5
I am wanting to stream from the PC or to have an independent streamer that allows DLNA connections as well as Internet streaming
It looks like the Roku is not available here and there may also be some issues get hold of the SOtM unit as well. We don't always have everything available in Australia. It is one of the things that make it difficult, I read about all these great ways of doing things but they just aren't here.
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Feb 24, 2015 7:49:02 GMT -5
So given your options in AUS, it looks like the Marantz is your logical choice. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. |
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Post by aussieemolearner on Feb 24, 2015 8:05:46 GMT -5
Thanks Bootman
I would like to try to hold out a little bit longer as I really like what I am hearing about the XMC-1 and Dirac, it sounds like a keeper for many years. I am just hoping there is some way of streaming and DLNA connecting out there that I can use
Cheers David
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Post by khollister on Feb 24, 2015 8:31:16 GMT -5
So you have several options, I think: - Convert the FLAC to ALAC on the PC, install iTunes there and use the existing Apple TV. Free
- Order a JRiver Id (a new hardware bit from JRiver that is a DLNA player based on an Intel NUC). $400US but they ship worldwide, subject to import duty
- Oppo BDP-103. Functions as a DLNA renderer, FLAC & WAV only (would require converting/rehosting ALAC/MP4 from iTunes). $500US but you get a great universal disc player thrown in (SACD, DVD-A, BD).
- A dedicated DLNA renderer. I went this route for sound quality reasons, but the options I looked at are out of your budget. I have an Auralic Aries ($1600US). Fantastic sound, plays DSD, connects via coax, AES, optical or USB to the XMC-1. There is an Aries LE ($995US) without the external PS or high precision clocks. You can order direct from Auralic or there is a dealer listed in Oz - www.busisoft.com.au/brand/auralic. Other options include dedicated Marantz and Pioneer DLNA render/DAC devices - you might check what is available in-country.
Not to sound like a sales pitch for Auralic (who are a Chinese audiophile company with outstanding customer support via email - they are on your side of the world), but the Aries Deluxe I recently purchased is an amazing sounding device - far more refined and transparent than your average run-of-the-mill Roku, ATV, or AVR.
I would consider the free ATV approach for now and consider your other options going forward. I have no experience with the sound quality of the Oppo approach - I expect it is in-between the mid-fi ATV/Roku solutions and the dedicated audiophile renders (Aries, Moon Mint, Sonore Rendu, Linn, etc).
All of the audiophile renders use an iPad app control point. The Linn and Lumin apps work with any DLNA/uPnP renderer - some of the other devices have dedicated ones (Aries has LightningDS). Op has iOS and Android (I believe) control apps and Apple has the Remote app for iOS.
Feel free to contact me with other questions.
Keith
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Post by khollister on Feb 24, 2015 8:40:32 GMT -5
BTW - If you want in-depth discussion specifically about digital sources (streaming, music servers, DLNA, NAS, etc), computersudiophile.com is the place to be. Much of the traffic is very high end oriented, but there is a lot of discussion on moderate to entry level stuff too. There are some contributors from Oz as well, so questions about availability and support can be answered by them. I'm over there under the same username. Not trying to shift the discussion away from here, but if you want to do research, that is the motherload of info.
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Post by Priapulus on Feb 24, 2015 8:49:23 GMT -5
I am wanting to stream from the PC My HTPC's video card has an HDMI out that plugs directly into the XMC-1's HDMI inputs. If your PC lacks an HDMI output, video cards are cheap. There is a wealth of PC streaming and player apps.
Sincerely /b
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Post by khollister on Feb 24, 2015 9:08:03 GMT -5
I am wanting to stream from the PC My HTPC's video card has an HDMI out that plugs directly into the XMC-1's HDMI inputs. If your PC lacks an HDMI output, video cards are cheap. There is a wealth of PC streaming and player apps.
Sincerely /b
The OP stated the PC was in a different room - I don't think that's going to work |
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Post by Priapulus on Feb 24, 2015 9:40:51 GMT -5
My HTPC's video card has an HDMI out that plugs directly into the XMC-1's HDMI inputs. If your PC lacks an HDMI output, video cards are cheap. There is a wealth of PC streaming and player apps.
Sincerely /b
The OP stated the PC was in a different room - I don't think that's going to work Opps...
I understand there is PC software that will allow you to Airplay your media to the AppleTV. Sincerely /b
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Post by wilburthegoose on Feb 24, 2015 11:08:38 GMT -5
I use Asset UPnP as my media server on my Windows 8.1 PC and then can listen through Roku. But even better is running an HDMI and a USB cable from my PC to the XMC-1 and playing the FLAC files that way - works perfectly. (For input 6, I get video from the HDMI and audio from the USB input)
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Post by khollister on Feb 24, 2015 11:33:52 GMT -5
David,
To go back to your original post and the Marantz, Onkyo & Yamaha alternatives you mentioned ...
While this is an Emotiva forum and it is somewhat expected that we talk up Emo products as fantastic, I do think the XMC has a very special place in the market. I have a very long history with high-end audio and am a recent Emotive customer (as in the last 3 weeks), but of the units you mentioned, the only one I believe has a shot at being equal to or better than the XMC in basic audio quality (setting aside EQ/RC) is the 8802. A close friend has a Yamaha CX-A5000 (their only prepro) he purchased as a temp replacement while attempting to have his Denon AVP repaired, and we both think it sounds awful. It is warm (normally not a bad thing), but also opaque, dull, lifeless and a bunch of other less than favorable adjectives. I have never cared for the sound of any recent Onkyo amplifiers and I have it on very good authority from someone inside the audio industry that Onkyo does not audition/tune their designs - they design them with what they believe are "good quality parts" and move on. The Marantz 7702 is by all accounts a huge improvement over previous Marantz designs, but it is still prone to hum, even with XLR connections. Same friend has a couple generation old Marantz prepro and it hums in his system to the point of being unusable, even with all balanced connections. The 8802 is further tweaked from the 7702 and I can believe it is a peer of the XMC as far as core sound quality, since I know Marantz does audition their designs and tunes/voices them on the basis of at least one very qualified listener they employ (more industry insider info). However, it has unacceptable EQ options IMHO (graphic EQ, not PEQ and Audyssey, which I find unnatural sounding) and is still questionable as far as hum goes. The Marantz units are rather unusual as afar as having ungrounded mains cords.
This is a rather roundabout way of saying I do not think the XMC has any competition as far as sound quality or EQ (especially considering Dirac) below the "salon brands" such as Krell, Classe, Theta, McIntosh, et al at much higher price points. Even most of those are lacking in RC tech. The Marantz 8802 is an unknown quantity right now since the initial shipment to US dealers is still held up due to the west coast dock workers strike. I know one Stereophile reviewer has an XMC and is getting an 8802, and a dealer I know is planning on a three-way 7702, 8802 and XMC-1 comparison, but nothing has been done yet.
The XMC is getting skewered over on AVS right now for being too feature light (mostly Atmos/11 channel) and "too expensive for an internet direct brand". What they are missing is the sound quality (which most are deaf to since that community is largely in the double blind testing rut and think all amps sound the same) and Dirac. Dirac is a game changer, especially at this price point. If Dan, Lonnie and the boys at Emotiva are to be congratulated on anything, it is ponying up the license fees to incorporate Dirac in this unit, even with the 48k restriction. The problem is almost no one has actually experienced what Dirac does because until now, it was only available in a $800 PC/Mac version (if you use a computer as your music/movie playback source) or in the $20,000 Datasat or Theta processors.
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Post by khollister on Feb 24, 2015 11:52:23 GMT -5
I use Asset UPnP as my media server on my Windows 8.1 PC and then can listen through Roku. But even better is running an HDMI and a USB cable from my PC to the XMC-1 and playing the FLAC files that way - works perfectly. (For input 6, I get video from the HDMI and audio from the USB input) Be aware that Ray (by way of Damon) has confirmed a bug in how the wordlength is detected on audio through a digital input on an HDMI preset. I had a couple conversations yesterday when I reported this and gave Damon a bunch of test info. I doubt it affects the actual sound quality, but you may get a weird report of the incoming word length. This does not happen if you use the exact same physical coax/USB/AES input on a non-HDMI input preset. They are working on a fix, don't know if 2.1 will be held for this or not (I hope not). |
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Post by sandiway on Feb 24, 2015 14:10:52 GMT -5
I have a very long history with high-end audio ... Can you point to any comparisons between Dirac and the highly regarded Anthem ARC system? One reason why I'm asking is that you can get a 2nd hand high-end Anthem processor for about the same price as a new XMC-1. Thanks, Sandiway |
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