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Post by khollister on Feb 24, 2015 14:37:01 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 I can't point you to any published comparisons off the top of my head, but as far as I know, the Anthem ARC software does not claim to correct phase or impulse response, just frequency. I think it far preferable to Audyssey IMHO, but I do not care for the sonic character of the Anthem preamps/AVR's myself - I think them somewhat on the analytical and lean side. They are very revealing, but also strike me as a little unnatural or even unmusical - and this characteristics is usually mentioned in most of the published reviews I have seen as well. The units I have seen also ran very, very hot and there is a pretty sketchy dealer network around here (maybe not an issue if you are buying used). I know Anthem was regarded as the "audiophile's AVR" in the past before competition heated up, but I have never cared for the sound - I personally think they are way overrated (and overpriced). I think the reputation was largely a result of ARC being so superior to Audyssey XT and contemporary alternatives at the time. Now with Krell's RC, XT32 and especially Dirac in the marketplace, Anthem has lost some of the "buzz". Just my opinion, of course. The D2V (the only prepro they offer at this point) is about $10K, so I'm not sure what you are looking at (even used) that is less than the price of a XMC. I prefer the sound signature of the XMC to any Anthem I've heard, and my opinion is that Dirac Full will kick the **** out of ARC. The coherency, soundstage precision, stability of imaging as I move around on my sofa and general lack of any sonic artifacts that sound like "processing" leaves every other RC/EQ tech I have heard in the dust. |
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Post by sandiway on Feb 24, 2015 17:32:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback. If you look on Audiogon for Anthem, you'll find D2 with ARC. Asking price is $2250 but I guess it would go for less. Of course, ARC on the MRX series is much less expensive than the D2 line. The less expensive MRX series also have stellar reviews even in the age of Audyssey XT32. See for example, "the best just got better" in www.avforums.com/review/anthem-mrx-710-av-receiver-review.9888Unlike the D2 line at 96kHz, the MRX line is also limited to non-high-res room correction at 48kHz just like with the XMC-1. I also wonder which DACs are better: the ones in the Anthem processors or the XMC-1... Sandiway |
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Post by khollister on Feb 24, 2015 18:48:24 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback. If you look on Audiogon for Anthem, you'll find D2 with ARC. Asking price is $2250 but I guess it would go for less. Of course, ARC on the MRX series is much less expensive than the D2 line. The less expensive MRX series also have stellar reviews even in the age of Audyssey XT32. See for example, "the best just got better" in www.avforums.com/review/anthem-mrx-710-av-receiver-review.9888Unlike the D2 line at 96kHz, the MRX line is also limited to non-high-res room correction at 48kHz just like with the XMC-1. I also wonder which DACs are better: the ones in the Anthem processors or the XMC-1... Sandiway If you want to talk yourself into an Anthem, go for it. Three comments and then I'll refrain from any more Anthem bashing  1 - The D2 dates from 2008 and does not have TrueHD or DTS-Master (the lossless blu-ray codecs). You would need to set your BD player to decode the audio and send LPCM 2 - Be careful about comments on audio quality from many of the HT sites - most of them ain't exactly Stereophile or The Absolute Sound. The review you linked to's sound section was pretty cursory. I also liked their comment that the only RC software they thought was better than ARC 2 was Dirac Live  3 - A friend had a D2, in fact, and had trouble with it as I recall, having to send it in for service a couple times if I recall correctly. He did not have much complimentary to say about it other than ARC and isn't even considering Anthem this time around to replace his Denon which was destroyed by lightning. He's buying an XMC, largely because of Dirac. He also mentioned the D2 ran hot as a firecracker (likely having something to do with needing repair). It's your money and I'm not getting paid by Emotiva or Marantz to sell stuff, so ... (genuinely) Best of luck with whatever you choose |
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Post by aussieemolearner on Feb 25, 2015 6:23:16 GMT -5
Hi all especially Keith First it's a pity about the time differences, I thank you very much Keith for your information I will go and visit the other site and your insights into the other products it helps me a lot to understand as I haven't had a chance to critically listen to any of the brands as yet. The Apple TV is quite good for playing as long as you have everything Apple, but not all we have is, my partner has been listening to streamed music through a sonos speaker and likes the ability to get whatever music she likes, but she does understand that the quality isn't there (sounds quite tinny and flat to me) so I am trying to produce the best sound I can with as much versatility as possible. The main advantage I have is time as the UMC-1 is still doing a good job and I know that. If I get it right the XMC-1 plus will give me a great sound. Then all I have to do is convince her I need better speakers !!! ....... And a better CD Player (perhaps a ERC-3) Cheers David |
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Post by sandiway on Feb 25, 2015 12:39:16 GMT -5
If you want to talk yourself into an Anthem, go for it. More information is always good. As I've posted on another thread, I'm waiting for native Mac support before pulling the trigger on the XMC-1. But meanwhile, I'm still looking around. Anthem new is out of my price range. Also Anthem does not have (nor do they intend to have) native Mac support. Unfortunately, same goes for Dirac on MiniDSP. No native Mac support. |
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Post by khollister on Feb 25, 2015 13:56:35 GMT -5
I'm a Mac user as well, but slapping a bootcamp partition on was not a big deal in order to just get on with life. I see it as I can listen to music with the best tools I can afford that are available today, or I can stand on principal and cut off my nose to spite my face.
The MiniDSP 8 channel box is interesting but there is no way I was going to even consider another ADC & DAC in the chain (and not audiophile implementations to boot). The HDMI version would be interesting for video but the bass management ends up in the wrong place.
My opinion is people get hung up on relatively insignificant annoyances and miss the bigger picture (being getting best sound we can afford). You can get fantastic sound In your room for far less than a sonically equivalent solution (taking Dirac into account) - don't get tripped up by a $100 Windows license.
A hypothetical Marantz 8802 with Dirac (setting aside the lack of an 11 channel Dirac solution right now) would be great competition for the XMC, but that doesn't exist. Anything else in this price range is damaged goods in some way (including the XMC if you want Atmos)
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Post by wilburthegoose on Feb 25, 2015 14:10:03 GMT -5
^^^
FWIW, the XMC-1 sounds awesome even without Dirac.
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Post by sandiway on Feb 25, 2015 16:22:44 GMT -5
don't get tripped up by a $100 Windows license. The license doesn't bother me. I have Windows site licensing available to me. I just don't like having to use Windows. In my case, I'm waiting for my power amps to get here. When they do, I'll need a processor and then I'll have to pull the trigger on something. Until then I'm debating getting a nicer receiver for the time being. BTW, I see there is already an XMC-1 on sale 2nd hand on Audiogon for a small reduction in price. It was tempting. |
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Post by khollister on Feb 25, 2015 18:58:35 GMT -5
don't get tripped up by a $100 Windows license. I'm debating getting a nicer receiver for the time being. I've got a nice Denon4311 I don't need anymore I think Wilbur has one too |
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Post by sandiway on Feb 25, 2015 22:44:04 GMT -5
I'm debating getting a nicer receiver for the time being. I've got a nice Denon4311 I don't need anymore I think Wilbur has one too I was thinking of something a bit higher end than that but it seems March is the date for the Mac native support! |
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Post by khollister on Feb 26, 2015 13:20:25 GMT -5
I've got a nice Denon4311 I don't need anymore I think Wilbur has one too I was thinking of something a bit higher end than that but it seems March is the date for the Mac native support! Seems March is the date for just about everything, according to Dan's post last night - Mac software, Dirac Full and new firmware with REW integration, an OSD I can read & bug fixes. About the only thing not shipping in Mar apparently is the iOS app. Plus he confirmed they are working on an upgrade video board with HDMI 2.0 & HDCP 2.2 for commercial 4k content. Like the song says - "... the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades"  |
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Post by wilburthegoose on Feb 26, 2015 14:59:33 GMT -5
I'm debating getting a nicer receiver for the time being. I've got a nice Denon4311 I don't need anymore I think Wilbur has one too Indeed I do |
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Post by junchoon on May 4, 2016 18:50:01 GMT -5
How does av8802a vs xmc-1 sound quality wise? Thanks
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Post by JKCashin on May 5, 2016 23:44:46 GMT -5
Post #18 in this tread answers that.
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Post by junchoon on May 6, 2016 1:50:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the heads up but I read it but it was not conclusive. Thanks.
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FLcanuck
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Kind of Blue ....EMO Blue!
Posts: 362
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Post by FLcanuck on May 6, 2016 7:28:46 GMT -5
For a dirt-cheap (~$30-$35 USD) solution (and very good one at that) I would recommend you try a Chromecast Audio. You can play your iTunes, FLAC, Internet services like Pandora and Spotify, and many others - all using your phone or tablet - either with the music on your phone/tablet or through DLNA/NAS (like Synology's DS Audio app or QNAP's QMusic app). And you can connect it via RCA, Optical, or 3.5mm. Very easy to set-up and use. I use one in my office (into a USP-1 pre-amp) and one in the garage (into Airmotiv 4 powered monitors) and the sound quality is very good (regardless of price) - it's a game-changer IMO. Check it out here |
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