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Post by weigle2 on Feb 27, 2015 18:12:11 GMT -5
Back to the first post, I'm really, really thrilled about what March will bring to the XMC-1. For me, the XMC-1 was a significant investment, and I (a cheap German ) am 100% satisfied with that investment! Same feeling here! And I'm a cheap italian! I got you all beat on cheap. I'm Bohemian!
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Post by Poodleluvr on Feb 27, 2015 18:26:42 GMT -5
I'd rather be cheap now, than become poor later!
I knew a guy who was soooooooooo poor....
He couldn't even pay attention!
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Post by novisnick on Feb 27, 2015 18:27:26 GMT -5
I'd rather be cheap now, than become poor later! I knew a guy who was soooooooooo poor.... He couldn't even pay attention! What?
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Feb 27, 2015 19:12:27 GMT -5
I got you all beat on cheap. I'm Bohemian! Oh yeah - prove it....sing us a rhapsody! Mark
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Post by htguy on Feb 27, 2015 20:54:28 GMT -5
Interesting as the picture appears to show two subs and no centre channel. Does Dirac Unison not require a centre channel? Will Dirac Unison be able to work completely with two subs without issue (as compared to using current DIRAC with two subs) ?
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Post by htguy on Feb 27, 2015 21:02:21 GMT -5
Hi all, March is going to be a big month for the XMC-1. Also, we're added more control over test signal levels - which may come in handy if your speakers aren’t all the same efficiency. In addition to the new features mentioned above, in v3 firmware we've added some nice features such as OSD wide mode for easier viewing, selectable OSD highlight colors, enhanced mute timing, system improvements, Thank you all for your support! Happy listening! Cheers, Big Dan All great and welcomed improvements! Regarding speaker efficiency this is a welcome surprise as the front three speakers may have different efficiency woofers or amp gains (if using different amps) as compared to the sides/rears. Really happy about the OSD wide screen sizing. I sit 10 feet from my 106" diagnol screen and although I can see the OSD fine the option to have it somewhat bigger would be nice. Just one question what do you mean by "enhanced" mute timing? Thanks
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Feb 27, 2015 21:09:32 GMT -5
Interesting as the picture appears to show two subs and no centre channel. Does Dirac Unison not require a centre channel? Will Dirac Unison be able to work completely with two subs without issue (as compared to using current DIRAC with two subs) ? That is a good discussion for another thread. I tried to show how we could do it here back in August of 2014. emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/37908/xmc-bass-management?page=8But as of today a y splitter is the way to go with Dirac and dual subs.
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Post by sandiway on Feb 27, 2015 21:49:40 GMT -5
Also remember that, at least so far, most of the people with "good 5.1 systems" haven't even moved up to 7.1 yet. I might be jonesin' for Unison once there are some reviews and discussion out there, and I would love a DSP upgrade so we could run Dirac @ 96k Is the current XMC-1 processor board capable of 96kHz operation? I assume not otherwise high-res music with room correction would be a major selling point for the XMC-1. Then is it not logical that Unison would require a processor board upgrade too? A motherboard upgrade might be pretty expensive.
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Post by cwt on Feb 27, 2015 22:05:24 GMT -5
I do have a question though. If the current HDMI board firmware upgraded to 4K/60hz, what is the purpose of the new board? Does it have to do with HDCP? 4k/60 is one aspect of the new 4k bluray spec phoenix . The current chipset is likely not hdcp2.2 compliant and it may not pass 10bit or the dci p3 colour space or indeed the high dynamic range requirement were about to get ; let alone the rec 2020 bd standard that is still years away . So while the current chipset is newer/ better than the hdmi 1.4 chipsets that are prevalent ; its also nice to know the xmc1 is not hamstrung by a non replaceable hdmi solution On the other subject ; I think its logical that the xmr1 should be positioned to be the object audio atmos etc pre pro . The xmc1 through all its interpretations has always been 7.2 and thought it rather obvious that its circuitry [ not just dsp modes and the like that could be flashed to firmware ]was the limiting factor ; not to mention the TI processors amount of horsepower - [it requires buckets like a rs20i to handle dts-x;atmos and maybe even auro ..] . Emo it looks considered that an extra box with ethernet etc linkage as was suggested was just a kludge [not to mention rerouting all the bass management for proper xyz rendering as required by atmos et all ] and would divert resources from a pre pro that has the preferred numerous channel outputs that will put to shame those mass market avr's that struggle for 7.2.4 If I had a xmc1 I would certainly be thrilled if dirac unison was incorporated ; better than a separate deqx stand alone imho Hey Lsc I know its a glass 1/2 full statement but the wonderful thing about this hobby is theres always something to anticipate getting ; the xmc1 will more than hold its value I reckon ;there are many who are more than happy with 5/7.1 and dirac unison if it comes will make it unique if trading up ? Theres also the real possibility as stated of dual hdmi bd players and the hdcp2.2 upgrade will facilitate the xmc1 handling 5.2.2 for those with smaller rooms youde think ?
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Feb 27, 2015 22:22:55 GMT -5
I might be jonesin' for Unison once there are some reviews and discussion out there, and I would love a DSP upgrade so we could run Dirac @ 96k Is the current XMC-1 processor board capable of 96kHz operation? I assume not otherwise high-res music with room correction would be a major selling point for the XMC-1. Then is it not logical that Unison would require a processor board upgrade too? A motherboard upgrade might be pretty expensive. Where are you getting that Unison (or any other room correction software) REQUIRES 96k? You do know that ALL current bluray movies are mastered in 48k right?
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Feb 27, 2015 22:53:24 GMT -5
I do have a question though. If the current HDMI board firmware upgraded to 4K/60hz, what is the purpose of the new board? Does it have to do with HDCP? 4k/60 is one aspect of the new 4k bluray spec phoenix . The current chipset is likely not hdcp2.2 compliant and it may not pass 10bit or the dci p3 colour space or indeed the high dynamic range requirement were about to get ; let alone the rec 2020 bd standard that is still years away . So while the current chipset is newer/ better than the hdmi 1.4 chipsets that are prevalent ; its also nice to know the xmc1 is not hamstrung by a non replaceable hdmi solution On the other subject ; I think its logical that the xmr1 should be positioned to be the object audio atmos etc pre pro . The xmc1 through all its interpretations has always been 7.2 and thought it rather obvious that its circuitry [ not just dsp modes and the like that could be flashed to firmware ]was the limiting factor ; not to mention the TI processors amount of horsepower - [it requires buckets like a rs20i to handle dts-x;atmos and maybe even auro ..] . Emo it looks considered that an extra box with ethernet etc linkage as was suggested was just a kludge [not to mention rerouting all the bass management for proper xyz rendering as required by atmos et all ] and would divert resources from a pre pro that has the preferred numerous channel outputs that will put to shame those mass market avr's that struggle for 7.2.4 If I had a xmc1 I would certainly be thrilled if dirac unison was incorporated ; better than a separate deqx stand alone imho Hey Lsc I know its a glass 1/2 full statement but the wonderful thing about this hobby is theres always something to anticipate getting ; the xmc1 will more than hold its value I reckon ;there are many who are more than happy with 5/7.1 and dirac unison if it comes will make it unique if trading up ? Theres also the real possibility as stated of dual hdmi bd players and the hdcp2.2 upgrade will facilitate the xmc1 handling 5.2.2 for those with smaller rooms youde think ? Im not sure about Dirac Unison, only because I have a hard time imagining my 2 channel system sounding better. It's literally jaw dropping good as evidenced by my wife's friends that came over. The husband asked me when we are going stereo shopping. I said if your budget is just north of $10k, we are in business. I know pre pros have crappy resale values and that's ok. You can see how folks can't unload their XMC-1 for $1500 already. I don't buy audio gear based on resale value and limit myself on equipment my ears have passed by if I can help it because I'm worried about resale. I don't regret this XMC-1 purchase at all, it was always about the going concern. I have other options too. I can always get an Atmos pre/pro that's not Emotiva when I'm ready. The Xmc-1 will always be in my 2 channel chain...but I'm sure in a couple years there will be a Marantz 11 channel Atmos pre/pro for $1000 or so. All these lower line receivers will get Atmos eventually as well so it's all good. My main reason for buying the xmc-1 was sound quality and it delivers in spades. I never said I was unhappy about the sound...quite the contrary. So if history is repeated as evidenced by the Theta Casanova that's sitting in my family room, so be it. I'm gonna start calling the XMC-1, Emotiva XMC-Casanova . Btw, the Casanova still sounds better than the UMC-200 I had for 2 channel and Dolby Digital. And yes, it is considered obsolete...lol. And the Emotiva XMC-1 will be my obsolete surround processor but still a great functioning stereo preamp. Just gotta repurpose it when the time comes...I agree on the glass being 1/2 full. Thank you for the positive approach .
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Post by junchoon on Feb 28, 2015 0:19:30 GMT -5
]Where are you getting that Unison (or any other room correction software) REQUIRES 96k?
You do know that ALL current bluray movies are mastered in 48k right?
Likely u have not seen or heard Akira
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Post by wizardofoz on Feb 28, 2015 0:39:11 GMT -5
I am thinking of moving up from 5.1 to 6.1! Don't want to have do major speaker works as all my ceilings and walls and beams are concrete. No way to conceal cables and somewhat difficult as I have no walls (glass or open to another space) to speak of so its beams that are 2m off the floor at the lowest point and 2.5 to the ceiling. As you can see options are limited in my place, yes those are erd-1's and still treasured with my 6 erm-1's. I think that atmos in its basic 5.2.2 should be doable in the xmc-1, at least I would have thought so, but I don't think I would be too miffed if it didn't make it. I think maybe 5.1 with optional heights or wides would perhaps be easly done. I'm looking forward to the xmr just because at some stage there will be a general move to more channels for serious setups. Plus the hardware doesn't last forever...even though my umc-1 is still chugging along be it about to wander in non warranty territory. What I would like to see is music streaming via ethernet that was a feature that was in the spec way back in the early days...granted not commited but proposed as I recall at the very least. I do feel somewhat miffed that has not been brought up again. The renegging on the upgrades for the umc-1 for HDMI were a bit below the belt but let's not go there as the platform is now dead and buried. Let's just hope the XMC-1 has a slightly better longevity planed. Field installable upgrades are at best limited - while I do hifi repairs for a living, most don't want to even have to check a user accessible fuse never mind open up the equipment to swap out HDMI or network boards. Dan had a bit of a go at me for comments I made about releasing the Xmc outside of the usa that I felt should have been tested in the design stages. Little things that broke the tuner and some other minor annoyances...but these have been fixed now and despite him being happy to have me return it, there was no way it was or is ever going back or even leaving the house. The xmc-1 really is that good even if it never gets any more features...but I hope it does Dan you have a great product in the xmc-1 and im counting on the xmr to every bit as good and can't wait to see what else is coming.
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Post by sandiway on Feb 28, 2015 1:27:04 GMT -5
I didn't say Unison requires 96kHz. But Dirac Live is available in high res for the same price. Just I figure the XMC-1 is not powerful enough to do it. Otherwise, Emotiva would have it.
I don't know much about Unison except I figure it might take more CPU power than Dirac Live too. And perhaps the XMC-1 may or may not be powerful to do that too.
It seems to require more measurements, 16?
Also, the filtering is different. Conceptually speaking, I guess each speaker gets to be the main speaker and each of the other ones supporting speakers. Then you have a filter for each speaker as the main speaker. And a set of filters for each speakers as the supporting speaker for all the others. That as much as I can figure out by reading the marketing releases.
It seems base management would be improved under this scheme. Each subwoofer (assuming more than one) could support the other for true integration.
In the automobile environment, I wonder if they can do this in real time. Have microphones measuring the road and wind nose and actively cancel those at the same time.
It surely follows it should be a big step forward. And I guess everyone will want this too. If someone here knows more, please pipe up!
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Post by markc on Feb 28, 2015 4:18:29 GMT -5
I for one am pleased with Emotiva's decision not to bastardize the XMC-1 into something it's not meant to be. I do not own and XMC-1 or have ever had one or heard one. I can surmise based on past experience with the UMC-1 and people's very favorable opinions of the XMC-1 that it is a very worthy processor. That said, having gone Atmos in my home theater I could never go back to a standard 7.2 arrangement. Atmos and Dolby Surround have changed the experience of my system to such a point that I can't imagine not having it. I was on the preorder list for years for the XMC-1 and when my name came up I declined it. I had moved on. Then the whispers about Atmos coming to the XMC-1 started and I began to question if I had made an error in judgement, but after having set up and used a 7.2.4 Atmos arrangement in my home I can't imagine how Emotiva would have ever done it justice given the XMC-1 output limitations. The news of the XMR has me excited, but after the extremely long wait for the XMC I am tempering said excitement. If Emotiva can come out with the XMR within the next year then I see it as my next processor. As for the XMC-1, it is a solid 7.2 experience and nothing more. That is the way it was meant to be and I am glad Emotiva isn't going to muck that up. I am also pleased to see Emotiva's continued commitment to providing enhancements for the XMC-1. That is extremely important to rebuild customer confidence after the UMC-1/200. Keep up the good work guys and I look forward to the XMR-1... someday soon I hope... I'm interested that you could never go back to 7.2 after Atmos. Just what exactly are you listening to in Atmos? I would prefer quality over multi-speaker gimmickry, just as I don't upscale my stereo sources such as regular TV to surround.
If you have an Atmos setup, you are almost certainly just upscaling standard 2.0 and 5.1 (plus the relatively few tru 7.1 Blu-Rays that exist) using the Atmos processor, as there is almost no Atmos source material.
This means that gimmick is over-riding purity and quality.
Upscaling stereo to 5.1 or 7.1 is "frowned upon" from a quality point of view but that is the same thing that is occurring with all Atmos setups (including both home theatre and the cinemas, who similarly don't have Atmos encoded source material)
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Post by cwt on Feb 28, 2015 4:44:21 GMT -5
Im not sure about Dirac Unison, only because I have a hard time imagining my 2 channel system sounding better. It's literally jaw dropping good as evidenced by my wife's friends that came over. The husband asked me when we are going stereo shopping. I said if your budget is just north of $10k, we are in business. I know pre pros have crappy resale values and that's ok. You can see how folks can't unload their XMC-1 for $1500 already. I don't buy audio gear based on resale value and limit myself on equipment my ears have passed by if I can help it because I'm worried about resale. I don't regret this XMC-1 purchase at all, it was always about the going concern. Oh Ime optimistic for you and other xmc1 owners resale or otherwise ;why; Unison isnt just for a 2ch setup but multichannel as well ; to give an idea of its value this deqx system standalone has been around a few years now [and it isnt even the top of the line ] www.deqx.com/product-hdpExII-overview.phpNow who wouldnt appreciate [considering WAF] to easily mitigate having to put bass traps and diffusers in a room ;even to an extent ? I truly hope you guys get this
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dubs
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Post by dubs on Feb 28, 2015 7:46:53 GMT -5
I fail to see what many here are worried about. EMO sounds like it is going to provide superior products that fit everyones needs. The XMC-1 fits mine perfectly with my 7.2 setup. Definitely want the best Dirac has to offer and looks like I'm going to get it and the upgrades to run them perfectly. My music never sounded better. When HDMI makes 2.0 or higher the standard and the content to make it worth while (when Elvis shows up) I'm sure Big Dan will make the boards available at a very reasonable price. Has he given anyone here a reason to think otherwise. For those that have the means and the desire for the latest and greatest simply use your 25% for life processor upgrade, sale your XMC for a mere $750 or more and you have your XMR for less than $3000. The same or better than a 40% card. I fail to see what more anyone could ask for. Every promise Big Dan made he's kept. He can't help that some bell or whistle is added daily to the audio world. Personal I look at them like 4k TV. Just another way for companies to say "show me the money". I don't want or need a 80+ inch screen and I don't need to set two feet away to see the difference. I'm sure some do. But people are buying them, curved and all without content or players not knowing when or if they will be widely available or the cost. By the way, does anyone want to buy a Sony Beta System I have.
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Feb 28, 2015 8:02:22 GMT -5
Oh Ime optimistic for you and other xmc1 owners resale or otherwise ;why; Unison isnt just for a 2ch setup but multichannel as well ; to give an idea of its value this deqx system standalone has been around a few years now [and it isnt even the top of the line ] www.deqx.com/product-hdpExII-overview.phpNow who wouldnt appreciate [considering WAF] to easily mitigate having to put bass traps and diffusers in a room ;even to an extent ? I truly hope you guys get this Here is my glass 1/2 empty feeling . Dirac Unison will never see the light of day in the XMC-1. I know because I've said similar things to pacify my boys. Besides the few things that was already in the plans like HDMI 2.0 which I won't need since by the time I get a 4K projector, I'll have bought a Marantz Atmos pre/pro. Dirac full version was always a maybe because I don't need the customized curve and with a shorter expected shelf life, why put anymore money into it? But if it's that awesome, maybe I'll fork over $99 for it...it's no biggie. If you want Unison, it'll be the XMR-1. If you want Atmos, same thing. I'm just saying...I'm not holding my breath. It's not going to happen and whatever...it's all good mon!
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Feb 28, 2015 10:11:22 GMT -5
]Where are you getting that Unison (or any other room correction software) REQUIRES 96k? You do know that ALL current bluray movies are mastered in 48k right? Likely u have not seen or heard Akira Actually my copy isn't the 25th anniversary edition and its 48k.
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bootman
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Post by bootman on Feb 28, 2015 10:17:26 GMT -5
I guess the price of the XMC-1 with the new HDMI board will stay at $1999 or drop a little bit. So if you can wait, I guess it will pay to wait until the full HDMI 2.0 HDCP 2.2 board is standard. This would be extremely disappointing to me as a current XMC-1 owner. If I had to pay $500 for the HDMI upgrade, that would put my cost at $2500. But someone that buys it with the board installed pays $2000? Is that the cost of being an early adopter? Yes it is! Are you constantly disappointed when say panasonic comes out with a feature your current set doesn't have? Should they give you the hardware for free? What about your computer, or cell phone or your car? Technology stops for no one, even when the changes happens in 6 month intervals.
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