Klinemj's XMC-1 Review - Mutlichannel/DIRAC Updates!!!
Apr 9, 2015 17:29:54 GMT -5
monkumonku, LuisV, and 8 more like this
Post by klinemj on Apr 9, 2015 17:29:54 GMT -5
This is my initial review of my XMC-1 with my system. For now, I am only sharing thoughts on 2.1 channel as I've not watched/listened critically yet for multichannel. And, I have not yet used DIRAC or REW...my setup was only done manually setting levels and distances. I will add on details once I get experience with those things!
Multichannel & DIRAC update, including new thoughts on 2-channel DIRAC! Also, Logitech remote setup after DIRAC update. And now...I added the XPS-1!
As background, I was planning to wait for the XMR-1 to see if folks liked it better than the XMC-1, but the price increase on the XMC-1 made me pull the trigger and get an XMC-1 now. If later I decide the XMR-1 is a better option, I will consider it. But, my game plan with either was to hopefully eliminate the need to have a multichannel pre/pro + my beloved XSP-1 and DC-1 and get by with just a multi-channel pre/pro. If sound was equal but my system were simpler (in terms of # of boxes and cables), I would be happy with the XMC-1.
And, I was really skeptical if the XMC-1 on its own could even equal the sound of my beloved XSP-1 and DC-1.
And, just to be clear, given the challenges of "toggling" back and forth between my old system and the XMC-1...my comments are NOT from an A-B test, not blind at all, and not level matched. It is solely based on my memory of what the same tunes used to sound like vs. what they sound like now. So, take my comments with a grain of salt in those respects. But also be aware my ingoing bias was that the XMC-1 would struggle to sound as good as what I had.
And lastly - I set it to "Direct Mode". My source was my PC pulling FLAC files from my NAS via JRiver, and I ran USB out from the PC to the XMC.
Bottom line: The XMC-1 is AT LEAST equal in sound quality in 2 channel to the XSP-1 and DC-1 combo. In fact, I like its sound even better. I really didn't expect to say that.
Why do I say this? Two reasons:
1) The bass is punchier, more detailed, and much better integrated with my system than it was before. And, it's a night and day difference for my system.
2) I am hearing more clarity through the whole range on little details. I am hearing more subtle sounds on guitar fretwork, cymbals sound more full and detailed, voices sound more detailed with nuances more clear. This clarity improvement is not as blatantly obvious as the bass, but I noticed it right away. I tried to deny myself that I heard this, but with more and more listening - it was consistent.
What did I hear on the bass? I felt that the bass was more powerful while being less boomy...just clean and strong. I feel like before, if I had low bass - parts were missing. Now, it's there and smooth and strong. I always had problems having strong enough bass without becoming boomy, yet now...not an issue. Just clear, strong bass.
What did I hear on clarity? Very light percussion touches became more obvious. Every percussion sound and details in voices/guitar fingerwork became more separated vs. other sounds - allowing me to hear little changes in frequencies/volumes I don't typically hear.
What did I listen to? Well, my usual test tracks...Steely Dan (cuts from Aja and Gaucho), Dire Straights (Private Investigations and Six Blade Knife), Miles Davis (So What from Kind of Blue), ZZ Top's bus/jesus, Johnny Cash (Walk the Line and Get Rhythm), James Taylor (Carolina on my Mind), and some others.
So, sound-wise, I am won over for my main need...having 2 channel via the XMC-1 alone is excellent! (YMMV)
Thoughts on setup:
Setup was very easy. I really like the menu system - very easy to use. Cabling was super-easy vs. having the XSP-1 and DC-1 in the loop. I hooked up HDMI from my TWC STB, my Oppo 105, and my PC, a USB from my PC to the XMC, and an optical from my Sonos Connect to the XMC. I gave each input a "friendly name", and then I set speaker distances, crossover levels, and speaker levels; and I installed the USB driver.
Level setup with the built-in tone generator was amazingly easy.
I did make one mistake in the menu system and accidently started messing with PEQ filters when I meant to be setting crossover levels. But, that was easily fixed.
So...What was not to like?
1) The unit came with a loose screw inside it. As I picked it up to remove it from it's nice black bag, I heard a rattle. I knew it was a loose screw in the case. I called Emotiva and was asked to take the cover off. I didn't have my screwdriver set handy, so I asked for Chad to wait a minute while I got it and took the lid off. He told me to go find it and call back and he'd help me. Well, I did and called back within 2 minutes to get the next instructions for how to proceed...and he had gone to lunch. "Come on, Man!!!!" I felt like he was ready to go to lunch when he got the call and took the excuse of having me go get my screwdriver as his easy way to lunch. Not cool at all. Long story short...yep...there was a loose screw, I got it out, and all is fine. But..."come on, man!!!!" Had I known Chad was going to bail on me, I would have said - "hang on...got the screwdriver right here...wait with me while I take the lid off" But...no...I trusted him.
2) My PC HDMI video does not seem to like switching from other inputs to the PC input. If I am on another input (TV or BRDP) and switch to the PC, I get a black screen. Luckily, I can (via my PC's wireless keyboard) toggle from full power to standby and back. Doing so, once I am on the PC input on the XMC-1, brings back the PC video signal and all is well. I would rather have it work without doing this...like my old UMC-1 did just fine. By most folks' account, the UMC-1 is a bad situation for HDMI switching, and while my only issues were slightly slow switching - it always worked. Why does the XMC-1 have this issue? I don't know/don't care. But, I would rather not have it. (And yes...my PC has the latest drivers/etc. And yes, I know many think HDMI is a curse...but...it used to work fine...now I have to use a work-around.)
3) I would REALLY like the FULLY CONFIGURABLE INPUTS like the UMC-1 has. Emo was quoted at an Emo on the Road event as saying it was "Technically possible" and would work on it if "enough people wanted it". I ran a poll, and it was a landslide. People WANT IT! I still want it. I have sent Dan Laufman and Lonnie at least 2-3 PM's directing them to the poll. I have asked them more than once on the forum by linking them to a particular post on the topic. Yet, I have heard no answer on whether this beloved feature would indeed be put back in. I would really, really like it. As would many others... And, I have now put my money where my mouth is...so, it's not a theoretical question any more. If Emo does not plan to add it ever or cannot...a simple confirmation would really be appreciated. And, as I have noted before...if it is technically possible but you don't plan to do it on the XMC...PLEASE...include it on future TI-based pre/pros!!!! It was and still is a GREAT feature...
So, what's left on my agenda...listen to some multichannel (mainly concert BR's), get DIRAC up and running, and listen some more! Looking forward to that...
UPDATE!
Listened to some multichannel...Summary?
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!
Wow...listened to Tedeschi/Trucks from Crossroads (Midnight in Harlem, Soulshine, etc.) and Dave Matthews "Live at Radio City" and some others. Wow...all I said about 2-channel is there in spades with multichannel. Winner, winner, chicken dinner...
And...all the above is without DIRAC. My DIRAC Full license code came today, so I dove right in a set up DIRAC.
First...thoughts on setting up/running DIRAC. Overall, while it took a little time (maybe an hour to install DIRAC, my UMIK driver, and cable everything up then run it as I fumbled through the instructions for the first time...), I thought it worked perfectly and was easy to do. The DIRAC manual provided with the XMC-1 was well written and mostly very clear/easy to follow. There are a couple places with silly things like it refers to a "red arrow" in setting mic levels, but the arrow in the manual is black (it's a black and white manual). But, even that was easy to see what they meant. I do need to re-check whether I had AGC off or not...I followed what they said in their FAQ's for Windows 8.1, and for my UMIK - there was no "custom" tab and no AGC box to check or uncheck. So, I did what seemed logical instead...will need to re-look at that and post some screen shots of what options I do have and what I selected to run past you techie gurus here.
The only hiccup in running it was that on 1 mic position, the sub was getting samples that clipped just a little. So, I turned the sub volume down just a touch on the sub's control and it ran fine. I think that might be telling me I've got a bit of a room node at that point...and from my manual measures on sub placement a couple months ago - I do know the dB level there is higher than other places. So, when I set mic levels - I might want to check that spot vs. my sweet spot.
To the important part...the sound. I dropped in Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scott's and listened to "because we've ended as lovers", and I noticed a clear and favorable difference between my Preset 1 (manual setup still) and DIRAC. I toggled back 3-4 times and realized part was that DIRAC was a little louder, so I started toggling and turning up the volume when I when to preset 1. But, I still heard a difference and liked DIRAC better. The difference to me was that notes were clearer/less distorted - allowing many more subtle details to be heard vs. lost in noise. Bass was tighter/crisper. And overall the sound was more full/less flat. This is quite in line with what I heard at Emofest with the DIRAC 2-channel demo.
Even with minimal listening, call me one happy camper! I will listen a lot more tomorrow, but I already like what I hear.
Now...if they'd just give me control over the inputs like I had on the UMC-1, I would be totally thrilled!
More update on 4/14/15:
I listened to DIRAC in 2-channel today...I used "stereo" with DIRAC and compared to "stereo" with my manual preset 1 and "Direct" with manual preset 1. DIRAC was NOTICABLY better for my system. Much more forward, much less "flat", much more "alive".
My highest compliment on the XMC-1 and DIRAC is that I have ALWAYS felt a separate 2-channel and multichannel system with the 2-channel being as direct as possible would be the best possible sound. No longer. Also, for any room correction system, I have always been disappointed in the past with the version of Audyssey I have on my Denon 3806 and my EmoQ on my UMC-1...I ran the system and didn't like the results and never used it. With Dirac...on the first run, it is markedly better than any alternative available on the XMC-1.
Color me "amazed"...that said...I would still like the UMC-1's virtual inputs...a LOT!!!
Logitech Setup Update 4/16/15
I set up my Logitech Harmony 700 today, and it was a little more of a challenge with the XMC-1 than I thought it would be. It was working fine with my UMC-1 and I'd modified it many times to reflect new gear - so I know my way generally around the Logitech software. But, when I first set it up for the XMC-1, it didn't work right at all. It turned on fine to the TV, but when I tried to switch to my BRDP it took "forever" (well, it seemed so) but it eventually worked after 15-30 seconds. But, switching back to TV - it hunted and hunted for the right input instead of just going there - and then locked onto the wrong input. Eventually, I figured out why. Long story short - if this happens to you, first - go into your Harmony software, select "devices", XMC-1, then "Add or fix command" In this, you will be able to map the XMC-1's directly selectable inputs to your Harmony remote properly (and it's logical once you get into the software). Then, it will go to the correct XMC input directly without hunting around.
There is one exception, and it's not really related to what I just typed. Specifically, for me, if I switch from any input for which the Oppo BRDP is not already turned on (such as my TV/cable) to my Oppo, it still takes a long time - but it does go directly there w/o searching around for the right input. What is taking so long is that I have my Oppo turned off when it is not in use, and when I switch to my BRDP input (from any input that doesn't already have the Oppo on) - the Oppo has to turn on FULLY before the XMC-1 will switch over to the right input for the Oppo. So, I click the "watch movie" button on my Logitech, and the screen on the Logitech tells me to keep pointing the remote at my system (until the Oppo is fully powered up) - then the input switches on the XMC-1. It works, but it's slow. I suspect this is somehow related to the XMC-1 just being an HDMI switch, but I don't have a clue technically...just guessing based on some other things I have read/been told.
In any case, for me...it's not really a big deal because I am not having to wait any longer than I would for the Oppo to turn on...it's just a little disconcerting if you don't know what's happening. I predict confusion from the family once they experience this...EVEN IF I just tell them to wait the 15 or so seconds it takes for the Oppo to power up.
XPS-1 added!
And now, I added the XPS-1 so I can play vinyl again. Anyone wondering how the XPS-1 sounds converted back to digital for DIRAC and bass mgmt...? Well, fantastic, thank you! (Even if it seems sacrilegious to convert vinyl to digital...)
Mark
Multichannel & DIRAC update, including new thoughts on 2-channel DIRAC! Also, Logitech remote setup after DIRAC update. And now...I added the XPS-1!
As background, I was planning to wait for the XMR-1 to see if folks liked it better than the XMC-1, but the price increase on the XMC-1 made me pull the trigger and get an XMC-1 now. If later I decide the XMR-1 is a better option, I will consider it. But, my game plan with either was to hopefully eliminate the need to have a multichannel pre/pro + my beloved XSP-1 and DC-1 and get by with just a multi-channel pre/pro. If sound was equal but my system were simpler (in terms of # of boxes and cables), I would be happy with the XMC-1.
And, I was really skeptical if the XMC-1 on its own could even equal the sound of my beloved XSP-1 and DC-1.
And, just to be clear, given the challenges of "toggling" back and forth between my old system and the XMC-1...my comments are NOT from an A-B test, not blind at all, and not level matched. It is solely based on my memory of what the same tunes used to sound like vs. what they sound like now. So, take my comments with a grain of salt in those respects. But also be aware my ingoing bias was that the XMC-1 would struggle to sound as good as what I had.
And lastly - I set it to "Direct Mode". My source was my PC pulling FLAC files from my NAS via JRiver, and I ran USB out from the PC to the XMC.
Bottom line: The XMC-1 is AT LEAST equal in sound quality in 2 channel to the XSP-1 and DC-1 combo. In fact, I like its sound even better. I really didn't expect to say that.
Why do I say this? Two reasons:
1) The bass is punchier, more detailed, and much better integrated with my system than it was before. And, it's a night and day difference for my system.
2) I am hearing more clarity through the whole range on little details. I am hearing more subtle sounds on guitar fretwork, cymbals sound more full and detailed, voices sound more detailed with nuances more clear. This clarity improvement is not as blatantly obvious as the bass, but I noticed it right away. I tried to deny myself that I heard this, but with more and more listening - it was consistent.
What did I hear on the bass? I felt that the bass was more powerful while being less boomy...just clean and strong. I feel like before, if I had low bass - parts were missing. Now, it's there and smooth and strong. I always had problems having strong enough bass without becoming boomy, yet now...not an issue. Just clear, strong bass.
What did I hear on clarity? Very light percussion touches became more obvious. Every percussion sound and details in voices/guitar fingerwork became more separated vs. other sounds - allowing me to hear little changes in frequencies/volumes I don't typically hear.
What did I listen to? Well, my usual test tracks...Steely Dan (cuts from Aja and Gaucho), Dire Straights (Private Investigations and Six Blade Knife), Miles Davis (So What from Kind of Blue), ZZ Top's bus/jesus, Johnny Cash (Walk the Line and Get Rhythm), James Taylor (Carolina on my Mind), and some others.
So, sound-wise, I am won over for my main need...having 2 channel via the XMC-1 alone is excellent! (YMMV)
Thoughts on setup:
Setup was very easy. I really like the menu system - very easy to use. Cabling was super-easy vs. having the XSP-1 and DC-1 in the loop. I hooked up HDMI from my TWC STB, my Oppo 105, and my PC, a USB from my PC to the XMC, and an optical from my Sonos Connect to the XMC. I gave each input a "friendly name", and then I set speaker distances, crossover levels, and speaker levels; and I installed the USB driver.
Level setup with the built-in tone generator was amazingly easy.
I did make one mistake in the menu system and accidently started messing with PEQ filters when I meant to be setting crossover levels. But, that was easily fixed.
So...What was not to like?
1) The unit came with a loose screw inside it. As I picked it up to remove it from it's nice black bag, I heard a rattle. I knew it was a loose screw in the case. I called Emotiva and was asked to take the cover off. I didn't have my screwdriver set handy, so I asked for Chad to wait a minute while I got it and took the lid off. He told me to go find it and call back and he'd help me. Well, I did and called back within 2 minutes to get the next instructions for how to proceed...and he had gone to lunch. "Come on, Man!!!!" I felt like he was ready to go to lunch when he got the call and took the excuse of having me go get my screwdriver as his easy way to lunch. Not cool at all. Long story short...yep...there was a loose screw, I got it out, and all is fine. But..."come on, man!!!!" Had I known Chad was going to bail on me, I would have said - "hang on...got the screwdriver right here...wait with me while I take the lid off" But...no...I trusted him.
2) My PC HDMI video does not seem to like switching from other inputs to the PC input. If I am on another input (TV or BRDP) and switch to the PC, I get a black screen. Luckily, I can (via my PC's wireless keyboard) toggle from full power to standby and back. Doing so, once I am on the PC input on the XMC-1, brings back the PC video signal and all is well. I would rather have it work without doing this...like my old UMC-1 did just fine. By most folks' account, the UMC-1 is a bad situation for HDMI switching, and while my only issues were slightly slow switching - it always worked. Why does the XMC-1 have this issue? I don't know/don't care. But, I would rather not have it. (And yes...my PC has the latest drivers/etc. And yes, I know many think HDMI is a curse...but...it used to work fine...now I have to use a work-around.)
3) I would REALLY like the FULLY CONFIGURABLE INPUTS like the UMC-1 has. Emo was quoted at an Emo on the Road event as saying it was "Technically possible" and would work on it if "enough people wanted it". I ran a poll, and it was a landslide. People WANT IT! I still want it. I have sent Dan Laufman and Lonnie at least 2-3 PM's directing them to the poll. I have asked them more than once on the forum by linking them to a particular post on the topic. Yet, I have heard no answer on whether this beloved feature would indeed be put back in. I would really, really like it. As would many others... And, I have now put my money where my mouth is...so, it's not a theoretical question any more. If Emo does not plan to add it ever or cannot...a simple confirmation would really be appreciated. And, as I have noted before...if it is technically possible but you don't plan to do it on the XMC...PLEASE...include it on future TI-based pre/pros!!!! It was and still is a GREAT feature...
So, what's left on my agenda...listen to some multichannel (mainly concert BR's), get DIRAC up and running, and listen some more! Looking forward to that...
UPDATE!
Listened to some multichannel...Summary?
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!
Wow...listened to Tedeschi/Trucks from Crossroads (Midnight in Harlem, Soulshine, etc.) and Dave Matthews "Live at Radio City" and some others. Wow...all I said about 2-channel is there in spades with multichannel. Winner, winner, chicken dinner...
And...all the above is without DIRAC. My DIRAC Full license code came today, so I dove right in a set up DIRAC.
First...thoughts on setting up/running DIRAC. Overall, while it took a little time (maybe an hour to install DIRAC, my UMIK driver, and cable everything up then run it as I fumbled through the instructions for the first time...), I thought it worked perfectly and was easy to do. The DIRAC manual provided with the XMC-1 was well written and mostly very clear/easy to follow. There are a couple places with silly things like it refers to a "red arrow" in setting mic levels, but the arrow in the manual is black (it's a black and white manual). But, even that was easy to see what they meant. I do need to re-check whether I had AGC off or not...I followed what they said in their FAQ's for Windows 8.1, and for my UMIK - there was no "custom" tab and no AGC box to check or uncheck. So, I did what seemed logical instead...will need to re-look at that and post some screen shots of what options I do have and what I selected to run past you techie gurus here.
The only hiccup in running it was that on 1 mic position, the sub was getting samples that clipped just a little. So, I turned the sub volume down just a touch on the sub's control and it ran fine. I think that might be telling me I've got a bit of a room node at that point...and from my manual measures on sub placement a couple months ago - I do know the dB level there is higher than other places. So, when I set mic levels - I might want to check that spot vs. my sweet spot.
To the important part...the sound. I dropped in Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scott's and listened to "because we've ended as lovers", and I noticed a clear and favorable difference between my Preset 1 (manual setup still) and DIRAC. I toggled back 3-4 times and realized part was that DIRAC was a little louder, so I started toggling and turning up the volume when I when to preset 1. But, I still heard a difference and liked DIRAC better. The difference to me was that notes were clearer/less distorted - allowing many more subtle details to be heard vs. lost in noise. Bass was tighter/crisper. And overall the sound was more full/less flat. This is quite in line with what I heard at Emofest with the DIRAC 2-channel demo.
Even with minimal listening, call me one happy camper! I will listen a lot more tomorrow, but I already like what I hear.
Now...if they'd just give me control over the inputs like I had on the UMC-1, I would be totally thrilled!
More update on 4/14/15:
I listened to DIRAC in 2-channel today...I used "stereo" with DIRAC and compared to "stereo" with my manual preset 1 and "Direct" with manual preset 1. DIRAC was NOTICABLY better for my system. Much more forward, much less "flat", much more "alive".
My highest compliment on the XMC-1 and DIRAC is that I have ALWAYS felt a separate 2-channel and multichannel system with the 2-channel being as direct as possible would be the best possible sound. No longer. Also, for any room correction system, I have always been disappointed in the past with the version of Audyssey I have on my Denon 3806 and my EmoQ on my UMC-1...I ran the system and didn't like the results and never used it. With Dirac...on the first run, it is markedly better than any alternative available on the XMC-1.
Color me "amazed"...that said...I would still like the UMC-1's virtual inputs...a LOT!!!
Logitech Setup Update 4/16/15
I set up my Logitech Harmony 700 today, and it was a little more of a challenge with the XMC-1 than I thought it would be. It was working fine with my UMC-1 and I'd modified it many times to reflect new gear - so I know my way generally around the Logitech software. But, when I first set it up for the XMC-1, it didn't work right at all. It turned on fine to the TV, but when I tried to switch to my BRDP it took "forever" (well, it seemed so) but it eventually worked after 15-30 seconds. But, switching back to TV - it hunted and hunted for the right input instead of just going there - and then locked onto the wrong input. Eventually, I figured out why. Long story short - if this happens to you, first - go into your Harmony software, select "devices", XMC-1, then "Add or fix command" In this, you will be able to map the XMC-1's directly selectable inputs to your Harmony remote properly (and it's logical once you get into the software). Then, it will go to the correct XMC input directly without hunting around.
There is one exception, and it's not really related to what I just typed. Specifically, for me, if I switch from any input for which the Oppo BRDP is not already turned on (such as my TV/cable) to my Oppo, it still takes a long time - but it does go directly there w/o searching around for the right input. What is taking so long is that I have my Oppo turned off when it is not in use, and when I switch to my BRDP input (from any input that doesn't already have the Oppo on) - the Oppo has to turn on FULLY before the XMC-1 will switch over to the right input for the Oppo. So, I click the "watch movie" button on my Logitech, and the screen on the Logitech tells me to keep pointing the remote at my system (until the Oppo is fully powered up) - then the input switches on the XMC-1. It works, but it's slow. I suspect this is somehow related to the XMC-1 just being an HDMI switch, but I don't have a clue technically...just guessing based on some other things I have read/been told.
In any case, for me...it's not really a big deal because I am not having to wait any longer than I would for the Oppo to turn on...it's just a little disconcerting if you don't know what's happening. I predict confusion from the family once they experience this...EVEN IF I just tell them to wait the 15 or so seconds it takes for the Oppo to power up.
XPS-1 added!
And now, I added the XPS-1 so I can play vinyl again. Anyone wondering how the XPS-1 sounds converted back to digital for DIRAC and bass mgmt...? Well, fantastic, thank you! (Even if it seems sacrilegious to convert vinyl to digital...)
Mark
Hey he may have had a very delicious burger waiting on him! I am very interested in your 2 channel impressions. So compared to the DC-1, do you feel that the treble is over emphasized in any way (in a glare sort of way) or is it just right? 
?
