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Post by mrhump on May 11, 2016 8:01:43 GMT -5
Thanks for all the input guys, really helpful! so overall it seems it's in a different ball park than the UMC-1.
Another option I am considering is the Yamaha RX-A850, it has pre-out RCA connectors that I could run to the XPA-1. I wonder how the sound would compare between the Yamaha and the Emotiva units?
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Post by goodfellas27 on May 11, 2016 8:49:56 GMT -5
Thanks for all the input guys, really helpful! so overall it seems it's in a different ball park than the UMC-1. Another option I am considering is the Yamaha RX-A850, it has pre-out RCA connectors that I could run to the XPA-1. I wonder how the sound would compare between the Yamaha and the Emotiva units? I don't think an AVR with RCA out would have enough VRMS to fully take advantage of the XPA-1 power. Save your money and get a SSP with XLR full differential analog path. It would provide the best sound quality, The Emotiva XMC-1 Left and Right XLR channels are full differential or "quat" like some would say. This allows you to unlock your full differential amp's (XPA-1) full potential. You wouldn't find that in many SSP at that price range or maybe none. Now if you care more about features of an AVR/Movies, the Emotiva XMC-1 would be lacking. |
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Post by garbulky on May 11, 2016 12:58:04 GMT -5
I heard the XMC-1. I think it's a gorgeous looking unit. Fantastic. Looks terribly well built. The screen is definitely a selling point with it. Large clear letters appear whenever a change is made. In looks alone, this unit is one of the best looking units Emotiva has. Though the EMERSA line may eclipse it!
I may be the wrong audience as I am not gung ho about surround sound. In two channel mode I thought it was decent not bad at all but also not amazing. Better than some other Yamaha units I've heard. But not by say a very large amount. The DIRAC I found I preferred it off. Robbed the bass of dynamic punch. It had a sound that sounded honestly like it had been manipualted - in a sophisticated way for sure - but it felt like there was some shenanigans with DIRAC. So if DIRAC is the selling point, well I wouldn't be interested in it. That probably sounds like heresy to everybody but I am somewhat picky. So please note that it the XMC-1 DOES sound good.
Without DIRAC I felt the sound was competitive for two channel audio. But also not the last word in it. But I also can't think of another surround sound unit I would be more interested in.
Basically my sticking point is its price. It's very expensive and currently it's obsolete/out of date. If the price was more like $1200 or 1500 (without 40% off) card I would be more receptive to it. Right now it's $2500 and who knows how much the upgrades will cost. But the good news as others have mentioned is there are upgrades on the way. And this is really fantastic because it means it will last at least one more generation with HDMI 2 and ATMOS. However I would advise waiting till these upgrades materialize on a new unit if you are interested.
Do you have an XPA-1 or 2?
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Post by goodfellas27 on May 11, 2016 13:41:08 GMT -5
For me, I updated to Dirac Full and found getting the best sound using a calibrated Mic (UMIK-1 & 90 degree cal file load) with it. If you're not a fan of Dirac, the XMC-1 support 11 PEQ and native REW support. This is amazing for anyone that would love doing things manually. The unit does lack the HDMI 2.0 board, but as you mentioned, it's getting upgraded alone with Dolby Atmos/DTSX. The Reference XLR Analog path with Reference mode allows you to use top DACS and bypass everything in the unit. Not many SSP out there could do this at this price point.
When HDMI 2.x or 3.0 comes out, I am sure Big Dan and his team will update the XMC-1. It's hard to list anyone less that support their products like this.
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Post by mrhump on May 12, 2016 7:40:33 GMT -5
Do Emotiva have a bluetooth or wifi option? that kind of thing would help sell it to my wife!
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Post by goodfellas27 on May 13, 2016 13:08:26 GMT -5
I am not sure about their options for Wi-Fi. Emotiva is coming our with a new lines of processor around the summer time that might have this --or you could use any multimedia stick like the Chromecast, Amazon stick, etc to stream music to your processor of choice.
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Post by mrhump on May 14, 2016 0:24:20 GMT -5
I ended up buying a Yamaha A850 after weighing up the features/cost, I'm sure the sound will still be great through the XPA-2 and Studio 140's and the wifi streaming was a big selling point. $1000aud vs $2500aud is a massive difference! Maybe once the XMC-1 has more features or the Emersa comes out I will consider it for the real Hifi sound? www.whathifi.com/yamaha/rx-a850/review |
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Post by goodfellas27 on May 14, 2016 0:51:58 GMT -5
I ended up buying a Yamaha A850 after weighing up the features/cost, I'm sure the sound will still be great through the XPA-2 and Studio 140's and the wifi streaming was a big selling point. $1000aud vs $2500aud is a massive difference! Maybe once the XMC-1 has more features or the Emersa comes out I will consider it for the real Hifi sound? www.whathifi.com/yamaha/rx-a850/reviewGreat. Enjoy your new system Let us know what you think about it once you play with your new toy. |
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