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Post by jacketfan on Oct 25, 2016 18:22:55 GMT -5
It’s time to upgrade the venerable processor. I have been using a Lexicon MC12 since 2004. I have a heavily treated room so room correction has not been big on my priority list and have not been concerned about all of the room correction options out there. This Lexicon has been the most reliable and versatile piece of equipment in the theater.
I like the option of buying another piece of equipment made in the US. But the Marantz 8802 sure looks like a winner.
To replace my beloved Lexicon, I want to be able to upgrade to another piece of equipment that will carry me for another 10 years. The new video formats may catch on and actually have an abundance of titles someday and the XMC seems to have a path for those.
I need XLR outs, and the XMC has that covered.
Some basic questions:
1. Correct me if I am wrong, but there is not a way to directly connect to streaming from a computer. (i.e. no asynchronous input) How do you negotiate streaming audio files?
2. When adjusting the volume, can the XMC display the volume level on screen?
3. When playing back SACS/DVD-A, is there a pass-thru? That is one aspect of the Lexicon that I like. I am using an OPPO BDP-105 and it does a nice job on hi-res music.
4. In reading through the forum, I notice that some have an issue with popping. Is this a real problem? That is something that would be a deal breaker for me.
5. I looked on the iRule site and it appears the XMC is supported. Does anyone use iRule to control their XMC, and does it work well?
6. Has anyone played 4k through their XMC and does it work?
Thanks in advance,
Mark
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Post by 405x5 on Oct 25, 2016 19:00:14 GMT -5
The XMC would be an awesome replacement for the Lexicon.
I had to make similar decision since I was running a Sunfire AV processor.....a bit less pricey than the 12 but up there nonetheless.
High res. Files are handled by the XMC1 and 4K now also.
Bill
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Post by mickseymour on Oct 26, 2016 0:58:23 GMT -5
I replaced my MC-12 with an XMC-1 17 months ago.
Differences you will notice in use:
1. On the Lex you can assign the same physical input to multiple buttons so you can use different default processing on each. On the Emo you assign a single button to a physical input.
On the Lex, if you have a media player for films you might have the default 2 channel processing set to Dolby PLII on the DVD button and stereo for the same input on the CD button for playing music. On the Emo, you can't do that. It isn't an insurmountable problem, you just need to think ahead when you are planning connectivity and use 2 different outputs to separate inputs on the Emo.
2. The Emo does not have the annoying 2 second audio delay when switching inputs or data streams. I don't miss that at all.
In answer to your questions:
1. How do you negotiate streaming audio files?
The computer can be connected via a USB input. Control of the audio and streaming is via the PC.
2. When adjusting the volume, can the XMC display the volume level on screen?
Yes.
3. When playing back SACS/DVD-A, is there a pass-thru? That is one aspect of the Lexicon that I like. I am using an OPPO BDP-105 and it does a nice job on hi-res music.
The Emo will pass through SACD DSD input via HDMI from the Oppo. For DVD-A you can set the input to Direct Mode so that no processing is done except for bass management.
4. In reading through the forum, I notice that some have an issue with popping. Is this a real problem? That is something that would be a deal breaker for me.
It depends on the source. My Panasonic BD player triggers the pops and clicks between film menus/extras and my TV does over ARC/optical when there's a switch between program material. I don't think people with an Oppo have the problem. I notice it a lot when using Dirac. Emotiva say it's something they cannot fix as it is part of the DSP code. It is barely noticeable when using one of the non-Dirac speaker presets.
5. I looked on the iRule site and it appears the XMC is supported. Does anyone use iRule to control their XMC, and does it work well?
Don't know as I use a Harmony 900. Perhaps someone else can chime in on this one.
6. Has anyone played 4k through their XMC and does it work?
I don't have any 4k material but the original HDMI 1.4 board did support 4k to a point. With the new HDMI board fitted as standard for units bought after 1st September, you get 1 HDMI 2.0 input and output and HDCP 2.2 support on those. From what I read on here, it works.
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Post by vneal on Oct 26, 2016 5:48:34 GMT -5
This should be an easy question. Replace a 2004 sota processor with a 2016 sota processor
XMC-1
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Lsc
Emo VIPs 
Posts: 3,435
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Post by Lsc on Oct 26, 2016 13:21:38 GMT -5
With regards to popping, I wonder if the XMC-1 gen 3 will address this since they could potentially get a new dsp chip vs. those of us legacy owners who have an XMC-1 with a "bad" chip.
I don't hear the pops so it's been a non-issue for me but obviously this has been well documented.
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Post by mickseymour on Oct 26, 2016 23:58:07 GMT -5
With regards to popping, I wonder if the XMC-1 gen 3 will address this since they could potentially get a new dsp chip vs. those of us legacy owners who have an XMC-1 with a "bad" chip. My understanding is there will be a new DSP engine that can process the new formats. Emotiva have not specifically said anything but I'm hopeful. |
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Post by jacketfan on Oct 27, 2016 19:14:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the answers guys.
mickseymore, anything that you really miss from the Lexicon or really are delighted with the XMC?
And to make sure I understand it, Atmos & DTS-X are NOT currently supported and I will need to buy a new board sometime next year?
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Post by mickseymour on Oct 28, 2016 1:10:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the answers guys. mickseymore, anything that you really miss from the Lexicon or really are delighted with the XMC? And to make sure I understand it, Atmos & DTS-X are NOT currently supported and I will need to buy a new board sometime next year? The MC-12 was a fantastic processor in its day and did me proud for a good many years. Superb SQ and PQ and the OSD was very good. I particularly liked the status display that showed what was happening on each channel, for the times I wanted to check. It had full control over each surround mode's parameters although I never felt the need to change them from the defaults. The XMC-1 SQ is very very good. It passes through video so it is as good as the source. The OSD is a little basic but it works. It is a great AVP and IMO a worthy replacement for the MC-12 for an awful lot less money. Atmos and DTS-X are NOT currently supported but should be sometime next year, as well as, we are told, multiple HDMI 2.0a I/O with HDCP 2.2. I'll be upgrading mine to keep it current. |
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Post by cwt on Oct 28, 2016 1:49:00 GMT -5
And to make sure I understand it, Atmos & DTS-X are NOT currently supported and I will need to buy a new board sometime next year? There is also a multiple hdmi2.0a board coming if you need it jacketfan so conceivably you can combine the two when available . On the subject of longevity ;If you have any interest in UHD in the future and need say hdmi 2.1 for HDR10? [ without the fixed frame metadata it has now ]; the xmc1 is more likely than the Marantz to get that passthrough ability being modular with a track record on upgrading. Its also been mooted that when the object decoding pcb happens dirac will consider the ceiling speakers as well as the bed speakers . A lot of alternatives just re-eq the bed speakers I read..not sure about the 8802 though ? |
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Post by jacketfan on Nov 7, 2016 18:43:44 GMT -5
Another item I don't quite get yet. How will the back panel get updated to accept additional channel outputs for the effects speakers for Atmos? Is there enough real estate?
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Post by Dan Laufman on Nov 7, 2016 19:33:40 GMT -5
We have a plan to re-assign some the the less often used line outputs for the height channels. It'll be sweet. BTW, the new Atmos/DTS-X engine development is moving along right on schedule!  |
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Post by jacketfan on Nov 10, 2016 23:12:23 GMT -5
Simple and brilliant solution. Will there be 2 or 4 additional channels?
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Post by cwt on Nov 11, 2016 0:05:54 GMT -5
Simple and brilliant solution. Will there be 2 or 4 additional channels? As in the previous link 4 additional height channels |
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Post by simpleman68 on Nov 11, 2016 7:53:50 GMT -5
To answer a couple other questions. I am using a Samsung 4K player and before that an Oppo 103 and Play Station 4. Never had popping sounds in my system. The XMC-1 does a great job with 4K pass through. Picture looks fantastic and works as expected for me. I love the balanced outputs too. It's a match made in heaven for my XPR-2 and XPR-5. For theater, they just get the job done and done very well.  Scott |
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Post by novisnick on Nov 11, 2016 10:24:16 GMT -5
To answer a couple other questions. I am using a Samsung 4K player and before that an Oppo 103 and Play Station 4. Never had popping sounds in my system. The XMC-1 does a great job with 4K pass through. Picture looks fantastic and works as expected for me. I love the balanced outputs too. It's a match made in heaven for my XPR-2 and XPR-5. For theater, they just get the job done and done very well. Scott Are you running your video directly to your TV? |
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Post by simpleman68 on Nov 11, 2016 10:35:29 GMT -5
To answer a couple other questions. I am using a Samsung 4K player and before that an Oppo 103 and Play Station 4. Never had popping sounds in my system. The XMC-1 does a great job with 4K pass through. Picture looks fantastic and works as expected for me. I love the balanced outputs too. It's a match made in heaven for my XPR-2 and XPR-5. For theater, they just get the job done and done very well. Scott Are you running your video directly to your TV? Using XMC for video switching. I tried both ways and saw/heard no appreciable benefit. Scott |
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