Doesn't anyone care about audio specs?

[joesmothers]

I'm really curious why I cannot find or get audio specs for the MC-700. This seems rather odd to me.
Beyond specs, I would love to know the D/A converters used, is low signal mute on converters enabled to improve THD spec, and how volume control is handled.
I can't even find output level spec. This is pretty key for pairing to amplifiers.

Joe

[garbulky]

Emotiva is normally quite good at providing specs. I think they are swamped with all the stuff they've been up to. They'll eventually get their specs out there.

[The History Kid]

I bet if you called them and asked them those questions you'd get an answer that'd suit your needs. Never had a bad interaction with the phone team.

[drtrey3]

In terms of your original question, "Doesn't anyone care about audio specs?" I am in the "No" column.

I do not understand enough electronic theory to understand the specs, so I do not bother.

Trey

[garbulky]

I care about specs and I care about what they use. But I also understand that well spec'd devices aren't guaranteed to sound good.

[405x5]

May 8, 2017 14:50:36 GMT -5 joesmothers said:

I'm really curious why I cannot find or get audio specs for the MC-700. This seems rather odd to me.
Beyond specs, I would love to know the D/A converters used, is low signal mute on converters enabled to improve THD spec, and how volume control is handled.
I can't even find output level spec. This is pretty key for pairing to amplifiers.

Joe

Emotiva has all your answers.....why haven't you called??

[bluemeanies]

May 8, 2017 15:38:03 GMT -5 garbulky said:

I care about specs and I care about what they use. But I also understand that well spec'd devices aren't guaranteed to sound good.

While I agree this issue is a Conduldrum.
I for for think that specifications are important however I let my ears do the listening 👂.
Specs IMO are secondary to what my ears and brain hears.

[DYohn]

May 8, 2017 15:38:03 GMT -5 garbulky said:

I care about specs and I care about what they use. But I also understand that well spec'd devices aren't guaranteed to sound good.

And yet, most components that measure poorly perform poorly. Meeting well-established thresholds for audio specs generally ensures that at least the component is designed properly and is likely to function adequately.

[DYohn]

May 8, 2017 14:50:36 GMT -5 joesmothers said:

I'm really curious why I cannot find or get audio specs for the MC-700. This seems rather odd to me.
Beyond specs, I would love to know the D/A converters used, is low signal mute on converters enabled to improve THD spec, and how volume control is handled.
I can't even find output level spec. This is pretty key for pairing to amplifiers.

Joe

Much of what you are looking for is not "specs" it is design decisions. Like others have said, ask Emotiva.

[garbulky]

May 8, 2017 17:05:44 GMT -5 DYohn said:

May 8, 2017 15:38:03 GMT -5 garbulky said:

I care about specs and I care about what they use. But I also understand that well spec'd devices aren't guaranteed to sound good.

And yet, most components that measure poorly perform poorly. Meeting well-established thresholds for audio specs generally ensures that at least the component is designed properly and is likely to function adequately.

Agreed. Though I have heard some devices that perform better (to one's ears) than devices with superior distortion measurements.

[DYohn]

May 8, 2017 17:09:25 GMT -5 garbulky said:

May 8, 2017 17:05:44 GMT -5 DYohn said:

And yet, most components that measure poorly perform poorly. Meeting well-established thresholds for audio specs generally ensures that at least the component is designed properly and is likely to function adequately.

Agreed. Though I have heard some devices that perform better (to one's ears) than devices with superior distortion measurements.

Absolutely. But like I said, meeting industry standard specifications does not say anything about "how" a component will sound, and especially not how it will sound to any particular user in a particular setup or room. It only means that it tests to the listed performance level. (When the listed specs are reported truthfully, that is.) Use specs to help eliminate components from consideration, but not to choose them.

[BpShenanigans]

May 8, 2017 14:50:36 GMT -5 joesmothers said:

I'm really curious why I cannot find or get audio specs for the MC-700. This seems rather odd to me.
Beyond specs, I would love to know the D/A converters used, is low signal mute on converters enabled to improve THD spec, and how volume control is handled.
I can't even find output level spec. This is pretty key for pairing to amplifiers.

Joe

I own an MC-700. And, I can say this for the piece: It makes my Lo-Fi Fluance XL7F speakers sound better than with either a Pro-Ject Pre Box DS or miniDSP DDRC-24 used as a preamp. Can't wait to hook-up my Airmotiv T1 towers to system later this week!  Usually a poor or borderline speaker doesn't improve much with processing and equalization.  The MC-700 will be part of my system for a long time!

I remember when I first looked at Hi-Fi recievers.  I asked salesmen to quote me specs such as THD, Slew Rate, IM Distortion etc. . Until one said to me in exasperation, "Just listen to it!"  This was 1978 and I was 15.

If you like you may take my word for it, it sounds good!

[mountain]

Yes, please respect the specs.

[klinemj]

I like to see the specs,but other than sorting out stinkers...I let me ears decide.

Mark

[mgbpuff]

May 8, 2017 15:38:03 GMT -5 garbulky said:

I care about specs and I care about what they use. But I also understand that well spec'd devices aren't guaranteed to sound good.

Much like a woman with lovely legs may have a horrid face. You have to look at all the specs.

[vneal]

ideo Inputs and Outputs:
(6) HDMI compliant video inputs (3 with HDMI 2.0a / HDCP 2.2 / HDR10 support).
(2) HDMI compliant video outputs (1 with HDMI 2.0a / HDCP 2.2 / HDR10 support).

Audio Inputs:
(2) stereo unbalanced analog audio inputs.
(1) S/PDIF coaxial digital audio input.
(1) Toslink (optical) digital audio input.
(1) Bluetooth audio input (requires the optional BTM-1 Emotiva Bluetooth dongle - Located HERE).

Audio Outputs:
(1) set of 7.1 channel unbalanced audio main outputs.
(1) balanced subwoofer output (same as main sub output).

Other Inputs and Outputs:
(1) IR remote control signal input.
(1) IR remote control signal output.
(1) RS-232 serial remote control input.
(1) trigger output (programmable).
(2) USB data inputs (reserved for firmware updates).

Power Requirements
115 VAC or 230 VAC @ 50 / 60 Hz (automatically detected).

Dimensions
17” wide x 1-7/8” high x 13” deep (without connectors).

Weight
9 lbs (net)e
Emotiva BasX MC-700 surround sound processor combines simplicity of operation, outstanding video and audio performance, and incredible value. Here are just some of the exciting features offered by the MC-700:



• Exceptional video quality – with fast error-free switching for up to six HDMI input sources, three of which support full 4k UHD HDR video – with HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2.



• Superb sound quality – delivered by advanced 32-bit dual core DSP’s and highly optimized analog audio circuitry.



• Support for all popular surround sound formats – including Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS, DTS HD Master Audio, DTS Neo:6, and S/PDIF and multi-channel PCM digital audio.



• A high-quality headphone amp – for private listening.



• Comprehensive real-time status information – provided by the informative on-screen display and the bright, easy to read, front panel VFD.



• Convenient control options – including a full function infrared remote control, front panel menu navigation buttons, and a real front panel Volume knob.



• Advanced Emo-Q™ automatic multi-channel room correction – adjusts your speakers and the rest of your system to work optimally in your listening room for the best possible listening experience (a calibrated measurement microphone with internal buffer amplifier is included).



• Last Video Memory – allows you to view one video source while listening to another audio source.



• Video-On-Standby – which can be configured to send audio and video to the display, even when the MC-700 is in Standby mode.



• Flexible quadruple bass management – with 12dB or 24 dB per octave crossover filters, configurable in precise 5 Hz steps below 80 Hz (and 10 Hz steps above 80 Hz), helps you get the best bass performance from virtually any room and subwoofer.



• Powerful manual equalization controls – Eleven user-programmable fully parametric equalizers per channel provide exceptional manual control over room acoustics. The MC-700 can store three entirely independent sets of manual EQ parameters, each of which can be assigned to whatever inputs you choose.



• Optional Bluetooth 3.0 module port – includes support for full CD quality audio from mobile devices with apt-X™.



• Balanced and unbalanced subwoofer outputs – provide the maximum flexibility with long cable runs or single or multiple subwoofers.



• Advanced power supply – The high-efficiency, low noise, switch mode power supply in the MC-700 allows it to operate from any standard line voltage and automatically selects the correct setting for your area.



• Full Emotiva three-year warranty and 30-day return policy.

[mountain]

Special specs

[jlafrenz]

I do and I don't. Specs only tell you so much about the general parameters of the device. What they don't tell you is how something actually sounds. I like talking to others about specs and getting technical, but at the end of the day, just let me listen to the piece of equipment and I'll make up my mind about it.

[Joe Smothers]

I appreciate everyone's responses, and I am aware that specs are not always a good indicator of what sounds best.
I'm trying to avoid some things I was not impressed with on my UMC-1. The noise floor wasn't all that great. Using an analog input was horrible due to a mute circuit used on the converter I believe. This made my source unusable. I would also like to know what max output levels of the pre-amp is for matching to amplifiers.
While recently trying to troubleshoot a newly developed HDMI handshaking issue with my UMC-1, Emotiva had recommended that I get an MC-700. They also said they do not have electrical specs to provide.
Now I'm seeing posts about the MC-700 having HDMI handshaking issues, so this all makes me a little hesitant.

[stiehl11]

May 8, 2017 17:05:44 GMT -5 DYohn said:

May 8, 2017 15:38:03 GMT -5 garbulky said:

I care about specs and I care about what they use. But I also understand that well spec'd devices aren't guaranteed to sound good.

And yet, most components that measure poorly perform poorly. Meeting well-established thresholds for audio specs generally ensures that at least the component is designed properly and is likely to function adequately.

And some companies that fluff or mis-represent their specs to make them sound like they're over performing when, in fact, they don't sound that good (but people who are spec driven will swear that they sound good; sometimes without even hearing the product).