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Post by canadianbacon on Nov 23, 2017 12:43:21 GMT -5
Good morning fellow enthusiasts and/or AV addicts.
I've been out of the game for quite some time. Happily (sometimes begrudgingly) enjoying my Home AV set up as-is however lately my UMC-1 has been acting up - dropping video requiring me to do a hard reset of the box. So it got me thinking... do I stay in the family? LOVE my old XPA-5 Amp and well, you just can't beat Emo processors for the $ for performance ratio WHEN the gear is all working... and the customer service AND the (mostly) made in America thing - yes us Canadians value that too.
SO this brings me to my conundrum - what to replace the UMC-1 with. 1) I want new "whatever" not used. 2) I am first looking here - at Emotiva. For all the bugs and quirks I still like the UMC-1 3) Do I just buy the newer replacement for the UMC-1 ---> the MC-700 or 4) do I go whole-hog and go after the XMC-1 5) does Emotiva still honour the upgrade program they had when the UMC-1 first came out?
back ground - I don't have a dedicated theatre room, nor do I think I'll have one in the near future. I also don't think I'll dedicate the time to farting around with ALL the details that the XMC-1 can provide - and it looks like there are an immense numbers of details that one can fart around with! I am also an original UMC-1 owner so the only reason I'd consider the XMC-1 is if Emotiva is still honoring the upgrade program they had when the UMC-1 came out. I DO believe in planning for the future as much as one can with this kind of technology and that's really where buying the XMC would come in.
So - the Questions I have - 1) is the MC-700 reliable and stable - the UMC-1 fell on its face here. 2) can I expect the 40% (right?) discount on the XMC-1 3) will the XMC-1 still be a source of frustration after its set up? 4) How does the MC-700 handle HD (not 4K) video - sounds like this might be a short coming
Hopefully the board can help me decide on the this many-facetted decision. Thanks all Luke
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 23, 2017 13:04:08 GMT -5
If you still have the 40% card, it is valid. And, if you were in the UFL program, that's still valid.
If I were in your situation, I'd go XMC-1 because it's sound quality is good enough for even 2 channel critical listening + DIRAC is the best room correction I have found. Since you don't have a dedicated room, having DIRAC to hep would be a bonus. Add to that the modular design (for upgrades) and the fact that most are reporting excellent stability/performance, and it'd be XMC-1 for me.
Mark
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Post by audiogeek on Nov 23, 2017 13:10:37 GMT -5
If you still have the 40% card, it is valid. And, if you were in the UFL program, that's still valid. If I were in your situation, I'd go XMC-1 because it's sound quality is good enough for even 2 channel critical listening + DIRAC is the best room correction I have found. Since you don't have a dedicated room, having DIRAC to hep would be a bonus. Add to that the modular design (for upgrades) and the fact that most are reporting excellent stability/performance, and it'd be XMC-1 for me. Mark What he said ^
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novisnick
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Post by novisnick on Nov 23, 2017 13:49:42 GMT -5
If you still have the 40% card, it is valid. And, if you were in the UFL program, that's still valid. If I were in your situation, I'd go XMC-1 because it's sound quality is good enough for even 2 channel critical listening + DIRAC is the best room correction I have found. Since you don't have a dedicated room, having DIRAC to hep would be a bonus. Add to that the modular design (for upgrades) and the fact that most are reporting excellent stability/performance, and it'd be XMC-1 for me. Mark What Mark says needs not be written again. Great advice! Ifyour going 4K, and the world is, wait for the new board to come out. It doesn’t seem you’ll be going Atmos, so you won’t want that upgrade. New board should be out by this Christmas! Order the XMC-1 with 4K board and send in your 40% off card, unless its on file then you just need to tell them. You will want to run Dirac once installed into your system, its not hard to do! And more then well worth the little time it takes to do. Great benefits in Dirac. Good luck and please let us know what you do.
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Post by canadianbacon on Nov 23, 2017 18:02:09 GMT -5
thanks for the advice fellas. I will continue pondering. If anyone wants to weigh in on the MC-700, it would be useful. The XMC is absolutely gold standard so if I can manage the outlay, I'd prefer that for sure.
Thanks!
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Post by Gary Cook on Nov 23, 2017 18:25:42 GMT -5
My 20 cents, if you have 40% discount card I wouldn't use it on buying an MC-700, you can sell it for more than you save (ie; it's worth a lot to someone buying an RMC-1). Remember it's a one use only discount and yes, 40% discount cards are transferable.
An XMC-1 full bottle (4K, Atmos, DTSX etc) with a 40% discount card is a bargain buy. Personally that's what I would do, wait until the full bottle version is available in the one purchase. If you use the 40% discount card buying the XMC-1 now you will not get the 40% discount on the updates/upgrades if you do them later (save $400 on a $1,000 upgrade/update).
If you have the 25% UFL discount then it doesn't matter as much which you choose as the 25% is yours forever and you can use it as many times as you like (up to 2 processors per year from memory). UFL's are not transferable, so you can't sell it. But the same applies, if your choice is the XMC-1 then I'd wait until the full bottle version is available (save $250 on a $1,000 upgrade/update).
Cheers Gary
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Post by canadianbacon on Nov 23, 2017 18:31:29 GMT -5
If you have the 25% UFL discount then it doesn't matter as much which you choose as the 25% is yours forever and you can use it as many times as you like (up to 2 processors per year from memory). UFL's are not transferable, so you can't sell it. But the same applies, if your choice is the XMC-1 then I'd wait until the full bottle version is available (save $250 on a $1,000 upgrade/update). Thanks Gary. What is the "UFL" discount? I do agree with what you've said though - to wait for the complete XMC package to be available. And I wouldn't "waste" the 40% discount on the MC-700. Not sure that its valid for UMC-1 to MC-700 anyway as I seem to recall that it had to be for a step-up in classes (UMC to XMC) but as I stated at the beginning - been out of the game for a while. Luke
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Post by adaboy on Nov 23, 2017 18:37:37 GMT -5
Don't waste your time with the MC700, If you need something now the XMC1 is off the table too.
Anthem, Marantz, Yamaha etc will work without fuss and cable rolling.
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Post by Soup on Nov 23, 2017 19:35:24 GMT -5
Don't waste your time with the MC700, If you need something now the XMC1 is off the table too. Anthem, Marantz, Yamaha etc will work without fuss and cable rolling. Big Fan of Anthem!
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Post by creimes on Nov 23, 2017 20:25:48 GMT -5
Hey Luke,
Chad here from the *bleep* ummmm I mean center of Canada, well that's Winnipeg and I'm in Brandon so haha, anyhow if you have a 40% card I would go with the XMC-1, if you don't have a 40% card then Anthem(from what friends tell me) is another great choice, I had one and absolutely loved it and Dirac room correction, owned a Marantz AV7702 and found it lacking for 2ch use but movies not too bad. Just my experiences of course and everyone's differs.
Cheers, Chad
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Post by Gary Cook on Nov 23, 2017 21:52:16 GMT -5
If you have the 25% UFL discount then it doesn't matter as much which you choose as the 25% is yours forever and you can use it as many times as you like (up to 2 processors per year from memory). UFL's are not transferable, so you can't sell it. But the same applies, if your choice is the XMC-1 then I'd wait until the full bottle version is available (save $250 on a $1,000 upgrade/update). Thanks Gary. What is the "UFL" discount? UFL = Upgrade for Life It replaced the one use only 40% discount card with a 25% discount that is good for the life of the buyer. The UFL program was closed to new members some time ago, no new people admitted. I have a UFL due to buying a UMC-200 very early on at full price new from Emotiva. It's all about timing, if you need something urgently then, as a large number have found, we have to look outside of Emotiva. If you can wait then an XMC-1 is unbeatable sound quality for the 40% discount, 25% discount or even at full price. I would consider the MC-700 to be an "upgrade" on the UMC-1, as well as a number of other improvements, it handles 4K. Which on its own is a pretty big upgrade. Cheers Gary
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Post by Loop 7 on Nov 23, 2017 23:09:18 GMT -5
1. Wait until the RMC-1 is released 2. Sell the 40% card 3. Use the proceeds to buy a used XMC-1
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Post by knucklehead on Nov 23, 2017 23:52:16 GMT -5
1. Wait until the RMC-1 is released 2. Sell the 40% card 3. Use the proceeds to buy a used XMC-1 I was thinking the same thing. There are some good bargains in preamp processors lately if you don't mind refurbished - and one of them should work fine to tide the OP over until the RMC-1 arrives and used XMC-1's come on the market. The nice thing about those processors is they are so cheap you can just throw em away once you're done with them. And since nobody will likely buy one from you you'll have to toss it to be rid of it! I love the Yamaha CX-A5000. It works well and does everything I want it to do and it does it quickly and without noise or audio drop outs. It has 11 of the same Saber DAC's found in the Oppo 95 & 105. Not sure about the Oppo 205 but possibly the same. Decent 2 channel performance too, very important to me.
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Post by Loop 7 on Nov 24, 2017 0:58:02 GMT -5
knucklehead It seems like one option for sure. Most of my audio gear was purchased used including Emotiva stuff. My chronic frugality and obsession with deals outweighs my desires to have new stuff. Gosh, the only item I currently own that was purchased new is a UMC-200.
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Post by knucklehead on Nov 24, 2017 1:13:13 GMT -5
knucklehead It seems like one option for sure. Most of my audio gear was purchased used including Emotiva stuff. My chronic frugality and obsession with deals outweighs my desires to have new stuff. Gosh, the only item I currently own that was purchased new is a UMC-200. You sound like me! All the gear in the living room except the ERD-1s were bought used. Same in the bedroom. I've bought a lot of new gear from Emotiva but that was before the price hikes started up. I understand inflation and raising prices but for me buying new gear gets harder every year. I haven't had a pay raise in 14 years. Retirement is great but the pay sucks.
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cawgijoe
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Post by cawgijoe on Nov 24, 2017 7:42:04 GMT -5
It seems for a lot of us pay raises are either non existent or very small while everything else goes up.
I keep an eye on the used market, but so far all my Emotiva gear was bought new.
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Nov 24, 2017 8:32:24 GMT -5
If you have the 25% UFL discount then it doesn't matter as much which you choose as the 25% is yours forever and you can use it as many times as you like (up to 2 processors per year from memory). UFL's are not transferable, so you can't sell it. But the same applies, if your choice is the XMC-1 then I'd wait until the full bottle version is available (save $250 on a $1,000 upgrade/update). Thanks Gary. What is the "UFL" discount? I do agree with what you've said though - to wait for the complete XMC package to be available. And I wouldn't "waste" the 40% discount on the MC-700. Not sure that its valid for UMC-1 to MC-700 anyway as I seem to recall that it had to be for a step-up in classes (UMC to XMC) but as I stated at the beginning - been out of the game for a while. Luke If you bought the UMC-1 new from Emotiva, you may be a UFL member...a call to Emotiva would confirm it, as well as if the 40% off card applies to the MC-700. I think it does, but...not sure. Personally, I wouldn't use it for that as you could likely sell it for more. Mark
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Post by canadianbacon on Nov 24, 2017 12:07:24 GMT -5
lots of great advice in here guys, Thank You. No, it's not an urgent decision, I can wait until a loaded XMC-1 is selling. But then there's this new can of worms - what is a RMC-1? A replacement/upgrade for the MC-700?
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Post by adaboy on Nov 24, 2017 12:14:39 GMT -5
lots of great advice in here guys, Thank You. No, it's not an urgent decision, I can wait until a loaded XMC-1 is selling. But then there's this new can of worms - what is a RMC-1? A replacement/upgrade for the MC-700? Uh the RMC is an upgrade to the XMC it will be the flagship $5000 pre from Emotiva
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Post by doc1963 on Nov 24, 2017 13:15:09 GMT -5
Good morning fellow enthusiasts and/or AV addicts. I've been out of the game for quite some time. Happily (sometimes begrudgingly) enjoying my Home AV set up as-is however lately my UMC-1 has been acting up - dropping video requiring me to do a hard reset of the box. So it got me thinking... do I stay in the family? LOVE my old XPA-5 Amp and well, you just can't beat Emo processors for the $ for performance ratio WHEN the gear is all working... and the customer service AND the (mostly) made in America thing - yes us Canadians value that too. SO this brings me to my conundrum - what to replace the UMC-1 with. 1) I want new "whatever" not used. 2) I am first looking here - at Emotiva. For all the bugs and quirks I still like the UMC-1 3) Do I just buy the newer replacement for the UMC-1 ---> the MC-700 or 4) do I go whole-hog and go after the XMC-1 5) does Emotiva still honour the upgrade program they had when the UMC-1 first came out? back ground - I don't have a dedicated theatre room, nor do I think I'll have one in the near future. I also don't think I'll dedicate the time to farting around with ALL the details that the XMC-1 can provide - and it looks like there are an immense numbers of details that one can fart around with! I am also an original UMC-1 owner so the only reason I'd consider the XMC-1 is if Emotiva is still honoring the upgrade program they had when the UMC-1 came out. I DO believe in planning for the future as much as one can with this kind of technology and that's really where buying the XMC would come in. So - the Questions I have - 1) is the MC-700 reliable and stable - the UMC-1 fell on its face here. 2) can I expect the 40% (right?) discount on the XMC-1 3) will the XMC-1 still be a source of frustration after its set up? 4) How does the MC-700 handle HD (not 4K) video - sounds like this might be a short coming Hopefully the board can help me decide on the this many-facetted decision. Thanks all Luke I’m going to go against the grain here and say that if you simply want a processor that is similar to your UMC-1 that will hold you off until you are ready to update the rest of your system (4K TV, UHD Blu-ray, etc...), the Outlaw Audio 975 will serve you well. It’s basic (it has no “Automatic Room Correction” capability), but has proven to be reliable and has been well respected by both the audio press and the end users. Currently, Outlaw is offering the 975 for $449 (shipped) as a Black Friday weekend deal. However, since their new 976 is now “secretly” available for preorder, this price may stick around for awhile until they clear out the 975 inventory. If I were in your position, I would keep that 40% Upgrade card until you’ve committed to upgrading the rest of your system. Once that time comes, who knows what your needs will be. Yes, the XMC-1 is upgradable (and the newest updates are arriving soon), but I firmly believe that these updates will be the end of the road for the XMC-1’s expansion capability. By the time you’re ready, the XMC-2 (yes, there will be one) or even the RMC-1 will be viable options, built on newer and more capable platforms, and a far better use of your discount card. “Future proof” is a term that’s often misused and, when it comes to technology, shouldn’t be used at all. Everything eventually becomes obsolete. Just my $.02...
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