Do I dare buy a MC 700?

[Percussionista]

Hmm... I don't know how many 700's have been sold or how many actually have problems, but one tends to see those problems voiced in this forum. I have one of the original 700's, I believe there was even an early purchase discount. I haven't attempted to update the firmware. I've used it in two different setups with no problems that I can remember (though I don't have a perfect memory either ;-))

When I first had it, the only 4K TV I had was a 43" 2015 model Sony I used for a PC monitor so it went into that PC system for "early testing". After we moved and started to set up a "real" theater room, it's now in with (Oppo 203 or DirectTV) -> Emo MC700 -> Sony 900F series TV. It works just fine. DirectTV, which has one free 4K channel, sometimes has issues recognizing downstream 4K capability, but it's always DirectTV which needs rebooting. If there is sometimes an issue getting pass-through I can also switch the 700's selected HDMI input and then back again and that can be enough to wake up the HDMI/HDCP handshakes. HDMI/HDCP, everyone's favorite transport protocol, NOT!

I haven't had the overheating issue, which Emotiva can fix with stick on heat-sinks (assuming I am remembering correctly); I worry I should probably do this "just in case" but haven't. I have occasionally heard some audio clicks when switching between a 4K channel and regular HD channel.

The MC-700 has a headphone out in case I ever move it for desktop use, and has mix-out in case I ever need to use it as a "preamp" to output into a recorder (most likely a PC to record something).

I also still have the UMC-1 and 200 and will use one in the "game room" once it's more fully set up - most likely the 200 since it has headphone out.

I can't promise a purchase of a 700 will work for any of you, but it has for me! Are there any major faults I should try and duplicate?

[kevinc25]

Will Emotiva honor their usual try-and-return policy on it with your discount/tradein? If so you haven't got much to lose so could give it a try. As for myself, as I have documented several times here, I liked the balance of good sound/room correction/flexibility at low cost of the MC700 so much vs my infinitely more expensive TAG McLaren AV32R I bought a second one for a second location and while I thought it a little quirky at first I have not really had to think about anything (other than the second screen setting being ON when using a Roku Ultra which I have documented on this forum) since updating to Firmware 2.9.3. I use 4K LG OLED and non-OLED TVs, Roku 4K Ultras, Apple TV 4, Xiaomi MiBox 4K, Chromecast 4K and 4K HTPCs as inputs and life is good.

[Percussionista]

Oops, no the 700 does not have mix-out, I was looking at the UMC200 ;-( Oh well, the likelihood I need to record something to a PC is pretty slim!

[vcautokid]

Here is my thing. Processors are very powerful computers. The most complex of anything in your system. When it goes well great. When not well....you know. Me? I have a bedroom system I want to make a theater in slowly. I went with an AVR with preouts with latest decoding. I looked at the MC700 but it was missing stuff I wanted to do like network support and the lot. I wanted solid HDMI too. Though no 4K yet so far. I got mine for $550.00 new. Supports it all including network control and streaming from my tablet and smartphone. The thing is even THX certified. I laughed at that. But the take away is you have lots of options. You don't have to go with one thing of course. It is about how heavy 4K switching will be with HDR. Do you care about Atmos Aura 3 and so on.

Frankly, it wasn't and still isn't on my radar, but options are nice. Also bargains all over. Home Theater tech is falling all over itself to get in your home especially these awesome TVs.

Processors are still pricey. Your Krell was one too. I sold Krell for 15 years so yeah I know. Also if you manage video switching from the TV and run an optical dump to your current processor, nothing wrong with that either. It just all depends where you want to go.

I am not going to tell you what to or not to buy. Just take your time. Assess what you really want closely. Keep your upgrade path clear. Home Theater changes too much too fast. I try to get say 3 to 5 years with one if not more. Not easy. Yeah HDMI sucks. Couldn't keep it simple with fiber and Ethernet,no. Hollywood is protecting their stuff from us. But it is what it is. So yes you want stability, flexibility,pre outs, network options for your content and so on. It maybe something you don't use now,but maybe later that would change.

[daveczski65]

Mar 21, 2019 22:30:12 GMT -5 adaboy said:

Mar 21, 2019 18:25:36 GMT -5 daveczski65 said:

Just lost my UMC-1 this week,,audio sect quit. Emotiva wont repair and only give 150,trade in value. I have read alot of issues with MC-700 and am worried about purchasing,,going to use my 40 off discount.I thought about XMC-1 but there are no more and that is out of my price point right now. So MC-700 is all that i see aval.
Anyone add to help me pull the trigger or go elsewhere?

Run! IMHO it makes no sense going into something knowing it will potentially give you headaches. Remember it's your money and I'm sure you'd want what ever you buy to just work.

With that said, if it were me I'd get a AVR or AVP from a more reliable manufacturer with preouts then pick up a nice set of amplifiers from Emotiva as they are highly reliable with the exception of an amp here and there. I've yet to have an Emotiva amp fail.

Good luck and turn the knob.

[daveczski65]

I already have emotiva amp,I love it and no issues,So i could get a Good AVR and just use preouts and still use the decoding part? I watch alot of tv and movies.So gotta have that movie theater experience at home.
Any good AVR prospects?

[daveczski65]

Thanks guys for all your inputs and suggestions.This is why i have been an emotiva customer for yrs and love coming to the lounge to find answers to all my questions.
THIS LOUNGE IS THE BEST!
What i am looking for : Watch movies and tv mostly,stream sirrus xm through app on tv,,dont need more then 7.1 only have 5.1 now and happy with it..No 4K right now either.
Seems like the MC-700 will work ok as long as cables are all 4K certified,or i could go with just using the optical out from tv to MC-700 and live with that.

Any more suggestions greatly appreciated.

[brubacca]

I know that for me if there is a problem I always seem to be one that gets it.

You can minimize problems, but my experience is that if there is any chatter about a consistent problem I have it happe to me.

I personally will not buy anything that has consistant chattet about a problem.

[daveczski65]

Mar 23, 2019 11:37:09 GMT -5 brubacca said:

I know that for me if there is a problem I always seem to be one that gets it.

You can minimize problems, but my experience is that if there is any chatter about a consistent problem I have it happe to me.

I personally will not buy anything that has consistant chattet about a problem.

[daveczski65]

I agree i am gonna look at a good AVR and Just use that..Now too just pic ONE!! There are so many.

[The History Kid]

Mar 23, 2019 11:40:58 GMT -5 daveczski65 said:

I agree i am gonna look at a good AVR and Just use that..Now too just pic ONE!! There are so many.

It's hard to assess without a price range.

www.accessories4less.com/

I recommend that if you're on a budget, look at options on A4L. You can get a lot of bang for your buck. I'd advise looking at Denon, Marantz, and Onkyo. If you're using pre-outs, you don't need to worry so much about the power of the unit - just the dependability of the pre section. I can vouch for Denon - and this is after being dissatisfied with two previous Denon products. The Denon X series is hard to beat for the dollar. Integra's are also pretty beefy - they're Onkyo's alternative persona.

[adaboy]

Mar 23, 2019 22:55:21 GMT -5 The History Kid said:

Mar 23, 2019 11:40:58 GMT -5 daveczski65 said:

I agree i am gonna look at a good AVR and Just use that..Now too just pic ONE!! There are so many.

It's hard to assess without a price range.

www.accessories4less.com/

I recommend that if you're on a budget, look at options on A4L. You can get a lot of bang for your buck. I'd advise looking at Denon, Marantz, and Onkyo. If you're using pre-outs, you don't need to worry so much about the power of the unit - just the dependability of the pre section. I can vouch for Denon - and this is after being dissatisfied with two previous Denon products. The Denon X series is hard to beat for the dollar. Integra's are also pretty beefy - they're Onkyo's alternative persona.

Agreed can't go wrong with either, also Yamaha too.

[novisnick]

Mar 23, 2019 23:35:53 GMT -5 adaboy said:

Mar 23, 2019 22:55:21 GMT -5 The History Kid said:

It's hard to assess without a price range.

www.accessories4less.com/

I recommend that if you're on a budget, look at options on A4L. You can get a lot of bang for your buck. I'd advise looking at Denon, Marantz, and Onkyo. If you're using pre-outs, you don't need to worry so much about the power of the unit - just the dependability of the pre section. I can vouch for Denon - and this is after being dissatisfied with two previous Denon products. The Denon X series is hard to beat for the dollar. Integra's are also pretty beefy - they're Onkyo's alternative persona.

Agreed can't go wrong with either, also Yamaha too.

+1 +1 +1 for Yamaha

[daveczski65]

keeping it under 400.00

thanks for all the suggestions,,spent the better part of day looking at all of those units yesterday,,still undecided.

[daveczski65]

looking at Integra DTR-40.4 7.2
like that it has 2 preouts for my subs,,no more spliter!
price is great at 279.00 but no 4K
Audessy room correction

Yamaha RX-A870 7.2 449.00
has all i need and 4K but adds alot of other stuff i wont use.
not sure about YPAO room correction

Denon AVR-X3400H 7.2
has all my needs but a little more at 489.00
has Audessey XT32 room correction and alot of stuff i wont use

would really like to have the 4K option for when i update to a new Display.

[The History Kid]

Mar 24, 2019 9:55:36 GMT -5 daveczski65 said:

looking at Integra DTR-40.4 7.2
like that it has 2 preouts for my subs,,no more spliter!
price is great at 279.00 but no 4K
Audessy room correction

Yamaha RX-A870 7.2 449.00
has all i need and 4K but adds alot of other stuff i wont use.
not sure about YPAO room correction

Denon AVR-X3400H 7.2
has all my needs but a little more at 489.00
has Audessey XT32 room correction and alot of stuff i wont use

would really like to have the 4K option for when i update to a new Display.

I have a DTR-40.4, and it's a fantastic unit that provides some honest to goodness clean power. But that's not what you need if you're using outboard amps. If it doesn't have your feature set, move on.

The RX-A870 is a nice unit, but it is an entry level into the Aventage line. That's not to say its a bad unit, but for the dollar the Denon is most likely going to better suit your needs and be somewhat future proof. Here's how I'd break it down in this case:

• Both have things you won't use.
• You are unsure about YPAO
• You seem to have some understanding of XT32

Go with what you know - that's my suggestion.

[daveczski65]

Thank you for the info and suggestions.
I may go with the Integra as it is at a cheap price on accessories4less

[daveczski65]

ordered Intergra DTR 40 hopefully works well.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

[moe]

Feb 8, 2019 21:16:24 GMT -5 The History Kid said:

I'll put it this way, Tommy. I went back to an AVR doing my processing from the MC-700 - it was that bad. I went to a Denon AVR-X4200 - purchased from a forum member here. The SQ is better, the OSD is better, the switching is better, the firmware handling is better. Everything about that 4200 is better than the MC-700. The unit is the reason I won't buy anything Emotiva anymore outside of the power amplifiers.

Yikes, the 700 must be a real junker if that Denon sounds better.......

[rob80b]

You guys have be beaming with confidence as I just pulled the trigger from a Canadian distributor as my UMC-1 has started having problems with HDMI inputs. The MC-700 should be a direct replacement for my rather simple 5.1 setup and I'll now also be able to take in some 3D...
But really not much out there in terms a low profile...anyway I'll let you know.