cawgijoe
Emo VIPs 
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 5,035
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Post by cawgijoe on Nov 25, 2019 10:54:00 GMT -5
I have run into another issue that affects firmware 1.5.
When using Directv and with the amp on or off (video on standby), sometimes when I switch channels, the audio is gone. To get it back I can sometimes switch channels again, or what really works is switching between speaker presets.
This does not always happen, but it is not infrequent.
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Post by cwt on Nov 25, 2019 12:22:56 GMT -5
That is interesting. I wasnt expecting that at these price points. Ive had countless mostly problem free receivers in the $500 range for decades. Arcam does have a nice philosophy where the pre amp portion of there avr's is identical you just get better power amps up the line as they switch from standard class ab to high efficiency switching class g which gives you the good bass you noticed [and good all channel driven specs unlike many] . I was surprised when Markus @ avs forum with his oscilloscope work found out about the PEQ problem ; they were quite obstinate about the way to do it .. Will be interesting how the Monoprice HTP1 goes  |
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Post by bastille on Nov 25, 2019 20:24:06 GMT -5
That is interesting. I wasnt expecting that at these price points. Ive had countless mostly problem free receivers in the $500 range for decades. Arcam does have a nice philosophy where the pre amp portion of there avr's is identical you just get better power amps up the line as they switch from standard class ab to high efficiency switching class g which gives you the good bass you noticed [and good all channel driven specs unlike many] . I was surprised when Markus @ avs forum with his oscilloscope work found out about the PEQ problem ; they were quite obstinate about the way to do it .. Will be interesting how the Monoprice HTP1 goes The 860 is a pro only. |
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Post by cwt on Nov 26, 2019 0:18:57 GMT -5
Arcam does have a nice philosophy where the pre amp portion of there avr's is identical you just get better power amps up the line as they switch from standard class ab to high efficiency switching class g which gives you the good bass you noticed [and good all channel driven specs unlike many] . I was surprised when Markus @ avs forum with his oscilloscope work found out about the PEQ problem ; they were quite obstinate about the way to do it .. Will be interesting how the Monoprice HTP1 goes The 860 is a pro only. Yep ; wasn't sure what power amps you had hooked up ;Arcam make some nice class G's and shouldn't have assumed |
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Post by bastille on Nov 26, 2019 11:46:14 GMT -5
Yep ; wasn't sure what power amps you had hooked up ;Arcam make some nice class G's and shouldn't have assumed For stereo I have the NAD M22 and the Emo DR 2 . For the surrounds im using a Yamaha Aventage 5000. Then an Emo HC1 mono for the center channel. |
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Post by bastille on Nov 28, 2019 7:23:00 GMT -5
So you're comparing the m22 to a dr2 ? Yes its a DR2 Maybe I mis-understood the real question of your post. Do you mean the 2 are not comparable either due to price difference or the fact that the NAD is a hybrid digital? I'm a noob but I get they are very different amps that probably shouldnt be compared apples to apples but its also the only 2 stereo amps I have to compare to each other. |
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Post by bastille on Nov 28, 2019 7:31:36 GMT -5
I still havent set up the A/B testing setup but should get time after the holiday requirements. I was delayed by getting a new Salamander stand for everything. Here's the new get up. Happy thanksgiving.   |
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Post by emofrmcgy on Nov 28, 2019 21:51:05 GMT -5
Maybe I mis-understood the real question of your post. Do you mean the 2 are not comparable either due to price difference or the fact that the NAD is a hybrid digital? I'm a noob but I get they are very different amps that probably shouldnt be compared apples to apples but its also the only 2 stereo amps I have to compare to each other. You understood correctly. I was simply asking what emotiva amp you were comparing with the nad. |
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Post by bastille on Nov 29, 2019 0:20:18 GMT -5
Maybe I mis-understood the real question of your post. Do you mean the 2 are not comparable either due to price difference or the fact that the NAD is a hybrid digital? I'm a noob but I get they are very different amps that probably shouldnt be compared apples to apples but its also the only 2 stereo amps I have to compare to each other. You understood correctly. I was simply asking what emotiva amp you were comparing with the nad. Ah ok. Wasnt sure if I was noobing out on a purists question. I imagine there are some that are anti these digital hybrid amps in purists land out there. |
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Post by bastille on Nov 30, 2019 7:33:43 GMT -5
So I finally got to A/B ing the XMC-2 and the Arcam and its not even close. The Arcam is in another league. I used the same source(Node2i) same cables(AQ Water) and same amp(NAD m22)
The reference songs I used primarily were Alicia Keys Fallin, Dire Straits Money For Nothing, Michael Jackson Billie Jean and Chaka Khan Aint Nobody. A little Purple Rain and Leona Lewis Better in Time thrown in. I wanted to keep the sampling limited enough that I wouldn't hear too much. I played a song or parts of and then played the same on the other.
Final test I played a few songs with the Emo then played the same songs on the Arcam and then played the same set again on the Emo. Making sure everything was broken in including my ears. The clarity, the 3D sound stage which really feels more like 4d since you get left to right for 2D back and forth for 3D and then an up and down for the 4D. Really makes certain songs recorded well an experience.
I didn't get baked for the test to make sure I didn't wander off in any direction. I would describe the improvement to be equal to the improvement the Emotiva did over the Denon receiver I upgraded from. Factor in the song cutoffs that got us here in the first place (which are also happening over coaxial) and I hate to say the emotica goes back monday. I really wanted to give this thing every chance to convince me otherwise.
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cawgijoe
Emo VIPs
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 5,035
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Post by cawgijoe on Nov 30, 2019 8:46:25 GMT -5
I don’t have another manufacturer to compare against, but I do have a reference with my previous XMC-1 that I traded in. In terms of sound quality, the XMC-1 beats out the 2 currently because I don’t have Dirac on the 2.
I have only manually set up my XMC-2 using speaker distance measurement and level with an SPL meter.
Looking forward to Dirac and the same happy bliss that I had with my XMC-1.
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Post by rbk123 on Nov 30, 2019 11:02:41 GMT -5
So I finally got to A/B ing the XMC-2 and the Arcam and its not even close. The Arcam is in another league. Which Arcam model? |
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Post by emofrmcgy on Nov 30, 2019 11:07:49 GMT -5
So I finally got to A/B ing the XMC-2 and the Arcam and its not even close. The Arcam is in another league. I used the same source(Node2i) same cables(AQ Water) and same amp(NAD m22) The reference songs I used primarily were Alicia Keys Fallin, Dire Straits Money For Nothing, Michael Jackson Billie Jean and Chaka Khan Aint Nobody. A little Purple Rain and Leona Lewis Better in Time thrown in. I wanted to keep the sampling limited enough that I wouldn't hear too much. I played a song or parts of and then played the same on the other. Final test I played a few songs with the Emo then played the same songs on the Arcam and then played the same set again on the Emo. Making sure everything was broken in including my ears. The clarity, the 3D sound stage which really feels more like 4d since you get left to right for 2D back and forth for 3D and then an up and down for the 4D. Really makes certain songs recorded well an experience. I didn't get baked for the test to make sure I didn't wander off in any direction. I would describe the improvement to be equal to the improvement the Emotiva did over the Denon receiver I upgraded from. Factor in the song cutoffs that got us here in the first place (which are also happening over coaxial) and I hate to say the emotica goes back monday. I really wanted to give this thing every chance to convince me otherwise. I find this hard to believe, Are you sure it's not just a residual state of cloudiness ?? Glad you found something that works well for you. Cheers bud and happy listening.....Cough cough.. |
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Lsc
Emo VIPs
Posts: 3,435
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Post by Lsc on Nov 30, 2019 11:55:06 GMT -5
So I finally got to A/B ing the XMC-2 and the Arcam and its not even close. The Arcam is in another league. I used the same source(Node2i) same cables(AQ Water) and same amp(NAD m22) The reference songs I used primarily were Alicia Keys Fallin, Dire Straits Money For Nothing, Michael Jackson Billie Jean and Chaka Khan Aint Nobody. A little Purple Rain and Leona Lewis Better in Time thrown in. I wanted to keep the sampling limited enough that I wouldn't hear too much. I played a song or parts of and then played the same on the other. Final test I played a few songs with the Emo then played the same songs on the Arcam and then played the same set again on the Emo. Making sure everything was broken in including my ears. The clarity, the 3D sound stage which really feels more like 4d since you get left to right for 2D back and forth for 3D and then an up and down for the 4D. Really makes certain songs recorded well an experience. I didn't get baked for the test to make sure I didn't wander off in any direction. I would describe the improvement to be equal to the improvement the Emotiva did over the Denon receiver I upgraded from. Factor in the song cutoffs that got us here in the first place (which are also happening over coaxial) and I hate to say the emotica goes back monday. I really wanted to give this thing every chance to convince me otherwise. I find this hard to believe, Are you sure it's not just a residual state of cloudiness ?? Glad you found something that works well for you. Cheers bud and happy listening.....Cough cough.. I have no reference as I have had the XMC1 for 5 years and then the XMC2 for the last few months. My buddy who got the Anthem AVM60 with the new ARC said it was a lot better than the XMC1 with Dirac. So I don’t doubt another person who took the time to A/B the processors even if the opinion doesn’t favor Emotiva especially since I am still waiting on Dirac. I thought my XMC1 sounded way too bright in reference stereo mode and it was Dirac that really made things sound excellent (after several tries). My XMC2 does not sound too bright without Dirac so I see that as an improved starting point over the XMC1. So I am expecting it to sound better than the XMC1 when we get Dirac. (I think it already does but room correction is a big factor). But going back on topic, I’m glad that the Arcam was the solution - all we want is our prepro to just work and sound great and he found that solution in Arcam. |
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Post by thrillcat on Nov 30, 2019 12:04:27 GMT -5
I find this hard to believe, Are you sure it's not just a residual state of cloudiness ?? Glad you found something that works well for you. Cheers bud and happy listening.....Cough cough.. I have no reference as I have had the XMC1 for 5 years and then the XMC2 for the last few months. My buddy who got the Anthem AVM60 with the new ARC said it was a lot better than the XMC1 with Dirac. So I don’t doubt another person who took the time to A/B the processors even if the opinion doesn’t favor Emotiva especially since I am still waiting on Dirac. I thought my XMC1 sounded way too bright in reference stereo mode and it was Dirac that really made things sound excellent (after several tries). My XMC2 does not sound too bright without Dirac so I see that as an improved starting point over the XMC1. So I am expecting it to sound better than the XMC1 when we get Dirac. (I think it already does but room correction is a big factor). But going back on topic, I’m glad that the Arcam was the solution - all we want is our prepro to just work and sound great and he found that solution in Arcam. I just replaced my XMC1 with the Anthem AVM60 and I would agree. I’d say head to head without room correction on either the Anthem wins in a landslide. With Dirac/ARC Genesis enabled, they are pretty darn similar (that’s years of fiddling with Dirac vs a single session with ARC). Factor in zero glitches and fast input switching and I wish I had made the move years ago. |
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Post by sgracing on Nov 30, 2019 12:42:25 GMT -5
I must agree the Anthem didn't require any thing but plug and play. I must confess that the current firmware brought my XMC -1 up to par. Not sure why the Emo team didn't sub out the firmware. The on going delays are just going to distroy there market place !
Personally i prefer the XMC-1 due to it's connectivity but the wait was too long !
Emo was very good to deal with at least with there acknowledgement of the issue. I must say some one here kept the fault on ARC/ CEC.
Gary cook you know what I'm saying . It's like its ok that thing didn't work properly.
I'm holding on to my AVM 60 just in case the XMC-1 fails me. As far as EARC that is the future! It's all about bandwidth !
Sorry Gary.
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Post by bastille on Nov 30, 2019 13:58:51 GMT -5
So I finally got to A/B ing the XMC-2 and the Arcam and its not even close. The Arcam is in another league. Which Arcam model? AVR860 |
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Post by bastille on Nov 30, 2019 14:02:58 GMT -5
So I finally got to A/B ing the XMC-2 and the Arcam and its not even close. The Arcam is in another league. I used the same source(Node2i) same cables(AQ Water) and same amp(NAD m22) The reference songs I used primarily were Alicia Keys Fallin, Dire Straits Money For Nothing, Michael Jackson Billie Jean and Chaka Khan Aint Nobody. A little Purple Rain and Leona Lewis Better in Time thrown in. I wanted to keep the sampling limited enough that I wouldn't hear too much. I played a song or parts of and then played the same on the other. Final test I played a few songs with the Emo then played the same songs on the Arcam and then played the same set again on the Emo. Making sure everything was broken in including my ears. The clarity, the 3D sound stage which really feels more like 4d since you get left to right for 2D back and forth for 3D and then an up and down for the 4D. Really makes certain songs recorded well an experience. I didn't get baked for the test to make sure I didn't wander off in any direction. I would describe the improvement to be equal to the improvement the Emotiva did over the Denon receiver I upgraded from. Factor in the song cutoffs that got us here in the first place (which are also happening over coaxial) and I hate to say the emotica goes back monday. I really wanted to give this thing every chance to convince me otherwise. I find this hard to believe, Are you sure it's not just a residual state of cloudiness ?? Glad you found something that works well for you. Cheers bud and happy listening.....Cough cough.. Which part? I have been trying to give the XMC-2 every possible chance. I would prefer to keep the XMC-2. It looks nicer. Its half the price. And I wouldn't lose all the money I stand lose by returning it(I traded in a receiver for $400 off, I lose $200 in finance charges, and I lose out on whatever it costs to ship it back) Keeping it would effectively cost me about $1900 which is in effect $1000 off its retail price. And I still cannot make it happen with all the problems and sound quality is the biggest decider now. I want to add that the 860 also has Dirac but I haven't run it yet. |
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Post by thrillcat on Nov 30, 2019 14:28:39 GMT -5
I find this hard to believe, Are you sure it's not just a residual state of cloudiness ?? Glad you found something that works well for you. Cheers bud and happy listening.....Cough cough.. Which part? I have been trying to give the XMC-2 every possible chance. I would prefer to keep the XMC-2. It looks nicer. Its half the price. And I wouldn't lose all the money I stand lose by returning it(I traded in a receiver for $400 off, I lose $200 in finance charges, and I lose out on whatever it costs to ship it back) Keeping it would effectively cost me about $1900 which is in effect $1000 off its retail price. And I still cannot make it happen with all the problems and sound quality is the biggest decider now. I want to add that the 860 also has Dirac but I haven't run it yet. A friend of mine down the street has the 860 and he has the best sounding theater I’ve ever heard. It’s my favorite room. He has also never run Dirac. All parties agree, however, that the Arcam is dumb looking. And the primary reason I went Anthem over the Arcam is that there is no rack mount solution for the Arcam besides just a shelf. How any product in that price range is not rack mountable is beyond me. |
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Post by bastille on Nov 30, 2019 15:29:48 GMT -5
Which part? I have been trying to give the XMC-2 every possible chance. I would prefer to keep the XMC-2. It looks nicer. Its half the price. And I wouldn't lose all the money I stand lose by returning it(I traded in a receiver for $400 off, I lose $200 in finance charges, and I lose out on whatever it costs to ship it back) Keeping it would effectively cost me about $1900 which is in effect $1000 off its retail price. And I still cannot make it happen with all the problems and sound quality is the biggest decider now. I want to add that the 860 also has Dirac but I haven't run it yet. A friend of mine down the street has the 860 and he has the best sounding theater I’ve ever heard. It’s my favorite room. He has also never run Dirac. All parties agree, however, that the Arcam is dumb looking. And the primary reason I went Anthem over the Arcam is that there is no rack mount solution for the Arcam besides just a shelf. How any product in that price range is not rack mountable is beyond me. Have you listened to music on it as well? This thing started off slow on me and grew in quick. Whether hardware or ear break in its now a beast. I added some platforms under my speakers as they have built in subs and its incredible how this thing reproduces bass. The harmonics within those bass frequencies is out of this world. |
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