Chris
Emo VIPs
Posts: 424
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Post by Chris on Dec 24, 2019 12:16:39 GMT -5
I wanted to post a question to the emotiva community about AV and audio directions and possible product ideas.
I am long time Emotiva customer and have worked through their various processors culminating in my current XMC-1.
I am waiting for the my turn in the XMC-1 to XMC-2 upgrade. But while I wait I wonder if the XMC-2 is really the product I need/want?
I am an audiophile first but enjoy 5.1 surround sound and 4k video as well. With my Martin Logan Expression ESL 13A and Emotiva surrounds I get plenty of "audio environment" and have no plans to pursue 7.1, atmos, etc. I do want absolutely pristine 4k image and pristine two channel and 5.1 sound.
I've also vastly simplified my sources since I drop Fios TV and now just have Fios gigabit and have standardized house wide on Fire TV 4k Sticks and HDHomerun Quattro for OTA.
Also, when I listen to two channel I use the reference settings so there is no manipulation of the audio.
I set surround levels manually. I tried Dirac but found it a bit rough and it really seemed to have trouble with the dipole nature of my speakers.
My Martin Logans have plenty of adjustments for bass level control which is really the only area I want to tweak sound wise.
While I wait for the XMC-2 upgrade, I have experimented with hook up scenarios. Currently I am using an inexpensive HDMI splitter that actually supports 4k/HDR to take the 4k direct to my HDTV and the audio to the XMC-1. This device only cost $25 and works well. With this I can use Dolby Digital Plus which is the best audio you can get out of the Fire TV since it doesn't support pass through audio.
I wonder if the XMC-1/2 is what I really need now? I will likely get the XMC-2 because of the excellent upgrade value it represents but I wonder if this product is overkill at this point. I think simplicity is always the best in audio systems and periodically go through exercises like this to try make things as simple as I can.
Is there any forthcoming product from Emotiva or others that address my needs? I really only need a full feature HDMI switcher with 4k/HDR and full HDMI audio breakout and support for the popular codecs. I also need pristine analog audio input for my high end vinyl rig.
My XMC-1 mostly meets my needs but with a lot of extra stuff I don't need or want at this point.
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Post by creimes on Dec 24, 2019 13:37:17 GMT -5
I'm in the boat of wanting to upgrade for the fact of having a new unit but I don't do 4K nor anything above 5.2 so in all reality I don't need the XMC-2 and am very happy with my XMC-1, plus this time of year I don't have much if any disposable income so $1500 CAD for me to upgrade isn't going to happen. If your happy with the XMC-1 like I am I say save your money Chad
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Post by Gary Cook on Dec 24, 2019 15:05:00 GMT -5
My XMC-1 has the 4K upgrade and I live in Australia, which complicate my decision making process (on the XMC-2 trade in). It works for me in my current set up, gives me next to zero problems and sounds great. Why would I want to trade up? Well, my XMC-1 is out of warranty soon and an XMC-2 would kick that up 5 years. Since I procured mine 2nd hand I have no DIRAC (light and free) licence and have to buy a full licence to reap those benefits. I have REW'd it, but an XMC-2 with its included licence would eliminate that issue. Improved sound wise, since I use my XSP-1 for stereo 2.1 music, I'm not sure that the XMC-2 would be that much an upgrade over the XMC-1 for movies. Leaving ATMOS/DTS-X as the only real reason and having done 2 installs with friends (both Yamaha CXA's) the results are pretty compelling, it does add to the experience.
Apologies, that probably didn't add much to your decision making process.
Merry Xmas Gary
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Post by kierre on Dec 24, 2019 17:09:53 GMT -5
Hello Chris. My 2 cents... It really sounds to me like your best bang for the buck would be the HDMI 2.0b Video Upgrade Board for your XMC1. I'm not sure if it is still available, but it may be worth a call to Emotiva to see if they can assist.
I don't know that the XMC2 will bring you anything immediately that would justify the new processor above and beyond the upgrade HDMI board for your XMC1. For those of us who still enjoy 5.1, 7.1 for our movies as well as the 2.0 stereo baseline; I believe there is still room to enjoy this configuration for quite some time to come. Speak 'ATMOS' and amplification and speakers present themselves as requirements. I'm not a hater of ATMOS as I also recently had a decision to make with my UMC-1, however there are amplifiers, speakers and audio capabilities to take into consideration when we speak ATMOS and other current formats. This can be a significant price point to consider if the new formats are not your primary concern.
I wish I had found out earlier that Dolby ATMOS on the 4K blu-rays I had been purchasing were backwards compatible to previous Dolby formats, but I've already opened the door and will commit to the remaining upgrades required for 7.2.4.
If you wish to stick with the XMC2, I recommend you read through the RMC1 and XMC2 owner's threads for relative feedback on what you're getting into.
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Post by SticknStones on Dec 24, 2019 17:14:13 GMT -5
My XMC-1 has the 4K upgrade and I live in Australia, which complicate my decision making process (on the XMC-2 trade in). It works for me in my current set up, gives me next to zero problems and sounds great. Why would I want to trade up? Well, my XMC-1 is out of warranty soon and an XMC-2 would kick that up 5 years. Since I procured mine 2nd hand I have no DIRAC (light and free) licence and have to buy a full licence to reap those benefits. I have REW'd it, but an XMC-2 with its included licence would eliminate that issue. Improved sound wise, since I use my XSP-1 for stereo 2.1 music, I'm not sure that the XMC-2 would be that much an upgrade over the XMC-1 for movies. Leaving ATMOS/DTS-X as the only real reason and having done 2 installs with friends (both Yamaha CXA's) the results are pretty compelling, it does add to the experience. Apologies, that probably didn't add much to your decision making process. Merry Xmas Gary My logic varies in that I do not have the 4K card so it is a modest update to get to a new software platform with new warranty so it is a modest investment.
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Post by repeetavx on Dec 25, 2019 11:35:31 GMT -5
Hi Chris, I'm a lot like you. 5.1 is all I want for watching movies.
My question is if you're going to continue using a multi-channel amp, do you really need the added expense of fully balanced surround channels. Especially if your surround speakers are satellite style or of lesser quality than your stereo mains.
If you're after the new warranty, then fine. But as for me, when they announce the end of the upgrade program next summer, I'm going to be hard pressed to be able to justify the expense,
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Post by ottaone on Dec 25, 2019 12:10:10 GMT -5
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Lsc
Emo VIPs
Posts: 3,337
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Post by Lsc on Dec 25, 2019 12:46:02 GMT -5
Chris the XMC2 sounds better than the XMC1.
While I got the XMC2 day 1 bc I didn’t have a processor, I would wait until Emotiva completes Dirac integration before moving forward with the XMC2.
You don’t appear to be in any time crunch so why not wait until you everything is fully developed?
With the warranty and Dirac included with 4K and Atmos, it’s a no brainer upgrading, the question really is when. If Emotiva doesn’t deliver Atmos until well into 2020 then you just have more time until things pan out.
I don’t like to buy prepros until everything I need is functioning PRIOR to purchase. I just had to get it this time because I sold my XMC1 a year prior and didn’t have Dolby True HD for over a year.
Also with the XMC2, you won’t need the XSP1.
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Post by garbulky on Dec 26, 2019 11:17:47 GMT -5
I wanted to post a question to the emotiva community about AV and audio directions and possible product ideas. I am long time Emotiva customer and have worked through their various processors culminating in my current XMC-1. I am waiting for the my turn in the XMC-1 to XMC-2 upgrade. But while I wait I wonder if the XMC-2 is really the product I need/want? I am an audiophile first but enjoy 5.1 surround sound and 4k video as well. With my Martin Logan Expression ESL 13A and Emotiva surrounds I get plenty of "audio environment" and have no plans to pursue 7.1, atmos, etc. I do want absolutely pristine 4k image and pristine two channel and 5.1 sound. I've also vastly simplified my sources since I drop Fios TV and now just have Fios gigabit and have standardized house wide on Fire TV 4k Sticks and HDHomerun Quattro for OTA. Also, when I listen to two channel I use the reference settings so there is no manipulation of the audio. I set surround levels manually. I tried Dirac but found it a bit rough and it really seemed to have trouble with the dipole nature of my speakers. My Martin Logans have plenty of adjustments for bass level control which is really the only area I want to tweak sound wise. While I wait for the XMC-2 upgrade, I have experimented with hook up scenarios. Currently I am using an inexpensive HDMI splitter that actually supports 4k/HDR to take the 4k direct to my HDTV and the audio to the XMC-1. This device only cost $25 and works well. With this I can use Dolby Digital Plus which is the best audio you can get out of the Fire TV since it doesn't support pass through audio. I wonder if the XMC-1/2 is what I really need now? I will likely get the XMC-2 because of the excellent upgrade value it represents but I wonder if this product is overkill at this point. I think simplicity is always the best in audio systems and periodically go through exercises like this to try make things as simple as I can. Is there any forthcoming product from Emotiva or others that address my needs? I really only need a full feature HDMI switcher with 4k/HDR and full HDMI audio breakout and support for the popular codecs. I also need pristine analog audio input for my high end vinyl rig. My XMC-1 mostly meets my needs but with a lot of extra stuff I don't need or want at this point. I pointed this out before. The real reason you want to upgrade your XMC-1 is that you have no choice if you want to enjoy future upgrades. We have no idea how long the upgrade discount to purchase an XMC-2 is going to last. Emotiva has not indicated the pricing would be indefinite. So it's not about if it's what you need now, but it's do you want to have a "current" processor when say HDMI 2.1 comes out. Previously before Emotiva were doing only the XMC-1 you could wait as long as you like and purchase only the upgrade card that you needed. But with the XMC-2, you HAVE to purchase and you have to do it now, when it's available. Having said that, the deal with the XMC-2 is really quite nice imo.
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Post by 405x5 on Dec 26, 2019 22:11:39 GMT -5
I wanted to post a question to the emotiva community about AV and audio directions and possible product ideas. I am long time Emotiva customer and have worked through their various processors culminating in my current XMC-1. I am waiting for the my turn in the XMC-1 to XMC-2 upgrade. But while I wait I wonder if the XMC-2 is really the product I need/want? I am an audiophile first but enjoy 5.1 surround sound and 4k video as well. With my Martin Logan Expression ESL 13A and Emotiva surrounds I get plenty of "audio environment" and have no plans to pursue 7.1, atmos, etc. I do want absolutely pristine 4k image and pristine two channel and 5.1 sound. I've also vastly simplified my sources since I drop Fios TV and now just have Fios gigabit and have standardized house wide on Fire TV 4k Sticks and HDHomerun Quattro for OTA. Also, when I listen to two channel I use the reference settings so there is no manipulation of the audio. I set surround levels manually. I tried Dirac but found it a bit rough and it really seemed to have trouble with the dipole nature of my speakers. My Martin Logans have plenty of adjustments for bass level control which is really the only area I want to tweak sound wise. While I wait for the XMC-2 upgrade, I have experimented with hook up scenarios. Currently I am using an inexpensive HDMI splitter that actually supports 4k/HDR to take the 4k direct to my HDTV and the audio to the XMC-1. This device only cost $25 and works well. With this I can use Dolby Digital Plus which is the best audio you can get out of the Fire TV since it doesn't support pass through audio. I wonder if the XMC-1/2 is what I really need now? I will likely get the XMC-2 because of the excellent upgrade value it represents but I wonder if this product is overkill at this point. I think simplicity is always the best in audio systems and periodically go through exercises like this to try make things as simple as I can. Is there any forthcoming product from Emotiva or others that address my needs? I really only need a full feature HDMI switcher with 4k/HDR and full HDMI audio breakout and support for the popular codecs. I also need pristine analog audio input for my high end vinyl rig. My XMC-1 mostly meets my needs but with a lot of extra stuff I don't need or want at this point. You’ve answered your own question quite eloquently, me thinks! Bill
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Post by Loop 7 on Dec 26, 2019 22:25:30 GMT -5
My Panasonic VT70 (plasma) keeps me happily stuck in 1080p, effectively removing my interest in processor upgrades. I enjoy this and the associated 5.1 system immensely.
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Post by garbulky on Dec 28, 2019 11:09:12 GMT -5
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Post by foggy1956 on Dec 28, 2019 13:31:05 GMT -5
Let me know when this becomes available at that price😎
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Post by ottaone on Dec 28, 2019 13:59:40 GMT -5
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