Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Apr 11, 2020 18:40:29 GMT -5
Has anyone compared these two processors?
I have the XMC2 obviously, but with running 6 full range bed speakers, I’m wondering if the RMC1L worth the extra money.
Since the RMC1L is in mono mode on all 16 channels, does it sound better for movies?
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rxw
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Post by rxw on Apr 11, 2020 18:50:59 GMT -5
Depends on how much f***ing around you want to do but could run a test track through front left and right in 'all stereo mode' with your other speaker outputs disconnected and then run the same track with the output of a different channel pair connected to the front amps.
There would obviously be some difference but if it's auditable/worthwhile is in the eye of the beholder.
I decided on the XMC2 myself and so far very happy with the sound.. just patiently waiting for Dirac like everyone else. 😊
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Apr 11, 2020 20:08:36 GMT -5
Depends on how much f***ing around you want to do but could run a test track through front left and right in 'all stereo mode' with your other speaker outputs disconnected and then run the same track with the output of a different channel pair connected to the front amps. There would obviously be some difference but if it's auditable/worthwhile is in the eye of the beholder. I decided on the XMC2 myself and so far very happy with the sound.. just patiently waiting for Dirac like everyone else. 😊 I also decided on the XMC2 but when I got the XMC2, the RMC1L wasn’t available and I didn’t want to wait. That’s not a bad idea but yes it might be too much work.
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geebo
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Post by geebo on Apr 11, 2020 20:57:56 GMT -5
Depends on how much f***ing around you want to do but could run a test track through front left and right in 'all stereo mode' with your other speaker outputs disconnected and then run the same track with the output of a different channel pair connected to the front amps. There would obviously be some difference but if it's auditable/worthwhile is in the eye of the beholder. I decided on the XMC2 myself and so far very happy with the sound.. just patiently waiting for Dirac like everyone else. 😊 I also decided on the XMC2 but when I got the XMC2, the RMC1L wasn’t available and I didn’t want to wait. That’s not a bad idea but yes it might be too much work. I went with the RMC-1L but it wasn't so much for all channels running in mono mode. I really like the dual displays and the input control and the wife likes the gold thingies on the back better. Using the input control is really easy and intuitive when you are at the unit and you never have to take your eye off the display to find the needed button. It's also a nicer looking piece of equipment IMHO. You'll have to decide if that's worth the $1K difference but I would go for the 1L if I had to do it again without hesitation. Does it sound better that the XMC-2 for movies? I can't really say for sure but I doubt there is much if any difference.
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Lsc
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Post by Lsc on Apr 11, 2020 21:11:03 GMT -5
I also decided on the XMC2 but when I got the XMC2, the RMC1L wasn’t available and I didn’t want to wait. That’s not a bad idea but yes it might be too much work. I went with the RMC-1L but it wasn't so much for all channels running in mono mode. I really like the dual displays and the input control and the wife likes the gold thingies on the back better. Using the input control is really easy and intuitive when you are at the unit and you never have to take your eye off the display to find the needed button. It's also a nicer looking piece of equipment IMHO. You'll have to decide if that's worth the $1K difference but I would go for the 1L if I had to do it again without hesitation. Does it sound better that the XMC-2 for movies? I can't really say for sure but I doubt there is much if any difference. I agree the RMC1L does look nicer to me as well. I don’t use the front panel at all but yes the controller does look like it’s easier to use that the 5 buttons on the XMC2. The only reason why I would “trade up” would be for better sound quality for movies. Having 6 full range speakers, I’m more concerned with surround sound quality. Don’t get me wrong, movies sound amazing especially now that I’m running 9.1.4 but if the RMC1L sounds better then it may be worth it.
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Post by ttocs on Apr 11, 2020 23:31:46 GMT -5
I went with the RMC-1L but it wasn't so much for all channels running in mono mode. I really like the dual displays and the input control and the wife likes the gold thingies on the back better. Using the input control is really easy and intuitive when you are at the unit and you never have to take your eye off the display to find the needed button. It's also a nicer looking piece of equipment IMHO. You'll have to decide if that's worth the $1K difference but I would go for the 1L if I had to do it again without hesitation. Does it sound better that the XMC-2 for movies? I can't really say for sure but I doubt there is much if any difference. I agree the RMC1L does look nicer to me as well. I don’t use the front panel at all but yes the controller does look like it’s easier to use that the 5 buttons on the XMC2. The only reason why I would “trade up” would be for better sound quality for movies. Having 6 full range speakers, I’m more concerned with surround sound quality. Don’t get me wrong, movies sound amazing especially now that I’m running 9.1.4 but if the RMC1L sounds better then it may be worth it. I too was contemplating getting the RMC-1L instead of XMC-2, and for the same reason as you, except that I'm not running full range surrounds. If I had full range speakers such as yours, I probably would've gone with the RMC-1L. But for me I have no shame with what I have for how I use it. One thing I do know for sure, I was shocked at the improvement over the XMC-1 for two channel! So multichannel music would benefit from the RMC-1L for sure, just not sure if it would be that noticeable for movies.
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Post by routlaw on Apr 12, 2020 8:47:13 GMT -5
One thing I do know for sure, I was shocked at the improvement over the XMC-1 for two channel! So multichannel music would benefit from the RMC-1L for sure, just not sure if it would be that noticeable for movies. Please in what way was the audio so much better with the XMC-2 compared to the XMC-1? I assume you referring to music? Thanks
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Post by ttocs on Apr 12, 2020 10:13:43 GMT -5
One thing I do know for sure, I was shocked at the improvement over the XMC-1 for two channel! So multichannel music would benefit from the RMC-1L for sure, just not sure if it would be that noticeable for movies. Please in what way was the audio so much better with the XMC-2 compared to the XMC-1? I assume you referring to music? Thanks With two channel music things are "clearer" and more dynamic, more lifelike. The soundstage, which was great before, is now even better. My speakers don't exist. With multichannel video, tv and movies, there are times when I have to look behind me to check if the sound just came from my room because it sounds like it was right behind me. I haven't gotten the x.x.4 going yet, but when I do I'll probably be checking the ceiling - which is my roof - to see if something just broke. This is a big improvement over the XMC-1 also.
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Post by routlaw on Apr 12, 2020 11:23:37 GMT -5
Wonder what the "culprit" is for the improvement, the newer DAC chips, something else about the circuits being improved? Many believe all DAC chips sound identical or nearly so, I'm not one of them however.
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Post by frenchyfranky on Apr 12, 2020 11:50:29 GMT -5
Has anyone compared these two processors? I have the XMC2 obviously, but with running 6 full range bed speakers, I’m wondering if the RMC1L worth the extra money. Since the RMC1L is in mono mode on all 16 channels, does it sound better for movies? Personally I doubt that we can hearing difference in cinema. But I didn't have the chance of compared both side by side, probably only Emo staff have done that and they will not telling you they didn't heard difference.
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Apr 12, 2020 13:17:15 GMT -5
Wonder what the "culprit" is for the improvement, the newer DAC chips, something else about the circuits being improved? Many believe all DAC chips sound identical or nearly so, I'm not one of them however. I'm one of those that also thinks DACs sound different, but I also believe that implementation and circuit design can be a big difference when using the exact same DAC in different processors/receivers.
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Post by cwt on Apr 12, 2020 13:57:26 GMT -5
Wonder what the "culprit" is for the improvement, the newer DAC chips, something else about the circuits being improved? Many believe all DAC chips sound identical or nearly so, I'm not one of them however. Anecdotally as Emo has had the opportunity to listen to both ; choosing to switch from Burr brown dacs in the XMC1 to AKM dacs in the RMC is either because listening tests were preferred with the AKM's or some sort of a supply issue ? I like to think the former . Its to the new series advantage theoretically that the front L/C/R are all dual differential input to output [as they are the important channels for movies in particular] hence getting the benefit of common mode noise reduction in the chassis with all the other emi/rf sources In the absence of comprehensive circuit details like we had with the XMC1 and Audioholics secrets covered; the top notch specs measured by ASR of the RMC1 is a good pointer to how the RMC1L is likely to go ; very well. The XMC1 tested by ASR if you have a look at the SINAD results its only beaten by 1 pre pro ; the RMC1 which says a lot about the integrity .. www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/emotiva-rmc-1-av-processor-review.11673/page-46#post-344170
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