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Post by 2madamimadam2 on Oct 18, 2020 13:25:51 GMT -5
Has anyone made this move from a UMC-1 to an XMC-1? I really like my movies and music and went the way of HT to satisfy both. When I listen to 2 channel I enjoy it, but the magic is missing. I can handle the sluggish switching and occasional click.... I'm a budget audiophile and I felt my discrete class-A Acurus preamp used on ebay ~$300 had more detail and air compared to my UMC-1. It is hard to put a finger on it but I just enjoyed music more before I went the way of home theater. It is clear but not as engaging. Everyone raves that the XMC-1 has good audio but a lot of people seem to push the XMC-2 and I am not sure if it is because of the number of channels or if it is really far better sound. The Dirac seems like a bonus as I know I have room issues with my subwoofer and could benefit from some correction. The XMC-2 is out of my price range. I do not need more than my 5.1 at this time. 4K is bonus. I have a 4K TV but use it in 1080P. I've looked at Rotel, Arcam and Marantz and it seems the XMC-1 has the Dirac and people really seem to think this is a better. At Emotiva's site I can get it for $1199 (+99). I've got the $1200 but probably not $2K unless you really think I'm missing out on something worth consideration for the money. A lot of people recommend going with a good used pre-amp with HT bypass. Seems a bit too expensive as most good pre-amps with that feature cost as much or more than a refurbished XMC-1. Also welcome any opinions on center channel sub $600 center speaker, new or used. (system includes: Parasound HCA 5 chan 180w/chan, (DIY) Zaph Audio ZDT 3.5 tower speakers, Focal CC20 center, Schiit Bifrost DAC) - My first post. Thanks community!
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Post by creimes on Oct 18, 2020 14:22:06 GMT -5
Has anyone made this move from a UMC-1 to an XMC-1? I really like my movies and music and went the way of HT to satisfy both. When I listen to 2 channel I enjoy it, but the magic is missing. I can handle the sluggish switching and occasional click.... I'm a budget audiophile and I felt my discrete class-A Acurus preamp used on ebay ~$300 had more detail and air compared to my UMC-1. It is hard to put a finger on it but I just enjoyed music more before I went the way of home theater. It is clear but not as engaging. Everyone raves that the XMC-1 has good audio but a lot of people seem to push the XMC-2 and I am not sure if it is because of the number of channels or if it is really far better sound. The Dirac seems like a bonus as I know I have room issues with my subwoofer and could benefit from some correction. The XMC-2 is out of my price range. I do not need more than my 5.1 at this time. 4K is bonus. I have a 4K TV but use it in 1080P. I've looked at Rotel, Arcam and Marantz and it seems the XMC-1 has the Dirac and people really seem to think this is a better. At Emotiva's site I can get it for $1199 (+99). I've got the $1200 but probably not $2K unless you really think I'm missing out on something worth consideration for the money. A lot of people recommend going with a good used pre-amp with HT bypass. Seems a bit too expensive as most good pre-amps with that feature cost as much or more than a refurbished XMC-1. Also welcome any opinions on center channel sub $600 center speaker, new or used. (system includes: Parasound HCA 5 chan 180w/chan, (DIY) Zaph Audio ZDT 3.5 tower speakers, Focal CC20 center, Schiit Bifrost DAC) - My first post. Thanks community! Did you buy your UMC-1 new, if so you would have received a 40% card, or possibly you have the upgrade for life discount which is 25% off but excludes the Refurb XMC-1's I find the XMC-1's to be great for HT use and also really great for 2ch use. Chad |
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Post by mountain on Oct 18, 2020 14:55:27 GMT -5
I recently used my 25 % upgrade for life discount. I went from a umc-200 to an Xmc-2. It is a worthy improvement. 👍🏼
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Post by monkumonku on Oct 18, 2020 14:56:41 GMT -5
Has anyone made this move from a UMC-1 to an XMC-1? I really like my movies and music and went the way of HT to satisfy both. When I listen to 2 channel I enjoy it, but the magic is missing. I can handle the sluggish switching and occasional click.... I'm a budget audiophile and I felt my discrete class-A Acurus preamp used on ebay ~$300 had more detail and air compared to my UMC-1. It is hard to put a finger on it but I just enjoyed music more before I went the way of home theater. It is clear but not as engaging. Everyone raves that the XMC-1 has good audio but a lot of people seem to push the XMC-2 and I am not sure if it is because of the number of channels or if it is really far better sound. The Dirac seems like a bonus as I know I have room issues with my subwoofer and could benefit from some correction. The XMC-2 is out of my price range. I do not need more than my 5.1 at this time. 4K is bonus. I have a 4K TV but use it in 1080P. I've looked at Rotel, Arcam and Marantz and it seems the XMC-1 has the Dirac and people really seem to think this is a better. At Emotiva's site I can get it for $1199 (+99). I've got the $1200 but probably not $2K unless you really think I'm missing out on something worth consideration for the money. A lot of people recommend going with a good used pre-amp with HT bypass. Seems a bit too expensive as most good pre-amps with that feature cost as much or more than a refurbished XMC-1. Also welcome any opinions on center channel sub $600 center speaker, new or used. (system includes: Parasound HCA 5 chan 180w/chan, (DIY) Zaph Audio ZDT 3.5 tower speakers, Focal CC20 center, Schiit Bifrost DAC) - My first post. Thanks community! My opinion, XMC-1 is miles above the UMC-1. Sound is great (though I think the XMC-2 is even better) and everything works like it is supposed to. |
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,223 
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Post by novisnick on Oct 18, 2020 15:31:52 GMT -5
I recently used my 25 % upgrade for life discount. I went from a umc-200 to an Xmc-2. It is a worthy improvement. 👍🏼 My Mrs is definitely jealous! She/we use the UMC-200 for HT 90% of the time and it does an admirable job at that task. You’ll definitely enjoy the upgrade is sound quality! |
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geebo
Emo VIPs 
"Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are driving taxicabs and cutting hair"
Posts: 24,188
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Post by geebo on Oct 19, 2020 7:39:54 GMT -5
Has anyone made this move from a UMC-1 to an XMC-1? I really like my movies and music and went the way of HT to satisfy both. When I listen to 2 channel I enjoy it, but the magic is missing. I can handle the sluggish switching and occasional click.... I'm a budget audiophile and I felt my discrete class-A Acurus preamp used on ebay ~$300 had more detail and air compared to my UMC-1. It is hard to put a finger on it but I just enjoyed music more before I went the way of home theater. It is clear but not as engaging. Everyone raves that the XMC-1 has good audio but a lot of people seem to push the XMC-2 and I am not sure if it is because of the number of channels or if it is really far better sound. The Dirac seems like a bonus as I know I have room issues with my subwoofer and could benefit from some correction. The XMC-2 is out of my price range. I do not need more than my 5.1 at this time. 4K is bonus. I have a 4K TV but use it in 1080P. I've looked at Rotel, Arcam and Marantz and it seems the XMC-1 has the Dirac and people really seem to think this is a better. At Emotiva's site I can get it for $1199 (+99). I've got the $1200 but probably not $2K unless you really think I'm missing out on something worth consideration for the money. A lot of people recommend going with a good used pre-amp with HT bypass. Seems a bit too expensive as most good pre-amps with that feature cost as much or more than a refurbished XMC-1. Also welcome any opinions on center channel sub $600 center speaker, new or used. (system includes: Parasound HCA 5 chan 180w/chan, (DIY) Zaph Audio ZDT 3.5 tower speakers, Focal CC20 center, Schiit Bifrost DAC) - My first post. Thanks community! A lot of people here moved from a UMC-1 to the XMC-1. I did a little over 6 years ago and have since moved to the RMC-1L. Yes, going from a UMC-1 to an XMC-1 is a no brainer. |
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Post by dksosku on Oct 19, 2020 8:28:15 GMT -5
Has anyone made this move from a UMC-1 to an XMC-1? I really like my movies and music and went the way of HT to satisfy both. When I listen to 2 channel I enjoy it, but the magic is missing. I can handle the sluggish switching and occasional click.... I'm a budget audiophile and I felt my discrete class-A Acurus preamp used on ebay ~$300 had more detail and air compared to my UMC-1. It is hard to put a finger on it but I just enjoyed music more before I went the way of home theater. It is clear but not as engaging. Everyone raves that the XMC-1 has good audio but a lot of people seem to push the XMC-2 and I am not sure if it is because of the number of channels or if it is really far better sound. The Dirac seems like a bonus as I know I have room issues with my subwoofer and could benefit from some correction. The XMC-2 is out of my price range. I do not need more than my 5.1 at this time. 4K is bonus. I have a 4K TV but use it in 1080P. I've looked at Rotel, Arcam and Marantz and it seems the XMC-1 has the Dirac and people really seem to think this is a better. At Emotiva's site I can get it for $1199 (+99). I've got the $1200 but probably not $2K unless you really think I'm missing out on something worth consideration for the money. A lot of people recommend going with a good used pre-amp with HT bypass. Seems a bit too expensive as most good pre-amps with that feature cost as much or more than a refurbished XMC-1. Also welcome any opinions on center channel sub $600 center speaker, new or used. (system includes: Parasound HCA 5 chan 180w/chan, (DIY) Zaph Audio ZDT 3.5 tower speakers, Focal CC20 center, Schiit Bifrost DAC) - My first post. Thanks community! I upgraded from UMC-1 to XMC-1 6 years back. XMC-1 still awes me with its performance. Absolutely no brainer for upgrading from UMC-1 to XMC-1. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 19, 2020 8:57:11 GMT -5
If anyone does still have the 40% DISCOUNT CARD that came with the UMC-1, they should be aware that Dan announced in the last podcast that the card will EXPIRE on JANUARY 1, 2021.
I too upgraded from the UMC-1 to XMC-1 and found it a significant improvement.
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Post by 405x5 on Oct 19, 2020 9:20:24 GMT -5
Has anyone made this move from a UMC-1 to an XMC-1? I really like my movies and music and went the way of HT to satisfy both. When I listen to 2 channel I enjoy it, but the magic is missing. I can handle the sluggish switching and occasional click.... I'm a budget audiophile and I felt my discrete class-A Acurus preamp used on ebay ~$300 had more detail and air compared to my UMC-1. It is hard to put a finger on it but I just enjoyed music more before I went the way of home theater. It is clear but not as engaging. Everyone raves that the XMC-1 has good audio but a lot of people seem to push the XMC-2 and I am not sure if it is because of the number of channels or if it is really far better sound. The Dirac seems like a bonus as I know I have room issues with my subwoofer and could benefit from some correction. The XMC-2 is out of my price range. I do not need more than my 5.1 at this time. 4K is bonus. I have a 4K TV but use it in 1080P. I've looked at Rotel, Arcam and Marantz and it seems the XMC-1 has the Dirac and people really seem to think this is a better. At Emotiva's site I can get it for $1199 (+99). I've got the $1200 but probably not $2K unless you really think I'm missing out on something worth consideration for the money. A lot of people recommend going with a good used pre-amp with HT bypass. Seems a bit too expensive as most good pre-amps with that feature cost as much or more than a refurbished XMC-1. Also welcome any opinions on center channel sub $600 center speaker, new or used. (system includes: Parasound HCA 5 chan 180w/chan, (DIY) Zaph Audio ZDT 3.5 tower speakers, Focal CC20 center, Schiit Bifrost DAC) - My first post. Thanks community! I started shopping for a new A/V processor in 2012. The XMC1 was still in development and the UMC was still available. I opted to wait It out until the release of the XMC because it was a higher line product, more inline with my outdated Sunfire (no HDMI). A tough wait with so many delays, in fact if you’re unfamiliar, the final release of the XMC was called “Gen2” and Gen1 never saw the light of day. All the while 2012 was about the same time the big push of ATMOS was occurring. For those of us who simply did not want that, it was yet another glitch as the XMC1 was never originally intended to be an ATMOS processor. The XMC, with the original 1.4 board is still worth its weight in gold. Bill |
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Jack
Minor Hero
Posts: 75
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Post by Jack on Oct 19, 2020 14:47:46 GMT -5
I went from a UMC-1 (new) to a refurbished XMC-1 and could not be happier!
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Post by stephen on Oct 22, 2020 18:35:50 GMT -5
I also upgraded from a UMC-1 to certified refurbished XMC-1 -- I further purchased a calibrated UMIK-1 measurement microphone. I'm sure the DACs, etc. in the XMC-1 deliver better signal quality, but the noticeable improvement and bang for the buck is DIRAC, especially integrating/EQing my subwoofer to the room and similarly for the center channel which needed some correction sitting in a cabinet below the TV. It was also time, the UMC-1 was getting old and probably at risk of failure.
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Post by 2madamimadam2 on Oct 31, 2020 10:55:32 GMT -5
Well folks, "no-brainer" here..... Thank you all for the responses. I got the XMC-1 this week and got it hooked up last night. Absolutely better as everyone chimed. Before I got the audio working I noticed the picture was more clear even at 1080p. Not sure why but nice for a media PC reading at 9ft away. The sound quality improvement was apparent at the start. That last 2% approaching original content is always so critical. Better depth, separation and realism in instruments. The bass is different, I believe better but will need some attention but the integration of the subwoofer seems better. I focus more on the music itself rather than the audio. The magic I was missing from my old modest 2 channel pre-amp is back. I can't wait to try out the room correction and tweak in the system a bit more. I really appreciate all of the feedback everyone gave. I needed a little nudge to get over my hesitation but I am now a believer. Many thanks!
Adam
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