System rebuild. X Series vs/or mixing with BasX Series

[chemical]

Here is the deal.  I have Bose 301 Series IV's.  I hate the Series V's.  I also have Paradigm Monitor 9v.6, Paradigm Atom Monitors v.6, Paradigm CC-190 center channel.  Hate that center channel.  Pretty sure the put an awful crossover in it so people would be wowed by their more expensive center channel.  I have never liked any of the Paradigm's, but the sounded great at the store.  And, most of all, I hate my receiver with a passion.  Denon AVR-piece of sh**.  I knew better than to get a receiver.  I really did.  I hate my system so much that I gave it all to my dad after spending thousands.  Just looking at it was a constant reminder of the money I spent on it.  I believe my "your system is only as good as your weakest component" is tainted by the Denon.  Even the Bose sounded amazing with my old Onkyo TX-DS 747.  Was not a bad receiver.  But, it still lacked the power to really push my Polk's to their potential.

Here is what I want to do.  Start with an Emotiva Pre-amp Processor and add an Emotiva XPA-7.  However, due to funds, I am considering starting with the XPA-2 and adding the other five channels to it at a later date.  I am told this is still possible, but I worry that it won't be possible in the near future. 

My big question is since the XMC-1 is rarely in stock, doesn't qualify for the 20% emobucks toward your next purchase, and could go out in a little over a year, I am considering the MC-700.  I would love to get the balanced outputs, but having never heard the difference, I'm thinking it would be ok.  Can't do the XMC-2 at this point in time.  So, any thoughts on an MC-700 and an XPA amp.  Is it ridiculous to mix them.  Back to the weakest component philosophy.  I know the MC-700 is good and better than just about any receiver.  Not gonna do 9.1.6 or 7.1.4 any time soon.  And I believe my speakers would really take off with the proper electronics.  And love the idea of adding the in-ceiling Emo's.  Maybe 7.1.4 isn't out of reach.

Thanks for listening to me.  And any responses are welcome.  Even harsh critiques.  As I've said before, even flaming is sometimes informative.

Chemical 

[cawgijoe]

I would not be concerned about "mixing" the higher end line with the lower end line of Emotiva products. They will work fine together.

I have never owned an MC-700 so i can't comment on it's performance and stability. I did own the XMC-1 and it was a great product. As to it's future (XMC-1), that's hard to say, but it should work for years to come as long as something doesn't fail.

I believe the XPA amps are going to continue along the modular line, being able to add to them as needs arise. Some one mentioned that it was an easy process to send it back to Emotiva to reconfigure. I don't see this business model changing.

Hopefully someone can comment on the performance, use, and reliability of the MC-700.

[yeeeha17]

I would not recommend getting the MC-700 if you thought the Denon was schitt. You will be dissatisfied with it. Read the reviews on it there’s to many handshake problems. It was a headache to get it to work. I just got an XMC-2 and afraid to install it in right now since we have been watching a lot of movies during this holiday season. I’ll probably hook it up after Xmas since I don’t want the headaches if it doesn’t play nicely with my other gears.

[doc1963]

No “flaming” intended, but you’re kinda all over the map with what you want to do. You’ve also mentioned that you’re using Bose and Paradigm speakers, but mention later on that your Denon receiver wouldn’t sufficiently drive your “Polks”. Having said that, what exactly are you currently using (or intend upon using) with this new system you’re trying to build…?

Using your own comment of “your system is only as good as its weakest link” (which is very true) and the fact that you’ve already spent thousands of dollars on a system that you hated (and gave away), I’ll give “my” humble opinion as follows…

First, I would not “piecemeal” another system together based upon compromises as you would, again, be heading down the same rabbit hole that you've just climbed out of. If there’s any way that I could afford to do it exactly the way I wanted from the beginning (or at least start myself on the right path), that’s what I would do. If that’s not possible, then the better alternative is to wait until I can. However, there could be some good options that “might" work for you and help you get exactly what you want right now. I’ll explain in closing.

First, I’m not a big fan of the MC-700 and, before you make a $700 commitment, I’d suggest that you read the owners thread and understand its issues and its shortcomings. This product is also likely very close to “end of life”. And if I’m being quite honest, it has never been well supported from its beginning and likely won’t be supported at all once it’s no longer sold. It might bear Emotiva’s name, but I don't believe it's a “home grown” product like the current Gen3 processors are (or the XMC-1 before them).

Also realize that the MC-700 is limited to 7.1 channels (no Atmos). So when you said, “7.1.4 may not be out of reach”, it certainly would be out of reach using this processor. So if that’s a real goal, there’s another $700 investment that no longer works for you (and I would add good luck trying to find a buyer). The XMC-2 may be a stretch for you, but it would definitely be the better option. The XMC-1 is a much better processor too, but again, it’s limited to 7 channels.

Second, as for the amp, yes, any of the Gen3 amps can be reconfigured at any time down the road. In fact, I had my XPA-Five uprgaded to a XPA-Nine. In the end, the cost (minus the shipping expense) was the same as if I’d had purchased the “Nine” to begin with, but the cost of shipping the amp back to Emotiva combined with the time I spent without the amp while it was being upgraded made me wish I had simply bough the “Nine” to begin with. So, take my experience into consideration if you already know what your ultimate goal is going to be.

Having said that, if you know your goal is 7.1.4, then buy an Eleven, not a Seven. The price is EXACTLY the same between them.

I do realize that cost is a factor and there’s a $2100 difference (after the “Holiday” cash is figured in) between what you’re thinking and what I am suggesting, but once you consider the costs of the “stepping stone” approach (and what you might be losing by purchasing “short term" components), it may be worth exploring whether that “stretch” is somehow possible without causing financial instability. Taking yourself broke in the process is simply not worth considering and is not what I’m suggesting.

But… here’s a “fictitious” scenario… make two purchases. First, purchase the XMC-2. Making that purchase first would give you $600 to apply towards an amp. Second, purchase an XPA-11 and apply the store credit that will be immediately issued to you after purchasing the XMC-2. Finance one of these two purchases using the “Affirm” plan that Emotiva offers or use PayPal Credit (6 months same as cash). Pay for the other with the funds that you have available to you now.

Some things are possible with a little creativity as long as it doesn’t pose an undue risk getting there.

Just some food for thought...

[cawgijoe]

Dec 9, 2020 16:50:53 GMT -5 yeeeha17 said:

I would not recommend getting the MC-700 if you thought the Denon was schitt. You will be dissatisfied with it. Read the reviews on it there’s to many handshake problems. It was a headache to get it to work. I just got an XMC-2 and afraid to install it in right now since we have been watching a lot of movies during this holiday season. I’ll probably hook it up after Xmas since I don’t want the headaches if it doesn’t play nicely with my other gears.

I understand not wanting to have something not work with the XMC-2, but I have one and it works great and was easy to set up. Where you will likely have a learning curve is with Dirac.

My suggestion is to connect it when no one but you is home for a few hours and set it up. Don't set up Dirac until after X-Mas. You will still have good sound.

I did this for awhile prior to Dirac coming to the XMC-2.

[cawgijoe]

I agree with Doc.Stay away from the MC-700.

It's hard to spend the money especially if it's not currently available....I've been there many times! I hate paying off equipment over time, but I have done that with a Sony TV years ago where I had a full year to pay it off interest free and that worked. I've also done that quite a few times with cell phones like most of us.

Life is a compromise.

You just need to decide what you want that will make you happy and then figure out the best way for you to get there.

By the way, Doc is excellent at putting thought to paper!