capn
Minor Hero
Posts: 44
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Post by capn on Oct 29, 2021 21:59:09 GMT -5
I've been away from this forum for a long time, but have experienced the less-than-rock-solid firmware of the XMC-1. I'm now considering an upgrade to one of the new ATMOS capable processors and am curious to get opinions on which of these appears to be the most stable currently.
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Post by repeetavx on Oct 29, 2021 23:11:45 GMT -5
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Post by novisnick on Oct 30, 2021 0:19:24 GMT -5
My XMC-1 worked just fine and now I’m enjoying my RMC-1. YMMV
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Post by thezone on Oct 30, 2021 3:37:31 GMT -5
Seems like a moot question imo. For 2 reasons:
1) The underlying processing hardware on all these 3 is the same
2) Unless someone has owned all 3 how would they know?
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Post by AudioHTIT on Oct 30, 2021 5:35:14 GMT -5
Since most of us have only used one of the choices, and may not have read about the others, this may just turn out to be a reflection of which one people bought. As mentioned, theoretically they could be the same. The ratios could actually end up similar to this thread / pole. rmc-xmc-get-help-choosing |
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Post by 405x5 on Oct 30, 2021 7:50:57 GMT -5
I've been away from this forum for a long time, but have experienced the less-than-rock-solid firmware of the XMC-1. I'm now considering an upgrade to one of the new ATMOS capable processors and am curious to get opinions on which of these appears to be the most stable currently. “Rock solid firmware” may very well qualify as the next oxymoron! |
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Post by millst on Oct 31, 2021 13:09:42 GMT -5
As thezone noted, I doubt there is any significant difference between the three. Too similar. Perhaps that could change when there are add-on cards available.
Plus, I think you'd be more concerned with absolute stability, not relative. Something that crashes every 5 minutes is more stable than something that crashes every 10 minutes...
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capn
Minor Hero
Posts: 44
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Post by capn on Oct 31, 2021 21:01:50 GMT -5
As thezone noted, I doubt there is any significant difference between the three. Too similar. Perhaps that could change when there are add-on cards available. Plus, I think you'd be more concerned with absolute stability, not relative. Something that crashes every 5 minutes is more stable than something that crashes every 10 minutes... Good point. However, since I initially posted this poll, I've stumbled upon the reviews of the XMC-2 and RMC-1 on the Audio Science Review site. Now I've got audio performance concerns on top of stability concerns; maybe I'd just better hang on to my XMC-1; I'm at least used to its quirks. |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on Nov 1, 2021 9:23:02 GMT -5
Errrr..... something that crashes every five minutes is LESS stable than something that crashes every ten minutes...  However, unfortunately, many things, including processors, may act very differently, depending on how you operate them, and what they're connected to.
(So, in almost every case, YMMV.) As thezone noted, I doubt there is any significant difference between the three. Too similar. Perhaps that could change when there are add-on cards available. Plus, I think you'd be more concerned with absolute stability, not relative. Something that crashes every 5 minutes is more stable than something that crashes every 10 minutes... Good point. However, since I initially posted this poll, I've stumbled upon the reviews of the XMC-2 and RMC-1 on the Audio Science Review site. Now I've got audio performance concerns on top of stability concerns; maybe I'd just better hang on to my XMC-1; I'm at least used to its quirks. |
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Post by routlaw on Nov 1, 2021 11:01:59 GMT -5
Good point. However, since I initially posted this poll, I've stumbled upon the reviews of the XMC-2 and RMC-1 on the Audio Science Review site. Now I've got audio performance concerns on top of stability concerns; maybe I'd just better hang on to my XMC-1; I'm at least used to its quirks. Your choice of course, but I can tell you flat out the newer processors blow the doors off the older XMC-1 for sound quality which I traded in for the RMC-1L. Its not even close, at least in my system. I personally do not pay much attention to ASR, but this has been discussed to death on this forum. Regarding stability, on occasion my XMC-1 would hiccup or even lockup which would require a reboot and likewise the RMC-1L will occasionally do the same though its not constant and not enough to get my bloomers twisted. Processors are complex devices driven by computer software. Computers have hiccups too, all of them. Good luck |
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Post by 405x5 on Nov 1, 2021 11:19:49 GMT -5
“I can tell you flat out the newer processors blow the doors off the older XMC-1 for sound quality which I traded in for the RMC-1L. Its not even close, at least in my system.” I would be interested in hearing from others (who’ve had both) if the difference in audio quality is as extreme as you suggest |
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cawgijoe
Emo VIPs 
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it." - Yogi Berra
Posts: 5,033
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Post by cawgijoe on Nov 1, 2021 11:37:01 GMT -5
Having owned both an XMC-1 and now XMC-2, I would have to says that the XMC-2 does sound better overall, but I don't feel it's extreme. Just my .02. I chose XMC-2 in the poll just because I own one, but I would also think since they are on the same platform, they would all perform the same in terms of stability,the choice would be made on features, display, and expandability to name a few. |
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Post by routlaw on Nov 1, 2021 12:02:20 GMT -5
FWIW, I was referring not only to soundtracks for HT, but also using the RMC-1L as a music source. It sounds considerably more dynamic, transparent and lively compared to the XMC-1 which to me always possessed a more rolled off and blunt presentation for lack of a better term. When using just the pre-amp section alone the difference is quite noticeable in Reference Stereo. Add the AKM DAC to the mix and things move up another notch compared to the XMC-1.
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Post by 405x5 on Nov 1, 2021 12:21:02 GMT -5
FWIW, I was referring not only to soundtracks for HT, but also using the RMC-1L as a music source. It sounds considerably more dynamic, transparent and lively compared to the XMC-1 which to me always possessed a more rolled off and blunt presentation for lack of a better term. When using just the pre-amp section alone the difference is quite noticeable in Reference Stereo. Add the AKM DAC to the mix and things move up another notch compared to the XMC-1. This is good additional info. (From you both) but leaves me in a quandary about advancing the XMC audio without buying into an Atmos based processor 😞 |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Nov 1, 2021 12:37:06 GMT -5
As thezone noted, I doubt there is any significant difference between the three. Too similar. Perhaps that could change when there are add-on cards available. Plus, I think you'd be more concerned with absolute stability, not relative. Something that crashes every 5 minutes is more stable than something that crashes every 10 minutes... Good point. However, since I initially posted this poll, I've stumbled upon the reviews of the XMC-2 and RMC-1 on the Audio Science Review site. Now I've got audio performance concerns on top of stability concerns; maybe I'd just better hang on to my XMC-1; I'm at least used to its quirks. If you have no use for the additional features and channels in the G3P (RMC/XMC-2) then sticking with the XMC-1 is a great option. Notable things you miss out on are: a new 5 year warranty, the DSU & DTS Neural:X upmixers, newer DACs, and the potential for growth or system change in the future (including things like HDMI 2.1 which as far as I know may not come to the XMC-1). I would also venture the opinion that any newer processor used in a less demanding (lower channel count / less complex audio modes) would be as stable as the XMC-1. As for ASR, I think they add value to the conversation, but shouldn’t be considered an end all source for making decisions. |
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Post by millst on Nov 1, 2021 12:48:26 GMT -5
Errrr..... something that crashes every five minutes is LESS stable than something that crashes every ten minutes... However, unfortunately, many things, including processors, may act very differently, depending on how you operate them, and what they're connected to.
(So, in almost every case, YMMV.) Good point. However, since I initially posted this poll, I've stumbled upon the reviews of the XMC-2 and RMC-1 on the Audio Science Review site. Now I've got audio performance concerns on top of stability concerns; maybe I'd just better hang on to my XMC-1; I'm at least used to its quirks. Oops, got my mixes worded up. Point stands. |
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Post by Gary Cook on Nov 1, 2021 14:52:35 GMT -5
The answer is "it depends", mostly on what gear you are connecting to it. For example my XMC-1 was rock solid almost from day 1, with a 2016 Samsung 4K TV, cable box, Apple TV4K and a Sony BD & SACD player with the sources connected via very short high speed HDMI cables. I recently upgraded the TV to a 2021 Samsung 4K 95 series with the external connection box and nothing works anymore via HDMI except the Sony BD player as it has separate audio and video HDMI outputs. I have had to resort to toslink for the cable box and Apple TV, with the result that lip synch is very annoying and it changes depending on the source material, mono, stereo or DD5.1.
I am just about to do the update via trade in to an XMC-2, hopefully that will be more compatible with the Samsung TV.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by routlaw on Nov 1, 2021 17:44:47 GMT -5
This is good additional info. (From you both) but leaves me in a quandary about advancing the XMC audio without buying into an Atmos based processor 😞 Good feedback from AudioHTIT below, makes some good points. FWIW I did not upgrade just for Atmos, or at least the mega channel issue of ceiling object oriented channels and most likely never will. Don't have the space for the amps or the additional speakers. However the added value of new warranty, updated audio codecs, updated video passthrough codecs (HDIMI 2.1) not to mention improved sound both for movies and HT soundtracks made this a compelling move. Its also allowing me to reduce some black boxes and simply as well as better integrated passthrough to my new Epson 5050 projector with genuine artificially simulated 4K.  Its actually quite good much better than one might imagine for pixel shifting, but that's another conversation. Worth noting too, before making this move I asked in the forum about the difference in sound quality with the newer processors and at that time the consensus was noticeably better sound compared to the XMC-1. I concur with those statements too. |
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Post by cwt on Nov 2, 2021 1:40:08 GMT -5
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Post by Gary Cook on Nov 2, 2021 3:35:51 GMT -5
My XMC-1 is fully factory upgraded. Cheers Gary |
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Its actually quite good much better than one might imagine for pixel shifting, but that's another conversation. 
