MC-1

[doc1963]

Dec 16, 2021 20:22:48 GMT -5 wizardofoz said:

Wait for the bugs to start pouring in as usual I fear…the tonewinner reviews don’t lend much hope in this respect.

The AT-300 thread over on AVS seems to read to the contrary. ToneWinner has been very responsive and very quick at getting firmware updates out to address bugs that have been reported. It seems to be solid and very stable.

The AT-300 owners seem to be very happy with it…

[MusicHead]

I like what I am seeing and reading in the product page. This, plus an A5 amp, might be the successor to my Fusion 8100, the little AVR that could (and still can!)

Will wait for the first few actual user reviews, though 😉.

[cwt]

Dec 16, 2021 12:12:02 GMT -5 leefdalucky said:

hmm to CWT. isn't 4k120 a HDMI 2.1 thing.
The MC1 looks to be HDMI2.0b spec'd, which means that E-Arc would have to work flawlessly, if bypassing video was your plan.

Emotiva, where's my "Upgrade your MC-700 to the MC1" Option on the sales page?
heh.

Thats the idea behind hdmi 2.1 leefdalucky ; it uses its own data channel rather than the terrible cec that ARC uses so theoretically it should be more stable . So anyone with a hdmi2.1 display with all the right specs [vrr allm etc] ; you really have to inspect the fine details these days [ including the a/b/c variants of 2.1 for compressed or uncompressed UHD] to do this bypass properly

Ime interested only for the future as I have a Acurus muse with a 2.1 board . btw ; I think emo would be flooded with trade ins if there was one and then a chorus of '"thats all your paying " These sort of prices its hard to be equitable i suspect unfortunately ..

[Lsc]

Dec 16, 2021 22:42:06 GMT -5 MusicHead said:

I like what I am seeing and reading in the product page. This, plus an A5 amp, might be the successor to my Fusion 8100, the little AVR that could (and still can!)

Will wait for the first few actual user reviews, though 😉.

I was an early adopter with the XMC1 and bought the XMC2 day 1 but I’ll definitely be waiting for reviews on this unit as well.

Emotiva, Does UFL apply to this unit? That would be a significant factor in my decision process too.

[Chris]

I have a suggestion for Emotiva. Please consider producucing an addon product for the MA1. I propose a passive preamp with HT Bypass. Since the MA1 and most "modern" HT type products digitize analog inputs, analog purists are not accomadated. A passive preamp for the MA1 would allow someone to have his cake and eat it too - The best of surround sound and the best of analog two channel. I am now returning to this approach after nearly a year of frustration with the XMC-2 and the balanced analog input volume bug I reported to Emotiva but still has not been addressed. I am in the process of rigging up a CI PLC-1 Passive I have owned for many years but stopped using to allow me to bypass the XMC-2 for my many turntables. I will be driving this with my Gold Note PH-10 into the CI PLC-1 using the balanced 4 vmrs output from the PH-10. I expect it to have more than enough gain to drive my Cherry Class D mutli-channel amp.

The passive preamp would be a quite simple project for Emotiva to build and should not be costly. They may sell a few or many. I also remember that Emotiva sold an outboard multiple input addon for the Stealth DAC. So, they have some history in these types of products.

[doc1963]

Dec 17, 2021 11:14:50 GMT -5 Chris said:

I have a suggestion for Emotiva. Please consider producucing an addon product for the MA1. I propose a passive preamp with HT Bypass. Since the MA1 and most "modern" HT type products digitize analog inputs, analog purists are not accomadated. A passive preamp for the MA1 would allow someone to have his cake and eat it too - The best of surround sound and the best of analog two channel. I am now returning to this approach after nearly a year of frustration with the XMC-2 and the balanced analog input volume bug I reported to Emotiva but still has not been addressed. I am in the process of rigging up a CI PLC-1 Passive I have owned for many years but stopped using to allow me to bypass the XMC-2 for my many turntables. I will be driving this with my Gold Note PH-10 into the CI PLC-1 using the balanced 4 vmrs output from the PH-10. I expect it to have more than enough gain to drive my Cherry Class D mutli-channel amp.

The passive preamp would be a quite simple project for Emotiva to build and should not be costly. They may sell a few or many. I also remember that Emotiva sold an outboard multiple input addon for the Stealth DAC. So, they have some history in these types of products.

What you're suggesting, Emotiva has already done... the XSP-1 analog preamp. While it's currently "discontinued", a replacement (XSP-2) is in the works and will supposedly be available "soon".

I'm guessing it's one of those new products that Dan "can't talk about"...

[2muchht]

Dec 15, 2021 21:56:58 GMT -5 Sayer said:

This looks very nice. It would be interesting to know what DACs are used (Cirrus Logic CS42528 maybe?). Looking forward to the reviews and how people get along with it.

I am often asked for AV advice. It would be great to be able to recommend the MC-1 and BasX amp(s) as an alternative to overpriced and/or under-performing receivers.

Looking elsewhere it does appear that the DAC is the Cirrus'528. A solid part that has been around for years and is used by many manufacturers. We all know the current supply chain issues and the further complication of the fire at AKM last year, but I'm a bit disappointed that they areusing a multichannel DAC rather than discrete stereo DACs, at lest for the front channels. Yes, will be curious to hear how it sounds compared to other $1K products (admitedly these days that would have to be an AVR).

Also surprised that there is neither HDMI 2.1 or HDCP 2.3. eARC is nice to get bitstream out of a streaming app living in the TV, but disappointed that the lack of HDMI 2.1 means that there is no VRR or ALLM.

I guess everyone's ears will tell the sonic story, but the lack of a few features put it in an odd place in the market. Time will tell.

[Chris]

Dec 17, 2021 12:06:56 GMT -5 doc1963 said:

Dec 17, 2021 11:14:50 GMT -5 Chris said:

I have a suggestion for Emotiva. Please consider producucing an addon product for the MA1. I propose a passive preamp with HT Bypass. Since the MA1 and most "modern" HT type products digitize analog inputs, analog purists are not accomadated. A passive preamp for the MA1 would allow someone to have his cake and eat it too - The best of surround sound and the best of analog two channel. I am now returning to this approach after nearly a year of frustration with the XMC-2 and the balanced analog input volume bug I reported to Emotiva but still has not been addressed. I am in the process of rigging up a CI PLC-1 Passive I have owned for many years but stopped using to allow me to bypass the XMC-2 for my many turntables. I will be driving this with my Gold Note PH-10 into the CI PLC-1 using the balanced 4 vmrs output from the PH-10. I expect it to have more than enough gain to drive my Cherry Class D mutli-channel amp.

The passive preamp would be a quite simple project for Emotiva to build and should not be costly. They may sell a few or many. I also remember that Emotiva sold an outboard multiple input addon for the Stealth DAC. So, they have some history in these types of products.

What you're suggesting, Emotiva has already done... the XSP-1 analog preamp. While it's currently "discontinued", a replacement (XSP-2) is in the works and will supposedly be available "soon".

I'm guessing it's one of those new products that Dan "can't talk about"...

I vaguely remember the XSP-1. But it was not passive and is more than what I am asking for. Many credible passive preamps are avaiable for less than $100 but fewer have an HT Bypass - a setting that bypasses the volume control. I have a particularly good one with the Channel Island PLC-1 that has four inputs, two outputs and a jumper that can be set so input four is for the signal coming from the processor (FR, FL) and bypasses the volume control. All other inputs use the volume control. It even has remote control but has no active circuitry in the audio path.

[bolle]

Dec 17, 2021 1:55:38 GMT -5 Lsc said:

Emotiva, Does UFL apply to this unit? That would be a significant factor in my decision process too.

Why shouldn`t it? It is a processor and "UFL" is / was stated quite clearly...

[doc1963]

Dec 17, 2021 17:56:24 GMT -5 Chris said:

Dec 17, 2021 12:06:56 GMT -5 doc1963 said:

What you're suggesting, Emotiva has already done... the XSP-1 analog preamp. While it's currently "discontinued", a replacement (XSP-2) is in the works and will supposedly be available "soon".

I'm guessing it's one of those new products that Dan "can't talk about"...

I vaguely remember the XSP-1. But it was not passive and is more than what I am asking for. Many credible passive preamps are avaiable for less than $100 but fewer have an HT Bypass - a setting that bypasses the volume control. I have a particularly good one with the Channel Island PLC-1 that has four inputs, two outputs and a jumper that can be set so input four is for the signal coming from the processor (FR, FL) and bypasses the volume control. All other inputs use the volume control. It even has remote control but has no active circuitry in the audio path.

While the XSP-1 does have a true “HT Bypass” mode for the L/R and SW channels that fully bypass not only the volume control, but all other circuits (it’s a dedicated “straight through” path), it’s a dedicated 2-channel fully balanced full differential analog preamp.

Being priced at more than 10x the target price you’re quoting, it’s obviously not what you’re looking for… 😁

[AudioHTIT]

Dec 18, 2021 8:09:08 GMT -5 doc1963 said:

Dec 17, 2021 17:56:24 GMT -5 Chris said:

I vaguely remember the XSP-1. But it was not passive and is more than what I am asking for. Many credible passive preamps are avaiable for less than $100 but fewer have an HT Bypass - a setting that bypasses the volume control. I have a particularly good one with the Channel Island PLC-1 that has four inputs, two outputs and a jumper that can be set so input four is for the signal coming from the processor (FR, FL) and bypasses the volume control. All other inputs use the volume control. It even has remote control but has no active circuitry in the audio path.

While the XSP-1 does have a true “HT Bypass” mode for the L/R and SW channels that fully bypass not only the volume control, but all other circuits (it’s a dedicated “straight through” path), it’s a dedicated 2-channel fully balanced full differential analog preamp.

Being priced at more than 10x the target price you’re quoting, it’s obviously not what you’re looking for… 😁

Isn’t there something unique about how the XSP-1 handles subwoofer bypass? I had one and remember being slightly annoyed at how ‘stereo’ subs were handled.

[brutiarti]

Dec 17, 2021 17:56:24 GMT -5 Chris said:

Dec 17, 2021 12:06:56 GMT -5 doc1963 said:

What you're suggesting, Emotiva has already done... the XSP-1 analog preamp. While it's currently "discontinued", a replacement (XSP-2) is in the works and will supposedly be available "soon".

I'm guessing it's one of those new products that Dan "can't talk about"...

I vaguely remember the XSP-1. But it was not passive and is more than what I am asking for. Many credible passive preamps are avaiable for less than $100 but fewer have an HT Bypass - a setting that bypasses the volume control. I have a particularly good one with the Channel Island PLC-1 that has four inputs, two outputs and a jumper that can be set so input four is for the signal coming from the processor (FR, FL) and bypasses the volume control. All other inputs use the volume control. It even has remote control but has no active circuitry in the audio path.

Passive preamps are not for everybody. I have better luck with active. Maybe some can benefit but I’ll doubt that would be a hot seller.

[doc1963]

Dec 18, 2021 8:56:10 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

Dec 18, 2021 8:09:08 GMT -5 doc1963 said:

While the XSP-1 does have a true “HT Bypass” mode for the L/R and SW channels that fully bypass not only the volume control, but all other circuits (it’s a dedicated “straight through” path), it’s a dedicated 2-channel fully balanced full differential analog preamp.

Being priced at more than 10x the target price you’re quoting, it’s obviously not what you’re looking for… 😁

Isn’t there something unique about how the XSP-1 handles subwoofer bypass? I had one and remember being slightly annoyed at how ‘stereo’ subs were handled.

The XSP-1 only has one subwoofer input for HT Bypass, but yet supports two independent subwoofers at its own outputs. So, in hindsight, there should have also been two subwoofer inputs for HT Bypass to keep the input paths parallel to the output paths so that you can still calibrate two subwoofers, independently, from their own HT processors.

That’s why I chose to use (or was forced into using) a MiniDSP and REW to align and calibrate my subwoofers downstream using a single summed signal coming out from my XSP-1.

Hopefully, this afterthought will be corrected on the XSP-2…

[garbulky]

Dec 18, 2021 9:04:31 GMT -5 brutiarti said:

Dec 17, 2021 17:56:24 GMT -5 Chris said:

I vaguely remember the XSP-1. But it was not passive and is more than what I am asking for. Many credible passive preamps are avaiable for less than $100 but fewer have an HT Bypass - a setting that bypasses the volume control. I have a particularly good one with the Channel Island PLC-1 that has four inputs, two outputs and a jumper that can be set so input four is for the signal coming from the processor (FR, FL) and bypasses the volume control. All other inputs use the volume control. It even has remote control but has no active circuitry in the audio path.

Passive preamps are not for everybody. I have better luck with active. Maybe some can benefit but I’ll doubt that would be a hot seller.

That's what I was thinking... passives are unfamiliar territory for most. Plus with the XSP-2 you can give Emotiva 10X your money. Sounds like solid business sense.

[audiosyndrome]

Can someone remind me which bitstreams ARC and eARC can pass. Thanks.

Russ

[Lsc]

Dec 18, 2021 4:41:06 GMT -5 bolle said:

Dec 17, 2021 1:55:38 GMT -5 Lsc said:

Emotiva, Does UFL apply to this unit? That would be a significant factor in my decision process too.

Why shouldn`t it? It is a processor and "UFL" is / was stated quite clearly...

I agree that it should and that probably means there is a good chance I will get one. The Emo-Q vs Dirac is the sticking point.

[doc1963]

Dec 18, 2021 13:44:53 GMT -5 audiosyndrome said:

Can someone remind me which bitstreams ARC and eARC can pass. Thanks.

Russ

Traditional HDMI-ARC can bitstream lower bandwidth (compressed) formats up to Dolby Digital Plus. Atmos is also supported within a DD+ transport.

eARC is “full bandwidth” and can pass every format currently available. However, if you own a 2020 or newer LG or Samsung television, eARC cannot decode or pass through any DTS format. On those displays, the full potential of eARC has been royally screwed.

[quiller]

Any chance Emotiva will release a pre-pro with fewer than 13.2 channels—soon?

My UMC-200 finally died. I’m at 5.1 for the foreseeable future. The UMC-200 was perfect for me.

Isn’t there still a market for small house/townhome/apartment HT enthusiasts who like to run separates?

Using a cheap Sony in the meantime. It’s terrible. :-(

JP

[AudioHTIT]

Dec 19, 2021 13:37:06 GMT -5 quiller said:

Any chance Emotiva will release a pre-pro with fewer than 13.2 channels—soon?

My UMC-200 finally died. I’m at 5.1 for the foreseeable future. The UMC-200 was perfect for me.

Isn’t there still a market for small house/townhome/apartment HT enthusiasts who like to run separates?

Using a cheap Sony in the meantime. It’s terrible. :-(

JP

I think the likelihood of another processor of any type ‘soon’ is very low (non-existent?). While there may be a market for processors without Atmos, I think most who are looking to save money by purchasing fewer channels would probably buy an AVR. I’d doubt that creating a separate product for that market would be profitable for Emotiva.

[MusicHead]

Dec 19, 2021 13:37:06 GMT -5 quiller said:

Any chance Emotiva will release a pre-pro with fewer than 13.2 channels—soon?

My UMC-200 finally died. I’m at 5.1 for the foreseeable future. The UMC-200 was perfect for me.

Isn’t there still a market for small house/townhome/apartment HT enthusiasts who like to run separates?

Using a cheap Sony in the meantime. It’s terrible. :-(

JP

That was the Emotiva MC-700, although a 7.1 not 5.1, now gone for good. If you can put up with its limitations (plenty to be found about the MC-700 on this forum), a used one might be available.

Otherwise, I concur that for a "basic" 5.1 system an AVR is likely the most cost effective dollar per watt option.

However, considering the cost of a MC-1 + A5, even that channels surplus on the preamp is not a bad deal after all.

I am on the same boat, by the way. I have neither the interest nor the space to go beyond 5.1. Right now I am happy as a clam with my humble Fusion 8100. The additional power headroom of using only 5 of its 7 channel, the relief provided by my Rythmik L12 sub under 80Hz and a pair of 90dB+ sensitivity main speakers does not leave me wanting for power in my 18×13x8 room.

However, the MC-1 + A5 is an intriguing upgrade path to separates for basically the same price (or less) of an AVR at least close to the same capabilities.