Upgrade program

[ssimon]

Last year, Emotiva offered an upgrade program to upgrade from XMC-1 to RMC-1/1L. The upgrade window closed before I could avail of it and I got an email that it will be re-introduced in early 2023.  However, I haven't seen anything of the kind yet.  Is there a way to upgrade or is anything planned to be offered?  Had my first Emotiva UMC-1, XPA-5 and ERT/ERM/ERD speakers from 2008*2009 and looking to upgrade now/continue with Emotiva.  Thanks

[AudioHTIT]

Jun 21, 2023 16:55:54 GMT -5 ssimon said:

Last year, Emotiva offered an emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/60185/xmc-rmc-processors-next-generationupgrade program to upgrade from XMC-1 to RMC-1/1L. The upgrade window closed before I could avail of it and I got an email that it will be re-introduced in early 2023.  However, I haven't seen anything of the kind yet.  Is there a way to upgrade or is anything planned to be offered?  Had my first Emotiva UMC-1, XPA-5 and ERT/ERM/ERD speakers from 2008*2009 and looking to upgrade now/continue with Emotiva.  Thanks

The “G4P / +” upgrade / trade in is discussed in the link below, there’s also a FAQ on the first or second post. It’s hopefully scheduled for later this year, but I’ve not heard about the XMC-1 being included.

Edit: Oops, guess I forgot the link ...

xmc-rmc-processors-next-generation

[ssimon]

Thanks for the link.  Sucks the XMC-1 is not included.  But well, good motivation to go looking at Marantz, Monoprice and others if I have to shell out for a new unit.

[creimes]

Jun 28, 2023 7:19:31 GMT -5 ssimon said:

Thanks for the link.  Sucks the XMC-1 is not included.  But well, good motivation to go looking at Marantz, Monoprice and others if I have to shell out for a new unit.

If you want to sacrifice SQ sure get a Marantz haha, the Monoprice I haven't heard so can't comment but alas they are expensive as well, 2ch use is high priority for me in my multi use system.

[AudioHTIT]

Jun 28, 2023 7:19:31 GMT -5 ssimon said:

Thanks for the link.  Sucks the XMC-1 is not included.  But well, good motivation to go looking at Marantz, Monoprice and others if I have to shell out for a new unit.

I want to say they gave a year and a half to upgrade from the XMC-1 to XMC-2, which seems pretty fair. I think the gist of the upgrade programs is to go from one generation to the next: G1P (UMC-1) to G2P (XMC-1), G2P to G3P (XMC-2), G3P to G4P (XMC-2+). So you would be skipping a generation which is why the XMC-1 doesn’t qualify, understandably disappointing, but in my mind not unfair.

[garbulky]

The upgrade program was designed where you could go from an ancient video processor to the most recent one regardless of generation or processor line. All that mattered is that the processor was eligible. The UMC-1 generation was UMC-1, UMC-200, and then MX-700. If I'm not mistaken the spiritual predecessor to the XMC-1 was something like a DMC-1. But unofficially I think it was the sherbourn 7030.
www.audioholics.com/av-preamp-processor-reviews/sherbourn-pt-7030-surround-processor

[geebo]

Jun 29, 2023 8:33:56 GMT -5 garbulky said:

The upgrade program was designed where you could go from an ancient video processor to the most recent one regardless of generation or processor line. All that mattered is that the processor was eligible. The UMC-1 generation was UMC-1, UMC-200, and then MX-700. If I'm not mistaken the spiritual predecessor to the XMC-1 was something like a DMC-1. But unofficially I think it was the sherbourn 7030.
www.audioholics.com/av-preamp-processor-reviews/sherbourn-pt-7030-surround-processor

They're talking about the trade-up program that gave customers the opportunity to trade in their XMC-1 towards the purchase of a Gen3 processor. Something like $700 to send your Gen2 in and get an XMC-2 in exchange. That's not the same as the Upgrade For Life that some of us have or the 40% discount cards that some got by purchasing the earlier processors.

[AudioHTIT]

Jun 29, 2023 8:33:56 GMT -5 garbulky said:

The upgrade program was designed where you could go from an ancient video processor to the most recent one regardless of generation or processor line. All that mattered is that the processor was eligible. The UMC-1 generation was UMC-1, UMC-200, and then MX-700. If I'm not mistaken the spiritual predecessor to the XMC-1 was something like a DMC-1. But unofficially I think it was the sherbourn 7030.
www.audioholics.com/av-preamp-processor-reviews/sherbourn-pt-7030-surround-processor

So I guess we need to distinguish the programs that Emotiva has offered:

* The first program I was aware of was the 40% off (blue) card, I and many others got one when we purchased the UMC-1, but it may have also come with the DMC-1. The Language on the card stated something to the affect that you could use the card for a 40% discount on a next generation processor, which at the time was the XMC-1, though they also accepted it for the XMC-2, RMC-1L, & RMC-1 (G3P). These cards were good until 1/1/2021 when they ended the program.

* The second program I know of (referred to in the garbulky’s link), was the 25% off “Upgrade for Life” discount (UFL). To join that ‘club’ you bought a ‘qualifying processor’, at the time that was the Sherbourn 7030, but they later expanded/clarified it to include all original owners of any previous processor, and even the Sherbourn and Emotiva receivers. This program allowed the member to get a 25% discount on future purchases of processors, with limitations on quantities. That program stoped taking new members on April 30th 2015, but existing members continue to have that discount available until (in Dan’s words) “they end or we do”. As I remember the XMC-1 was released in mid-2014 so early adopters would also be in UFL? (maybe that includes the OP)

* Then there were some ‘Trade in” programs, the first I remember was to trade in your XMC-1 on an XMC-2 or other G3P, my memories are vague here on exact amount offered, but they seemed to be similar to the proposed G4P upgrade. There were also some “bring us your tired …” where you could trade in anything with an HDMI input toward a G3P, again don’t remember the amounts. 

* Then of course there is the latest G4P upgrade linked above. 

So I don’t think there’s a one size fits all statement that can be made about the upgrade program, though it does seem they’ve come up with several ways to try and keep your business, but eventually all the programs come to an end. 

Here are some links I found, I may add more:

Big Dan Clairifies UFL

Jessica Clarifies UFL

xmc-rmc-processors-next-generation

Disclaimer: I am not an Emotiva spokesperson (nor do I play one on TV), the statements above are mostly from my memory, with support from various googled searches. I’m also at 11+ years in the Lounge, a newbie when compared to some of the Emotiva ‘old timers’ here who may have a more historical perspective, those with more exacting memories or information are welcome to correct me.

Edit: It took me so long to write this that geebo beat me by an hour!

[garbulky]

Sorry I was mistaken. I was thinking of the 40% off card