Emotiva XMC-1 $2k, no possibility for Atmos/Auro

[Soundenator]

I read somewhere else online about the XMC-1 having no Atmos/Auro. The product is modular. Does that mean the connections on the back can be changed to make for a 7.2.4 setup in Atmos or something similar in Auro or is this preamp pretty much a waste of money for people really into home theater?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, I wouldn't buy it. I would buy a Denon AVR instead. But there are Emotiva fans who don't think it's a waste of money.

 

[gene]

I read somewhere else online about the XMC-1 having no Atmos/Auro. The product is modular. Does that mean the connections on the back can be changed to make for a 7.2.4 setup in Atmos or something similar in Auro or is this preamp pretty much a waste of money for people really into home theater?

I'm really into home theater and yet I have no receiver or processor that supports Atmos in any of my three theater rooms. The tech is so immature at this point. Give it a few years. I'm sure Emotiva and others will offer upgrade paths if and when Auro/Atmos/DTS??? formats catch on.

 

[Soundenator]

I get that it's new, but they promised a modular architecture and it's a brand new product, but it seems like the 7.2 outputs aren't modular. They're hard wireD, so how would they upgrade to Atmos or Auro?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I get that it's new, but they promised a modular architecture and it's a brand new product, but it seems like the 7.2 outputs aren't modular. They're hard wireD, so how would they upgrade to Atmos or Auro?

Promises, promises, right?

Like Gene says, it would be prudent to wait another year and see how everything lands. Even if it were "modular", you would have to ship the thing back to the manufacturer. Let them iron out all the kinks and kill any bugs along the way.

Then you can buy the finished polished product, probably even at a cheaper price.

If you absolutely have to buy now, then buy a product that already has what you want, not the "promise" that you could someday upgrade.

 

[slipperybidness]

I'm really into home theater and yet I have no receiver or processor that supports Atmos in any of my three theater rooms. The tech is so immature at this point. Give it a few years. I'm sure Emotiva and others will offer upgrade paths if and when Auro/Atmos/DTS??? formats catch on.

+1

When I first purchased a 7.1 receiver, it was a similar situation. Very little true 7.1 content on the market for a long time. Now that much more 7.1 is available, I learned that 5.1 is better for my needs.

Atmos isn't even on my radar. More speakers, more complex setup and tuning, and the tech is unproven for HT.

 

[Steve81]

but they promised a modular architecture and it's a brand new product

It's not exactly a brand new product... The original AH preview for the thing is nearly three years old:
http://www.audioholics.com/av-preamp-processor-reviews/emotiva-xmc-1-pre
Given the apparent setbacks in the XMC-1's release, I don't think Emotiva was in a position to re-design it for Atmos/Auro-3D, lest it be delayed further.

As for Emotiva's Atmos plans, your best source of information would be to shoot them an e-mail. IIRC they're signed on as a company that has pledged to put out Atmos products, so presumably something is in the pipe.

 

[TheWarrior]

To be frank, I sincerely hope Emotiva does not jump on that bandwagon. There is simply no benefit to be found from Atmos. Why buy two speakers, for L and R each, when you could just buy one quality speaker and have a clearer sound stage, and not worry about delay between the direct radiating front speakers, and the time it takes to bounce sound off the wall for the 'height' channels. This hobby is already incredibly complicated, why make it worse, especially for people who just want to have a good stereo in their home, and maybe ditch commercial theaters.

When marketing goes too far...

 

[Cos]

My first experience with Modular Pre/Pros was my Anthem AVM 30, which really wasn't all that modular. $1500.00 to upgrade to the AVM 50 (Hdmi 1.1) then had to get a new system to get AVM 50v w/arc. Modular never seems to work right.

With Emotiva, I was really interested in the XMC-1, but seeing how Emotiva delayed the heck out of it, didn't have all the features ready out of the box, and never even sent me my email to know that my pre-order came up, I am going to avoid them like the plague.

Marantz AV8802 or possibly the Denon 7200 will be my next pre / pro or receiver as long as its full blown HDCP 2.2 4:4:4

 

[Cos]

My first experience with Modular Pre/Pros was my Anthem AVM 30, which really wasn't all that modular. $1500.00 to upgrade to the AVM 50 (Hdmi 1.1) then had to get a new system to get AVM 50v w/arc. Modular never seems to work right.

With Emotiva, I was really interested in the XMC-1, but seeing how Emotiva delayed the heck out of it, didn't have all the features ready out of the box, and never even sent me my email to know that my pre-order came up, I am going to avoid them like the plague.

Marantz AV8802 or possibly the Denon 7200 will be my next pre / pro or receiver as long as its full blown HDCP 2.2 4:4:4

As for Dolby Atmos, I could definitely hear the benefits when I was at a GE Dealer in Mokena IL who had a large HT room setup with GE Atmos, it definitely was very cool.

 

[Eric Julien]

I'm new to this forum and searched for this thread, but couldn't find it. I'm replacing my 16 year old Denon receiver with separates. Emotiva XMC-1 vs. Anthem AVM 60? If anyone has experience with these two pre/pros please let me know. Thank you!!!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm new to this forum and searched for this thread, but couldn't find it. I'm replacing my 16 year old Denon receiver with separates. Emotiva XMC-1 vs. Anthem AVM 60? If anyone has experience with these two pre/pros please let me know. Thank you!!!

Emotiva vs Anthem? That's easy. Anthem all the way.

Anthem or Marantz pre-pro would be my take.

 

[lsiberian]

You could also get a receiver with pre-outs. I've found they are often much cheaper than the pre-pros even with fairly equivalent features.