Emotiva or Anthem?

[Frequency!]

I am in the market for a pre-amp that will not only do well for a home entertainment unit but will also hit the mark when listening to audio only. I have narrowed it down to the two manufactures above. I have had experience with the Anthem D2V units which are excellent in all facets however with this comes a high premium. Emotiva has their XMC-1 which is a fraction of the price, is manufactured here in the good ole' USA and comes with some high regards, build quality, warranty, etc. Any of you have experience with Emotiva products which would sway my decision to purchasing one of their projects?

 

[j_garcia]

I've heard the XMC-1 with DIRAC and if I were looking at a pre in its price range, I'd not hesitate to pick one up. MC700 is doing well for me right now, but it lacks some things that I'd like and may end up considering a XMC this year.

 

[rnatalli]

I like the Anthem for ease of setup, but if tweakability is your thing, go with the Emotiva and Dirac.

 

[PENG]

From my own experience using the same HT system for music is too much of a compromise for audiophiles, but of course as they say, ymmv. If for HT only, I wouldn't bother with Anthem or Emotiva at all after experiencing going from an AVR to two separate systems, including the ex Marantz flag ship prepro, and a few power amps including Anthem's. For movies and live concerts, it isn't hard to reach the point of diminishing return, diminishing to the point they do sort of sound the same.. That point would be the likes of AVR-X4300H, Yamaha RX-V2060, Anthem MRX-720, SR7011 etc., as prepro and surround channel amps, plus a 2/3 channel power amp.

If it has to be between the two brands you listed, I would go with the Emo, assuming it costs much less. If you are prone to hearing what golden ears hear then go with the Anthem.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The salient difference among any processor is the EQ features.

Audyssey Dynamic EQ is salient to me in producing the mid-bass boost for my subs, not the actual Audyssey Room EQ itself.

To others, it is actual Room EQ itself that is salient - Audyssey, ARC, DIRAC, etc.

So what's salient to you?

If none of the above, then go with the much less expensive unit since in Direct modes (bypass all EQ), they all sound significantly similar - AVRs and separates.

 

[j_garcia]

The sound difference with the DIRAC on vs. off was very noticeable when I heard it in a very uncontrolled expo room. It really works, but it still wasn't enough to get me to drop the cash on it. IMO, the MC700 is nice, but I think I might have been better off with an AVR.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...I think I might have been better off with an AVR...

I think some of us are thinking that, except the OP is set on these 2.

 

[PENG]

The sound difference with the DIRAC on vs. off was very noticeable when I heard it in a very uncontrolled expo room. It really works, but it still wasn't enough to get me to drop the cash on it. IMO, the MC700 is nice, but I think I might have been better off with an AVR.

So obviously the XMC-1, should be even nicer.