Emotiva XMC-1 Processor with Dirac Room EQ Review

[everettT]

[QUOTE="yepimonfire, post: I think the loudest peak I've measured at -10dB was 120dB during an explosion involving all 7 channels near max on The Force Awakens.[/QUOTE]
What speakers/sub do you have that hit 120db ?

 

[yepimonfire]

[QUOTE="yepimonfire, post: I think the loudest peak I've measured at -10dB was 120dB during an explosion involving all 7 channels near max on The Force Awakens.

What speakers/sub do you have that hit 120db ?[/QUOTE]
Klipsch R-15m for the fronts and surrounds, Klipsch R-25C for the center, and Klipsch RB-10 for the top middle height. The sub is a Dayton sub 1500.

None of these speakers are capable of 120dB on their own obviously, but if all 7 channels are blaring in unison that can add as much as a 21dB boost. I haven't measured a peak spl on the speakers, but the sub starts running out of xmax after 105dB at a distance of 9 ft.

 

[redale]

RichB,

I realize this is quite a while after your 9/15 review, but I did see that you recently posted here so I presume you look at this thread from time to time.

In your review you discussed 2-channel stereo and comments about listening to CDs through HDMI. Then in your review you reviewed stereo playback of the XMC-1 by comparing the same digital source sent to your Oppo 105, then through HDMI to the XMC-1 and directly to the XMC-1 through its USB digital input.

However, since most of my 2-channel music playing is on physical CDs on my Oppo player (only BDP 83 at this time, but hoping to upgrade soon to the 203 or 205), I was wondering what your comparison would be based on CDs played on your 105 and sent to the XMC-1 by HDMI, coax digital, and balanced analog stereo connections. Also, since I use subwoofers even when playing 2-channel stereo I'm curious if the XMC-1 can do bass management on the analog inputs. If so I would imagine that would require re-digitizing, so am curious how the AD-DA conversion sounds on this pre/pro.

Appreciate any feedback you can provide. Thanks.

 

[RichB]

^
There is the option of using analog sources to the XMC-1 for CD or any other LCPM source. For the XMC-1 to utilize your subs, the analog input must be digitized and that can be done but you would be better served by using a digital source. Still, I would try it for yourself. The standard and XLR inputs can be digitized the 7.1 analog input cannot.

For analog, the Oppo players can do bass management so you would have to user the 7.1 analog inputs into the XMC-1 to utilize your subs. Oppo bass management only has one crossover setting for all speakers including the sub. That setting is also used as a low pass filter for the subwoofer. For 7.1 sources, you may want to stick with 80hz or above to avoid losing upper bass on the .1 channel.

- Rich

 

[redale]

Rich,

Thanks for the quick reply. Based on reading the Oppo 203 and 205 threads in various forums I realized that the only way to maintain analog throughput in 2.1 stereo from the Oppo would be to use the 7.1 Oppo analog outputs (at least in the 205 you could use the "upgraded" stereo ouputs for the FL/FR channels) and have the Oppo do bass management. Of course, this would mean no use of the Dirac processing for subwoofer room correction.

I also realize that everyone's hearing - objective and subjective - is different. But I was still wondering if you personally could tell the difference between or had any perceived SQ preference for Oppo 105 CD 2.1 stereo output into the XMC-1 by HDMI digital, coax digital, or analog with the Oppo doing the crossover (with no Dirac in any of the three cases). Also, for 2.1 stereo speaker reproduction do you think use of Dirac would outweigh any potential sound advantage use of Oppo DAC/analog stage over XMC-1 DAC/analog would provide?

I'm trying to get a feel for the relative sound quality processing of the Oppo DAC/analog stage versus the XMC-1 DAC/analog stage. And the advantage of using Dirac versus any sound quality degradation if may cause. It's not likely that I will ever be able to audition this or any other high end AV pre/pro prior to purchase. And I am not one to buy and return.

Thanks again.

Rob

 

[RichB]

Rich,

Thanks for the quick reply. Based on reading the Oppo 203 and 205 threads in various forums I realized that the only way to maintain analog throughput in 2.1 stereo from the Oppo would be to use the 7.1 Oppo analog outputs (at least in the 205 you could use the "upgraded" stereo ouputs for the FL/FR channels) and have the Oppo do bass management. Of course, this would mean no use of the Dirac processing for subwoofer room correction.

Correct. No Dirac using the 7.1 analog outputs.

I also realize that everyone's hearing - objective and subjective - is different. But I was still wondering if you personally could tell the difference between or had any perceived SQ preference for Oppo 105 CD 2.1 stereo output into the XMC-1 by HDMI digital, coax digital, or analog with the Oppo doing the crossover (with no Dirac in any of the three cases). Also, for 2.1 stereo speaker reproduction do you think use of Dirac would outweigh any potential sound advantage use of Oppo DAC/analog stage over XMC-1 DAC/analog would provide?

I don't do 2.1 for stereo but I do find a difference between the Oppo 205 and HDMI input for LPCM. I have not tried all digital connects lately. I don't have your speakers, your room, and your ears. So, I don't count

I'm trying to get a feel for the relative sound quality processing of the Oppo DAC/analog stage versus the XMC-1 DAC/analog stage. And the advantage of using Dirac versus any sound quality degradation if may cause. It's not likely that I will ever be able to audition this or any other high end AV pre/pro prior to purchase. And I am not one to buy and return.

I have friends who have Oppo 105/205's and an nice amp. They like it just fine
But for versatility with 2.1 the XMC-1 is amazing. Don't rule out PEQ/REW and just equalizing for room modes below <400Hz or so.

- Rich

 

[John Morrison]

I have the XMC-1 and am completely satisfied with the integration into my home theater. It connects to a Parasound 5.1 amplifier.

There is one issue. I have an MX-980 Universal Remote. I downloaded the IR codes specifically for this device (XMC-1 Main). The ability of the MX to control the XMC is inconsistent. Most of the time it does not work. Other times it will respond sporadically. The at times it will work flawlessly. I have not been able to use any Macros referring to the XMC. The remote that came with the unit works perfectly. I spoke with Emotovia and the specialist (who is incredibly intelligent) was not able to understand the problem. He recommended using the codes for the UMC-1 and gave me the conversions for the XMC inputs to the UMC input names. EG DVD on the UMC is Input 1 on the XMC. Setting up a separate button on the MX-980 has resulted in complete control of the XMC and perfect Macro operation. At times I check control of the XMC using the MX-980 button with the XMC-1 IR codes and it continues to be unreliable. Some place on Google I read that the issue might be a conflict with the HDMI-CEC feature. I disabled this and has not made any change to the problem.

Perhaps the XMC-1 is too new that the integration with Universal Remote Control has not been established with user experience.

 

[everettT]

I have the XMC-1 and am completely satisfied with the integration into my home theater. It connects to a Parasound 5.1 amplifier.

There is one issue. I have an MX-980 Universal Remote. I downloaded the IR codes specifically for this device (XMC-1 Main). The ability of the MX to control the XMC is inconsistent. Most of the time it does not work. Other times it will respond sporadically. The at times it will work flawlessly. I have not been able to use any Macros referring to the XMC. The remote that came with the unit works perfectly. I spoke with Emotovia and the specialist (who is incredibly intelligent) was not able to understand the problem. He recommended using the codes for the UMC-1 and gave me the conversions for the XMC inputs to the UMC input names. EG DVD on the UMC is Input 1 on the XMC. Setting up a separate button on the MX-980 has resulted in complete control of the XMC and perfect Macro operation. At times I check control of the XMC using the MX-980 button with the XMC-1 IR codes and it continues to be unreliable. Some place on Google I read that the issue might be a conflict with the HDMI-CEC feature. I disabled this and has not made any change to the problem.

Perhaps the XMC-1 is too new that the integration with Universal Remote Control has not been established with user experience.

Are you using the mx line of site ir, or rf to ir ? Did you setup the remote or an installer. One thing with the macros is there maybe need to be longer pauses between each command, especially if ur line of site ir only.

 

[RichB]

I have the XMC-1 and am completely satisfied with the integration into my home theater. It connects to a Parasound 5.1 amplifier.

There is one issue. I have an MX-980 Universal Remote. I downloaded the IR codes specifically for this device (XMC-1 Main). The ability of the MX to control the XMC is inconsistent. Most of the time it does not work. Other times it will respond sporadically. The at times it will work flawlessly. I have not been able to use any Macros referring to the XMC. The remote that came with the unit works perfectly. I spoke with Emotovia and the specialist (who is incredibly intelligent) was not able to understand the problem. He recommended using the codes for the UMC-1 and gave me the conversions for the XMC inputs to the UMC input names. EG DVD on the UMC is Input 1 on the XMC. Setting up a separate button on the MX-980 has resulted in complete control of the XMC and perfect Macro operation. At times I check control of the XMC using the MX-980 button with the XMC-1 IR codes and it continues to be unreliable. Some place on Google I read that the issue might be a conflict with the HDMI-CEC feature. I disabled this and has not made any change to the problem.

Perhaps the XMC-1 is too new that the integration with Universal Remote Control has not been established with user experience.

I had some difficulty learning the remote codes with the Pronto remote.
If you can use codes, try the codes in this file.

- Rich

 

[PENG]

If you assume that a short sine-sweep at some level is representative of amplifier performance playing music. I would not make that assumption. No-one measures amps this way.

Rich

I am not suggesting anyone to use a short sine sweep or any sweep to represent amp performance playing music at all. I am saying that one can do some of those sweep tests to compare the in room response of speakers using different amps and can see how much difference one can expect. From my own experiments using a $90 mic and free REW, I know the difference between speakers and their placements have far greater effect than between my different amps/preamps/AVR. Expectedly we agreed on something and disagreed on a few other things.

 

[KEW]

I love mine.

Dirac made a noticeable difference in my system. Not huge, but definitely an improvement.

Still a little annoyed at the pops and snaps when it locks on to an audio stream for the first time though. Hopefully they'll get that sorted out with a firmware update.

Did they get this sorted?