louco73 Posted October 18, 2015 Posted October 18, 2015 Seriously, go and set up Dirac! I hadn't done it until last night, but the results are fantastic with much better clarity and an enveloping sound bubble. I haven't been able to blast some music yet, but I'll try and check out my normal test tracks soon to see how the bass is with it on and off. It's so easy to move between your own settings (mine were just with manual distances and levels from a smart phone sound meter app), that comparisons are quite easy to make. I'm having a problem with my HTPC (Linux Mint) losing the HDMI audio output, but a reboot fixes it. I'm not sure if that is a problem with Linux or this particular combination of XMC-1 and my HTPC. I'll dig into that later.
jag69 Posted October 18, 2015 Posted October 18, 2015 I'm in the Dirac.....can't do camp......no pc, so I hope a kind soul will help me out !!!!
louco73 Posted October 18, 2015 Posted October 18, 2015 There is a Mac version too, or you don't have any Windows/OSX device?
louco73 Posted October 18, 2015 Posted October 18, 2015 Hopefully Paul or someone else can help. I'm going to be on the road with work for a month, so I'm not of much help. If you are still in need of help I can bring my laptop over after I get back on Nov 23.
jag69 Posted October 19, 2015 Posted October 19, 2015 That will be great.....If I don't get help by then....Thnks
wizardofoz Posted October 19, 2015 Author Posted October 19, 2015 Seems to be a few people reporting sudden shut downs when using pass thru video... Not sure exactly but if you have any issues doe report them here http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/44340/xmc-1-firmware-3-experiences?page=8
wizardofoz Posted October 23, 2015 Author Posted October 23, 2015 A new firmware is out for the remote multi command shutdown fix For the desperate. suggest you install this asap if you have any issues with your remotes (non xmc-1 ones) shutting down the xmc-1 when is standby or during use perhaps too.
yanwei Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 Hi guys, I'm thinking of upgrading my umc-1 to the xmc-1 since there's holiday sale now and I still have that eclub discount (no 40% card unfortunately). The specs state 30lbs shipping weight and I was wondering if I should let emotiva do the shipping or look for more affordable shippers. I seem to recall there was someone in the forums that was highly recommended but I cannot remember who exactly. Can someone help point me in the right direction? EDIT: Recalled Peter's name after I posted and have PMed him. Also, I play my movies through a htpc ---hdmi---> umc-1 and sometimes the umc-1 doesn't play any audio at all, I have to use spotify (on the htpc) to "prime" the umc-1, once music is playing, close spotify and then open the mkv file. Does the xmc-1 have this trouble or have emotiva fixed it?
louco73 Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 I had some trouble with the XMC-1 and HDMI sound with my HTPC. I'm running Linux though. Anyway, I think after upgrading to the latest firmware it is not an issue now, but I have been travelling so much I haven't used the HTPC in a while. I'll try and remember to test it when I turn on the system next.
wizardofoz Posted December 1, 2015 Author Posted December 1, 2015 I've not had any issues so far with 2 generations of MacMini HDMI or a MBP HDMI output. Either for Windows Bootcamped or VM'd or native OSX PC hardware comes in so many varieties and output settings its a minefield of complexity I am guessing.
yanwei Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 Bro wiz and louco, thanks for your replies. Thats what I was afraid. My umc-1 exhibits the kind of silly behaviours from time to time and it is annoying. To think that a simple denon avr works more flawlessly. :-\ I have to admit though, I'm using potplayer and have to configure quite a number of settings just to get the pc to passthrough dts or dd instead of a loud buzz noise, so it might be the pc part. I googled and found that the issue is bypassed via using individual rca cables for each channel, but thats such a hassle since theres hdmi. Anyway, does anyone have any buyers remorse on the xmc-1 and wished they had gotten a similarly priced avr (pioneer, onkyo, denon etc)? Is there any other good alternatives that provide a big audio improvement over a umc-1 and still makes use of the xpa-5 as a separates ht setup? Or should I keep waiting till Emo releases a prepro that does atmos/dtsx too? The reason I'm itching for a upgrade is that I had a friend come over for a ht demo and he remarked that the midrange is not strong and the emotions from the actors are not conveyed clearly enough. (for eg, in FURY, when Brad Pitt shouts at the other tank to move to the side as there were soldiers lying in their path). From the Emo forums, others have remarked that the center speaker sounds clearer (as if a veil was lifted) after they upgraded to xmc-1 from umc-1. My temporary solution is that I tried doing changing the eq settings a bit to bring up the mids but I would prefer a more hassle free solution (like letting dirac or xt32 if other brands avr do it for me) because emoq seems not to work properly. Sorry for the super long post. :-[
louco73 Posted December 2, 2015 Posted December 2, 2015 That's not a long post :). If you don't mind coming to Siglap I can give you a demo. I'm in India next week, but I leave on Monday, so I have the weekend available. If you live close by you can come over at night. Drop me a PM for details if interested. Absolutely no buyer's remorse. It's awesome :).
Guest durianlover88 Posted December 2, 2015 Posted December 2, 2015 Woohoo is how I would say it.....very different from mainstream AVR...especially SQ :)
wizardofoz Posted December 2, 2015 Author Posted December 2, 2015 I had buyers remorse :( that I couldn't get 2 with my 40% card... 8) but the 2nd xmc-1 I got was at the old 1999 price with %25 off. If you are first owner of the umc-1 from new you can get %25 off the full price so might still save a bit more. I love both of mine. And the umc-1 I have still runs ok...I did use with HTPC at one stage and don't recall any major issues via HDMI, but that was years ago now.
Bongteo Posted December 2, 2015 Posted December 2, 2015 Bro wiz and louco, thanks for your replies. Thats what I was afraid. My umc-1 exhibits the kind of silly behaviours from time to time and it is annoying. To think that a simple denon avr works more flawlessly. :-\ I have to admit though, I'm using potplayer and have to configure quite a number of settings just to get the pc to passthrough dts or dd instead of a loud buzz noise, so it might be the pc part. I googled and found that the issue is bypassed via using individual rca cables for each channel, but thats such a hassle since theres hdmi. Anyway, does anyone have any buyers remorse on the xmc-1 and wished they had gotten a similarly priced avr (pioneer, onkyo, denon etc)? Is there any other good alternatives that provide a big audio improvement over a umc-1 and still makes use of the xpa-5 as a separates ht setup? Or should I keep waiting till Emo releases a prepro that does atmos/dtsx too? The reason I'm itching for a upgrade is that I had a friend come over for a ht demo and he remarked that the midrange is not strong and the emotions from the actors are not conveyed clearly enough. (for eg, in FURY, when Brad Pitt shouts at the other tank to move to the side as there were soldiers lying in their path). From the Emo forums, others have remarked that the center speaker sounds clearer (as if a veil was lifted) after they upgraded to xmc-1 from umc-1. My temporary solution is that I tried doing changing the eq settings a bit to bring up the mids but I would prefer a more hassle free solution (like letting dirac or xt32 if other brands avr do it for me) because emoq seems not to work properly. Sorry for the super long post. :-[ Hi, from a ex-umc-1 user to xmc-1, I personally don't feel umc-1 really that bad. My feeling suggest it's the player fault, have you tried using a dedicated bluray player? Maybe can ask a frd to bring over to try? Try changing center channel speaker cable or interconnect too? Best is to keep trial and error all possibilities, so can ascertain the fault and change the correct item, to mininalise disappointment of wrong move.
TheMachinist Posted December 2, 2015 Posted December 2, 2015 One way to test if your umc-1 is lacking is try use a iem/headphone to the UMC-1 headphone out and check for dynamics.
yanwei Posted December 3, 2015 Posted December 3, 2015 One way to test if your umc-1 is lacking is try use a iem/headphone to the UMC-1 headphone out and check for dynamics. Sorry bro, I don't have any high end headphones, only the xiaomi earphones which was chewed up by my vacuum cleaner. Hehe..
yanwei Posted December 3, 2015 Posted December 3, 2015 Hi, from a ex-umc-1 user to xmc-1, I personally don't feel umc-1 really that bad. My feeling suggest it's the player fault, have you tried using a dedicated bluray player? Maybe can ask a frd to bring over to try? Try changing center channel speaker cable or interconnect too? Best is to keep trial and error all possibilities, so can ascertain the fault and change the correct item, to mininalise disappointment of wrong move. Hey bro, my umc-1 I bought from you, remember? Haha. It sounds ok to me, maybe my ears not very discerning. It's just that the friend of mine, who I won't name, remarked about the midrange, thats why I tried to pay more attention and play with the eq to see if that's what it is. I think the best way is to do a comparision with a xmc-1 and umc-1 to actually hear the difference. Center speaker is a MA gxc150, so I think it shouldn't be holding the prepro back. Interconnects are just regular ic from emotiva, the 7 rca jacks version. I'll try to swap with another interconnect, but it's not those high end ones so don't know if will have any noticeable effect. I'll try and then report back with my findings.
yanwei Posted December 3, 2015 Posted December 3, 2015 I had buyers remorse :( that I couldn't get 2 with my 40% card... 8) but the 2nd xmc-1 I got was at the old 1999 price with %25 off. If you are first owner of the umc-1 from new you can get %25 off the full price so might still save a bit more. I love both of mine. And the umc-1 I have still runs ok...I did use with HTPC at one stage and don't recall any major issues via HDMI, but that was years ago now. Bro, no I don't have the upgrade card. Wish I did! I bought mine used from bro Bongteo as I just started into this hobby and don't have much budget. I did order the nvidia shield tv so I'm gonna replace the htpc with satv and use kodi. Hopefully no more intermittent handshake issues. Btw, a new xmc-1 costs around 3.1k sgd and I have the opportunity to get one from another bro whose set is 1 yr old at 2.4k sgd. Is this worth it as I still need to fork out another usd99 for dirac since its not transferable? Am I better off just ordering a new set?
yanwei Posted December 3, 2015 Posted December 3, 2015 Woohoo is how I would say it.....very different from mainstream AVR...especially SQ :) Bro durianlover, I don't dare to say that because I have not auditioned other brands and only have a lowly denon x1000 with old sherwood speakers to compare to in my living room. The umc-1 is in my bedroom. But judging by the amount of rave reviews the xmc-1 gets, I am almost sold. I have till end jan 16 to decide since the 20% sale is till then plus a eclub 10% discount. I don't really want to buy other brands as I feel that a portion of the price goes to the amplifier section which I don't need since have xpa-5 already. Which I want to utilise to the max! ;D
Bongteo Posted December 4, 2015 Posted December 4, 2015 Hey bro, my umc-1 I bought from you, remember? Haha. It sounds ok to me, maybe my ears not very discerning. It's just that the friend of mine, who I won't name, remarked about the midrange, thats why I tried to pay more attention and play with the eq to see if that's what it is. I think the best way is to do a comparision with a xmc-1 and umc-1 to actually hear the difference. Center speaker is a MA gxc150, so I think it shouldn't be holding the prepro back. Interconnects are just regular ic from emotiva, the 7 rca jacks version. I'll try to swap with another interconnect, but it's not those high end ones so don't know if will have any noticeable effect. I'll try and then report back with my findings. Oh my!! I really forgot alrdy :P And oh boy, you move up the ladder quite fast from the day you took the umc from me ^_^lll. I think ultimately, it's still whether you ok with the sound or not as there definitely won't be an end to upgrading. What is your frd system? Maybe he's too used to warmist sound from his system comparing to MA? Just my guess. If you have the budget, xmc-1 definitely an upgrade from umc in everyway but just be prepare that you might find the midrange lacking again, it's really personal preference, to me both unit didn't lack in midrange.
yanwei Posted December 11, 2015 Posted December 11, 2015 Quick update! So the nvidia shield tv finally arrived and I switched out the pc. Using some "Cliptec" cheapo hdmi cable, there is no hdmi handshake issue at all. The pc was using a microhdmi to hdmi cable, so the problem either comes from the potplayer or hdmi cable. So umc-1 is working perfectly. Now, the issue is, biting the bullet and getting the xmc-1 or wait for the next gen emotiva prepro... decisions decisions.
yanwei Posted December 19, 2015 Posted December 19, 2015 Hi guys. So I finally bought the xmc-1 and have a question. Is it safe to dip the front two removable panels in paint thinner because the previous owner sprayed them blue? I want to get the original black finish.
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