New Emotiva XMC-2+ and RMC-1+: What is the difference, and what do you think?

[Fredygump]

I got an answer from Emotiva to the original question here, which is what is the difference between the two units. In response to a comment I made to the Youtube video linked above:

"Both units use the same core boards and have the same performance. The RMC-1+ is 1 RU taller for the expansion boards, has the additional OLED screen on the front, multi directional encoder volume knob, an additional set of coax/optical inputs, and the nicer tiffany jacks on analog inputs and Z2 output. The RMC-1+ also comes with the phono module and additional XLR input modules installed already."

This seems like good news. It means I don't need to worry about buying the RMC. But at the same time, I'm curious what expansion modules they have planned. I suppose whether the upgrade is worthwhile depends on what modules they offer.

 

[ryanosaur]

This seems like good news. It means I don't need to worry about buying the RMC. But at the same time, I'm curious what expansion modules they have planned. I suppose whether the upgrade is worthwhile depends on what modules they offer.

I think one of Emo's original promises was a dedicated 4-channel Subwoofer expansion module which if they delivered on would have done what Marantz and Anthem are offering now on their Flagship models. 15.4 is pretty sexy. Even the new AV20 is going to be 13.4.

 

[Lsc]

I think one of Emo's original promises was a dedicated 4-channel Subwoofer expansion module which if they delivered on would have done what Marantz and Anthem are offering now on their Flagship models. 15.4 is pretty sexy. Even the new AV20 is going to be 13.4.

That’s true. The RMC1 is a 16 channel processor though so 13.3 [9.3.4 or 7.3.6]. If they had an expansion module that had 2 subs and 2 base / height channels then it could be 15.5.

Even if it’s not used, the expansion potential would be helpful to sell more units.

 

[Dj7675]

Last time I looked, none of their processors (even the new ones) offer DLBC. If you are go ing to offer Dirac it makes no sense not to offer DLBC. I haven’t heard their explanation of this but it would automatically remove them from consideration when their are so many better choices that offer it.

 

[Lsc]

Last time I looked, none of their processors (even the new ones) offer DLBC. If you are go ing to offer Dirac it makes no sense not to offer DLBC. I haven’t heard their explanation of this but it would automatically remove them from consideration when their are so many better choices that offer it.

There is an explanation. Emotiva needs to rewrite a significant portion of their code base to accommodate DLBC so they have not committed to making that investment.

I bought the XMC2 6 years ago, expecting DLBC to have arrived by now (or way earlier). So I’m kind of stuck because the resale value is so low and I haven’t found a fully balanced pre pro to jump to. The sound of my old unit is really good though, plus I have the latest firmware as a beta tester and it’s amazing how much faster the unit is now. No audio dropping issues either. So yes no DLBC but it’s a good prepro - the new + series has a new audio board so the sound is reportedly even better.

 

[Dj7675]

There is an explanation. Emotiva needs to rewrite a significant portion of their code base to accommodate DLBC so they have not committed to making that investment.

I bought the XMC2 6 years ago, expecting DLBC to have arrived by now (or way earlier). So I’m kind of stuck because the resale value is so low and I haven’t found a fully balanced pre pro to jump to. The sound of my old unit is really good though, plus I have the latest firmware as a beta tester and it’s amazing how much faster the unit is now. No audio dropping issues either. So yes no DLBC but it’s a good prepro - the new + series has a new audio board so the sound is reportedly even better.

Glad it is functioning better with their upgrades. It is unfortunate about DLBC and it doesn’t sound like ART is on their roadmap either then. Proper bass management and EQing multiple subs is really Dirac’s most important feature IMO. It seems they should have bitten the bullet and did the rewrite prior to the release of the new models.

 

[Lsc]

Glad it is functioning better with their upgrades. It is unfortunate about DLBC and it doesn’t sound like ART is on their roadmap either then. Proper bass management and EQing multiple subs is really Dirac’s most important feature IMO. It seems they should have bitten the bullet and did the rewrite prior to the release of the new models.

Getting the OS right was a good move imho and now they have a stable platform to build on. But yes time doesn’t stand still and they have yet to commit to DLBC.

I may never get DLBC but even without it I have amazing bass from my system so I’m not sure if it’s a must. Of course I’d love to have room correction with bass control - I’m just not hopeful with Emotiva and even if they announce it, it’ll be several years out with delays after more delays. Literally the worst product / project management I’ve seen. Even now they screwed the pooch on the upgrade / trade in program….its a head shaker.

 

[2Sunny]

A little birdie told me Amir has a RMC-1+ in hand

 

[Lsc]

A little birdie told me Amir has a RMC-1+ in hand

That’s great news. Should be interesting…

 

[Huskerbryce]

What is the turn around time for Amir to get all his testing done and publish the results here?

 

[Fredygump]

What is the turn around time for Amir to get all his testing done and publish the results here?

I think that is 100% "it depends"!

Who knows what other products he has lined up for testing, or what flavor of audio gear he feels like testing right now? I'm also quite interested in how it will turn out, but I don't want to put any pressure on Amir.

 

[xanalog]

Who knows what other products he has lined up for testing, or what flavor of audio gear he feels like testing right now?

Wouldn't it be nice, if there was such a thread that posted the potential pipeline for hardware being considered for reviews?

....but I don't want to put any pressure on Amir.

... the members would get to vote on which hardware they think are worthy to be tested.
The member interest voting can be done using the:

rating system, rather than the usual pole.

 

[darth]

A 3P overview of these models

relevant stuff starts at ~13:40 with the RMC 1+
XMC 2+ at ~17:30

Only 3 channels (xmc) vs all channels (rmc) fully differential using DACs in mono.

~20:50 starts on what has been changed
~30 comparison to marantz

EDIT: at least 1 person has contradicted the video author in the comments section of YouTube regarding the difference mentioned about the dacs. Per this person dacs in both are exactly the same which means all channels are same between both and this picture above is not correct.

 

[Fredygump]

Only 3 channels (xmc) vs all channels (rmc) fully differential using DACs in mono.

I don't know who this guy is, but he is not doing a very good job!

Both XMC-2+ and RMC-1+ use the same, newly designed circuit board (6 layer PCB).

Post #36 in this thread contains a link to Emotiva's own video where they give a lot of insight into the new products. That video answers most of the important questions. They discuss the new circuit board, provide close-up views of it, etc. I think it is quite informative, and since it is from Emotiva, the information should be trusted as the most correct information we can get. (That is, until we have independent test data available!)

The video begins by saying they will explain the differences between the two new units, but they failed to discuss differences. So I posed the question in the youtube comments.

In post #41 I shared the reply Emotiva provided to the question I posed. They said:

"Both units use the same core boards and have the same performance. The RMC-1+ is 1 RU taller for the expansion boards, has the additional OLED screen on the front, multi directional encoder volume knob, an additional set of coax/optical inputs, and the nicer tiffany jacks on analog inputs and Z2 output. The RMC-1+ also comes with the phono module and additional XLR input modules installed already."

 

[livinon2wheels]

Didn’t they have a really buggy launch with poor customer service response? Past behavior is best predictor of future behavior.

Emotiva, if you take my experience as a guide, should be a hard NO. Their warranty is useless and not worth the paper it is written on, their customer service totally sucks, and I wasted my money on an MR1L that I never got compensated for. They are a shit company not worth your time or consideration. DO NOT buy into their marketing speak. It is all total bullshit.

 

[darth]

Price increase for RMC1+ and 1L+ introduced per this

 

[Littletycoon]

They're entering "seriously expensive" territory.

 

[Fredygump]

If you watch the Emotiva "Podcast" video on youtube, you can get the information first hand. Admittedly their "podcast" is kind of annoying to listen to, but....

In the "podcast" Emotiva specified that they have parts on hand to manufacture 1,000 XMCs. After those are used up, it is anybody's guess what the second run will cost.

But don't blame Emotiva. Blame the "situation" here in the States!

They're entering "seriously expensive" territory.

I totally agree that $4k is a lot of money. But at the same time, ATMOS processors with a similar feature set (with or without 8k) are categorically expensive. I mean, is there a processor with balanced outputs that costs less than $10k? I'm not sure there is!

I think we're all just waiting for reviews and measurements to start popping up.

 

[darth]

. But at the same time, ATMOS processors with a similar feature set (with or without 8k) are categorically expensive. I mean, is there a processor with balanced outputs that costs less than $10k? I'm not sure there is!

If you are ok with eARC and your own room correction, then Nuprime-x H16-AES + 2x octo dac 8 pro will cost likely under 3.5 -4k

 

[Anton S]

I totally agree that $4k is a lot of money. But at the same time, ATMOS processors with a similar feature set (with or without 8k) are categorically expensive. I mean, is there a processor with balanced outputs that costs less than $10k? I'm not sure there is!

I think we're all just waiting for reviews and measurements to start popping up.

Both of the Anthem pre-pros have balanced outputs, and both are less than $10K.