Emotiva RMC-1 or RMC-1L

@soix - to be honest, I only had the XMC-1 in my system for a very short time (less than 2 weeks) and I did not do extensive testing and use.  For the $2500 price tag, it was a good buy, but there are better alternatives for sound quality.

@bacardi - based on your original post, I am assuming you are looking for a 4K compatible processor.  The Classe SSP is older technology and only support HDMI 1.4 1080p.  That being said, there are other processors that do not have oncreen menus (Bryston and Theta do this).  You could try looking at a Krell Foundation 4K UHD, unless you want more than 7.1 channels.

Yup, there are already problems with the RMC-1.  Emotiva just seems to have problems producing bug-free prepros.  My advice, go elsewhere.  Classé, Anthem, etc.  Here’s an excerpt from the RMC-1 thread on AVS Forum...

This little bit here says a LOT to me:

“Editor's Note: After this review was prepped for publication, Emotiva VP/CTO Lonnie Vaughn informed me that as a result of my reporting, the company has discovered the cause of the intermittent channel-loss issue I experienced infrequently in Spider-Man PS4. As of this writing, the code fix is being internally vetted and should be released to the public by week's end.”

Why now? Why when a reviewer gives feedback all of a sudden they can find the cause? I’ve been reporting this issue to them on my UMC-200 and my XMC-1. Now all of a sudden they can fix it? (Also, has it been fixed? My XMC-1 did it again last night)
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Run away.  Run far away. 

Thx auxinput, I think you are correct. I’ve done a lot of research on the Emotiva. Problem with the Primare is no on screen displays and calibration. That said this SP32 HD is the best two channel I’ve heard out of a processor. Great surround too. Extremely quiet noise floor. Best surround I’ve heard too. I’ve also heard to try a Classe SSP800 processor. 

soix is probably talking about their first processors (the UMC-1).  Those has massive amounts of problems and bugs.  The newer processors are better.

I tested the XMC-1.  It used switching power supply and some rather low speed (low slew rate) op amps.  They did not really have good localized power supply capacitors around the audio circuits.  While the product was very good for the money, it just did not have the midrange resolution.  Separation of instruments wasn't good and it felt like the sound was veiled and far away.  Somewhat closed in as well.

The RMC uses the same switching power supply architecture.  I suspect that they would use the same or similar audio stages, but just added a lot more for 16 channels.  I think their preamps and pre/pros are voiced for their amps, which can be on the fast and bright sounding side.

I would guess that the Primare would still be significantly superior.  I saw your other post asking for the upgraded 4K HDMI board.  I don't think you are going to get any responses here.  You are probably better off trying to buy the 4KVM UHD board from a dealer (with possibly a discount).

One of my friends had one of the Emotiva prepros and it was an absolute nightmare.  He couldn’t wait to get rid of it.  Too many bugs that just made his experience miserable.  Too many other good choices to risk dealing with Emotiva prepros IMHO.