Emotiva Pro (the professional division of direct sales home theater and audiophile manufacturer, Emotiva) has made friends with its ribbon tweeter-loaded, powered studio nearfield monitor line. There are also pro applications for products in Emotiva’s core line, like the 7.2-channel XMC-1 preamp/processor, which includes balanced I/O on XLRs. Along with monitor loudspeakers, Emotiva Pro offers the Stealth DC-1 24-Bit/192 kHz capable DAC—a multifaceted two-channel converter/headphone amp/monitor volume controller with a friendly price ($499 direct or via Amazon).

1. Emotiva Xmc-1 Firmware Update
2. Emotiva Xmc-1 Firmware
3. Emotiva Xmc 1 Firmware Update Instructions For Macbook Pro
4. Emotiva Xmc 1 Firmware Update Instructions For Mac 2017

• XMC-1 is configured to use its lowest power standby mode. However, if you turn on Zone 2 while the Main Zone is off, and while the XMC-1 is in lowest power standby mode, there will be a delay while the XMC-1’s operating system is loaded. You can avoid this delay by configuring your XMC-1.
• The XMC-1 arrives from Emotiva with a license for Dirac Live LE. The full version I tested is a $99 upgrade, which differs from the LE version by one important attribute: The LE offers a valuable user-definable target-curve capability I’ll describe below.

. When you turn the XMC-1 back on the update will be complete and your XMC-1 will be ready to use. Congratulations, you have just successfully updated the firmware on your XMC-1. If you have any problems or questions, please contact Emotiva Technical Support for assistance. (2): USB Type A digital data inputs (for firmware updates and future enhancements). (1): Ethernet port (RJ-45) (network connection for Dirac and remote control applications). Cutting Edge Operating System and Processors Main System Processor: The RMC-1L is controlled by our own proprietary Linux-based operating system, and by several powerful.

I’ve lived with the DC-1 for several months now, it sitting alongside— and used interchangeable with—my standard reference (the widely familiar and now “vintage” original and pre-USB Benchmark DAC-1). In short, I never felt like I was compromising by using the DC-1, and several features offered extra convenience (many, if not most, of those performance features, are available on later Benchmark DAC models, to be fair, though at a significantly higher price).

With a Prism dScope III analyzer, I confirmed the published specs for the DC-1, measuring insignificantly higher THD+N relative to the spec, and compared to the DAC1. I also measured very similar frequency response performance compared to the DAC1, within the spec of +/- 0.1 dB across the audio band. The headphone circuits have a default 2 dB low-end boost that’s user-defeatable via internal jumpers, which is the way I used the DC-1—flat. Plugging in headphones mutes the line outs.

With a 0 dBFS, 1 kHz input, the THD+N was beneath .0006% until cranking up the output pushed the level a bit above 20 dBu (the .001% threshold was reached at 22 dBu). At full volume, the output was not clipping, with a 25.65 dBu measured max output level at a still respectable THD+N of .0025%, the N increasing, not the THD (Most of the harmonics visible with an FFT analysis were 3rd and 5th. For comparison, the Benchmark DAC1 had a max out of 29.25 dBu, maintaining .000x% THD+N till the onset of clipping, though all the harmonics through the 5th were visible through a lower wideband noise floor).

The DC-1 can operate in asynchronous mode (how I used it), with an onboard ASRC providing jitter immunity (it handled all the jitter the dScope could throw at it), or synchronously with the input clock. There is no ability to synchronously lock to an external clock other than that in the selected input data stream.

As a volume controller, the DC-1 offers .25 dB volume steps. The front panel controls are velocity sensitive for faster level adjustment. Sustained pressure on the remote level controls also speeds the gain change. A Fixed output level can be selected, with 0 dBFS producing a nominal 14 dBu output. That implies that the rest of the DC-1’s output level is produced by output amp gain, also evidenced by a rising noise floor with level increase on the upper range (though this increase was never audible in my experience). 0 dBFS = 14 dBu is not a common professional scaling level, so I’d find the DC-1 less attractive as a reference DAC feeding external monitoring or processing paths.

The output level ranges up to +12 on front panel display, further suggesting 12 dB of gain above nominal. In practical use, I ran about 0 to +4 on the display when driving a variety of powered monitors for critical listening (within the DC-1’s best operating range). With headphones/ in-ears, I used lower output settings.

Sonically, I want a DAC and monitor feed path to be like wire with level control so that any coloration is the sound signature of the monitors or headphones in use. That’s what the DC-1 offers: neutrality.

Elegant and solid, the remote has an impressive heft. On/off, source selection, volume, mute and front panel brightness can be controlled from the remote. The Mute level control has three fixed levels: Silent, -20 dB below maximum output and –40 dB below max. With low volume levels, it is possible to actually have louder output when hitting mute, particularly with the -20 preset (at first experience of the phenomenon, I confess that I went to the manual to figure out what was going on). I’d liked to have had options between -20 and -40.

Inputs are S/PDIF (IEC 60958) on independently selectable optical, RCA and BNC connections, AES3 on XLR, an analog input pair on unbalanced RCAs and USB. The USB input worked seamlessly with both Mac and Windows computers.

The Emotiva Pro Stealth DC-1 is full-featured and both sonically and aesthetically satisfying. It served me well as source selector, monitor reference converter and volume controller. Some aspects of the design are not fully in keeping with traditional pro philosophy, but the performance suits it for use as a pro quality monitor DAC, at an attractive price.
Emotiva Pro
emotiva.com/products/electronics/stealth-dc-1

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byRichB— September 24, 2015

Emotiva XMC-1 AV Processor

• Product Name: XMC-1
• Manufacturer: Emotiva
• Performance Rating:
• Value Rating:
• Review Date:September 24, 2015 00:00
• MSRP:$2499

• DecodingPCM 7.1-2.0, Dolby TrueHD, DD+, DD, DTS, DTS-HD, DTS ES Discrete 6.1
• FullyBalanced “Dual Differential” Front Left/ Right channels
• DiracLE room correction
• AvailableDirac Full upgrade for $100
• Twoseparate sets of 11 band Parametric Equalizers with Room EQ Wizard (REW)support
• 7.2channel processing and 7.2ch XLR and RCA outputs
• 8HDMI Inputs / 2 HDMI Outputs
• 6S/PDIF Digital inputs: 3 TOSLINK optical, 3 Coax (RCA)
• AES/EBU(XLR) digital input
• USBstereo DAC (up to 24/192)
• Analogoutputs: 7.2 RCA, 2 XLR, 3 2-channel RCA
• Headphoneoutput
• ReferenceStereo Mode (Balanced S/N ratio: > 123 dB A weighted)
• Powerconsumption: 35 watts (0.5 watts standby, 30 watts Video Standby)
• Madein the USA
• UnboxedDimensions (W x H x D): 17” x 5.25” 15.5”
• Weight:30lbs (boxed)

Pros

• Outstanding Reference Stereo mode
• Excellent sonic performance
• LOW noise floor
• Dirac LE state-of-the-art room correction (standard)
• Dirac Full upgrade ($99) with custom curves and additional MIC support
• Incredibly versatile Parametric Equalization with REW filter import
• 2 standard + 1 Dirac independent speaker settings
• Separate Stereo (2-Channel) and multi-channel surround modes
• A very good USB DAC
• Superb HDMI performance with support for DSD streaming
• Selectable 24 dB per octave or 12 dB per octave crossover slope
• Remote allows for temporary adjustment of trims
• Easy to read front panel and on-screen display
• Full-featured menu system

Cons

• HDMI supports 4k/60Hz HDMI but is not HDCP 2.2 compliant (an upgrade will be made available)
• No automatic setup feature for trims and distances when not using Dirac
• Remote is too heavy with sharp edges
• 40 second startup time (Video Standby is instantaneous but uses 30 watts)
• Lacks all channel “Reference” (Pure/Direct) mode

Emotiva XMC-1 Introduction

There is a new entry inhigh-performance surround processors. Emotiva needs no introduction as a providerof high value and high-performance amplifiers and the XMC-1 is their latest AV processoroffering. This 7.2 channel processor has balanced and unbalanced outputs, 8HDMI inputs, 2 Reference Analog inputs (XLR and RCA), 3 RCA analog inputs, AESand USB DAC digital inputs, and 4 independent programmable triggers. The XMC-1provides two features that stand out immediately: reference level two-channel performance andDirac room correction. It is clear that Emotiva is proud of their sonicachievement: the power on initialization sequence completes with the display ofEmotiva’s motto, “RE-THINK HIGH END.”

Emotiva Xmc-1 Firmware Update

There is an interesting bifurcation inthe processor market: the “high-end” touting extreme sound quality; and themainstream, large manufacturers, also marketing their sound quality but clearlyfocused on maximizing features. Smaller manufacturers don’t have the resourcesto build in the massive number of features found in even the most basic networkAVRs. AV Pre/Pro's from smaller manufactures often lack video processing, streaming,multi-media, and wireless support—regardless of their cost. Such is the casewith the XMC-1. The XMC-1 does not support ATMOS or DTS:X decoding but with 7channels that is not a significant omission.

The XMC-1 is made in the USA right at their corporate headquarters in Tennessee.

Soare you losing much with the XMC-1? Perhaps not, and for a number of reasons:

• Videoprocessing is best done in the display or video processor
  (no one ISF calibrates a display using an audio processor)
• Many displayscome built-in with the most popular streaming applications
• Superiorhockey-puck sized streaming devices are available from Apple, Roku, Amazon, andothers.
• Many Blu-rayplayers also feature media-streaming and apps.
• Third-partingstreaming devices support Audio and Video and provide on-going software updates-- something that is very rare for last-year’s AVR/processor.

The XMC-1 HDMI inputs support 4k 60FPS but do not support HDCP 2.2, which will be required for Ultra HD Blu-rayand streaming video. However, Emotivapresident Dan Laufman has stated that an HDCP 2.2 HDMI replacement board will beavailable by the end of the of the year and in-home upgradable for those whoare comfortable with changing boards in a computer.

Features

There are many notable features of the XMC-1 and the features provided are trulycomprehensive. The XMC-1 provides audiophile two channel performance,outstanding Parametric Equalization, and Dirac LE/Full state-of-the-art roomcorrection.

A Fully Balanced AudiophileTwo-Channel Preamp

The front two channels are fullydifferential from input to output. Differential designs are more costly toimplement since they double the circuitry but have the advantage of providingup to 6 dB lower noise floor and distortion reduction. Emotiva specificationfor the XLR input to XLR outputs with a S/N ratio: > 123 dB (A weighted).

XMC-1Backpanel View

The XMC-1 backpanel is a refreshing sight free fromclutter found in the typical AV receiver. You won't find S-video or even component video connections on thisbaby. Emotiva feels it's time to move onand focus on the latest HD connectivity rather than wasting valuable realestate. The analog RCA's are of highquality gold plated connectors with strain relief. There are balancedconnectors for ALL of the channels including two independent subwooferconnections, and eight HDMI 1.4a inputs and two outputs.

In order to do all of the HD decoding and processing,Emotiva armed the XMC-1 with some heavy horsepower including twin TexasInstruments DA710 32-bit floating-point, dual-core, 300 MHz DSP engines capableof 1800 MIPS each and Burr-Brown 24/192 DSD1796 DACs on all channels. Printmaster 11. The Burr-Browns are sought after audiophileDAC's especially by SACD enthusiasts. The board layout was clean on the XMC-1 as you can see below with the toroidalanalog power supply in the left bottom corner and the digital card isolated intheir own sections.

Emotiva XMC-1 Top View (cover and shielding plates removed)

Parametric Equalization

The XMC-1 has three independentspeaker settings. One is for Dirac and the other two, named Preset 1 and Preset2, include separate PEQ filters for each speaker and configurable crossoverfrequency. The 11 parametric equalizer filters available for each channel are configurablebetween 20 Hz and 20 kHz, with gain and width adjustments. This can becomplex so Emotiva recommends using a small number of bands as a starting point.

Emotiva Xmc-1 Firmware

The XMC-1 has built intests tones both sine-wave and pink tones (available at 65, 75, and 85 dB) onall channels for setting levels, identifying room modes, and aiding insubwoofer placement.

Note: We recommend starting with the 65 or 75dBtest tone setting first to avoid being blasted out of the room if you have high sensitivespeakers and acute hearing.