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PREOWNED – FULLY TESTED – COMPLETE UNIT
The Emotiva XMC-1 Gen 2 is a 7.2-channel audiophile-grade AV preamp/processor focused on stellar audio purity and balanced XLR connections. The Gen 2 primarily featured cosmetic updates, solidifying its legacy as a top-tier pre/pro
Key Specifications
Audio & Processing
• Dirac Live for Emotiva: Advanced room correction system.
• DACs: Dual Texas Instruments (Burr-Brown) DSD1796 24-bit/192kHz DACs.
• DSP: Dual Texas Instruments DA710 32-bit, 300 MHz processors.
• Architecture: True fully-balanced architecture on left/right channels, providing an accurate 4-volt output.
• EQ: Independent 11-band manual parametric EQ (PEQ) per channel
Connectivity
• Analog Inputs: 1x balanced Stereo XLR, 3x unbalanced RCA, and a 7.1 multi-channel input set.
• Digital Inputs: 3x Optical, 3x Coaxial, 1x AES/EBU (XLR), and USB Type-B (for DAC audio).
• Audio Outputs: 7.2-channel pre-outs (both unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR).
• Zone 2: Independent second-zone stereo operation.
Video Capabilities
• HDMI: Initially featured HDMI 1.4b, but many Gen 2 units were factory-fitted or user-upgraded to HDMI 2.0 (4K/60Hz, HDCP 2.2) boards.
• Video Handling: Pure pass-through with no additional onboard video processing.
Physical & General
• Display: 5.5-inch blue OLED (256×64 resolution).
• Dimensions: 5.75” H x 17” W x 15.5” D.
• Weight: 21 lbs
Generating expert take…
Emotiva Audio, an American brand founded in 2003 by Dan Laufman, emerged from his extensive background in audio engineering and OEM design. A lifelong audiophile and electrical engineer, Laufman had previously collaborated with pioneers like Infinity's Arnie Nudell and built successful OEM firms, including Jade Design, which supplied components to major players. Launching Emotiva as a passion project just as internet direct-to-consumer sales revolutionized the industry, he named it after the Italian word for "emotional," reflecting the joy he rediscovered in creating gear uncompromised by client demands.
The brand focuses on high-performance amplifiers, preamps, processors, DACs, loudspeakers, and home theater solutions, with early standouts like the 2005 DMC-1 preamp-processor setting benchmarks for build quality and value. Emotiva's lineup emphasizes robust power amps and integrated systems, often leveraging cutting-edge engineering while expanding into full musical device ecosystems by 2015. This direct model strips away retail markups, delivering premium components without frills.
Emotiva holds a strong mid-tier position in the hi-fi market, renowned for democratizing high-end sound through affordability and reliability. It appeals to discerning enthusiasts seeking audiophile-grade performance—often rivaling pricier competitors—via a loyal direct-sales community and U.S.-based production in Franklin, Tennessee. Far from boutique obscurity, Emotiva commands respect for innovation and value, fostering enduring customer allegiance in a crowded field.
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