Emotiva to Invade CEDIA 2017 with an Immersive Sound Powerhouse (RMC-1 Processor)

Emotiva to Invade CEDIA 2017 with an Immersive Sound Powerhouse (RMC-1 Processor)​

(July 20, 2017) The countdown to CEDIA 2017 is officially on, and Emotiva isn’t shying away from grabbing headlines. Yesterday, the tech site Technology Integrator revealed the company’s plans to unveil its highly anticipated RMC-1 Processor at the annual industry show. Emotiva will demo the processor in a room featuring a massive 7.4.4 system.

The RMC-1 is poised to be the industry’s most affordable immersive sound processor capable of running system configurations larger than 7.2.4. Tentatively priced at $4,999, it offers 16-channels of processing power with a native capability to manage system configurations ranging from 7.4.4 to 7.3.6. It also delivers room correction using Dirac Live.

Emotiva has loaded the RMC-1 with all of the modern technologies needed for full 4K video support, including eight HDMI 2.0b inputs, two HDMI 2.0b outputs, and HDCP 2.2 compatibility. In addition, it carries an all-analog preamplifier section, 32-bit AD/DA conversion with AKM Verita DACs, and 16 balanced outputs.

On the codec side of the equation, the RMC-1 has native onboard decoding of DSD audio received from HDMI and USB sources. It can also deliver both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound, in addition to Auro-3D (unlocked for an additional fee).

“A significant number of our dealer friends on the front line are entrenched in the custom channel, and an increasing number are specifying Emotiva for installations that call for a true high-performance sonic solution,” said Dan Laufman, President and Founder, Emotiva Audio Corp. “It’s what makes Emotiva a favorite among installers who need audio equipment that sounds great and is reasonably priced.”

This is obviously a statement piece of equipment, opening the door to a new frontier of sub-$10,000 immersive sound performance.

In other Emotiva news, the company has officially begun selling its Airmotiv Tower and C2 Center Channel speakers in limited numbers. Priced at less than $1,000 per pair, the Airmotiv Tower is turning quite a few heads and proving to be popular. According to Emotiva: “The T2 Towers are flying off shelves here in our warehouse, so don’t delay in placing your order.”

The arrival of new speaker models is forcing older models into closeout status. The company says it still has limited stock of its discontinued Airmotiv 5S ($499/pair) and Airmotiv 6S ($699/pair) speakers, in addition to its Stealth DC-1 DAC. Visit Emotiva on the web for more information.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Wow... this looks like it is going to be VERY nice... just what I want.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Needless to say, I'm press registered and will be attending CEDIA 2017. Stay tuned for a full rundown of show highlights and images from the show floor.

If you're not currently following our twitter feed, now would be a good time to follow!

 

[JBrax]

Wow, 16 channels of processing power and Dirac Live! Very impressive but that price tag might be a little high for us common folk.

 

[Todd Anderson]

It's not cheap, that's for sure. But, if you compare it to Storm Audio or Trinov, then it starts to look cheap! ;-)

 

[Peter Loeser]

Already making a mental list of what I could sell to fund this. Must have!

 

[Todd Anderson]

I'm with you, Peter. I'm also trying to think through space. This plus another external amp is quite a bit of height. Would have to get real creative.

 

[Peter Loeser]

Todd - what's your Atmos layout? Would you expand if you had hardware with additional processing capability?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Currently 7.2.4... but I would certainly expand to 7.4.6 (which would require splitters for subs) if given the opportunity.

 

[Tonto]

Nice to see Emotiva offering products with up to date tech a little sooner in the timeline. Tech is advancing so quickly, if you wait, you miss the boat on sales. They are actually ahead of the curve here it looks like! But a little steep on the price...I maybe could consider buying in at half that price. But then again, I'm sure prices will come down as others advance.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I'm curious to know if this particular model will be modular and upgradeable, especially considering HDMI 2.1 isn't that far off.

I'll try to dig up some info.

 

[Peter Loeser]

I wonder if it's limited to 7 bed channels. i.e. could it process 9.2.4? Any photos of the rear?

 

[Asere]

Nice but expensive and an additional fee for Auro 3D. For that kind of price tag you'd think Auro 3D would be included.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I wonder if it's limited to 7 bed channels. i.e. could it process 9.2.4? Any photos of the rear?

That's a really good question. It must be configurable in some way (menu-wise)... Here's a rear shot I found on the net. Not sure how accurate it is.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Looks about normal... and I suspect completely configurable.

Is the HDMI 2.x a firmware or hardware update/upgrade? I'm still not fully up to speed on all the HDMI debacle.

 

[Todd Anderson]

HDMI 2.0x is all firmware upgradable... HDMI 2.1 requires a new chipset and - you're going to love this - new HDMI cables.

Yup.

2.1 is a little ways off... but I'm guessing it will be sooner than we think.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Oh beautimous... how wonderful... lovely it is!

More complications I am sure.

 

[Todd Anderson]

When it happens, break out the Advil on a national scale.

Headaches are coming!

 

[tesseract]

The new Emotiva flagship seems to be on par with any other statement piece out there.

 

[Peter Loeser]

That's a really good question. It must be configurable in some way (menu-wise)... Here's a rear shot I found on the net. Not sure how accurate it is.

Thanks for digging that up. My guess based on the photo is that the "WIDTH" channels could be used as wides or a 3rd set of heights.

HDMI 2.1 requires a new chipset and - you're going to love this - new HDMI cables.

Dear Lord...

 

[Todd Anderson]

Dear Lord...

Yeah... I echo this sentiment. I'm hoping to connect with someone early this fall that can help to explain what we're about enter.

Run those conduits, Peter! ;-)

 

[Peter Loeser]

I was thinking - if HDMI 2.1 brought about a fancy new compact connector design I might be in favor of it. (i.e. added convenience of something like USB C, Thunderbolt, lightning, etc.)
Is there anything preventing development of a UHD A/V cable with fewer individual conductors?

Edit: I may have answered my own question...
http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/HDMIAltModeUSBTypeC.aspx

 

[Peter Loeser]

Back on topic somewhat - any owners of current Emotiva processors here? I'm curious about their GUI. I'm sure it has improved since I owned the UMC-1 but man was it bad then. HDMI switching was also very slow.

 

[tesseract]

Back on topic somewhat - any owners of current Emotiva processors here? I'm curious about their GUI. I'm sure it has improved since I owned the UMC-1 but man was it bad then. HDMI switching was also very slow.

I can not speak to prior Emotiva GUI, as the XMC-1 is my first Emo processor. The interface is not difficult and gives me more control than the Sherwood/Newcastle unit I came from.

 

[LCSeminole]

For those of you that may be making the trip to Nashville/Franklin, TN for EmoFest 2017, I have the distinct feeling that a pre-CEDIA demo run of the RMC-1 and it's immersive audio capabilities will be on display. It just so happens that EmoFest, Sept 2-3, is the weekend before CEDIA 2017.