The XMC-2 is a state-of-the-art surround sound processor - designed from the ground up to serve as the nerve center of a modern home theater or surround sound music system. The bit-perfect video switches in the XMC-2 ensure that you’ll get the best possible image quality from the latest HDR and Dolby Vision 4k UHD discs, and the advanced audio decoding engine, audio processing hardware, and room correction options guarantee you true audiophile sound quality and performance. Unlike other surround sound processors, the XMC-2 is not only a superb home theater processor, but also a true audiophile stereo component. When we set out to design the XMC-2 we had some relatively lofty goals. We wanted to design a processor that would support the latest Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object oriented surround sound formats, with plenty of channels to fulfill the needs of our most demanding customers, and sound quality and performance equal to or better than the best stereo equipment currently on the market. And, along with that, it had to deliver superb bit-perfect picture quality, and support the latest HDR and Dolby Vision 4k UHD video content. And, finally, it had to be relatively simple to configure and operate, so that our customers would actually be able to take full advantage of its advanced performance and capabilities.

Designing a surround sound processor that includes all of the features you need in a modern home theater system, while still delivering superb sound quality, is a truly formidable undertaking. Most AV receivers and pre/pros offer plenty of features, but include serious compromises in sound quality. And most audio gear that offers true audiophile sound quality is limited to stereo, and offers very few features. Our plans called for a platform that could deliver both.

To make all this possible, we started by developing a whole new hardware platform, which combines powerful new cutting-edge processor technology with painstaking analog circuit design to deliver the best possible audio performance. Running on this hardware platform, our proprietary operating system powers the menu system and all of the advanced control logic. This new platform was first introduced to the public in our highly successful XMC-1. The XMC-2 takes this technological innovation to the next level, with the latest 4k HDR and Dolby Vision UHD video switching capabilities, improved audio decoding and processing, the latest digital to analog conversion hardware, more channels to fully support the latest object oriented surround sound formats, and even more room for future expansion and upgrades. The XMC-2, the ultimate expression of our new design philosophy, is finally ready to be unveiled.

The XMC-1 eliminated many of the compromises and expanded the boundaries around what was possible for home theater and surround sound. The XMC-2 takes it to the next level… and is the perfect way to start building a truly state of the art home theater, surround sound, and audiophile stereo music system.

Audio Operating Modes (modes determine how the audio signal is processed by the XMC-2):

• Reference Stereo Mode: Purist stereo mode with no bass management; analog signals remain pure analog

• Direct Mode: Minimal processing with bass management

• Surround Mode: Full surround sound processing, with bass management and room correction.

• Stereo Mode: Full bass management and room correction for stereo input signals

• All Stereo Mode

Decoding and Processing

Surround Sound Processing Support:

• Dolby Atmos (up to 9.1.6)

• Dolby TrueHD (up to 7.2)

• Dolby Digital Plus

• Dolby Digital

• DTS:X (up to 7.1.4)

• DTS-HD Master Audio

• DTS-HD High Resolution Audio

• DTS 5.1

• Multi-Channel PCM

Digital Post Processing Support:

• Dolby Surround Upmixer

• DTS Neural:X

Displays and Controls

Front Panel Display:

• Graphical, 64 x 256 resolution, blue OLED display

On-Screen Display (OSD):

• Configurable full color OSD displayed over live video, including 4k and 3D sources

Controls and Remote Control Options:

• Full sized machined aluminum infrared remote control with discrete buttons for HDMI input selection, trim adjustments, and other major functions

• Remote control apps - available for Apple and Windows computers and Android phones

• Integration with universal infrared remote controls and popular infrared and network operated whole-home control systems

• Four flexible Trigger Outputs can be independently configured to activate amplifiers or other trigger-enabled equipment

Inputs / Outputs

Analog Audio Inputs:

• (1) pair; stereo: Reference quality analog audio (balanced XLR)

• (3) pairs; stereo: Reference quality analog audio (unbalanced)

Analog Audio Outputs:

• (1) set; 16 channels: Main analog audio outputs (balanced XLR)

• (1) pair; stereo: analog line level Zone 2 output (unbalanced)

• (1) high quality 1/8” stereo headphone output

Digital Video Inputs and Outputs:

• (8): HDMI digital video inputs: HDMI 2.0b with HDCP 2.2 (all inputs support HDMI 2.0b and HDR, including dynamic HDR and Dolby Vision)

• (2): HDMI digital video outputs: HDMI 2.0b with HDCP 2.2 (one with CEC and ARC). (both outputs support HDMI 2.0b and HDR - including dynamic HDR and Dolby Vision)

Digital Audio Inputs:

• Internal high-performance AM/FM tuner.

• (3): Toslink optical S/PDIF digital audio (up to 24/192)

• (3): Coax (RCA) electrical S/PDIF digital audio (up to 24/192)

• (1): AES/EBU (XLR) digital audio

• (1): USB Type B digital audio (UAC2 USB audio up to 24/192k)

• Digital PCM and DSD audio supported on all HDMI inputs and USB input

Digital Audio Outputs:

• (1): Toslink optical S/PDIF digital audio

• (1): Coax (RCA) electrical S/PDIF digital audio

Other Inputs:

• (2): USB Type A digital data inputs (for firmware updates and future enhancements)

• (1): Ethernet port (RJ-45)

Cutting Edge Operating System and Processors

Main System Processor:

• The XMC-2 is controlled by our own proprietary Linux-based operating system, and by several powerful DSP engines, each running custom software code.

• The main control functions on the XMC-2 are handled by a Texas Instruments AM-1808 Sitara Arm9 32 bit 375MHz processor.

Video Processing:

• The XMC-2 is a pure video switch; video inputs are switched directly to the appropriate output without any unnecessary processing. Video switching on theXMC-2 is handled by three Panasonic MN864788 High Speed LSI 4k UHD Video Switches.

Audio Processing:

• All audio decoding and post processing is handled by twin Analog Devices, dual-core, 450 MHz DSP engines.

• Audio digital-to-analog conversion is performed by AKM AK4490 Verita DACs (operating in fully balanced Mono mode on the front three channels; fully balanced stereo mode for the remaining channels).

Power Requirements

• 115 VAC or 230 VAC @ 50 / 60 Hz (automatically detected)

Dimensions & Weight

• Unboxed: 17” Wide x 15.5” Deep x 5.25” High (not counting feet)

• Unboxed: 17” Wide x 15.5” Deep x 5.75” High (with feet)

• Boxed: 22" Wide x 19" Deep x 10" High

• Unboxed: 22 lbs

• Boxed: 31 lbs

User Manual

XMC-2 User Manual

Dirac Live User Manual + FAQ

Dirac Live User Manual
Dirac Live Quick Start Guide
 

Firmware + Instructions/Release Notes 

XMC-2 3.2 Firmware

Universal Remote IP Control Integration

Emotiva Processor Setup Resources

Emotiva Processor Compatibility, Configuration Notes