Emotiva BasX MC-700 7.1CH AV Processor Preview

Emotiva Audio Corporation, the company that continually proves high-end audio doesn’t have to be high-priced, is reinforcing that point with the delivery of their new BasX MC-700 surround sound processor.

The MC-700 (SRP: $599), which will be a highlight of Emotiva’s CES display, is making its debut prior to the show due to increasing demand for a BasX surround sound processor that supports 4K UHD HDR video, and all current 5.1- and 7.1-channel surround sound audio formats, at a far more affordable price than competing models.

“We call BasX our ‘aspirational line’, but a powerhouse processor like the MC-700 crushes competitive models at similar price points,” said Emotiva’s President and Founder, Dan Laufman. “The combination of 4K UHD High Dynamic Range (HDR) video, high resolution surround sound audio, and the latest generation of our highly-acclaimed EmoQ automatic room correction system, makes the MC-700 the best choice for anybody who wants to take their home theater experience to another level, but without paying the high prices of typical audiophile gear.”

One statement we'd like to add to this ourselves is the fact that many AV receivers at even a few hundred dollars above the price point of the MC-700 do NOT have dedicated preamp outputs to add external amplification.  Those that do often fall short in quality as we've found in a $900 Atmos AV receiver currently under review whose preamp outputs go into hard clipping at about 1.4Vrms.  We like to see a preamp deliver at least 2Vrms output unclipped to ensure it's NOT the limiting factor in allowing the mating power amp to achieve maximum rated output levels undistorted. Based on past experiences with other Emotiva preamps, it's likely a safe bet the MC-700 can easily deliver 2Vrms undistorted via its preamp outputs. This is something we look forward to learning more about as Emotiva releases full specs on the product.

Emotiva MC-700 Backpanel View

In addition to its six HDMI inputs, including three that support 4K UHD HDR video, the MC-700 offers two analog audio inputs and three digital audio inputs, including Bluetooth, to accommodate all currently available audio sources. The optional Bluetooth 3.0 module uses the high-quality AptX format to give you near CD quality audio streaming from your smartphone and is available for an extra $50.

The MC-700 also features flexible bass management, a high-quality built-in headphone amplifier, fully configurable manual parametric equalizers, and a full function IR remote control.  There is even a balanced subwoofer output connection included on this product which you never find on processors of this price class let alone most AV receivers.  This not only helps to eliminate the potential of ground loops but also allows for two buffered subwoofer output connections for those running multi-sub.

Bottom Line

Emotiva’s engineers designed the MC-700 to be easy to operate. The MC-700 can be operated directly from a few simple front-panel controls, or the included IR remote control, and an intuitive menu system guides users through the entire process on the bright blue VFD front-panel display and clear concise on-screen menu. 

For those that don't mind NOT having the latest in Immersive Surround Sound (ie. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X) or the latest streaming features, the MC-700 will serve your needs nicely.  This is especially true if simplicity and audio quality are your primary goals when setting up a mult-channel surround playback system with emphasis on music performance.  Imagine full playback capability of lossless surround formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS:HD along with your choice of amplification?  We look forward to seeing how this new product performs and potentially becomes the go to recommendation in affordable AV processing. 

Also noteworthy is the introductory price of just $499 (free shipping). WOW!

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.