eBay

Up for sale is an Emotiva RMC-1 surround sound processor. It has been housed in a clean, air conditioned, non smoking purpose built home theatre room. It is in great condition and has not been moved around since it was installed originally into a 19" rack. I am upgrading my room with more speakers and simply need a unit that can handle more than 16 channels.....otherwise this unit wasn't going to go anywhere.

Just an update on my comments re refurbished RMC-1 being sold on the Emotiva website. They have finally released the RMC-1+ to the international community for ~AU$8000 (this does not include delivery or import duty etc and the price does fluctuate due to exchange rate). Keeping this listing up to date, there are no more Refurbished RMC-1 processors on the Emotiva web site.

I have adjusted down the price on this unit to ~half (and then some, so I dont have to keep an eye on it) of the new RMC-1+ retail price to account for Emotiva sales and favourable exchange rate movements on the RMC-1+. So the AU$ is having a great run and a new processor from Emotiva has dropped in price substantially - so readjusting price to keep to ~50% of a new device....I will adjust the price back up if the AU$ weakens.

Note if you buy my unit you can look at Emotiva's CR8 upgrade program (subject to their conditions) which brings the RMC-1 to pretty much all the capabilities of an RMC-1+. See more information on CR8 piece below.

From the Emotiva website you have the following overview:

The RMC-1 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 RMC-1 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 RMC-1 is not only a superb home theater processor, but also a true audiophile stereo component. When we set out to design the RMC-1 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.

There is a lot of information on the internet about the RMC-1 so have a look around. This unit is running the last V3.X firmware which was released in 2023 and it has been a very stable platform for us. The audio and video is fantastic as far as I am concerned....especially once you calibrate the system to your room using DIRAC Live (see below). Emotiva has just (November 13 2025) released a new firmware (v5.5) for this processor....it will be up to the purchaser to arrange the FW upgrade. Please read the v5 FW release notes for conditions/instructions.

The RMC-1 unit is modular in that:

It has 3 expansion slots which allow for the addition of different expansion modules. So far a "Phono Preamp Input Module" and a "Balanced Input Module" have been released. Note this unit has no expansion modules installed as I didn't need them.
Various internal hardware boards can also be replaced to modernise the system e.g. updated HDMI board etc. In fact lookup "Emotiva CR8 upgrade program" and you will be able to read about an upgrade program that was recently launched (only for the USA at the moment to see it you have to VPN into the US) that you can try to access if you buy this unit. It just depends on what your needs are (this unit might do everything you need eg you may not need 8K HDMI for example) but these sorts of updates can help future proof your investment (note reading the forum I see many are happy with the new firmware and have no need to upgrade their unit as they dont need some of the new features, you should think about this as well).
I have been asked for more info on the CR8 topic as its hard to find on the official site - you have to VPN into the US and search for "CR8 Processor Upgrade Program Terms & Conditions" and read that web page and also search for "Emotiva's Trade-In & CR8 Upgrade Programs" and read that one as well. BTW I can provide my original receipt if needed. At the time of writing the CR8 upgrade cost only = US$1699 (~AU$2623). According to the US web site the main upgrades in the CR8 program are : New 8K HDMI 2.1 Board, New ECC-2 Control Board, New Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Antenna, New High Output Power Supply, Full Quality Control, and 2 Years Warranty. Please verify for yourself as they may change conditions/costs/etc as time goes by and also keep an eye on the exchange rates. I am not sure if the official service centre in Australia will be doing these upgrades at some point....I did ask them some months ago and they were interested in handling it considering they run other upgrade programs for Emotiva but no news. Actually I just accessed Emotiva's upgrade program, with the local service centre, to upgrade one of my amps from a 5 channel to 7 channel and it was seamless.

The unit comes with the acclaimed DIRAC Live Room Correction:

Dirac Live allows you to calibrate your setup to achieve an ideal listening experience for your room/area. Note you don't have to use this but I do recommend it. You can always switch between standard and corrected settings.
Basically you use the DIRAC software on a computer (preferably a laptop) and it plays audio through each of the channels/speakers. The DIRAC SW listens to the output using a microphone then creates correction curves to adjust the output and give you a better audio outcome for your system and room. I'm simplifying it here so go on youtube and watch some DIRAC calibration videos to understand what it is and how to do it.
I have verified with Emotiva and DIRAC in email that the licence follows the processor (the MAC address of the RMC-1's ethernet port). So you only have to download the DIRAC Live SW from DIRAC (I can provide the link).

The items included in this sale are:

The Emotiva RMC-1 Processor
Remote Control (no batteries)
The RMC-1 Radio Antenna accessories
Raspberry Pi with Emotiva OS that allows the DIRAC Live application to communicate with the RMC-1
Emotiva Microphone
Mini microphone stand and clip
Microphone to USB cable
Original letter and manual (recommend you download the latest manual as over time FW upgrades have changed how the unit operates)
Rack ears - if you want to install the RMC-1 in a rack
USB drive with the microphone calibration file. Also I would suggest you use this USB drive for firmware updates and backups, as the RMC-1 likes it......some have reported some USB drives are not compatible.

Picture Descriptions:

Pic 1 and 2: Pictures from the internet of the front and back of an RMC-1

Pic 3: This is the processor in standby mode

Pic 4: The processor booting up

Pic 5: The processor's boot cycle is complete

Pic 6: On screen info of ATMOS being decoded (Blade Runner 2049)

Pic 7: Front of processor decoding ATMOS (Blade Runner 2049)

Pic 8: On screen info of DTS being decoded (Interstellar)

Pic 9: On screen info of firmware versions

Pic 10: The accessories that will come with the unit

Notes:

Note 1: This is a Surround Sound Processor and not a AV Receiver ie it has no amplification built in to drive speakers. That is, the channel outputs of the processor need to go to seperate amplifiers via XLR cables to drive the speakers.

Note 2: This is not your average home theatre receiver, please read the info I have suggested including literature on the Emotiva website so you can understand what the RMC-1 is capable of and what it takes to set it up. I didn't find it complicated to setup and once its dialled in its very much set and forget but there was some reading and youtube video watching.

Note 3: Have a look around the DIRAC website to get across what it does. The RMC-1 uses the DIRAC "Room Correction" product (full bandwidth DIRAC Live).

Note 4: When I originally listed this item I had written "I am not including a power cable with this unit as it is routed in my rack and I didn't want to disturb it......". I have dug up a 1.8m power cable and will now include it with the RMC-1 as well.

Note 6: I will factory reset the RMC-1 before I hand it over to you

Note 6: This item is sold as is and therefore no warranty and no returns

Note 7: By the time I double boxed the unit and included all the accessories, the weight = 22Kg and the box size is 67cm x 55cm x 42cm. So due to the size I would recommend a pickup from Wollongong. Alternatively I come up to the southern part of Sydney nearly every week so I could drop the processor around that area. ~~Your call. However if you want it sent to you then we will have to arrange a courier as eBay doesn't have an option we can use.~~ I managed to get Australia Post to come up in the listing, so have now added it. Alternatively you can arrange a courier and send me the label. I had a quick look on the fastcourier site and the cheapest rates I found were Couriers Please eg it was ~$100 to Perth and ~$40 to Melbourne. As per normal, payment must be made before pickup/drop-off/posting.

Note 8: As a side note I am also selling an awesome JVC NX9 Native 4K high end projector in another listing if you are interested. I'm taking the opportunity to upgrade a few things while I'm at it.

If your not sure about anything or you want some more information please don't hesitate to contact me!

--------------------Specifications from the Emotiva Website--------------------

Specifications

Audio Operating Modes (modes determine how the audio signal is processed by the RMC-1):

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.
DTS Neural:X.

Displays and Controls

Front Panel Display:

Dual, independently configurable, 64 x 256 resolution, blue OLED displays.

On-Screen Display (OSD):

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

Controls and Remote Control Options:

Front panel control via unique multi-axis encoder, which combines a precision rotary encoder and a sensitive four-quadrant joystick type controller.
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; machined gold-plated RCA connectors).

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.
(4): Toslink optical S/PDIF digital audio (up to 24/192).
(4): 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)
Both digital PCM and DSD audio supported on all HDMI inputs.
Digital PCM audio up to 24/192k supported on 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) (network connection for Dirac and remote control applications).
(3): Expansion slots for additional optional custom Input/Output modules

Cutting Edge Operating System and Processors

Main System Processor:

The RMC-1 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 RMC-1 are handled by a Texas Instruments AM-1808 Sitara Arm9 32 bit 375MHz processor.

Video Processing:

The RMC-1 is a pure video switch; video inputs are switched directly to the appropriate output without any unnecessary processing. Video switching on the RMC-1 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 for each of the 16 main audio outputs is performed by an individual AKM4490 Verita DAC operating in fully balanced Mono mode.