What did the ERC-2 replace in your system? « Thread Started on Mar 8, 2012, 6:48pm »
I am considering an ERC-2 to replace my Panasonic BD-85 for music as it continuously receives high praise. For those who have taken the plunge, what differences did you notice? The other CD player I am considering is a Marantz 5004. If anyone has other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 210 Location: Conway (Myrtle Beach), SC
Re: What did the ERC-2 replace in your system? « Reply #1 on Mar 8, 2012, 8:18pm »
I have been nothing but thrilled with my ERC-1 since I got it. It replaced a Denon DCM-550 six disc changer. There was nothing wrong with the changer but the ERC-1 definitely sounds better. More open and detailed. I moved the Denon to my garage system. Those Marantz players always get good reviews. You might also look into the Cambridge Audio offerings. That 651C looks sweet but it is three hundred + more than the ERC.
Joined: Apr 2012 Gender: Male Posts: 4 Location: San Francisco
Re: What did the ERC-2 replace in your system? « Reply #2 on Apr 5, 2012, 5:37pm »
In my case, the old unit was a Cambridge Audio Azur 640c which cost 500 (circa 2004) dollars. The weakness in the CA was always the transport tray mechanism: It failed utterly within a year, resulting in replacement; the transport was NOISY when spinning a disc and then it would need a little 'push' to close, and a little 'tap' to make it register the disc. It was one of those little 'taps' that caused a piece to cough up. Rather than repair it, I researched CD players. I was going to go with the Jolida CD with the 12AX7 tube front ends (my integrated is a Jolida hybrid with a 12AX7 tube front end) but pricey: $800. The Emotiva was the result of online research and consultation with my audiophile friend (with way more invested in his NAIM-based system). My only wish is that Emotiva came in brushed aluminum vs black face, to match the rest of my gear.
Modest main rig: Jolida 1701 hybrid integrated melange of high end interconnects bought on various sales 1970 AR-XA turntable - modified to accomodate a 1978 Grace 707mkII tonearm Goldring 1042 cartridge Rega moving magnet phono preamp Emotiva ERC-2 Epos M12.2 stand mounted 2-way w/ virtually no x-over. Crappy 1990's era Sony FM digital Tuner that does good NPR and not much else.
In my case, the old unit was a Cambridge Audio Azur 640c which cost 500 (circa 2004) dollars. The weakness in the CA was always the transport tray mechanism: It failed utterly within a year, resulting in replacement; the transport was NOISY when spinning a disc and then it would need a little 'push' to close, and a little 'tap' to make it register the disc. It was one of those little 'taps' that caused a piece to cough up. Rather than repair it, I researched CD players. I was going to go with the Jolida CD with the 12AX7 tube front ends (my integrated is a Jolida hybrid with a 12AX7 tube front end) but pricey: $800. The Emotiva was the result of online research and consultation with my audiophile friend (with way more invested in his NAIM-based system). My only wish is that Emotiva came in brushed aluminum vs black face, to match the rest of my gear.
Other: Outlaw LFM-1 Plus sub, Gramma, SMS-1, Panny 50" 1080P Plasma, Oppo 83, Panny DMR-E85HS, Sony STR DA4ES, Furman Elite -15 DMi, Technics SL-QD33/Shure -M91HE, Mirage Omni S-8 sub
ERC-1. Both are great CD machines and are extremely well built and stunning if you like the Emo styling.
Hey chuckienut,since you have had both players,for someone who already has an ERC-1,would an upgrade to an ERC-2 gain enough to justify the expense?
I was afraid someone would ask that question.
The problem is that normally I would have tested them both in an A/B comparison before I sold the ERC-1. Unfortunately I delivered the ERD-1 to a Lounge member buyer several hours away before the ERC-2 arrived. Later I drove up and dropped of my Amotiv4's so he could audition them while I was on vacation. I also dropped off the new ERC-2 so he could do an A/B with the ERD-1. Unfortunately he did not have the time to compare them.
So all I have is my audio memory which just isn't valid IMO for a possible if any very slight improvement in sound. I just cannot give any honest comparative evaluation on the SQ of these two units.
My ERC-1 was in perfect/mint condition but I did get a new five year warranty and the new transport. The transport loading and track advancement is ever so slightly more noisy in a perfectly quiet room with absolutely no background noise (refrigerator off, etc.). However, I never notice this at all in normal use. The new transport is an improvement over the original one and is silky smooth and loads easier. There are some technical improvements which I cannot confirm make any audible improvement. To my ears it sounds superb just like the ERC-1 does. That is on some very fine CD's including HDCD, Reference Recording, Telarc and Chesky.
Is it worth the better transport and a possibility of ever so slight SQ improvement? If I had to do it over again I would wait until I could do the A/B test just for my own knowledge.
End result for me is that with the new 5 year warranty, the smoother loading and the fact that I simply love this unit and plan to keep it for at least five years, the upgrade was worth it for me.
PS: Add to that the fact that my wife keeps saying that she loves the looks of the Emo gear. That reaps me benefits I am not at liberty to discuss here.
Other: Outlaw LFM-1 Plus sub, Gramma, SMS-1, Panny 50" 1080P Plasma, Oppo 83, Panny DMR-E85HS, Sony STR DA4ES, Furman Elite -15 DMi, Technics SL-QD33/Shure -M91HE, Mirage Omni S-8 sub
Joined: Aug 2011 Gender: Male Posts: 1,652 Location: Texas
Re: What did the ERC-2 replace in your system? « Reply #10 on Apr 7, 2012, 3:39pm »
Thanks chuckienut.It sounds like the performance of both is very close with any improvements in sound quality being subtle rather than dramatic so since I already have the ERC-1 and have been happy with it I think I'll just stick with it for now.
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