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Post by broncsrule21 on Mar 21, 2010 20:32:17 GMT -5
What would give me the bigger improvement first? Replacing my Denon 2200 with the ERC-1 (running Pure Direct through a Denon 3300) to UPA-2 to ERM-1s. Or getting the UPS-1 first, to use with my Denon 2200 and replace with ERC-1 later. Eventually I will do the UPA-2/ERC-1/USP-1 combo but one purchase at a time.
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jlafrenz
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Post by jlafrenz on Mar 21, 2010 20:51:54 GMT -5
ERC-1. The source is the beginning of the chain so starting with a good one helps.
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Mar 22, 2010 17:39:33 GMT -5
I think I have to also agree, the ERC-1.  ...And for the price, you win big time anyway. ...And use the Analog connection (Pure Direct of course). |
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Post by broncsrule21 on Mar 23, 2010 10:23:00 GMT -5
Ok, two votes for the ERC-1. The only reason I am considering the USP-1 first is because the 2200 (universal player) in not an "el cheepo" player. Not the greatest I know but adequate.
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Post by bigred7078 on Mar 23, 2010 10:35:32 GMT -5
my vote....ERC-1
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Post by broncsrule21 on Mar 23, 2010 10:44:57 GMT -5
Lots of love for the ERC-1! It doesn't appear any of you guys use the ERC-1 yourselves though. Interesting so far...
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jlafrenz
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Post by jlafrenz on Mar 23, 2010 10:52:23 GMT -5
Lots of love for the ERC-1! It doesn't appear any of you guys use the ERC-1 yourselves though. Interesting so far... I do own one. It isn't listed in my sig because I was using it in my 2 channel room. Steve doesn't own one, but has heard it on several occasions. Even if someone doesn't own one, they still understand the benefits of a good source. Even over a preamp, as in your situation. |
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Post by bigred7078 on Mar 23, 2010 11:41:16 GMT -5
Lots of love for the ERC-1! It doesn't appear any of you guys use the ERC-1 yourselves though. Interesting so far... I don't use CD's. Only digital and vinyl for myself lol. But like Judd said, i've heard it several times and think its a great player. The source will give you the greatest benefit. Once you have that set in place the pre-amp will naturally follow so it can provide you with a direct analog path, lower noise floor, etc. Not that you wouldn't benefit with the USP-1 and Denon, its just the ERC-1 should be a more noticeable upgrade. |
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Post by broncsrule21 on Mar 23, 2010 11:47:51 GMT -5
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't questioning your knowledge and expertise, I just thought it was interesting. Thanks for the advice guys.
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Post by slbenz on Mar 23, 2010 11:53:10 GMT -5
Ok, two votes for the ERC-1. The only reason I am considering the USP-1 first is because the 2200 (universal player) in not an "el cheepo" player. Not the greatest I know but adequate. As others have said, usually you want to start with a great source. I think in your situation it can be a tough call. Your Denon 2200 still uses the current DAC (Burr Brown 1791) that is found in the Denon 2930i currently available today which sounds pretty good. But your Denon 3300 AVR uses a relatively old DAC from Analog Devices the AD1855. If you think your Denon 2200 sounds pretty good, then it may be better to go with upgrading yor AVR. Not sure how large your hi-rez collection may be but the ERC-1 doesn't play DVD-A or SACDs like your Denon can. |
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Post by broncsrule21 on Mar 23, 2010 13:19:23 GMT -5
The AVR is just being used as the Pre-Amp for 2.1 right now. If I bought the USP-1 it would be out of the loop as far as 2 channel goes. Also down the road, I expect to add the XMC to system upstairs so I will have a solid musical pre/pro in the HT.
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Post by taoggniklat on Mar 23, 2010 16:03:51 GMT -5
Honestly, if it was my choice I would be looking at an external DAC and keeping the Denon transport. Perhaps waiting a bit for Emo's outboard DAC would be an alternative solution for you.
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Mar 24, 2010 0:38:49 GMT -5
Lots of love for the ERC-1! It doesn't appear any of you guys use the ERC-1 yourselves though. Interesting so far... I'm just about to put an order through my buddy here in Canada, that travel South of the border on a regular basis and knows all the Pros & Cons of x-border shopping, cause he's a dealer himself. I got tons of CD players right now, and the one that's got more use is a Rotel RCD-971 (with HDCD decoder), for now.  |
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Mar 24, 2010 0:44:54 GMT -5
Hey broncsrule21, do you own quite a few SACDs & DVD-Audios? Do you listen to a lot of CDs? Do you have many CDs that are HDCD encoded? Please answer these three easy questions, and I'll let you know exactly where the biggest audio improvement would be from your own system. Fair deal? |
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Post by roadrunner on Mar 24, 2010 3:43:30 GMT -5
broncsrule21 I purchased my ERC-1 the very first day they arrived in Franklin, TN. I had an Oppo 980H and a Denon 2910 that I had been using for my CD listening and SACD/DVD-A. The ERC-1 was A-B tested against both units. I expected the Oppo and Denon to challenge the Emotiva ERC-1 CD Player, but to my surprise the ERC-1 was easily the best sounding unit. Installing the ERC-1 literally allowed me to rediscover my music collection If you listen to CDs, the ERC-1 should be the first piece of gear you buy in upgrading your system. Listening to HDCD encoded media on the ERC-1 truly is sonic bliss. This was a giant step up in the sound quality of my system. The next step you should take is getting the USP-1. Combining the ERC-1 with the USP-1 has been pure nirvana. It is a very synergistic marriage of components and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves listening to music. IMO this combo has the biggest "bang for the buck" in the entire A/V industry, bar none. If you are looking for a good source for top quality HDCD media, I suggest you check out REFERENCE RECORDINGS at the link found below: www.referencerecordings.com/default.aspTheir Sampler collection is an unbelievable bargain. Since I discovered this site a few months ago I have purchased about 50 of their HDCD releases and they are all exceptionally produced, demo quality recordings. They are easily the match of any SACD recording I have listened to. Do yourself a favor and check the site out. ;D |
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Post by jerrin on Mar 24, 2010 12:13:14 GMT -5
I was excited to order something from REFERENCE RECORDINGS, then I looked through their catalog and saw nothing that interested me.  I think this was one of the big errors committed by SACD and DVD-A (among a few others). Not enough popular music. Surely someone will put popular music in high rez from the 70's-90's on blu-ray one day. Till then, I'll keep looking. Thanks for the link to check them out. |
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Post by broncsrule21 on Mar 24, 2010 13:20:29 GMT -5
Hey broncsrule21, do you own quite a few SACDs & DVD-Audios? Do you listen to a lot of CDs? Do you have many CDs that are HDCD encoded? Please answer these three easy questions, and I'll let you know exactly where the biggest audio improvement would be from your own system. Fair deal? I only have about 15 SACD and DVD-a. Probably the same amount of HDCDs. But I have been listening to a lot and buying more cds lately. Mostly been buying up music I used to love 20 years ago but owned it on cassette tapes and no longer have. At some point I will probably add an Oppo 83 to the HT so that will cover the SACD an DVD-a areas when needed. |
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oneliterpeter
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Post by oneliterpeter on Mar 24, 2010 17:30:46 GMT -5
Not to sound smug but... The first thing you should upgrade is your speakers. |
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Mar 25, 2010 1:10:44 GMT -5
Not to sound smug but... The first thing you should upgrade is your speakers. Yeah, we all know that, but we go from the original question by the OP. |
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Mar 25, 2010 1:19:51 GMT -5
Hey broncsrule21, do you own quite a few SACDs & DVD-Audios? Do you listen to a lot of CDs? Do you have many CDs that are HDCD encoded? Please answer these three easy questions, and I'll let you know exactly where the biggest audio improvement would be from your own system. Fair deal? I only have about 15 SACD and DVD-a. Probably the same amount of HDCDs. But I have been listening to a lot and buying more cds lately. Mostly been buying up music I used to love 20 years ago but owned it on cassette tapes and no longer have. At some point I will probably add an Oppo 83 to the HT so that will cover the SACD an DVD-a areas when needed. If you read roadrunner post above (reply #14), it pretty well sums up my tought. I have full trust on the ERC-1 CD player audio quality for playing your CDs from your CD collection. * But then, the Oppo BDP-83 just came in into the equation.  My BDP-83 is a nice CD player with HDCD decoder, and also plays SACDs & DVD-Audios too. Still, I prefer my Rotel RCD-971 to play CDs from its analog outputs. But not by that much though. And it is a very personal preference. At the end, do you really need two CD players? If yes, get both then, the ERC-1 & also the BDP-83. If not, then your choice is quite obvious, isn't? |
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...And for the price, you win big time anyway. 
I think this was one of the big errors committed by SACD and DVD-A (among a few others). Not enough popular music.
