ERC-1 Vs ERC-3

[moteki456]

Has any owned both units, and could tell a difference from each?

I have had the ERC-1 for a long time now, and am looking to go in another rout.

The issue I have been having is it is to "bright" I have been stubborn for a long time (I wanted all the gear to match).

I forget the model # but prior to the erc-1 I had a NAD Bee Cd player and a Rotel and in the exact setup sounded very neutral/warm.



I guess what I am asking is either the ERC-2 or ERC-3 is more of a warm tone vs the Org. ERC-1.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[djoel]

Yeah I thought it was too bright myself, paired with the UPS-1.

I to used like my gear to look nice and uniform, but that was easier said than actually doing.

Djoel

[Gary Cook]

I'm using an ERC-3 with a USP-1 and an XPA-5 and I find that combination far from "bright" through my current speakers which, like Emotiva gear, are very neutral. I have occasionally tried my vintage KEF Concertos and they also display a very neutral / natural sound. I've heard what I consider to be "bright" many times in my hifi journeys, so I have a pretty good idea what that means to my ears and I haven't heard anything near what I'd consider "bright" from my so far 10 pieces of Emotiva gear.


Cheers
Gary

[novisnick]

Advice to you would be easier if your sig was posted.
How many different sources do/will you have? How about a TT or PC? Streaming? A DC-1 could handle all of these without replacing the ERC-1. It would have added use bonus if you had other sources. See my point now?
Just trying to help.

Nick

[Deleted]

I've had both. At first I thought the ERC-1 was kinda bright sounding. It really was that it was so clear and detailed my ears took it for being bright. Once they adjusted to it I didn't find them bright anymore. Not saying this is your issue with the brightness. There is a difference between the ERC-1 and ERC-3 but it is not night and day. The ERC-3 adds a little wider sound stage, and resolution. I miss the slot loader of the ERC-1 compared to the tray loader of the ERC-3. The ERC-3 takes what makes the ERC-1 so great, and adds a little refinement to it. You can try the ERC-3 or get the DC-1 and use the ERC-1 as a transport.

Aug 22, 2014 12:44:05 GMT -5 moteki456 said:

Has any owned both units, and could tell a difference from each?

[garbulky]

You could keep the ERC-1. Output the digital audio via AES balanced output into a DC-1 unit. P.S. AES balanced is simply an XLR cable.
Edit: Okay apparently the ERC-1 doesn't have AES. That's okay SPDIF RCA out will get you there just as well

The ERC-2 (not the 1) was similar to the XDA-1. The XDA-1 though I wouldn't call it bright had a certain "glare" for lack of a bettter word on the treble. The DC-1 on the other hand is more warm sounding unit mainly in the bass area. But not by much but it doesn't have as much "glare" in the treble. Hope that helps.

[creimes]

Aug 22, 2014 18:26:25 GMT -5 garbulky said:

You could keep the ERC-1. Output the digital audio via AES balanced output into a DC-1 unit. P.S. AES balanced is simply an XLR cable.
The ERC-2 (not the 1) was similar to the XDA-1. The XDA-1 though I wouldn't call it bright had a certain "glare" for lack of a bettter word on the treble. The DC-1 on the other hand is more warm sounding unit mainly in the bass area. But not by much but it doesn't have as much "glare" in the treble. Hope that helps.

No AES output on the ERC-1, Digital Coax or Optical only, which is completely fine as well

Chad

[stiehl11]

I've owned both the ERC-1 and the ERC-3; and at one time had the ERC-1 acting as a transport going to an XDA-2. Both units are superb but I prefer the ERC-3. While the ERC-1 was very clear and revealing, it tended to be a bit bright (as you mentioned) and not as clean on the high-end as the ERC-3. I find the ERC-3 has a mellow-er tone to it without sacrificing the clarity of the high frequencies. As a bonus, my ERC-1 would "clip" the first millisecond of sound upon start-up. The ERC-3 starts up just like a normal CD player with no missing notes.

[moteki456]

Thanks for all the info guys.

After a lot of thinking I took the plunge today and ordered a factory renewed ERC-3.

I will post what I find out In a couple weeks....

Thanks again guys.

[MikeWI]

Sept 26, 2014 10:08:40 GMT -5 moteki456 said:

Thanks for all the info guys.

After a lot of thinking I took the plunge today and ordered a factory renewed ERC-3.

I will post what I find out In a couple weeks....

Thanks again guys.

Any updates?

Mike

[rod]

I have both and love them both cuz my ERC1 is connected to DC-1 that makes it sound like the ERC3. The only thing that I dislike is whenever I use the DC-1, it gets warmer even if I don't use it... But its heat is very bearable and it produces great sound like my ERC3.

[creimes]

I swapped my ERC-1 out with my buddy's ERC-3 for about two weeks and while I never did any blind side by side tests I never noticed any change in sound at all, but that's my ears and my gear in my room, my gear is superb though and my room is acoustically treated as well

Chad

[jutta]

Aug 22, 2014 20:28:37 GMT -5 stiehl11 said:

As a bonus, my ERC-1 would "clip" the first millisecond of sound upon start-up. The ERC-3 starts up just like a normal CD player with no missing notes.

There's a FW disc to run that fixes that glitch
I got hold of it soon after I purchased my ERC-1 several years ago

[stiehl11]

Dec 1, 2014 19:13:02 GMT -5 jutta said:

Aug 22, 2014 20:28:37 GMT -5 stiehl11 said:

As a bonus, my ERC-1 would "clip" the first millisecond of sound upon start-up. The ERC-3 starts up just like a normal CD player with no missing notes.

There's a FW disc to run that fixes that glitch
I got hold of it soon after I purchased my ERC-1 several years ago

Asked Lonnie about that in 2011, 2012, and 2013 with no avail. You wouldn't happen to be able to rip that to a compressed file and send it to me, would you? I still have the player and would love to update it before selling it.

[jutta]

I passed the disc on sorry once I used it. It did the rounds of local members on an Aust forum

[MikeWI]

Dec 1, 2014 19:13:02 GMT -5 jutta said:

Aug 22, 2014 20:28:37 GMT -5 stiehl11 said:

As a bonus, my ERC-1 would "clip" the first millisecond of sound upon start-up. The ERC-3 starts up just like a normal CD player with no missing notes.

There's a FW disc to run that fixes that glitch
I got hold of it soon after I purchased my ERC-1 several years ago

I vaguely recall that.

Emotiva should have this listed in a "Support - Archive" for firmware downloads.

Mike

[MikeWI]

Dec 1, 2014 21:17:05 GMT -5 stiehl11 said:

Dec 1, 2014 19:13:02 GMT -5 jutta said:

There's a FW disc to run that fixes that glitch
I got hold of it soon after I purchased my ERC-1 several years ago

Asked Lonnie about that in 2011, 2012, and 2013 with no avail. You wouldn't happen to be able to rip that to a compressed file and send it to me, would you? I still have the player and would love to update it before selling it.

I'll look for my CD and will send a file to Emotiva if I find it.
It's been a long time since I did that FW update and thought about this though...

Mike

[MikeWI]

I found the Emotiva ERC-1 firmware update.
(see attached)

MTK.BIN

From the inserted text with CD:

"ERC-1 Software Update

Install:
Insert CDR into the ERC-1, as you would any CD. The display will read 'Loading' for
about 15 seconds or so, then eject the disc, while still reading 'Loading'.

Reboot:
After ejecting the CDR, the ERC-1 will continue to read 'Loading' for about 30-45
seconds, then the display will change to 'Emotiva', then 'Loading', then 'No Disc', then
'Ready'. When the display reads 'Ready', power the unit down with the Standby
button. Wait a few moments, then return the ERC to full power with the Standby
button again. The software is now updated."



Mike





MTK.BIN (964.83 KB)

[TheMachinist]

Aug 22, 2014 12:44:05 GMT -5 moteki456 said:

Has any owned both units, and could tell a difference from each?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I had the ERC-2, ERC-3 and now on the ERC-1 with DC-1.  Yes the ERC-1 is very detailed which tends it to be lean or as you described 'bright' sounding. Putting it through the DC-1 made is neutral/mellow and more listenable. But the ERC-1 is not a bad one, and should do well with warmer vintage gear.

However ERC-1 with DC-1 does not equal to ERC-3. The ERC-3 is the best CD player I ever heard. The sound is inviting, warm and easy listening with lots of details and dynamic. It makes you want to keep playing CDs on and on. The ERC-1 + DC-1 comes close but not 100% sounding ERC-3, but more towards neutral presentation compared to warmer character of ERC-3

I had the ERC-2 too sometime back when I was on different speakers. I felt the ERC-2 has a bloated mid bass causing it to have bass bloom. I didn't enjoy it much.

So in terms of SQ it would be ERC-3 > ERC-1 + DC-1 > ERC-1 > ERC-2. Hope that helps

[MikeWI]

Dec 24, 2014 8:43:32 GMT -5 TheMachinist said:

Aug 22, 2014 12:44:05 GMT -5 moteki456 said:

Has any owned both units, and could tell a difference from each?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I had the ERC-2, ERC-3 and now on the ERC-1 with DC-1.  Yes the ERC-1 is very detailed which tends it to be lean or as you described 'bright' sounding. Putting it through the DC-1 made is neutral/mellow and more listenable. But the ERC-1 is not a bad one, and should do well with warmer vintage gear.

However ERC-1 with DC-1 does not equal to ERC-3. The ERC-3 is the best CD player I ever heard. The sound is inviting, warm and easy listening with lots of details and dynamic. It makes you want to keep playing CDs on and on. The ERC-1 + DC-1 comes close but not 100% sounding ERC-3, but more towards neutral presentation compared to warmer character of ERC-3

I had the ERC-2 too sometime back when I was on different speakers. I felt the ERC-2 has a bloated mid bass causing it to have bass bloom. I didn't enjoy it much.

So in terms of SQ it would be ERC-3 > ERC-1 + DC-1 > ERC-1 > ERC-2. Hope that helps

Anyone know if you are in the E-club what the ERC-1 -> ERC-3 upgrade cost is?

Mike