Mabe a ERC-1

[Vermont99]

I aim currently using my Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD Blue Ray player for my CD’s, DVD’s and my Blue Ray’s. I have been thinking of adding an ERC-1 to my system, would I notice enough any improvement in sound to justify the purchase. Pioneer is using Burr-Brown Audio DACs and audiophile capacitors in the Pioneer Elite Blue Ray players and should be very good. Both would be connected to the UMC-1 and the XPA-5.

[Erwin.BE]

Jul 16, 2010 19:34:27 GMT -5 Vermont99 said:

I aim currently using my Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD Blue Ray player for my CD’s, DVD’s and my Blue Ray’s. I have been thinking of adding an ERC-1 to my system, would I notice enough any improvement in sound to justify the purchase. Pioneer is using Burr-Brown Audio DACs and audiophile capacitors in the Pioneer Elite Blue Ray players and should be very good. Both would be connected to the UMC-1 and the XPA-5.

I only have the ERC-1, not the other machines you name. You are not using HDMI for CD playback, I presume? This would bypass those DAC's anyway... The ERC-1 is reported to be better than the Oppo 83 CD playback. I think (not sure) the Oppo is better than the Pioneer. Hence, you should hear improvement. In any case, the CD will start to play faster than with a Blu Ray player. If the speed of operation does not bother you, you could alternatively put a XDA-1 between the player and the UMC-1, using the optical out of the Pioneer.

You could even have the best of 2 worlds in one system:
1/ Keep your HT set-up like it is
2/ Get the ERC-1, the XDA-1 and 2 pairs of XLR connections.
3/ Connect the XLR from the XDA-1 to the LR of the XPA-5
4/ Toggle between BAL/UNBAL depending on the use of the HT or the CD and use the XDA-1 as a pre-amp
Only downside is that you have to be able to reach the back of the amp, but the sonic reward should be worth it.

[Vermont99]

Thanks for the quick reply I never heard of a XDA-1 but I will look it up. As I under stand the Pioneer Elite audio output is a little better then the then the Oppo-83’s. The start up time is a little pain with the Blue Ray but once it is up and running the CD’s load quit fast. I was thinking of the ERC-1 because when I got the UMC-1 I could not believe how much better the Pioneer sounded compared to being connected to my old Denon 4802 AV. I if the ERC-1 will not sound much better then the Pioneer I will try suggestion of taking the analog out on the Pioneer directly to the UMC-1 and see how that works.

[roadrunner]

vermont99

You definitely want to use the analog feed from your CD player into the UMC-1 if its DAC is truly audiophile grade. I have not heard your BD player, but I have heard the Pioneer Elite CD player, which happens to be very good. If I assume the two Pioneer Elite components sound very similar to each other, I would have to say the ERC-1 will give you superior sound reproduction. The surprise you experienced when first listening to the sound quality of the UMC-1 is an indication of the improvement you are likely to hear when using the ERC-1... a phenomenal CD player.

If you are a music lover, and you have high-end source components/speakers, the ERC-1 is a "must have" addition to your system. The ERC-1 has improved my listening experience far beyond what I thought was possible from changing a single component. I literally rediscovered my CD collection and my higher quality recordings now rival the sound of SACD.

[Vermont99]

Ok I ordered the ERC-1 and the USP-1 will not be shipped until 7/30. I should have stopped reading at that point but I didn’t. Now I aim my questioning decision what would be the best way to go forward?
1. Leave every thing as is.
2. Cancel the order and wait for the XDA-1 and connect my Pioneer Elite BDP-23FD Via Optical to the XDA-1.
3. Cancel the USP-1 and wait for the XDA-1 and connect the ERC-1 to the XDA-1.
4. Cancel the USP-1 and connect the ERC-1 directly to the UMC-1.

Roadrunner took your advice and I hooked up the analog out on the Pioneer directly to the UMC-1 and you were correct it did improve the quality of the sound. Thanks.

[stuofsci02]

I think you should keep the USP-1 or wait for the XSP-1. Having a good analog preamp is key IMO.. You can get the XDA and go directly to you amp, but that is going to mess up your HT connection. With the USP-1 you can use the HT bypass so it essentially disappears (other then the lights) when running multichannel..

You will not be disappointed with the USP-1 and what it will add to your system for < $400...

[Erwin.BE]

Jul 20, 2010 9:23:41 GMT -5 stuofsci02 said:

I think you should keep the USP-1 or wait for the XSP-1. Having a good analog preamp is key IMO.. You can get the XDA and go directly to you amp, but that is going to mess up your HT connection. With the USP-1 you can use the HT bypass so it essentially disappears (other then the lights) when running multichannel..

I can agree to this. The suggestion I made with the XDA-1 would have been inconvenient in use with the toggling on the back of the amp.
IMO, Emotiva should integrate the DAC into the XSP-1, but it won't happen just yet.

[Vermont99]

Thanks for the advice I aim going to leave the order as is. Now comes the waiting for the shipment.

[twilkins]

I think you'll be happy with your decission. I've found the USP-1 to be probably my favorite Emotiva purchase. It really brought my HT and stereo equipment together as far as ease of use. I'm looking forward to the XDA-1 and will be running it to the USP-1.