ERC 1 versus ERC 2

[jaylaw]

I have been reading the reviews on the forums about both the ERC 1 and 2, and was wondering if anybody has experience with both. I am looking for someone who can compare these directly. I am in the market for a new CD player and have seen used ERC 1's on Audiogon. Is the ERC 2 worth the extra money I would spend to get it new? Would I be better off just going with an Oppo BDP 93 or 95 instead? What is better/worse in your opinions? I am new to all this nice audio stuff... Any help/advice is appreciated.

[Bruce]

I have the OPP-95 and it is an awesome player and the Analog section is fabulous.This unit playes ALL the various discs that are out there.I use the Analog section and the sound is the finest I have had with any player including ALL of my previous OPPO players.The 95 is $500 more than their 93 but if you use the Analog section the sound makes up for the extra money.You have to remember the ERC-1 or 2 does not play ALL discs as I have had the ERC-1 and thought for the money to play CD it was good sounding.I went in another direction so I purchased the OPPO-95 and never looked back.If you are looking for JUST a CD player and for the money the ERC -1 or 2 would be worth your while.

[hemster]

Nov 6, 2011 5:27:56 GMT -5 Bruce said:

I have the OPP-95 and it is an awesome player and the Analog section is fabulous.This unit playes ALL the various discs that are out there.I use the Analog section and the sound is the finest I have had with any player including ALL of my previous OPPO players.The 95 is $500 more than their 93 but if you use the Analog section the sound makes up for the extra money.You have to remember the ERC-1 or 2 does not play ALL discs as I have had the ERC-1 and thought for the money to play CD it was good sounding.I went in another direction so I purchased the OPPO-95 and never looked back.If you are looking for JUST a CD player and for the money the ERC -1 or 2 would be worth your while.

Having recently sold my Oppo 83, I'm in the market. I winder if the difference between the Oppo models 93 and 95 are worth the extra $500. Any insight into this or opinions would be most welcome.

Thanks.

[briank]

The reason I decided to pass on the Oppo 95 is because you have to use the analog outs to get the SQ benefit. If I did that I would be bypassing my room correction(ARC). Def don't want to do that. Prob the best way to use it would be hdmi out for movies and then also use left and right analog outs for music. Does the 95 output through hdmi and analog at the same time or do you have to switch the output?

[geebo]

Not sure about the 95, but my 93 is hooked up via coax (to an XDA), with 7.1 analog outs and HDMI. All I have to do to choose between the three is change inputs on the UMC. No need to change anything on the Oppo.

[kse]

The ERC-1/2 are both fine CD players. That being said, your dollar will go much, much farther on similar money by going with an Oppo unit -- be it a 93, or even a used 83SE.

[briank]

Nov 6, 2011 9:11:57 GMT -5 geebo said:

Not sure about the 95, but my 93 is hooked up via coax (to an XDA), with 7.1 analog outs and HDMI. All I have to do to choose between the three is change inputs on the UMC. No need to change anything on the Oppo.

Good to know. Thanks George.

[stiehl11]

If the OP wants only a CD player then save $100 and go with the ERC (or more if you go used). If the OP wants a multi-disc player for ultimate utility then a 93/95 from Oppo would be my recommendation. I have found that, analog to analog, the 93 is very similar to the ERC. I have not heard the 95 but based upon the data presented in other discussions you would need to have a very good system (quality, not dollars spent) and a very good set of ears (God or chance given, undamaged by loud noises, trained in aural skills) to be able to discern the difference. Is the 95 better? Yes. Will the general public tell a noticeable difference with basic gear? No.

I only add this because I don't know the background of the OP or his equipment.

[jaylaw]

Nov 6, 2011 11:35:59 GMT -5 stiehl11 said:

If the OP wants only a CD player then save $100 and go with the ERC (or more if you go used). If the OP wants a multi-disc player for ultimate utility then a 93/95 from Oppo would be my recommendation. I have found that, analog to analog, the 93 is very similar to the ERC. I have not heard the 95 but based upon the data presented in other discussions you would need to have a very good system (quality, not dollars spent) and a very good set of ears (God or chance given, undamaged by loud noises, trained in aural skills) to be able to discern the difference. Is the 95 better? Yes. Will the general public tell a noticeable difference with basic gear? No.

I only add this because I don't know the background of the OP or his equipment.

First, thanks everyone for the input. About my background, it's short. I have always had receivers (Denon and Onkyo and a Sony way back when) but just moved up to A Marantz AV7005 and Emotiva XPA-5 and UPA-2 and will soon purchase 2 UPA-1's to drive the fronts and use the UPA-2 for front high channels. I have a 46 inch Samsung LED TV with 3D and a Samsung 3D BluRay player (I think BDP 6900 that came with the TV). My speakers are all Definitive Technology (BP7001SC front, CLR 3000 center, BP7004 surrounds and rears, and a PFTL15+ subwoofer, and soon SM450's front high) but I guess the only ones that matter for music would be the BP7001SC's. I realize that the Oppo would likely be an upgrade for HT, but I don't know how big of one and if it would be worth the added expense... My lack of background/experience is why I'm here asking for help... Thanks again everyone and as always, any advice is appreciated.

Jason

[hemster]

Nov 6, 2011 9:11:57 GMT -5 geebo said:

Not sure about the 95, but my 93 is hooked up via coax (to an XDA), with 7.1 analog outs and HDMI. All I have to do to choose between the three is change inputs on the UMC. No need to change anything on the Oppo.

That's great information. I also have the XDA-1 and look forward to deploying it in a similar manner to that you have described. Thanks!

[stiehl11]

Personally, If I were you, I wouldn't bother looking at the 95. Not a slam, just an opinion. So, it comes down to the ease and convenience of a multi-disc player or a dedicated CD player. Is it worth $100 to you? Only you can answer that question.

As for ERC-1 v. 2: Both of them are exactly the same except for an additional out put in the rear on the ERC-2 and some pretty script on the front pannel. The ERC-2 has some problems with certain hybrid SA-CDs but a fix is coming soon from Emotiva. So, again, the question comes down to you; used is cheaper but "buyer beware" and less warranty on the warranty clock. If you play hybrid SA-CDs (the ERC-1/2 do not play the SA-CD layer, only the redbook layer) then I would go for the ERC-1.

[Bruce]

Nov 6, 2011 6:21:47 GMT -5 hemster said:

Nov 6, 2011 5:27:56 GMT -5 Bruce said:

I have the OPP-95 and it is an awesome player and the Analog section is fabulous.This unit playes ALL the various discs that are out there.I use the Analog section and the sound is the finest I have had with any player including ALL of my previous OPPO players.The 95 is $500 more than their 93 but if you use the Analog section the sound makes up for the extra money.You have to remember the ERC-1 or 2 does not play ALL discs as I have had the ERC-1 and thought for the money to play CD it was good sounding.I went in another direction so I purchased the OPPO-95 and never looked back.If you are looking for JUST a CD player and for the money the ERC -1 or 2 would be worth your while.

Having recently sold my Oppo 83, I'm in the market. I winder if the difference between the Oppo models 93 and 95 are worth the extra $500. Any insight into this or opinions would be most welcome.

Thanks.

Yes it would be worth the extra money if you use the analog section of the 95.The new firmware upgrade for the 95 contains all the set up for room correction including subwoofer using a sound meter.I only use Audyssey for cable and none for music.The Dacs in the 95 are awesome as one can use the stereo outs in 95 for your 5 or 7 ch. set up thus using the best 2 ch dacs for surround music or movies as the Oppo itself produces all the hi-def sound.I watch Bluray movies using the Analog and the sound is fantastic [pm Bill Mac] he has listened to my system.The sound for SACD,DVD AUDIO,Bluray Music and Movies is great and should be listened to by all .If you purchase the 95 Music Direct has a plan to streach out payments for 12 months or Buy from OPPO and send it back before 30 days for refund.I do not think you will send it back once you have it in your system and hear the great sound it produces!!!

[jaylaw]

So on the ERC-2, I see that there are two RCA outputs, as well as various digital outputs... Is it possible to hook up an ERC-2 to a USP-1 in my HT and with another output (digital) hook it up to say the XDA-1 in an adjacent home office with smaller bookshelf speakers? What is the difference between sound quality (I'm assuming different DACs) between the two? Is it possible to play both at once? I'm very excited to upgrade especially with holiday prices right now...

[stiehl11]

The DACs are very similar between the two ERC models. In fact, when looking at the two with their tops off at Emofest this year I could hardly spot the difference (except for the additional outputs you mentioned).

As for hooking them up to different processors; yes, you should be able to do that. The sound should be similar because the Analog section of the XDA is very similar to the ERC-2.

[Deleted]

I believe Dan said the transport mechanism was changed to a better one.

PS. I just received a firmware disk from Emo that solved the ERC 2's problem of not playing Hybrid cd's. And it fixed it.

[RPA-1 man]

I received a firmware update that fixed the issue of not reading the first couple seconds of a disc.

However it did not fix the Hybrid disc issue. Would you be willing to pass that disc on? Or, Is it something that can be saved as an iso and then burned to disc?

[Deleted]

Emotiva issues it for free if you bought the ERC-2.

[ske]

Does a cd still play automatically when inserted (after the firmware upgrade)? I'd rather have a seat and press play myself.

[Deleted]

Yes.

Also, the lights are off except the power button and display as the new default when the unit is turned on

[ske]

Thanks. I sent tech support an email request for the disc..