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Post by Gary Cook on Dec 22, 2013 0:15:39 GMT -5
Anyone PLEASE, that has a DC-1 and the ERC-3 please post something about the two! Comparison please.is it the same playing through both or is one better then the other,,,,,,,in your opinion?  Inpatient! St. Nick Hi Nick, I don't know that you will get a response to that question, I know that if I had a DC-1 I wouldn't even consider an ERC-3 for the same system. Conceptually a DC-1 to me is for adding the same quality DAC to all digital sources, sources which may or may not include CD's. I suspect that I would only buy a DC-1 if I mainly wanted it for streaming and other similar sources. In my case I play a lot of CD's so the ERC-3 is a more logical answer. You might get lucky and find someone who has a DC-1 for another system (say, office) and an ERC-3 for the lounge/music room. But even then will the systems be the identical, a requisite for a decent basis of comparison? The DAC is the same, with a slightly less complex implementation in the ERC-3. So the differences, if there are any, will be subtle, I suspect very subtle. Merry Xmas Gary |
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Post by novisnick on Dec 22, 2013 0:25:10 GMT -5
Anyone PLEASE, that has a DC-1 and the ERC-3 please post something about the two! Comparison please.is it the same playing through both or is one better then the other,,,,,,,in your opinion? Inpatient! St. Nick Hi Nick, I don't know that you will get a response to that question, I know that if I had a DC-1 I wouldn't even consider an ERC-3 for the same system. Conceptually a DC-1 to me is for adding the same quality DAC to all digital sources, sources which may or may not include CD's. I suspect that I would only buy a DC-1 if I mainly wanted it for streaming and other similar sources. In my case I play a lot of CD's so the ERC-3 is a more logical answer. You might get lucky and find someone who has a DC-1 for another system (say, office) and an ERC-3 for the lounge/music room. But even then will the systems be the identical, a requisite for a decent basis of comparison? The DAC is the same, with a slightly less complex implementation in the ERC-3. So the differences, if there are any, will be subtle, I suspect very subtle. Merry Xmas Gary Thanks Gary, that's what I thought as well. But if I was getting the ERC-3 for a separate system and owned a DC-1 I would have to try the comparison just the hear if it would hold true. Even then there would be some differences in the chain of gear. just curious ya know. thanks for the response though. Nick |
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Post by Mickboy on Dec 22, 2013 16:30:54 GMT -5
Mickboy here. So far i'm into around 60+ hours of burn in. I'm going to do a shoot out with my NAD 565BEE tonight using Dave Brubecks 'Time Out' as a test disc. But my impressions so far is that sound wise, this machine ROCKS. On Brubeck, Jimmy Smith, Ratt (yeah, the hair band!) I've heard no 'digitittus' at all. In fact, playing the Ratt album I was shocked, and I mean really shocked at how much life the Drummers ride cymbal had-things that sound so natural that I'd never heard in any other player.  Ergonomically, I don't like the remote-too heavy-it would have been nice to get circular function dial like the current Onkyo players have (enter button in the middle surrounded by up/down/left/right buttons for the common functions). Also, in this day of 'Green' , I'm really surprised that this unit doesn't go into 'standby' after 15 or 30 minutes, like the current NAD, Onkyo, Marantz units. It's nice to be able to go to bed and not have the thing on all night long.  Also, the front 'open/close' button does not always work on one push. The push is a positive contact, which is fine, but there are other more 'sensitive' button out there, like the ones on the Marantz. One Push-Done. This gives the ERC-3 a bit of an air of 'chinese' gear. I would expect better. Also, it would be nice to just hit a button like 'Play' and have the unit 'Wake Up', this feature is on every new CD player listed below, this lack of something simple seems like the ERC-3 is still stuck in 'nitch' land where the normal Major players are where they should be.......  But........ All those things considered, it does sound Wonderful! The blue halo's around the buttons Rock my world. The Tray is THE smoothest tray I've encountered in any of my most recent cd players (Onkyo 7030, Onkyo 7070, Marantz CD5001/5004/6005/ NAD 565BEEE) and that's the kind of 'thing' that oozes well built gear. Do the same with the front buttons and you would have a unit that has the physical feel of a $4K unit. So an A+ for sound, B- for Ergonomics. But again, I'm just trying to give 'constructive' criticism here, Not destructive criticism. I do very much like this unit and lets get on the next upgraded model, an Optical 'Input' so we can also us this deck as a DAC. I have no plans on purchasing a seperate one but would easily pay an extra $100 for this model to incorporate one. All in All, Good Job to Lonnie, Dan and all at Emotive, I like this deck very much! Merry Christmas to you all!! Mickboy |
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Post by trinhsman on Dec 22, 2013 16:47:13 GMT -5
Nick boy...you can have those items, but that is just more circuits in the mix, or in the case of the open/close button, possibly more expense. As for the remote, I love it. Solid, and since I don't own a gun, a great weapon if needed.
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Post by trinhsman on Dec 22, 2013 16:48:12 GMT -5
Damn spell check on the IPad. Sory Mickboy.
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Post by trinhsman on Dec 22, 2013 16:48:33 GMT -5
I give up.
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Post by Gary Cook on Dec 22, 2013 17:44:09 GMT -5
Personally I like the weapons grade remote, very manly. Similar comments from visitors over the weekend, one female friend of my daughters commented that it would be useful as she has the habit of throwing the remote at her partner when he annoys her by channel flicking (ouch).
Unlike Mick, I'm not a fan of the dial within a dial format I prefer discrete buttons, easily located by touch. Yes, I know the UMC-200 has the dial within a dial format (as does my 8 year old Denon AVR) but it's not for the commonly used controls.
I agree with the tray comment it's one smooth operator (that's a Sade song) "We move in space, with minimum waste and maximum joy".
I do like the positive click buttons, you can feel when your command has been passed on.
As for adding functionality, I'm torn, I like the concept of a CD player that is engineered just to play CD's to the best of its ability, nothing more. But it does seem a shame to waste a good DAC circuit. Personally I'll get enough use out of my ERC-3 playing CD's that there won't be any waste.
Merry Xmas
Gary
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Post by Mickboy on Dec 22, 2013 17:56:02 GMT -5
Damn spell check on the IPad. Sory Mickboy. LOL!!! Aw it's all good trinhsman! I make so many mistakes it's not funny. Hey, I got suspended from the Steve Hoffman site for being mean. So if anybody here can post on there can you please lookup this thread: forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/emotivas-erc-3-449-cd-player.335326/page-3#post-9807718Go to post #69 and send T-BO over here for my thoughts on the ERC3?? Would appreciate that. And I do realize your points. Mine being that if Onkyo can do it on a $179 CD player, there is NO good reason it should not be incorporated into a Flagship piece such as the ERC-3. And again, it is meant as constructive criticism, not moaning about an otherwise really nice sounding machine. The control chips are out there, and they probably go for under $5.00. Again, it just puts up a bit of a cloud of 'Well, their still not up to the big boys' mindset. If it can go for a much cheaper unit (Onkyo 7030) it should well be on this unit too. But that's why I'm here......to be the 'Hair'. Now back to the Seahawks Game....... Thanks! Mickboy AKA Gerry AKA hey you! |
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Post by Mickboy on Dec 22, 2013 18:13:19 GMT -5
Personally I like the weapons grade remote, very manly. Similar comments from visitors over the weekend, one female friend of my daughters commented that it would be useful as she has the habit of throwing the remote at her partner when he annoys her by channel flicking (ouch). Unlike Mick, I'm not a fan of the dial within a dial format I prefer discrete buttons, easily located by touch. Yes, I know the UMC-200 has the dial within a dial format (as does my 8 year old Denon AVR) but it's not for the commonly used controls. I agree with the tray comment it's one smooth operator (that's a Sade song) "We move in space, with minimum waste and maximum joy". I do like the positive click buttons, you can feel when your command has been passed on. As for adding functionality, I'm torn, I like the concept of a CD player that is engineered just to play CD's to the best of its ability, nothing more. But it does seem a shame to waste a good DAC circuit. Personally I'll get enough use out of my ERC-3 playing CD's that there won't be any waste. Merry Xmas Gary Gary, good points. It does come down to what one likes. Going back......way back, I still don't like remotes that much because it allowed me to be lazy! LOL! And then the era when so much consumer electronics put almost all the buttons just on the remote and almost none on the player. For me it takes away from the interaction with the gear. But again, I know it's down to personal preference. I'm in a bit of an advantageous position in that I've been Blessed with owning all these 'mid fi' players over the past 4 years, so it has given me a good ear to the rails perspective on what currently is the trend. I was truly taken aback that the ERC3 did not shut off (go into standby) after 30 minutes like ALL the other players did. I find this nifty. It is just one of those things that, to me, shows a very keen attention to design. Now, granted, I'll say it now, I expect Emotiva products to wayyyyyy out perform the competition, or else I'd still be playing my Onkyo! That being said, I DO want this company to achieve 'Macintosh' status and I know that is a very do-able goal. Hence my 'thoughts' on the ERC3. I'm looking at this as my 'Reference' CD player, and of course like a good Father to a Daughter would just like the 'Best for my Baby'. (Tears welling up now........) Now, about that remote, .............. Mickboy |
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Post by Gary Cook on Dec 22, 2013 18:52:45 GMT -5
McIntosh "status" may be something to aim at. But I'm not going to be impressed if Emotiva goes towards McIntosh "sound" (a subject in another thread).
Back to reviews, I did have the chance over the weekend to do a bit of back to back listening having already given a clear win to the ERC-3 over streaming using the DAC in my UMC-200. Next was a quick back to back CD sound comparison to my trusty Panasonic BD player (which has a sound fairly close to an Oppo 103) using inputs on my USP-1 for easy and quick switching. That lasted about 2 tracks, the ERC-3 being so superior in every way, staging, frequency response (all ranges), voice reproduction, the whole 9 yards.
Next was an Oppo 105, this was a pretty short test as the 105 was only stopping by on its way to its new home. Again connected via my USP-1. I was bit surprised at this test, I only had time for one CD and I chose Diana Krall, Look of Love, not sure why, other than it's a hybrid SACD that I know well. What caught me out was the difference in the vocals, the ERC-3 sounds noticeably (not night and day but it was noticeable none the less) more natural. Violins for example were more forward, perhaps too much, on the 105, but I'd like to listen for a lot longer and with more musical variety to be really sure.
Overall I'm ever so impressed with the ERC-3, it sounds better than I had hoped and I did have high expectations. If you play a lot of CD's you just need to have one.
Merry Xmas
Gary
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Post by trinhsman on Dec 23, 2013 17:45:18 GMT -5
Time for my review. I have now had the unit burned in about 50 hours. I have listened quite a bit today. Incredible depth and soundstage. Very clear in the mid range with absolutely breathtaking highs. Not harsh, and not in your face, just so detailed and clear. Instruments are actually placed. My speakers have disappeared. It sounds like I have a center speaker in my 2 channel system, but I do not. Bass is very controlled. Like other posts have said, there is a nice decay to the notes. There is also very good attack. When a kettle drum is hit, you feel it, and you can hear the note subside. I have some Choral material that sounds like you are actually in the hall. Diana Krall, never sounded so good. Enya is lush and spacious. Third Force is AMAZING!!! There you have it. Not a pro review, just a guy that loves his 2 channel set up.
Audible Illusions Modulus 3A pre-amp
Emotiva XPA-2 Power amp
Music Hall 7.1 turntable
Ortofon 2M Black cartridge
Emotiva ERC-3 CD player
Morrow SP-6 speaker wires
Morrow MA-5 interconnects between cd player and pre
Aural Thrills powered interconnects between pre and amp
Snell Type C spekers, hotrodded with new Snell woofers and solid maple bases.
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ro919
Minor Hero
Posts: 11
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Post by ro919 on Dec 24, 2013 8:58:05 GMT -5
Nothing to dislike with this unit, +1 on the weapons grade remote. Can definitely tell when I have a poor quality cd in it.
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Post by tweed on Dec 24, 2013 15:06:00 GMT -5
Greetings All
I have been running this little gem the ERC3 for about a week now. I am running it balanced ERC3 >XSP1 >XPA1L’s >Speakers. Much has been said about the sonic qualities and to be perfectly honest, I am at a loss to add anything. I think the ERC3 is also at a loss to add anything…nothing is added, zero, zip, nada. It appears to just transfer the signal down the chain without imparting or changing anything at all. IMO it is just transparent.
Many of us have wondered how it sounds compared the the ERC2? Will there be a big difference? I say no, there is not a huge step from the 2 the 3. The ERC3 to me is just a bit more refined. But, more refined it is for sure. Personally, I really did never warm up to the slot loading of the ERC2. That’s just me but I really like the solid tray loading of the ERC3. For those that like or dislike the blue lights…you have a lot of dimming options so I would think most will be happy.
If you are in the market for a standalone CD player, I just cannot see how you could go wrong with this unit.
Lonnie mentioned in his video that the ERC3 was the finest CD player that Emotiva has or will ever make and I will say right now that not only do I agree, I also believe it will be the last one I ever purchase.
Merry Christmas to All
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pebo
Minor Hero
make it so
Posts: 43 
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Post by pebo on Dec 26, 2013 5:50:04 GMT -5
Finally got my ERC-3 set up and been playing it all day
Really a fantastic unit, with loads of detail and ( I know we have ALL heard this before) revealing parts of music I have never heard before on well loved CD's.
Sound is very open, deep and lush with an authority and slam that just wasn't there with my Rotel RCD 1520.
As Tweed quoted Lonnie saying that the ERC-3 was the finest CD player Emotiva will ever make.......Amen!
Now I just need to change the trim bars on my XPA-2 to make it look "a set"
Merry Christmas and happy New Year
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Post by Dan Laufman on Dec 26, 2013 16:33:05 GMT -5
Just got a call from a very well known Grammy award winning recording engineer and producer here in Nashville in reference to his new ERC-3. BTW, he purchased it, it was not a freebie. The words he used were "stunningly good" He was blown away by its "clarity and depth of stage". This is a guy that does not mince words with me when critiquing products, and he has heard pretty much everything out there. He's also a person that does not ever need to buy a product, as brands fall over themselves to give him product for free. When this guy spends his own money and tells me it's good, he means it. I have a smile from ear to ear!! |
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Post by TUGA Audiophile on Dec 26, 2013 17:40:26 GMT -5
Just got a call from a very well known Grammy award winning recording engineer and producer here in Nashville in reference to his new ERC-3. BTW, he purchased it, it was not a freebie. The words he used were "stunningly good" He was blown away by its "clarity and depth of stage". This is a guy that does not mince words with me when critiquing products, and he has heard pretty much everything out there. He's also a person that does not ever need to buy a product, as brands fall over themselves to give him product for free. When this guy spends his own money and tells me it's good, he means it. I have a smile from ear to ear!! GREAT NEWS!!! CONGRATULATIONS! - AS I HAD THOUGHT! emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/33291/emotiva-erc-oppo-bdp-95 |
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Post by Bonzo on Dec 26, 2013 18:34:59 GMT -5
Just got a call from a very well known Grammy award winning recording engineer and producer here in Nashville in reference to his new ERC-3. BTW, he purchased it, it was not a freebie. The words he used were "stunningly good" He was blown away by its "clarity and depth of stage". This is a guy that does not mince words with me when critiquing products, and he has heard pretty much everything out there. He's also a person that does not ever need to buy a product, as brands fall over themselves to give him product for free. When this guy spends his own money and tells me it's good, he means it. I have a smile from ear to ear!! Awesome news!!! Good job!  Too bad he has to remain nameless, as I'm sure many folks here would love to know who it is. I know I would. If it's one guy in particular then this is a tremendous huge WOW, for me at least.  Thanks for the great products Dan and please keep them coming as long as you can. Cheers --- Bonzo |
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Post by Mickboy on Dec 26, 2013 19:04:09 GMT -5
Just got a call from a very well known Grammy award winning recording engineer and producer here in Nashville in reference to his new ERC-3. BTW, he purchased it, it was not a freebie. The words he used were "stunningly good" He was blown away by its "clarity and depth of stage". This is a guy that does not mince words with me when critiquing products, and he has heard pretty much everything out there. He's also a person that does not ever need to buy a product, as brands fall over themselves to give him product for free. When this guy spends his own money and tells me it's good, he means it. I have a smile from ear to ear!! Awesome news!!! Good job! Too bad he has to remain nameless, as I'm sure many folks here would love to know who it is. I know I would. If it's one guy in particular then this is a tremendous huge WOW, for me at least. Thanks for the great products Dan and please keep them coming as long as you can. Cheers --- Bonzo But that gets Emotiva into dangerous territory. It's better if others that this person knows personally and privately, get to hear him recommend the gear he actually owns. Influence is Priceless and Emotiva has probably pissed many 'Old School' companies off. The company is doing well and developing a reputation (good one at that) and respect-no need to Flaunt anything here, the deck will speak for itself. Now, Bonzo, do you own a RL vinyl copy of Zep II? Also, what are your favorite CD editions-sound quality wise-of the Zeppelin Catalogue? the beave |
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pebo
Minor Hero
make it so
Posts: 43
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Post by pebo on Dec 27, 2013 7:00:30 GMT -5
Just got a call from a very well known Grammy award winning recording engineer and producer here in Nashville in reference to his new ERC-3. BTW, he purchased it, it was not a freebie. The words he used were "stunningly good" He was blown away by its "clarity and depth of stage". This is a guy that does not mince words with me when critiquing products, and he has heard pretty much everything out there. He's also a person that does not ever need to buy a product, as brands fall over themselves to give him product for free. When this guy spends his own money and tells me it's good, he means it. I have a smile from ear to ear!! Well done Dan ,Lonnie and the team Just praise for a great piece of audio gear. Icing on the cake is we can all afford one!! |
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Post by Dan Laufman on Dec 27, 2013 9:21:41 GMT -5
Thanks guys. That is the real point with Emotiva… you CAN afford to own gear that competes with ultra high end, without taking out a second mortgage! |
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