Anyone do a direct comparison of the XDA-2 vs. the ERC-2?

[paintedklown]

Has anyone done a direct comparison of the XDA-2 vs. the ERC-2?

I have admittedly drooled over BOTH of these pieces of gear for quite some time now, and am up in the air about what would be the best way to go.

The functionality of the XDA-2 makes it an "easy win" in some respects, but the ERC-2 is known as such a strong performer, that perhaps it is the best way to go. I am not sure.

Then we have the upcoming ERC-3 about to be thrown in the mix as well...

Anyway, since the ERC-3 is not yet available, I was curious to know how the ERC-2 compares to the XDA-2.

Any info/thoughts/opinions/etc. are welcome.

[unsound]

I did a very brief comparison between ERC2 via optical into XDA2 into UPA2 and ERC2 via RCA into USP-1 into UPA2. I found the USP-1 option a little smoother on the highs and fleshier in the mids. I also thought the soundstaging was marginally better. I only had about 5 minutes on this. I'll be able to do more comparing after next week. What I'm hearing could also just be the USP-1 and have nothing to do with the ERC2 vs XDA2.

[paintedklown]

Jul 6, 2013 18:23:40 GMT -5 unsound said:

I did a very brief comparison between ERC2 via optical into XDA2 into UPA2 and ERC2 via RCA into USP-1 into UPA2. I found the USP-1 option a little smoother on the highs and fleshier in the mids. I also thought the soundstaging was marginally better. I only had about 5 minutes on this. I'll be able to do more comparing after next week. What I'm hearing could also just be the USP-1 and have nothing to do with the ERC2 vs XDA2.

Interesting observations, and you could very well be correct about the difference being the USP-1. I will be looking forward to your continued impressions. Thanks.

For reference, whatever I get will be ran into the XSP-1, so I would not be utilizing the XDA-2's volume feature.

[unsound]

If it turns out to be the USP-1, I'll be a little surprised, for sure. I'm expecting the USP-1 to not have an impact on the sound. It'll be interesting to see what happens when I add the USP-1 to the XDA-2 chain above.

[garbulky]

paintedklown - you could hook both upto the USP-1 the xda-2 at 0 volume and the erc-2 and compare.