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Post by melm on Jan 9, 2014 18:54:24 GMT -5
Got the blue baby today and had a pretty extensive listen, but I want to compare to my Oppo BDP-103 before making definitive statements on SQ.
As usual for Emotiva, was packed with care. Removed protective covering from LED screen and fired it up. Used my Harmony Universal Remote which I had pre-programmed with ERC-2 commands. Everything I tried worked fine, including dim and display commands.
The Emotiva Remote IS a battleship. Sitting next to my metal AppleTV remote they look like father and emaciated child. The box included a manual, a fuse (hope I never need it) and a screwdriver. I thought, great, I can remove the screws in the remote to get to the shipping insulator for the batteries. Nope. Wrong size. Don't really know what it is for.
Lights: Pretty, but I dimmed them a couple of steps. Sadly, the LEDs are not exactly the same shade as the UMC-200 LEDs. The ERC-3 is just a little greener. Small detail, but I would have liked to see everything match because in my setup they are close together.
Discs loaded pretty fast. Not the fastest I've seen. Far from the slowest. Listened to some Jennifer Warnes and it was heavenly. High frequencies especially. Very "SACD like" if I can coin a phrase. Audio memory is tricky, but I don't think the CD ever sounded this good on any other players I've had recently. (BDP-83, 93, 103, some high end Sonys). Also listened to one of the Mercury Living Presence CDs. It was a Rachmaninoff concerto, and the imaging, dynamics, and soundstage were excellent.
Now the hard part comes. I'll do some lengthy comparisons to my Oppo with everything direct. I have some duplicate Telarcs so I can switch pretty fast. So far, the ERC-3 sounds good. Really good. But to a degree I'm relying on audio memory, which can be faulty, so more extensive tests coming.
The ERC-3 is very well built, and I'm hoping it has a long life. It is certainly going to get a lot of playing time.
By the way, listened on an XPA-2, the already mentioned UMC-200, and Magnepan 3.6r speakers.
More to come
Mel
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Post by trinhsman on Jan 9, 2014 19:04:39 GMT -5
Plan on doing a burn in, with a good dynamic cd on repeat for a couple of days. I noticed the soundstage actually got larger and more lush. Enya never sounded so good. If you have heard of Chris Spheeris, get one of hIs cd's and take a listen. Also, Diana Krall sounds amazing. This is the best CD player I ever heard. Congratulations, and ENJOY!!!
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 9, 2014 19:06:39 GMT -5
Good initial review, thanks for sharing. I assume you are using the analogue (RCA) stereo outputs from the ERC-3 to the UMC-200?
I'll not pre-empt your comparisons having done the 103 versus ERC-3 back to back myself, but it will be interesting to compare notes.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by melm on Jan 9, 2014 19:36:24 GMT -5
Yes. RCA outs. Will listen to 103 the same way.
Mel
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Post by paintedklown on Jan 9, 2014 19:54:31 GMT -5
Congrats on the new disc spinner! Great review so far, I will be VERY interested to see how you think it compares to the Oppo. Please keep us updated with your thoughts.  |
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Post by theebs on Jan 10, 2014 14:12:21 GMT -5
Got mine yesterday also.
First things first, fast shipping. Great response and shining.
Second the CD player is packed really well, double boxed and wrapped in protective cloth.
Third, the remote is great but not needed if you have an emotiva preamp, my usp-1 remote runs it perfectly.
I have been listening for a few hours now. The harshness my Sony 400 disk changer through my entech 203.2 dac had is gone. That stuck out immediately to me. More mellow and listenable.
The next thing that stood out is the bottom end this has brought to my Maggie mmg speakers. Didnt think it would make much a difference tbh but the player has brought a lower end out that was not there, listening to my bob marley legend cd the bass is clean fast and sounds great. Was not like this before. Listened to my Shawn Mullins soul's core cd and the same is true. I can hear the bass being played, it's a lot of fun listening to cd's today which has not been the case for me with this current setup.
Going to listen for the rest of the day and write some more later.
Oh the remastered Nashville skyline from the bob dylan complete album collection sounds incredible.
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Post by trinhsman on Jan 10, 2014 16:09:02 GMT -5
If you really want to be amazed with this player, get some Choral music or Enya cd's. The sound comes from all around the room out of just 2 speakers. Absolutely AMAZING!!! The Cris Spheeris CD, MAYA, is also really good. It's a kind of spacey and mystical sounding, but wow!!
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Post by melm on Jan 11, 2014 13:25:27 GMT -5
I've now spent a good deal of time listening to the ERC-3, so will add some more comments.
Extended listening to "The Well" by Jennifer Warnes was a real plus for the ERC-3. To my ear the sound was more mellow, female voice, always a challenge to reproduce, sounded natural. Listening to the BDP-103 from the analog outputs, the CD sounded quite good, but did not have the sense of 'liveness' I was hearing on the ERC-3. Besides the voices, percussion seemed to have better attack, and high frequencies seemed slightly extended (more realistic).
I also listened extensively to a classic Mercury Living Presence disc, remastered from a 3 channel analog tape from the fifties. In particular, I concentrated on the Symphony for Band by Vincent Persichetti. Here again, percussives seemed clearer, with very sharp attacks. High frequencies seemed smoother, and I felt the image of the wind ensemble was more precisely etched with side to side and front to back clarity.
In all cases, the Oppo sounded just fine, and if I had been listening to it and nothing else I would have been quite satisfied. But when switching to the ERC-3 there was just a touch of realism I wasn't hearing before.
Now all the caveats are in place. I knew what I was listening to, but in my mind I would have been happy for either result. In other words, I was fine if the Oppo or the ERC-3 "won". Describing things with terms like 'mellow' and 'natural' are slippery and open to wide interpretation.
I did not find the differences dramatic, but they were audible. It could be the DAC, any frequency response differences, or my frame of mind. On the other hand, in all cases, I should note that I preferred listening to SACD versions of recordings, and when I played an SACD and then played the same disc in the ERC-3 to play the red layer I appreciated the superiority of the SACD.
I listened to 10 CDs in total. In general, I thought the differences between units were most obvious in small ensembles and vocals, least obvious with massed orchestral or choral works.
I aslo listened to CDs comparing the analog straight through play and letting the UMC-200 DAC digitize them. In all cases the analog playback was superior, but I did like using the Dolby PLIIX music setting which engaged my subwoofer and some additional speakers. Given a choice, I'd stick with direct playback.
In summary, there are differences, and I think most listeners will hear them. The ERC-3 has given some new life to my rather extensive CD collection, which had been pushed aside a bit in factor of higher resolution content.
We all know that different people can listen to the same equipment and come to different conclusions. Having said that, to my ear, (former classical radio announcer, someone who has recorded a great deal of live music) the ERC-3 is the best CD player I've had the pleasure to listen to.
It would be interesting to hear other impressions, to see if they agree or are at variance with my experience. I'm obviously keeping the ERC-3, and it's going to get a lot of use.
Mel
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Post by Gary Cook on Jan 11, 2014 16:17:17 GMT -5
Thanks for the review Mel, it aligns very much with my impressions of the 103 vs ERC-3 comparison. I agree that the female voice sounds noticeable more lifelike/alive with the ERC-3. Orchestral high frequency instruments, violins, flutes and right hand piano etc are also more accurately portrayed. Powerful amplifiers to me always seem to have faster acceleration, sometimes referred to as attack. What I found with the ERC-3 was it made my XPA-5 sound like it had more grunt (at the same USP-1 volume setting and SPL levels). I can't say as I have experienced that before with a source change, it's always been an amplifier symptom. I don't have a lot if SACD's and I do prefer the 5.1 sound with equalisation, so they will get played using a 103 and my UMC-200.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by 2out2sea on Feb 1, 2014 10:50:53 GMT -5
Could saying "female vocals are more lifelike". Be construed to mean slightly more forward and possibly bright? I am interested in trying the erc3 to replace my aging Cary cdp. The Cary is ever so slightly forward.
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Post by Gary Cook on Feb 1, 2014 14:04:30 GMT -5
Could saying "female vocals are more lifelike". Be construed to mean slightly more forward and possibly bright? I am interested in trying the erc3 to replace my aging Cary cdp. The Cary is ever so slightly forward. My 20 cents, first up I would most certainly say not "bright", the sound quantity is a full range improvement, no particular emphasis on any frequencies. I do find that certain musical instruments have qualities that are harder than others to reproduce in a life like representation. Good audio gear reproduces those qualities that we hear in a live performance whereas lessor gear may reproduce the note for example but not the vibrato, the resonance, the linger. To me that's what makes, say, a sax even more saxy. The human voice is in many ways the most complex of musical instruments and as a result it is difficult to fully reproduce in a life like performance. What I have found listening to the ERC-3 is that the female voice isn't louder per se, it doesn't sit way out front any more (than with the previous CD players) there's just more information contained in the sound itself. It's not what I would call more forward, as in standing out, it's just simply more life like. Such as when she is whispering into your ear, it's not just the words but the sound of her lips moving, touching, the movement of air in and out, the actual temperature of the breath on your skin.......................sorry gotta go, I have this strange urge to listen to Diana Krall. Cheers Gary |
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Rich
Minor Hero
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Post by Rich on Feb 4, 2014 12:12:01 GMT -5
This is my first post. Well I got mine a few days ago after looking around, reading reviews and wanting a new player. I've replaced my well loved Adcom GCD-750 that I've had for about 13 years. I really like the Adcom gear of that time. Now they're a completely different company. I wanted a player that would be just that. A really well made solid CD player. The Emo is just that and more! For more than half the price of the Adcom 13 years ago!!
I won't go in to all the details that nearly everyone who loves this player has already stated, The highs, the low end tightness, soundstage, depth. Just everything you want in a player for a ridiculous price!!
My next purchase will be an XPA-2 in a matter of days if not sooner!
A very happy new Emotiva owner,
Rich
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Post by paintedklown on Feb 4, 2014 12:32:56 GMT -5
This is my first post. Well I got mine a few days ago after looking around, reading reviews and wanting a new player. I've replaced my well loved Adcom GCD-750 that I've had for about 13 years. I really like the Adcom gear of that time. Now they're a completely different company. I wanted a player that would be just that. A really well made solid CD player. The Emo is just that and more! For more than half the price of the Adcom 13 years ago!! I won't go in to all the details that nearly everyone who loves this player has already stated, The highs, the low end tightness, soundstage, depth. Just everything you want in a player for a ridiculous price!! My next purchase will be an XPA-2 in a matter of days if not sooner! A very happy new Emotiva owner, Rich Welcome to the lounge. Glad to see that you are enjoying the new player. A lot of Emotiva products really do punch well above their weight class, and represent a GREAT bargin in the audio industry. |
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Post by pedrocols on Feb 4, 2014 13:10:22 GMT -5
Just wait until the ERC-4 comes out and we will all be repeating ourselves......I hate reviews....  |
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Post by Gary Cook on Feb 4, 2014 14:40:42 GMT -5
This is my first post. Well I got mine a few days ago after looking around, reading reviews and wanting a new player. I've replaced my well loved Adcom GCD-750 that I've had for about 13 years. I really like the Adcom gear of that time. Now they're a completely different company. I wanted a player that would be just that. A really well made solid CD player. The Emo is just that and more! For more than half the price of the Adcom 13 years ago!! I won't go in to all the details that nearly everyone who loves this player has already stated, The highs, the low end tightness, soundstage, depth. Just everything you want in a player for a ridiculous price!! My next purchase will be an XPA-2 in a matter of days if not sooner! A very happy new Emotiva owner, Rich That's it Rich, you're hooked, the addiction has started. Welcome to the club, there's a lot of us in similar positions, the Emotiva attraction of quality sound at very reasonable prices is compelling. The bonus is you get to talk to like minded enthusiasts any time, everyone is here to help. Cheers Gary |
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Rich
Minor Hero
Posts: 17
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Post by Rich on Feb 4, 2014 16:41:21 GMT -5
Yes I'm hooked! Just a great sounding player. Now for the Amp! It always goes in cycles, it's an evil yet fun process. Buy one or 2 new pieces of gear, live with it for a while then start to think. You know I can see this gear sounding better with a new pair of Speakers…maybe try that pair of IC's and so on!
Glad to be in the club!
Rich
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Post by frenchyfranky on Feb 4, 2014 18:53:13 GMT -5
This is my first post. Well I got mine a few days ago after looking around, reading reviews and wanting a new player. I've replaced my well loved Adcom GCD-750 that I've had for about 13 years. I really like the Adcom gear of that time. Now they're a completely different company. I wanted a player that would be just that. A really well made solid CD player. The Emo is just that and more! For more than half the price of the Adcom 13 years ago!! I won't go in to all the details that nearly everyone who loves this player has already stated, The highs, the low end tightness, soundstage, depth. Just everything you want in a player for a ridiculous price!! My next purchase will be an XPA-2 in a matter of days if not sooner! A very happy new Emotiva owner, Rich Welcome to the Emo's junkie club, enjoy your new and next Emo toys. |
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Post by frenchyfranky on Feb 4, 2014 18:54:57 GMT -5
Nice reviews Mel.
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Post by melm on Feb 4, 2014 19:55:19 GMT -5
Shucks. Thanks
Mel
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 20:22:17 GMT -5
Could saying "female vocals are more lifelike". Be construed to mean slightly more forward and possibly bright? I am interested in trying the erc3 to replace my aging Cary cdp. The Cary is ever so slightly forward. My 20 cents, first up I would most certainly say not "bright", the sound quantity is a full range improvement, no particular emphasis on any frequencies. I do find that certain musical instruments have qualities that are harder than others to reproduce in a life like representation. Good audio gear reproduces those qualities that we hear in a live performance whereas lessor gear may reproduce the note for example but not the vibrato, the resonance, the linger. To me that's what makes, say, a sax even more saxy. The human voice is in many ways the most complex of musical instruments and as a result it is difficult to fully reproduce in a life like performance. What I have found listening to the ERC-3 is that the female voice isn't louder per se, it doesn't sit way out front any more (than with the previous CD players) there's just more information contained in the sound itself. It's not what I would call more forward, as in standing out, it's just simply more life like. Such as when she is whispering into your ear, it's not just the words but the sound of her lips moving, touching, the movement of air in and out, the actual temperature of the breath on your skin.......................sorry gotta go, I have this strange urge to listen to Diana Krall. Cheers Gary That's exactly what gets my rotor spinning when Salma and I are at her place having a few refreshments and she purrs like a frisky kitten and whispers in my ear that she wants to cuddle for awhile.  |
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