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Post by kellsey on Apr 5, 2014 9:05:02 GMT -5
Currently, I have the XPA-2 | 300W x 2 as an amplifier. This amp is powering a Harman Kardon CD player and a Harman Kardon AVR
along with Infinity RS3B speakers. Also, the HK equipment will placed else where in the house once the new Emotiva equipment is purchased.
I would like to upgrade to the ERC-3 but I'm not sure what to use for the an Emo preamp. I'm not in the market for anything that is needed to power
TV/DVD/VIDEO. The preamp should be able to power a computer and a iPod. Your thoughts?
Thanks,
Kellsey
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Post by brubacca on Apr 5, 2014 9:35:44 GMT -5
How soon are you buying?
Within the next two months we should see the new version of the usp-1 and possibly news on a tube pre-amp...
You could do a Stealth DC-1 DAC/Preamp. The DAC would be an upgrade over what is in the ERC-3 since it is two chips in differential mode. You would then be using the ERC-3 as a transport (digital out) to the DC-1. DC-1 would do the decoding and volume.
You could do a XSP-1 as the Pre-Amp. You would go ERC-3 Analog (balanced if you wanted) to the XSP-1 then to amp.
Cost is a factor too. DC-1 is $500 and XSP-1 is $1,000.
Missed the iPod part. Sorry no Emotiva items can do this directly.
Rotel has a new pre/amp with DAC built in and USB for iPod.
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Post by kellsey on Apr 5, 2014 10:05:56 GMT -5
How soon are you buying? I'm not in a big hurry, I just want to make the right decision on the preamp. Several months ago, I was leaning towards buying a used amplifier for the Infinity speakers. Then I thought that the money that I would be using towards a used amp could be utilized towards a brand new Emo amp. I did my homework about Emotiva and that's why I purchased the XPA-2. |
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Post by creimes on Apr 5, 2014 10:15:23 GMT -5
Currently, I have the XPA-2 | 300W x 2 as an amplifier. This amp is powering a Harman Kardon CD player and a Harman Kardon AVR along with Infinity RS3B speakers. Also, the HK equipment will placed else where in the house once the new Emotiva equipment is purchased. I would like to upgrade to the ERC-3 but I'm not sure what to use for the an Emo preamp. I'm not in the market for anything that is needed to power TV/DVD/VIDEO. The preamp should be able to power a computer and a iPod. Your thoughts? Thanks, Kellsey If you are looking at the ERC-3 and also need a DAC for PC and ipod, I would grab the DC-1 and get one of these www.pure.com/product/i-20-vl-61429/ to dock your iPod and use the Coax Digital output from the dock into the Coax Digital input on the DC-1, and use a AES/EBU cable to connect the ERC-3 to the DC-1. Chad |
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Post by repeetavx on Apr 5, 2014 11:21:24 GMT -5
If you are looking at the ERC-3 and also need a DAC for PC and ipod, I would grab the DC-1 and get one of these www.pure.com/product/i-20-vl-61429/ to dock your iPod and use the Coax Digital output from the dock into the Coax Digital input on the DC-1, and use a AES/EBU cable to connect the ERC-3 to the DC-1. Chad I'd be temped to use the analog input for the ERC-3. Co-ax for the iPod and USB for the computer. Though a Co-ax to AES/EBU adapter cable for the ERC-3 would be ok too. |
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Post by bub on Apr 5, 2014 11:33:53 GMT -5
Just as point of reference. Using the analog input would have the OP using the dac in the ERC-3 ?
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Post by creimes on Apr 5, 2014 11:37:45 GMT -5
Well the ERC-3 has a AES/EBU output and the DC-1 has a AES/EBU input so you don't need to use a coax adapter  |
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Post by repeetavx on Apr 5, 2014 11:46:02 GMT -5
Just as point of reference. Using the analog input would have the OP using the dac in the ERC-3 ? Yup. I've heard a couple of testimonies that you can't hear a difference. Creimes, oops. Even better  |
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Post by bub on Apr 5, 2014 11:50:01 GMT -5
Just as point of reference. Using the analog input would have the OP using the dac in the ERC-3 ? Yup. I've heard a couple of testimonies that you can't hear a difference. Creimes, oops. Even better I'm new to all of this. Was just asking from a technical standpoint. Thanks for answer. |
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Post by creimes on Apr 5, 2014 12:20:17 GMT -5
Yup. I've heard a couple of testimonies that you can't hear a difference. Creimes, oops. Even better I'm new to all of this. Was just asking from a technical standpoint. Thanks for answer. I currently have my ERC-1 balanced outs to my balanced input of my PT-7030 and it sounds wonderful, even the ERC-1 has an excellent DAC and analog stage, I can't wait to see if I notice a difference with the the ERC-1 to Control Freak to XPA-5, using the unbalanced connections as I ordered the unbalanced Control Freak. Chad |
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Post by bub on Apr 5, 2014 12:47:35 GMT -5
I'm new to all of this. Was just asking from a technical standpoint. Thanks for answer. I currently have my ERC-1 balanced outs to my balanced input of my PT-7030 and it sounds wonderful, even the ERC-1 has an excellent DAC and analog stage, I can't wait to see if I notice a difference with the the ERC-1 to Control Freak to XPA-5, using the unbalanced connections as I ordered the unbalanced Control Freak. Chad Please post your results. Im thinking of traveling a similar path . Right now I'm balanced out from cd- 1 to pre-1 to pa-7. Would like to see other possibilities .. Another cd-1 or ERC series to CF to Sherbourn 4z-75 for pool deck .. Thanks. |
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Post by Dark Ranger on Apr 5, 2014 13:00:17 GMT -5
I use the AES/EBU connection between my ERC-2 and XDA-1. To my ears, I could not discern any SQ difference between AES/EBU, digital coax, or optical.
AES/EBU offers a stronger physical connection (IMO) than the other two digital methods. I use it for that reason and because it's a fairly uncommon connection type in the home/consumer environment.
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Post by kellsey on Apr 6, 2014 20:14:29 GMT -5
What is the difference between the DC-1 and the XSP-1 as far as options?
Does the XSP-1 have DAC?
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Post by garbulky on Apr 6, 2014 20:19:27 GMT -5
What is the difference between the DC-1 and the XSP-1 as far as options? Does the XSP-1 have DAC? No. What you want is the DC-1. But you don't NEED an ERC-3 if you have a DC-1. (You could use a cheaper CD player.) There are some that would disagree. But it's just my opinion. |
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Post by kellsey on Apr 7, 2014 14:34:29 GMT -5
As I mentioned earlier, I have a HK cd player and I would like to upgrade to the ERC-3
because of the options it has. So the ERC can work with the DC-1. The XSP-1 is better adapted for a
turntable. Right?
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Post by garbulky on Apr 7, 2014 14:50:40 GMT -5
As I mentioned earlier, I have a HK cd player and I would like to upgrade to the ERC-3 because of the options it has. So the ERC can work with the DC-1. The XSP-1 is better adapted for a turntable. Right? I'm not sure what options you were thinking with the ERC-3? The DC-1 is a DAC which means the quality of the sound is going to be produced here. If you connect your ERC-3 to the DC-1, the ERC-3 will merely be transporting the digital data to the DC-1 and the DC-1 is where the quality sound will be produced. If you don't use a DC-1, then the ERC-3 will be where the quality sound is produced by using the ERC-3's onboard DAC. Then you would need to send it to a volume control of sorts like an XSP-1 or the $50 Emotiva control freak to adjust the volume to a listenable range. What I'm trying to get at is that you could use your HK CD player (or DVD players) digital output and connect it to the DC-1 and acheive the same result as using an ERC-3 to the DC-1. I.e. you would spend less for hopefully the same sound as using an ERC-3 to DC-1 as you would only buy 1 box (DC-1) vs two boxes (DC-1 and ERC-3 or ERC-3 and XSP-1). There are some that disagree, but that's my opinion. The XSP-1 has quite a lot of features. For instance if you are using a subwoofer it is useful as it has subwoofer outputs. If you have multiple ANALOG devices but one amplifier then the XSP-1 can be used to connect them all and switch between the two. The XSP-1 is also good for vinyl. The DC-1 can be used to connect multiple digital devices together (for instance, your game console, blu ray player, CD player, computer) PLUS one analog device like an iphone though the iphone's headphone jack, a phono amplified vinyl player. The nice thing about this is that any digital device connected to the DC-1 will recieve the quality sound "boost" that the DC-1 can provide. Also its headphone amplifier is pretty nice and comparable to standalone headphone amplifiers in the $100-$150 price range. |
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Post by kellsey on Apr 7, 2014 18:45:54 GMT -5
Garbulky,
I should have written that my HK CD player is an older model (I bought in 1988) and it doesn't
play CD RWs. You probably already know that the ERC can play all Red Book stereo audio CDs, HDCDs, MP3 CDs,
and the Red Book layer of hybrid SACDs. That's the reason I would like to upgrade to the ERC.
Thank you for your help and to the others with their comments.
Kellsey
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Post by garbulky on Apr 7, 2014 19:02:13 GMT -5
Garbulky, I should have written that my HK CD player is an older model (I bought in 1988) and it doesn't play CD RWs. You probably already know that the ERC can play all Red Book stereo audio CDs, HDCDs, MP3 CDs, and the Red Book layer of hybrid SACDs. That's the reason I would like to upgrade to the ERC. Thank you for your help and to the others with their comments. Kellsey My friend had one of those players that had trouble with CD-r's. They were finickky as all get out. If you get the ERC-3, it already has a pretty nice DAC. I take it you will hook it to the input of your AVR? If so, that's all you need |
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Post by Gary Cook on Apr 7, 2014 19:20:25 GMT -5
I have an ERC-3, USP-1 and XPA-5 combination and the sound is quite fabulous, easily the best CD quality sound I've ever had. Before I bought the ERC-3 I did plenty of comparisons with an Oppo 103 and a 105 and I found that I preferred the ERC-3 to the 103 and it was comparable to the 105. I don't think you would go wrong waiting for the USP-1 Gen 2 or picking up a used USP-1. If the budget will stretch then an XSP-1 Gen 2 is an obvious step up.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by kellsey on May 30, 2014 18:54:47 GMT -5
On May 26th, I ordered the ERC-3 along with the XSP-1 pre amp. UPS dropped them off today at 3:11 PM EST.
After hooking them up to the USP-1 Gen 2, I played Santana's Abraxas CD through a pair of Infinity RSIIIB speakers
and all I got to say is WOW. After playing the cd, I put Keith Jarrett's The Koln Concert ECM LP on the Rega RP-1
turntable. It's a good thing I'm typing because I'm speechless. I've noticed a big difference from the Harman Kardon
AVR and the Harman Kardon CD player that was originally hooked up to the USP-1 and the new Emotiva equipment.
Next, I'll order the balanced cables and new speaker wires from Emo.
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