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Post by stlaudiofan1 on Feb 1, 2015 18:46:09 GMT -5
I recently took my server out of my system in favor of the ERC-3. I preferred it to the Benchmark DAC-2 D and Bitfrost that I had running through my MAC Mini. I tried all of the software playback options. Maybe it's because I'm mainly a vinyl guy and sounds closer to that, who knows. All this stuff is preference, and you just need to try it out.
Also, I'm a bit different from some. I'm in software development and deal with computers all day with my job. When I listen to music, I want to get away from all of that. I don't want to play with software options, deal with slow building album artwork, computer locks, frozen apps or even touch a mouse or iPad. Part of the cool part of vinyl for me is that it is nothing like anything else I do. One of the coolest sounds to me is when the needle hits the record. While the CD isn't quite the same, the ERC-3 is great sounding, and I still get to leave the iPad and mouse in the other room.
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insightfulman
Minor Hero
Have you seen the 6 fingered man?
Posts: 48 
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Post by insightfulman on Feb 5, 2015 16:25:39 GMT -5
I have both OPPO-105 as well as ERC-3 which I purchased few months ago. Prior that, I used my old OPPO 95 as for my CD playing and use my OPPO-105 for CD and SACD mainly for multi channels. After having the ERC-3, I don't use OPPO-105 for CD any more since I found my ERC-3 is better perform in many ways. I don't hear any noise from my ERC-3 as some others. Instead using RCA and I use Balance cable to hook up my Marantz processor (8801) and the sound stage is big and the voice is warm and I can hear more details than my OPPO-105. Make sure you use a good power cable. I think the ERC-3 is worth to own and although it only plays CD but since I have more CD than SACD and it is OK for me. One more thing, I don't like the remote since it is too heavy but I like the construction and not necessary in metal. I just placed an order for the ERC-3 today along with pair of XLR cables that will connect to my XSP-1 preamp driven by XPA2-Gen 2. Although I mostly listen to vinyl, I listened to the ERC-3 during the holidays at a friends' home and I was sold (my current digital source is Oppo BDP-83). |
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Post by stlaudiofan1 on Feb 6, 2015 15:52:34 GMT -5
FYI.....I wire my whole system with Mogami Studio Gold XLR cables with great results.
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Post by corgidog59 on Apr 24, 2015 14:59:37 GMT -5
Well, I am getting closer to deciding where to take my system re: a dedicated cd player to replace an Oppo105. I am now exploring two options: A dedicated transport like the Cambridge Audio CXC with the soon to be released Bryston BDA-3 DAC or possibly an Esoteric K05X which should be released in a few months. First option will cost about $4K and the Esoteric will be around $8K. First option will give me the flexibility to go in the direction of computer audio when I am ready. The second option is if I do not wish to leave my kids any inheritance. :-) I several months to continue to think about what want to do.
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Post by garbulky on Apr 24, 2015 15:25:04 GMT -5
I don't know if you've tested transports, but I personally wouldn't spend much money if at all on transports. Nor would I spend it on expensive CD players which have inbuilt DACs. On the whole your solution sounds like it would cost lots of money without even considering a pre-amp for your setup. I would instead suggest this: Use say used ERC-1 or 2 for a transport (or a brand new ERC-3). Or the oppo 105. Doesn't really matter here. Heck use a $40 DVD player if you want  Buy the schiit ygddrassil - it's a high end $2300 DAC wich a is a true multibit DAC - than the 1 bit internal DAC's of either of your options. In fact it's unlike any of the options on the market. Check out the faq section. schiit.com/products/yggdrasilBuy an XSP-1 for the pre-amp. Sell the oppo 105 (if you want). |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 24, 2015 17:51:29 GMT -5
How would you guys recommend connecting the ERC-3 to a XMC-1 which connections would give the best sound reproduction? Sorry for asking here but I don't have link to start a new thread for some reason If you use the analog connections and do any kind of processing (like Dirac) you'll be doing a double DAC, I'd use a digital connection (AES/EBU?). On the other hand, no reason not to hook up the balanced analog connection as well and you can chose whichever you like (let us know). |
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Post by thompson12 on Apr 24, 2015 18:33:15 GMT -5
For two channel I use reference mode, I have my ERC-3 connected XLR balanced would AES/EBU be better?
Mitch
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 24, 2015 18:50:05 GMT -5
For two channel I use reference mode, I have my ERC-3 connected XLR balanced would AES/EBU be better? Mitch With reference mode the analog connection makes sense - if you like the DAC in the ERC-3 better. With AES/EBU (or other digital connection) you're using the DAC in the XMC-1, which by all accounts is pretty good. I think it will be a personal preference for reference two channel, in most other situations (when processing is being used), a digital connection would be preferable. Like I said, hook up both and you have the best of both worlds. |
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Post by thompson12 on Apr 24, 2015 19:09:59 GMT -5
Ok ill give it a try, are the AES/EBU a regular XLR cable? I never checked them out
Mitch
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 25, 2015 6:16:15 GMT -5
Ok ill give it a try, are the AES/EBU a regular XLR cable? I never checked them out Mitch I really just suggested AES/EBU because I like XLR connectors, S/PDIF (coax or TOSLink) also works fine. The impedance of an AES/EBU cable is 110 ohm, balanced audio (XLR) cables are 75 ohm, most people say you can use AES/EBU for analog runs, but not the other way around, I haven't tried swapping them. Use what you have, if you have to buy something I'd get an AES/EBU. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 25, 2015 6:34:13 GMT -5
Well, I am getting closer to deciding where to take my system re: a dedicated cd player to replace an Oppo105. I am now exploring two options: A dedicated transport like the Cambridge Audio CXC with the soon to be released Bryston BDA-3 DAC or possibly an Esoteric K05X which should be released in a few months. First option will cost about $4K and the Esoteric will be around $8K. First option will give me the flexibility to go in the direction of computer audio when I am ready. The second option is if I do not wish to leave my kids any inheritance. :-) I several months to continue to think about what want to do. Many have said the same thing already, but if I had 50 SACDs I'd buy something that could play them, top of my list would be the Oppo 105 for a 2channel system. But you have that and want something different, sounds like you're getting closer. I'd still want to play those SACDs on a nice smooth transport, but maybe an external DAC so you have options later (though anything with the right outputs can handle that). |
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LCSeminole
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Res firma mitescere nescit.
Posts: 20,848
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Post by LCSeminole on Apr 25, 2015 10:45:59 GMT -5
Ok ill give it a try, are the AES/EBU a regular XLR cable? I never checked them out Mitch Here is what I'm using from Monoprice. I will say that I've tried both and I can't tell a difference between the 110ohm AES/EBU cable and a 75ohm balanced XLR cable, and for that matter a coaxial & toslink as well, and no difference. Like AudioHTIT, I've grown to prefer the XLR connector. www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=115&cp_id=11509&cs_id=1150902&p_id=601603&seq=1&format=2 |
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Post by thompson12 on Apr 25, 2015 13:54:17 GMT -5
Ok thanks I have XLR cables I'll dig one out and give it a try
Mitch
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Post by spurriersucks on Apr 26, 2015 19:41:18 GMT -5
CD? What's that? Keep the Oppo and stream!  |
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Post by corgidog59 on Apr 27, 2015 12:09:17 GMT -5
Eventually, I will transition to streaming but there is something special about savoring each and every CD I load into my player and listen to. My collection is well organized so I have little trouble finding what I want to hear. My going with a dedicated DAC will definitely position me for streaming when I am ready for it. Even if I went with an Esoteric, that would make a great DAC for streaming. What is interesting about the BDA-3 is that it is using the one of the latest (or the latest) AK Dac chip which is on par or better than/with the Saber 9018 which the Oppo 105 uses. While I am well aware that it is not the chip as much as how it is implemented in a player/DAC, Bryston truly excels at making exceptional DACs (and Amps for that matter). I have looked at the Auralic Vega and Benchmark but don't need a pre-amp capability with a DAC. I will give the ERC-3 a re-look as a transport. Emotiva certainly has the best bang for the buck ratio with their products when compared to their competitors.
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Post by garbulky on Apr 28, 2015 7:30:19 GMT -5
But the schiit uses a DAC chip that beats the AK chip. (Their schiit gungnir DAC uses the dual AK chips). So for instance a BDA-3 uses the akm dual dacs which costs $60 total. The Schiit uses four dac chip used from medical applications that costs $400 (!!) as well as a digital filter that costs as much as their entire bifrost dac ($349). The parts to price ratio is through the roof here  Not to mention it's actually a bit perfect solution using its 21 bits DAC versus the approximations of the BDA-3 and sabers 1 bit (32 bit) dacs. schiit.com/products/yggdrasil |
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Post by corgidog59 on Apr 30, 2015 7:11:30 GMT -5
I like the look of the Schiit and will look into it further. Thank you for the recommendation.
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Post by corgidog59 on May 1, 2015 10:35:35 GMT -5
Garbulky, Spent yesterday reading users comments on the Schiit Yggdrasil Dac. People really like it. Many of them are still breaking in their Yggd Dac as Schiit just released it a few weeks ago. It appears to be built pretty well coming in at nearly 21lbs. One user hooked it up to his Oppo 93 and said the sound was much better. According to their website, they are sold out until late June. I will continue following this Dac in other discussion forums. It may make a great additon to my system. Are you looking at buying one as well?
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Post by tchaik on May 2, 2015 20:27:12 GMT -5
consider any transport with the dc-1 dac. to my ears, a great great sounding dac.
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Post by spurriersucks on May 9, 2015 19:48:47 GMT -5
If looking at DACs then the Chord 2Qute is one that you must take a look at for consideration. A bit expensive,$1800 I think, but based off of the Hugo which is very highly thought of.
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Not to mention it's actually a bit perfect solution using its 21 bits DAC versus the approximations of the BDA-3 and sabers 1 bit (32 bit) dacs. 
