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Post by clivep on Aug 7, 2019 14:21:40 GMT -5
I've had an ERC-3 for 5 years and been very happy with some minor annoyances: transport noise is louder than other players and the player is relatively slow to load discs and respond to the remote. I've been running TV sound through the optical in on my Marantz amp, and the sound quality there was noticeably poorer than the ERC-3. So, when the ERC-4 came along offering that same quality sound from optical in as well as from CD, I was sold.
ERC-4 arrived yesterday and although I have yet to spend much time with it, first impressions are very good. It's faster, more responsive and better looking than the 3. When playing CDs, it seems to be a little brighter in the treble, and to have more bass extension but the bass is tighter controlled than the ERC-3. You can really hear the plucking of a double bass, for example. Vocals seem to be pretty similar, which is to say very good. It's laid back in its musical delivery, which suits me, and it reminds me of Rotel gear in that regard.
Using the optical in, and comparing with the Marantz PM6005 amp DAC, it's nothing short of a transformation. Movie soundtracks are musical, there is way more detail and nuance, the soundstage is wider and more open. I'm going to enjoy working through my catalogue of movies with great soundtracks. Streaming from iTunes through the TV, the sound is still not quite as good as from a disc, but it's way closer than the Marantz took it. It will make those lazy "shuffle everything" evenings a lot more bearable.
Have to spend more time in critical listening, but I am very impressed so far.
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Post by garbulky on Aug 7, 2019 19:04:29 GMT -5
I've had an ERC-3 for 5 years and been very happy with some minor annoyances: transport noise is louder than other players and the player is relatively slow to load discs and respond to the remote. I've been running TV sound through the optical in on my Marantz amp, and the sound quality there was noticeably poorer than the ERC-3. So, when the ERC-4 came along offering that same quality sound from optical in as well as from CD, I was sold.
ERC-4 arrived yesterday and although I have yet to spend much time with it, first impressions are very good. It's faster, more responsive and better looking than the 3. When playing CDs, it seems to be a little brighter in the treble, and to have more bass extension but the bass is tighter controlled than the ERC-3. You can really hear the plucking of a double bass, for example. Vocals seem to be pretty similar, which is to say very good. It's laid back in its musical delivery, which suits me, and it reminds me of Rotel gear in that regard.
Using the optical in, and comparing with the Marantz PM6005 amp DAC, it's nothing short of a transformation. Movie soundtracks are musical, there is way more detail and nuance, the soundstage is wider and more open. I'm going to enjoy working through my catalogue of movies with great soundtracks. Streaming from iTunes through the TV, the sound is still not quite as good as from a disc, but it's way closer than the Marantz took it. It will make those lazy "shuffle everything" evenings a lot more bearable.
Have to spend more time in critical listening, but I am very impressed so far. That's great to hear. Thanks for sharing your impressions. There's not a whole lot of reviews for this unit so far. What do you have it paired to? |
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Post by strindl on Aug 7, 2019 20:10:48 GMT -5
I've had an ERC-3 for 5 years and been very happy with some minor annoyances: transport noise is louder than other players and the player is relatively slow to load discs and respond to the remote. I've been running TV sound through the optical in on my Marantz amp, and the sound quality there was noticeably poorer than the ERC-3. So, when the ERC-4 came along offering that same quality sound from optical in as well as from CD, I was sold.
ERC-4 arrived yesterday and although I have yet to spend much time with it, first impressions are very good. It's faster, more responsive and better looking than the 3. When playing CDs, it seems to be a little brighter in the treble, and to have more bass extension but the bass is tighter controlled than the ERC-3. You can really hear the plucking of a double bass, for example. Vocals seem to be pretty similar, which is to say very good. It's laid back in its musical delivery, which suits me, and it reminds me of Rotel gear in that regard.
Using the optical in, and comparing with the Marantz PM6005 amp DAC, it's nothing short of a transformation. Movie soundtracks are musical, there is way more detail and nuance, the soundstage is wider and more open. I'm going to enjoy working through my catalogue of movies with great soundtracks. Streaming from iTunes through the TV, the sound is still not quite as good as from a disc, but it's way closer than the Marantz took it. It will make those lazy "shuffle everything" evenings a lot more bearable.
Have to spend more time in critical listening, but I am very impressed so far. How's the transport noise on the ERC-4? |
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Post by tchaik on Aug 7, 2019 22:24:31 GMT -5
I've had an ERC-3 for 5 years and been very happy with some minor annoyances: transport noise is louder than other players and the player is relatively slow to load discs and respond to the remote. I've been running TV sound through the optical in on my Marantz amp, and the sound quality there was noticeably poorer than the ERC-3. So, when the ERC-4 came along offering that same quality sound from optical in as well as from CD, I was sold.
ERC-4 arrived yesterday and although I have yet to spend much time with it, first impressions are very good. It's faster, more responsive and better looking than the 3. When playing CDs, it seems to be a little brighter in the treble, and to have more bass extension but the bass is tighter controlled than the ERC-3. You can really hear the plucking of a double bass, for example. Vocals seem to be pretty similar, which is to say very good. It's laid back in its musical delivery, which suits me, and it reminds me of Rotel gear in that regard.
Using the optical in, and comparing with the Marantz PM6005 amp DAC, it's nothing short of a transformation. Movie soundtracks are musical, there is way more detail and nuance, the soundstage is wider and more open. I'm going to enjoy working through my catalogue of movies with great soundtracks. Streaming from iTunes through the TV, the sound is still not quite as good as from a disc, but it's way closer than the Marantz took it. It will make those lazy "shuffle everything" evenings a lot more bearable.
Have to spend more time in critical listening, but I am very impressed so far. looking forward to my new ERC-4 when I finally get our summer vacation paid off. tchaik................ |
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Post by clivep on Aug 8, 2019 12:12:16 GMT -5
That's great to hear. Thanks for sharing your impressions. There's not a whole lot of reviews for this unit so far. What do you have it paired to? I have a Marantz PM6005 integrated amp and PSB Image B25 speakers. It's a small room so I don't need a lot of power, but I am looking to replace the speakers with towers from the same PSB range if they come up used any time. Eventually I'd like to get Emotiva amps as well  |
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Post by clivep on Aug 8, 2019 12:14:19 GMT -5
How's the transport noise on the ERC-4? It's significantly quieter than the ERC-3 and more on a par with any other players I've had. I really haven't noticed it, unlike the ERC-3. |
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Post by wobbledog1 on Apr 1, 2021 5:31:10 GMT -5
I have had the erc-4 now for 5 months. It's much nicer sounding than the Cambridge cxc transport it replaced. I have used it as a cd player and a transport. The internal dac isn't bad. But I prefer my Jolida fx ice dac over it. In the transport mode with the Jolida dac is smooth and non fatiguing to the ears. Its similar to the sound of the MF A5 player I had. I has a natural sound to it. The highs sing without sting. The mids are smooth and live sounding. The mid bass is soild. The low bass in my system sounds rock soild . Well done Emotiva.
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