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Post by JannickE on Sept 6, 2009 4:23:12 GMT -5
Get the ERC-1. These two players are not in the same ballpark. The ERC-1 is sold direct to the end user from the factory. There is no way on this planet that Marantz can sell a CD player for $350 thru a dealer that is superior to the ERC-1 at $399, IMO (or in the opinion of that Roadrunner guy). ;D Could be interesting to find out if this actually holds once you take a (possible major?) difference in unit count into effect. |
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Animo
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Post by Animo on Sept 6, 2009 22:57:14 GMT -5
Hey Lynxo I unfortunately do not have the ERC-1 to do an AB comparison to the Marantz CD-5003. I was looking @ both but the CD-5003 won out because of price, positive reviews and looks. I just didn't have the additional $100+ to spring for the ERC-1. I only had $300 exactly to work with. Sorry JD. Also check out this thread www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84103&page=12There are a bunch of Polkies auditioning an ERC-1. Once they are done they will post their thoughts. A lot of Polkies are tough on Emo gear so I'm curious to see what their thoughts are. JD, Anytime you want to compare the ERC, just give me a call. You have my number. I'd be happy to drive out there, or you can come here, and finally check out my speakers. Too bad you moved, it would have been a 10 minute trip, instead of 50 minutes. |
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Animo
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Post by Animo on Sept 6, 2009 23:08:02 GMT -5
I presume anyone who calls the ERC-1 a "tad forward and bright" also has not done a direct comparison. I would suspect their hearing of forward and bright sounds was attributable to factors other than the ERC-1. The ERC-1 is flat as a pancake (20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1 dB's) and perhaps sounded a tad bit bright because in fact it did not roll off a tad on the upper high end. In my opinion calling a CD player a tad bit forward is imaginary audiophile nonsense. The sound stage is much more likely to be a result of speakers, speaker placement, room issues and the original recording and mike placement. Chuckie, Nick and I after comparing the ERC to his JVC XL-Z1050TN and my Oppo BD83, in 2 different rooms, on 2 different systems, did indeed claim that the ERC is bright and a bit forward. Then after playing it through a tube amp, with different speakers, in a livelier room found that it became more musical. It is very possible that what you say is true in regards to speakers, placement, rooms, etc, but the what we heard cannot be changed. The ERC is so true to the disc that whatever goes on the disc and into the machine, is exactly what comes out. |
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scottl
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Post by scottl on Oct 8, 2009 18:04:38 GMT -5
I'm a Marantz fan from way back, but I am pretty sure that you'll find the ERC-1 is superior to the CD5003.
I've listened to the CD5003, and it's a very good machine for $300. If that's all you have to work with, it's a very strong choice (I second the recommendation to check out Cambridge as well, but it's up to you).
However, it's not as tonally accurate or as detailed as the ERC-1 (as heard at RMAF this past weekend). The CD5003 has a warmer sound with rolled-off frequency extremes, which is fine in harsher-sounding basic systems, but less satisfying when your system is good enough for you to appreciate the detail and subtlety it lacks. The less forgiving ERC-1 is in a higher class of sound and build quality.
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Post by jedinite24 on Oct 21, 2009 22:29:00 GMT -5
Well I have the CD-5003 and the ERC-1 now and doing some listening comparisons. I think I'm hearing what Scottl said about the high freq roll-off with the CD-5003 vs. the ERC-1. The ERC-1 doesn't have the roll-off and my ears aren't used to that so I was experiencing some listening fatigue after listening to some music with high pitched vocals. It could also be the ICs I think as well as the ERC-1 not fully broken in like the CD-5003. The CD-5003 has a lot more hours on it than the ERC-1. As for the analog ICs that I use to connect the ERC-1 to my preamp. I'm using new pair of Monster Digital Coax Cable that I got for $6 a piece. I'll hook up the Marantz with the same cables and see how it sounds later. I'm going to work on making sure everything is the same for both to do a proper comparison. This is going to take some time.
One thing though about the ERC-1 that kind of bugs me a little is the 1 second omission of the 1st track of a CD when you first start it up. I experienced it if I have a CD already in there and 1st turn it on or when I first turn it on and then put in a CD in. That 1st CD in my case will always have the 1st second or 2 omitted. I saw the thread about this and called Emo tech. They explained why it occurs and what to do about it. I just find it weird that the ERC-1 does that. In all the CD players I've had I've never heard such a thing. The remote though is like nothing I've ever seen before.
JD
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2009 9:46:37 GMT -5
I saw the thread about this and called Emo tech. They explained why it occurs and what to do about it. I just find it weird that the ERC-1 does that. In all the CD players I've had I've never heard such a thing. The remote though is like nothing I've ever seen before. JD what did they tell you about the first /second second omission and what to do about it? I'm curious . . . |
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Post by jedinite24 on Oct 26, 2009 11:54:45 GMT -5
hi Rather.
Emo tech told me that it was related to buffers locking onto the CD and that it only happens when you 1st turn on the ERC-1 on the first track of the very first CD played. I have found this to be true after 1st power up if you load a CD into the ERC-1 or if you already have a CD in the ERC-1. It takes some getting used to but I've worked into my routine when I play a CD from the REC-1. JD
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2009 21:08:15 GMT -5
hi Rather. Emo tech told me that it was related to buffers locking onto the CD and that it only happens when you 1st turn on the ERC-1 on the first track of the very first CD played. I have found this to be true after 1st power up if you load a CD into the ERC-1 or if you already have a CD in the ERC-1. It takes some getting used to but I've worked into my routine when I play a CD from the REC-1. JD cool thanks, JD |
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