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Post by Mike Ronesia on Feb 16, 2010 20:08:42 GMT -5
This is not so much a review as some observations from my experience with the thought process of my buying decision and what I think after having the ERC-1 for a couple of weeks. When I first started my AV improvement project a couple of years ago I was told that the speakers will make up 99% of SQ and to focus my money there. I bought some very nice speakers and a Denon 2808 to drive them. The sound at lower volumes was great but it struggled at higher volumes. After doing some research I found Emotiva and decided to go with the XPA-5. This made a huge difference when playing at higher volumes and I was happy. It also made me think there is more to sound then just the speakers. I’ve been working on improving the look as well as the sound of my system so adding Emotiva gear has been a direction I’ve wanted to go based on the clean classic design. I toyed with getting the ERC-1 but knew that it would be only for aesthetics because it’s just digital 1&0’s. My DVD transport started acting up and the drawer was not always opening and Emo was having a sale so I decided to bite the bullet and ordered the ERC-1 in December. I did this knowing that it would take over a month to get and I could not return it, but was OK because I knew it would add to the look of my room. I had zero expectations of getting any SQ improvement out of it. I got it hooked up a couple of weeks ago and I can’t get into separation or soundstage and that kind of stuff because I’m not that kind of guy. What I can tell you is I put in my Raul Malo, You’re only lonely CD which I know very well and can tell you that I heard things I’d not heard before. I us this CD a lot for testing because it has such a nice variety of instruments and is just a great recording at any volume. I like it louder then my wife does… ;D I’m not going to tell you I’ve increased my CD listening or I’m going through all my old CD’s but I will tell you that the quality of the listening I do has improved and I am pleasantly surprised. I guess as your gear gets better these things are more noticeable and maybe I’d have missed these improvements if I was using a HTIB, or maybe it would be more noticeable?  I do know that if you have good gear this unit is well worth it on either looks or sound alone but with the combination of the two it is something I’m very glad I added to my system and it is right for me. You are now free to move about the forum. 
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Feb 16, 2010 21:48:35 GMT -5
Mike, Everything you've just said is everything I've experienced in the past 3 weeks since getting my ERC-1. Enjoy the 1's & 0's!!! ;D
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Post by Mike Ronesia on Feb 17, 2010 5:20:01 GMT -5
You too. As you can tell I'm no audiophile and I guess that's my point. You don't have to be one to appreciate what the ERC-1 has to offer.
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Post by openreel on Feb 17, 2010 7:20:54 GMT -5
Since getting the ERC-1 it turns out I purchased about 100 discs in two months. Shocking, must be making up for a three year CD drought. If I’m an example, I figure the record industry owes Emotiva an award for bringing people back to the music fold and the aesthetic of two channel listening. I favour acoustic so half of the new discs are classical and better than a quarter are jazz vocals and small combos. Live club recordings are a blast! I daresay it’s had a greater impact on my listening than the 6.3 speakers and XPA-2 & 5 amps or is it just the Emotiva synergy.
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LCSeminole
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Res firma mitescere nescit.
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Post by LCSeminole on Feb 17, 2010 18:41:55 GMT -5
You too. As you can tell I'm no audiophile and I guess that's my point. You don't have to be one to appreciate what the ERC-1 has to offer. I've been busy ripping cd's to lossless WMA's and compiling my own home burnt 80 minute disc's. I've already got a spool of 50 cd's and I only have one problem!!! I can't play them all fast enough! ;D
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Post by roadrunner on Feb 18, 2010 2:30:07 GMT -5
All of you who have discovered you love your music again, since purchasing the ERC-1, have you noticed how great HDCD encode discs sound? About the same time that I got my ERC-1 I also discovered Reference Recordings. So far, every single release in their catalog that I have listened to are among the best engineered recordings I have listened to. Everything about them has been first class. All of my purchases from them have been HDCD encoded and their sound quality has been so good that they rival SACD and vinyl. Check out their web site and you will find a nice selection of music from first rate performing artists, band, and ochestras. Stereo Mojo and Absolute Sound have given their highest recommendations for many of the titles in the RR library. I have become addicted to listening to their HDCD offerings. www.referencerecordings.com/default.aspTheir selection of Samplers is excellent and are offered at significant discounts.
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Post by garret3037s on Feb 18, 2010 11:18:01 GMT -5
did anyone try XRCD24? I think the sound is much better. Try it.
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Post by Mike Ronesia on Feb 18, 2010 15:23:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the link roadrunner. I'll have to try a few of those.
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Post by garret3037s on Feb 18, 2010 15:46:42 GMT -5
I guess it's not popular in Here...
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Post by Mike Ronesia on Feb 18, 2010 23:19:50 GMT -5
Thanks Garret, I'll try one of those too.
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Post by garret3037s on Feb 18, 2010 23:35:23 GMT -5
welcome...let us know what you think...enjoy!!
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Post by roadrunner on Feb 19, 2010 2:07:30 GMT -5
did anyone try XRCD24? I think the sound is much better. Try it. Yes, these are quite similar to what HDCD encoding does for improving the sound of Red Book CDs. I have heard a few of them and the sound was quite impressive. IIRC one of these was used to demo speakers during Emofest -- The Sheffield Drum and Track Disc - XRCD24 CD. It entranced many of the attendees with its clarity and dynamics. The big problem is that the XRCD24 releases tend to be very expensive -- $30 - $50 each. A little too rich for me. 
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Post by gordon58 on Feb 19, 2010 18:33:23 GMT -5
I always look to see if a title I'm interested in buying is produced in XRCD. The effort put into these discs is well worth the dollar premium paid.
G
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2010 10:11:33 GMT -5
did anyone try XRCD24? I think the sound is much better. Try it. I have a couple and they do sound fantastic .. but the title I like are not what I would call cheap. good stuff though
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Post by rod on Apr 3, 2010 18:06:44 GMT -5
did anyone try XRCD24? I think the sound is much better. Try it. I have a lot of these xrcd's in my shelves. Thier music is beyond my expectation. Try them!
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Post by rod on Apr 3, 2010 18:13:43 GMT -5
I have some questions about erc 1. Which has better sound quality: denon 3910 or erc 1 if the connection is thru optical? Or If i'll buy erc 1, do I need to buy a pair of speakers/amps again to get the good sound quality out of it or just connect it to my avr thru optical/coax?
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Pauly
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Post by Pauly on Apr 3, 2010 18:38:05 GMT -5
If you connect using optical, you won't really hear what the ERC has to offer, because all the processing will be done by the Denon. Hook it up via analog, and set the Denon to Pure direct, source direct, or whatever Denon calls it. Then you will be hearing the ERC's DAC. That's how I have it hooked up, and I noticed that I like the ERC's sound slightly better than when my DMR-1 receiver is doing the processing, and that's saying something.
You don't need to buy different speakers to hear the boost in sound quality the ERC has to offer, but, I feel that the better the speakers, the more influence the ERC can have on the sound. What kind of speakers do you have right now?
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Post by sharkman on May 1, 2010 12:55:26 GMT -5
I have to concur with the OP, this cd player is something special. It's rekindled my interest in music and now I want an Emotiva pre-amp to go with my XPA-3!
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on May 5, 2010 0:08:12 GMT -5
I don't know Mark if the ERC-1 is right for you, but it certainly is for me!  * And by the way Mark, where are you, what are you up to; we don't hear much from you anymore around here?!! We need that Pacific underwater touch!  Best regards, Bob & Gab
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HDSapper
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Post by HDSapper on May 6, 2010 17:47:31 GMT -5
Greetings fellow lounge lizards.
I'm finally about to stop lurking around the Lounge living vicariously through all your posts. I just placed my first Emotiva order: ERC-1, USP-1, and UPA-2. I'm more of a home theater guy, and plan to eventually get a XMC-1/XPA-5 combo with some Emo speakers, but decided to dip my toes in the Emo water with this budget stereo set-up.
I have to say, my expectations are pretty high (hopefully not too high)! Can't wait to see what the fuss is all about. I let you know if it lives up to the hype for me. I've always wanted a dedicated 2-channel rig, but didn't think I could afford both.
Dave
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