We did good...all of us

michael1947
michael1947 Posts: 775
edited March 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
I did good with your help. For the past few months I have been quietly doing research on a new "top quality" CD player. I considered all of the usual suspects and then factored in my other gear and my old ears that the many thousands of dollars required to bring home a player that was considered "top quality" was not justified.

Last month I ordered the little Emotiva ERC-2 and kept the news to myself as there are many who consider the Emotiva line inferior.

To my surprise and delight in yesterdays mail came my April 2012 edition of Stereophile magazine and listed as a "recommended by" was my little ERC-2. I must thank all of you in your various posts about sources and pre-amps as they led me to the path less traveled down Emotiva Lane and who knows, when it gets here it may sound pretty nice
Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
Post edited by michael1947 on
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  • pyrocyborg
    pyrocyborg Posts: 524
    edited March 2012
    I'm sure it will sound nice :wink:
    Speakers: Polk Audio LSiM 705, LSiM 703, LSiM 704c
    Receiver: Denon X3500H
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  • grimmace19
    grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
    edited March 2012
    Good for you! Enjoy it. I think the blue lights on my UMC-1 still have me hypnotized to think it sounds good when clearly, those others on here know better than myself.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2012
    Was there an ERC-1 or just a 2? Because I remember a thread on this where one of us did a "group" purchase demo of the Emotiva here and "most" people who heard it found it as capable as anything in its price range and as good as a few players somewhat above its price.

    I can't say I've heard it. I haven't. I would be interested to hear how it compares to my HD990 below (mostly out of curiosity since they're close in MSRP).

    Enjoy!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2012
    Congrats and enjoy.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,561
    edited March 2012
    I remember buying a piece of gear once because it was on their "buy" list. It didn't stay here long. Maybe you will have better results.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2012
    michael1947 wrote: »
    To my surprise and delight in yesterdays mail came my April 2012 edition of Stereophile magazine and listed as a "recommended by" was my little ERC-2.

    I recently did a search on CDP's and came across Sterophile on line's review. The ERC was in a long list of players in a price range from like 399 to 8K (wow).

    The ERC weighing in at $449, had performance status compared to players priced in the 15 hun range.

    Nice score Micheal.
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited March 2012
    cnh wrote: »
    Was there an ERC-1 or just a 2? Because I remember a thread on this where one of us did a "group" purchase demo of the Emotiva here and "most" people who heard it found it as capable as anything in its price range and as good as a few players somewhat above its price.

    I can't say I've heard it. I haven't. I would be interested to hear how it compares to my HD990 below (mostly out of curiosity since they're close in MSRP).

    Enjoy!

    cnh

    I was part of the group & I was very impressed with the ERC-1 player. It could certainly deliver a knockout blow to many higher priced players. Price isn't always everything. I'm sure you will be thrilled with your new score!! Enjoy! On a side note the EMO XPA-5 multi channel amp is listed as a Class "B" recommended componet....hmmmm. Food for thought.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,194
    edited March 2012
    cnh wrote: »
    Was there an ERC-1 or just a 2? Because I remember a thread on this where one of us did a "group" purchase demo of the Emotiva here and "most" people who heard it found it as capable as anything in its price range and as good as a few players somewhat above its price. ...
    You are correct, Sir! The results were quite positive.

    That said, I almost never buy anything on the strength of a review (which Michael1947 did not do either, since he bought the gear first). The only Emotiva stuff I ever bought was on the strength of overwhelming reviews that were just gushing about how fantastic it was. I kept it less than a month. It wasn't at all bad in any way, mind you (to reassure Michael1947), it just wasn't the giant-killer the reviews portrayed it to be in my opinion, and I have found gear since that I much prefer for a similar budget (or less, sometimes). I've had similar experiences with positive or negative reviews from from the highly regarded Consumer Reports not related to audio, by the way.

    I read that Stereophile review for the Emotiva ERC-2 a few days ago and thought it quite unconvincing on the whole. How much of the result was being measured from the Emotiva, and how much from the other equipment involved, such as the NAD integrated or the PSB speakers? It would be more convincing to have an A/B comparison with the same gear, which is how many of the Polkies evaluated the ERC-1.

    So, get it hooked up and tell us what YOU think! I'd be far more interested in that opinion!
    Alea jacta est!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2012
    The ERC-1 was a decent, capable unit within it's price range. At the time there was stiff competition. I had the ERC-1 for demo and while it didn't do anything poorly it was rather bland comparatively. There is a alot of competition at that price point. Hopefully the ERC-2 stands out a bit more.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited March 2012
    After years of sterophile subscription I finally gave it up last year. I kept noticing when it came to Stereophile it was the advertisers who got the lion share of attention and their accolades. I suppose the other rags are pretty much the same. As said its what club members who own the gear think that matters.

    Although their was a certain male reviewer for stereophile who seemed enmared with GG during a dinner party we attended a few years back. GG didn't seem to interested though.....David was the only giant killer I ever put much stock in.

    RT1
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2012
    The big fellow with the gas problem. I'd like to think he got some maintenance done on that.
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  • cubdog
    cubdog Posts: 835
    edited March 2012
    Enjoy your new cdp!

    cubdog
    Shuguang Classic S8MK
    Emotiva XDA-2
    Bel Canto M300 mono blocks
    Bel Canto DAC 1.5
    Squeezebox Touch
    Sony SS-M7
    A/D/S L710
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,965
    edited March 2012
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    After years of sterophile subscription I finally gave it up last year. I kept noticing when it came to Stereophile it was the advertisers who got the lion share of attention and their accolades. I suppose the other rags are pretty much the same. As said its what club members who own the gear think that matters.

    RT1

    Bingo.......did the same here with the same thoughts in mind.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2012
    I let it expire and they turned around and offered me a year at $8 instead of $13. Maybe I'll hold out until they pay me to read it.
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  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited March 2012
    Hmm...lots of thoughts and pretty up-beat, it's good to see that. I've not read the complete "recommended" list but am again surprised my Emotiva XPA-5 was also recommended. I have had that in operation in my new main HT rig for a couple of months now and it just sits there with a big blue smile on it's face and works just fine. I purchased that amp after looking around at some and reading some and figured why not. I have nothing bad to say and I really feel it is very difficult to judge the intricacies of an amp in a home theater environment, guess I just don't have the ears for it. When I do play music only via pure direct and using the SDA's it sounds fine but to rate as forward, laid back bright or whatever I just do not have the expertise. I am using 4 of it's amps to power the SDA's and the 5th to run my center with the AVR's amps to power the backs and surrounds. So for HT I would say the XPA-5 is just fine.

    That rig is 90% movies and now employing SDA-SRS in place of the RTI-A9's and to be honest it all sounds just fine but I kind of miss the sound of my old Yamaha and Klipsch set-up.

    I think it is very hard to actually compare systems after things begin to move around as we adapt so quickly to the new gear and move into new territory as our memory is fixed with our perception of the old sound. Maybe like rembering an old girl friend or ex wife, just remembering the fun stuff.

    Now to you guys that actually auditioned the first Emotiva CD player and have heard others what are your thoughts in that price range. Although I have ordered the unit and it is set to ship around the 27th I have a few days left before I have to PAY for it. Keep in mind I like the look of the unit and it will be connected into an identical looking Emotiva pre-amp/DAC combo via balanced interconnects each with a killer milled aluminum remote...how would you spend your $450.00. I have done my unbiased research and now ask your experienced subjective comments. Thanks
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
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  • fossy
    fossy Posts: 1,378
    edited March 2012
    New gear is just so cool .... Congrats on the purchase
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited March 2012
    Enjoy your new player...you're paying way too much attention to what is said around here, especially when it comes to EMO gear. To keep 'em happy just mention that you also picked up some MIT cables. That should hold them off for awhile.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Geoff4rfc
    Geoff4rfc Posts: 2,409
    edited March 2012
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    To keep 'em happy just mention that you also picked up some MIT cables. That should hold them off for awhile.

    Aug gug gug gug!
    michael1947 wrote: »
    I have done my unbiased research and now ask your experienced subjective comments. Thanks

    Then you're good to go my friend! As pearsall says, enjoy it, forget the rest. You've done your homework, feel good about it and relax.
    Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2

    Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)

    EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
    When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
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  • ratster
    ratster Posts: 324
    edited March 2012
    Congrats on the new cdp.
    Main
    Parasound P5
    Parasound A21
    CA music streamer
    marantz 6005
    Clear Day dbl.shotgun
    Morrow Xlr
    1.7 Maggies


    Bedroom
    adcom Gfp750
    Adcom 555
    Rotel 1072
    CA tuner
    LsiM703
    Clear day dbl shotgun
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited March 2012
    Congrats on your new CDP. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the unit once you had some time with it.
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  • devani
    devani Posts: 1,497
    edited March 2012
    I think alot of people are....including me....

    besides, you can send it back for refund minus shipping if you don't like it...I had XPA-5 for a couple of months and it was fine what I was using....
    Video: LG 55LN5100/Samsung LNT4065F
    Receiver: HK AVR445
    Source: OPPO BDP-93
    HT: POLK SPEAKERS RTi6, FXi3, CSi5, VTF-3 MK2
    2Ch system: MC2105, AR-XA, AR-2A, AR9, BX-300, OPPO BDP-83
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  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited March 2012
    Congrats on your purchase! Looking forward to you listening impressions.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
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