bmwheath Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 I recently purchased an Emotiva ERC-3 CD player after much testing of an Oppo 103 and a 105. I have since back to backed the 103 and the ERC-3 and for stereo CD's and hybrid SACD's the ERC-3 walked all over it, one of the few occasions where I can truly say there was a night and day difference. I have no doubt, which my listening confirmed, that the 105 (using its post DAC analogue outputs) sounds better than the 103 but the video performance was exactly the same to my eyes. I did find that using the processor (an EMC-200) equalisation for movies and some 5.1 music was superior to the direct (analogue) output from the 105, this is despite the superiority of the 105 DAC (over the UMC-200 DAC). As a result my decision was to have the ERC-3 for stereo CD listening and a 103 for movies and SACD's. This choice was also based on cost effectiveness. an ERC-3 plus a 103 costs less than a 105. There were also upgrade considerations, the ERC-3 is likely to remain current for many years, but the same cannot be said for a 105 (125, 145, 165 etc) and at such time as that happens upgrading a 103 (to 123, 143, 163 etc) is much less to swallow. I believe the same could well be true for any decent CD player, but for those interested the ERC-3 launch videos Cheers Gary How can these guys build and sell a near perfect (almost heaven like) cd player for only $449?? I meen it sounds great in there add, but does it really really perform like they say it does?? Any other member here that have done a few back to back comparisons with other reputable cd players they have?
jutta Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) Well I've done the same with the 103 and the ERC-1 and it's stupid just how much better it is. Granted the ERC is running through a preamp and full Emotiva analogue and the 103 straight to the denon x4000. But it's a night and day difference almost to the point where I think I'll cry as I pack up the Emotiva system tonight...... Edited August 18, 2014 by Jutta
jutta Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 As I'm taking the whole system apart I've connected the Emotiva ERC-1 direct to the x4000 for a fairer comparison. I played the Oppo 103D first then the same song in the ERC. Still night and day. Oppo playback is average then the ERC just lights up. Back to the Oppo again and it's like someone threw a blanket over the speakers. So in my opinion the Emotiva unit at under $450 delivered about three years ago is a real gem. The ERC-3 is a major step up with fully balanced outputs and lower noise floor. I'm ordering one soon.
bmwheath Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 As I'm taking the whole system apart I've connected the Emotiva ERC-1 direct to the x4000 for a fairer comparison. I played the Oppo 103D first then the same song in the ERC. Still night and day. Oppo playback is average then the ERC just lights up. Back to the Oppo again and it's like someone threw a blanket over the speakers. So in my opinion the Emotiva unit at under $450 delivered about three years ago is a real gem. The ERC-3 is a major step up with fully balanced outputs and lower noise floor. I'm ordering one soon. Thanks for the reply Jutta. I know what you meen about the Emotiva "lights up", but weather that's a good thing has me wondering! I had an Emotiva XPR5? amp, i waited ages for it i was so excited to try this new amp everyone was raving about. Placed it in my system and to be honest i was disapointed. Yes it did sound "energetic" but enegetic in a way that was a bit harsh, bright, and a bit rough on vocals. The thing is i had other quality amps to A/B it with. I ended up selling the Emotiva as much as i LOVED the look of it, it just didnt cut it in my humble opinion...
jutta Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) Last test was using the X4000 onboard amps mate So bagging Emo amps is not applicable. The ERC hands down is a far better CD player than the Oppo. I would guess it probably should be as a dedicated CD player it is but I'm sure others would not consider it due to its name. Direct test. Same disc (yes I have two copies of it) switched inputs on x4000 between Oppo and CD. Bass was significantly better. Far warmer overall. Edited August 18, 2014 by Jutta
bmwheath Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 I also have an Oppo but i have the 95, its great as a multi player but my little old Rotel RCD1072 cd player still beats it for cd playback.... Im wondering if this Emotiva ERC-3 is as good as Emotiva makes it out to be??? For $449 im a bit skeptical to say the least. Im FAR from being any sought of expert but i know what my ears like to hear and what to listen for (spent many hours kicked back in the arm chair) lol. I might just buy the ERC-3 to put it to the test, hopefully it will exceed my expectations for a budget price player??
bmwheath Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) Last test was using the X4000 onboard amps mate So bagging Emo amps is not applicable. The ERC hands down is a far better CD player than the Oppo. I would guess it probably should be as a dedicated CD player it is but I'm sure others would not consider it due to its name. Direct test. Same disc (yes I have two copies of it) switched inputs on x4000 between Oppo and CD. Bass was significantly better. Far warmer overall. Im glad to hear the Emotiva was better than the Oppo 93, i wonder how it compairs with the Oppo 95 which i think has the Sabre32 dac? If the new Emotiva erc-3 is a few steps about this then id be very interested for the price. Its all very subjective to, and the cd transport has always been the smallest upgrade/gain in my systems. Its always the amp & pre that make the big difference, and speakers obviously Edited August 18, 2014 by bmwheath
jutta Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) Likewise I don't know how the 105 would fair. That has a much better analogue stage doesn't it?? And it is very subjective. End point is what the listener is happy with. Edited August 18, 2014 by Jutta
jutta Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 If they built a fully balanced and differential CD player for say Denon I guess it'd be retailing for several times more than $449 also
jutta Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) Surely there are ones with Dennon Link and that should be better than XLRs.I was gonna check the Denon site to see what was there re CD players. And do a bit of reading on Denon Link.I was happy with the CD playback through the Denon just not from the Oppo 103. The Emo won that easily. Edited August 18, 2014 by Jutta
bmwheath Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 Surely there are ones with Dennon Link and that should be better than XLRs. Just touching on the denon link topic, does Marantz have a similar thing to the "denon link"?
Recommended Posts