[Mass. Wine Guy]

Has anyone listened to the new ERC2 cd player from Emotiva? The specs look good, but that's not as important as how it sounds.

[Rclark]

I own it, it's fantastic. I owned the ERC-1 and upgraded to it. Lots of ERC-1 owners and everyone seems to like them alot.
 
 Their character is true to material, very revealing, not warm, not cold, just delivers what's on the disc. I really love mine. They get compared to players in the $1500 - $2000 range.

 Their secret is they engineer here, but they own a factory in the east. No middlemen, no retail. Internet only. So you get a lot for your money.

 It's a fully balanced dual-differential player with completely segmented power supplies and a discrete output stage.

 As a bonus, the remotes they give you are about the sweetest you'll ever see. I always say they look like they'd fit on the bridge of the Enterprize.  Hefty, brushed metal, no plastic anywhere, even the buttons are metal. They are nice, no doubt about it.

 I also own the XDA-1 DAC and I have to admit I really enjoy the combo. I will probably end up buying their XSP-1 preamp (their uber-reference model) when it launches in a few months and connect all three via AES/EBU as all three units including the ERC-2 have balanced outputs/inputs.

 Great company. Their amps are highly regarded for the money, especially the big monoblocks, but I've never heard them.

[srb]

As a bonus, the remotes they give you are about the sweetest you'll ever see. I always say they look like they'd fit on the bridge of the Enterprize.  Hefty, brushed metal, no plastic anywhere, even the buttons are metal. They are nice, no doubt about it.

I also own the XDA-1 DAC and I have to admit I really enjoy the combo. I will probably end up buying their XSP-1 preamp (their uber-reference model) when it launches in a few months and connect all three via AES/EBU as all three units including the ERC-2 have balanced outputs/inputs.

I think the Emotiva components are a good value for the money, but I wanted to comment on my take on the remote.
 
Yes, the remote is all-metal CNC machined aluminum, but I found it to be about 3 times the size it needed to be!  I ended up not using it because it was so bulky.  I programmed a universal remote and unfortunately relegated the Emotiva remote to a drawer.  But it is one hunk of aluminum.
 
When you said all three would be connected via AES/EBU, I suspect you meant that the ERC-2's digital output would be connected via AES/EBU to the XDA-1, and the XDA-1 would be connected via balanced analog outputs to the XSP-1.
 
Steve

[Rclark]

You certainly could cram all the buttons closer together on a smaller form factor, but the remote, I find, sits in the hand perfectly, and the buttons are easily controlled with lazy sweeps of the thumb. It's very tactile, you don't need to look down and see what you're hitting, with that nice spacing between buttons and definite, clearly defined zones. It sits in the palm quite comfortably and has a nice heft. Truly a "Cadillac" among some pretty chintzy remotes out there.

 I'm hoping the XSP-1 remote will have the functionality to control all three units so I can put these other two remotes away (XDA-1 also has a remote. It is smaller in physical length only because it needs less buttons) and just use that.

 Regardless, I find myself just as often controlling the units from the faceplate buttons as I do with the remotes.

 The XSP-1 seems like it will be quite a feature rich preamp. I am agonizing over getting that in a few months and having lots of control over my 2.2 system with a very modern reference level preamp, or going with a Dodd buffer kit. I still haven't decided what I want to do there.

 As far as how I will connect the balanced system, I believe you are correct. Looking forward to upgrading from this plastic optical cable I'm currently using. Can you suggest a good bang for the buck AES/EBU?

[srb]

As far as how I will connect the balanced system, I believe you are correct. Looking forward to upgrading from this plastic optical cable I'm currently using. Can you suggest a good bang for the buck AES/EBU?

I'm sure you will get other expensive recommendations for audiophile AES/EBU cables, but I just look for a quality, Made in USA, Belden shielded twisted pair cable with Switchcraft or Neutrik XLR connectors like these, and you can get them in any custom length for a reasonable price:
 
AES/EBU Digital Cables
 
Steve

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Thank you. Sounds like it's a fine player.

Rclark, do you mean that you use the ERC2 as a transport feeding into the Emotiva DAC? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of buying the cdp?

Does the ER2 compare favorably to the Virtue Audio Piano M1?

[eclein]

The Piano M1 is a much better player, I would think you might be taking a backward step if you sell the Piano and go with the Emotiva MWG. But hey I could be wrong.

[Phil A]

I have the XDA-1 in my secondary basement system and am very impressed with the sound quality and build quality for a DAC that cost me $299.  I am feeding SACD from a Monoprice (under $44) HDMI de-embedder from an old Oppo DV980H and the sound quality is excellent.

[Mass. Wine Guy]

Thanks, Eclein. I'm not thinking of trading mine in. I was just wondering.

[eclein]

Just want to make sure you don't go backward or sideways, if its a step forward thats cool but I'm just watching out for ya...LOL. Have a great Holiday!!!

[Mass. Wine Guy]

I appreciate it, Ed. I need looking out for.

[srb]

Does the ER2 compare favorably to the Virtue Audio Piano M1?

The Piano M1 is a much better player .....

What would compel you to say that without having heard the ERC-2?
 
Steve

[eclein]

The Piano M1 is a much better player, I would think you might be taking a backward step if you sell the Piano and go with the Emotiva MWG. But hey I could be wrong.

Hey...I said I might be wrong...LOL.

[Rclark]

If I'd thought the Piano would be the better player, I would have bought it, I certainly checked into it    I'd call it more like a big step up from the Piano in terms of features and design, especially the ERC-2. The Piano's sure are pretty looking though, and I'm sure they sound great.

 Yes I use it as a transport, and it doesn't defeat any purpose, it's excellent in this regard, especially considering its balanced output.

[Rclark]

I have the XDA-1 in my secondary basement system and am very impressed with the sound quality and build quality for a DAC that cost me $299.  I am feeding SACD from a Monoprice (under $44) HDMI de-embedder from an old Oppo DV980H and the sound quality is excellent.

 You and me got the intro price  They are actually $399 now.

 I agree, the sound quality is excellent. Paired with my Virtue Two.2, which I feel colors the sound with a bit of warmth, the XDA-1 really shines.

[srb]

You and me got the intro price  They are actually $399 now.

I didn't know they had raised the regular price of the XDA-1 from $349 to $399, but it is on sale right now for $299.  http://emotiva.com/xda1.shtm
 
Steve

[Rclark]

that's right!

4th of July sale. It's actually how I bought my ERC-1. Big time deals going right now, get them while you can 

 I still have the t-shirt they threw in last summer on my ERC-1 purchase.

 With my ERC-2 they threw in a reference level music cd. It's great.





 excuse the mess, I'm still building my system.