Please let me know when you get together with George and compare unmodded versus modded.
Steve,
I received the EA modified ECD-1 yesterday, but the most I could do was unbox it, plug it in, and feed it a signal from a spare dvd player.
A big
THANK YOU to Chris for giving me the chance to hear the unit in my system.
From talking with Chris I was pretty confident it would smoke the stock unit. But instead of going up against the stock unit, I am actually going to spend some serious time comparing it to the Audiologic 24 MXL dac (
http://www.perrottaconsulting.com/audiologic1.htm).
I have been auditioning this dac since Saturday and it is very, very good! When comparing the Audiologic to the stock ECD-1, the Audiologic is pretty much superior across the board. The highs are more extended, defined and present. The midrange has no sibilance and is liquid smooth. It also creates a more stable center image with better depth. On the bass, it is tighter and faster. There is a better PRAT. Anyway, enough about the Audiologic for now.
Literally 30 minutes ago I inserted the EA ECD-1. I have just gone through a couple of test cuts:
Counting Crows - "August and Everything After" - Tracks 2, 4, 5
Harry Connick Jr. - "She" - Tracks 1, 12, 13, 14
Ben Harper - "Fight For Your Mind" - Tracks 5, 6, 7
The EA ECD-1 is very dynamic and has a more forward and aggressive presentation than the Audiologic. Not better or worse just different. I think the the EA is a little faster and the intial transient response is excellent. The EA isn't as seductive and voices don't draw me in as much as the Audiologic does. Acoustic guitar is very good on the EA, but sounds a smidge more pleasing on the Audiologic (maybe I miss tubes more than I want to admit?).
Steve, eventhough I have spent a short time listening, I can confidently say that you made a significant improvement over the stock ECD-1.
Great job!
I will post a much more detailed and formal review in the next week or so.
Now back to the music...
George