bad: i had the accuphase dp-85 on audition for a bit over a week. i played it through my boulder 1012 pre/dac on redbook cd and sacd. i also a/b'd it with my 1012 used as a dac and pre and my accuphase dp-90 as a transport. previously, i a/b'd the accuphase dp-75v and dp-85. IMO, the dp-85 dac used for redbook playback is clearly superior to the dp-75v; the boulder, tho, outperforms the dp-85 on redbook in virtually every sonic category. moreover, the differences in presentation between sacd's on the dp-85 and redbook cd's of the same titles played through the boulder dac are so slight to be almost imperceptible.
i've not a/b'd the dp-85 with the big linn or the audio aero. i have heard the emc-1 extensively in my audio dealer's main listening room. while it is a very good one-box player, it is not in the same league as either the accuphase dp 75v or dp-85. the emc-1 does have a very nice transport section, from near the top of the phillips consumer line.
-cfb
i've not a/b'd the dp-85 with the big linn or the audio aero. i have heard the emc-1 extensively in my audio dealer's main listening room. while it is a very good one-box player, it is not in the same league as either the accuphase dp 75v or dp-85. the emc-1 does have a very nice transport section, from near the top of the phillips consumer line.
-cfb