Emotiva ERC 3 cd player versus....

The Emotiva ERC3 is not high end. It is a $400 player after all, it is not at the level of a Krell or AR. And there is no shame in that.

So what is the ERC3 ... an extremely well built player that has HDCD circuitry and sounds pleasantly, but ever so slightly warm/ dark. If comparisons mean anything, the ERC3 sits in between the Rega Apollo and the Cambridge Audio 651 in terms of overall sound quality (proviso, to my ears, of course.) If you are familiar with the XTZ brand, it is on par with its CD 100/ Divine.

It is a nice player. It would do well as a transport. It would not be embarrassed by players below a $1000.

Every player I have mentioned, I have owned or currently own.

I own both the ERC2 & 3. I used them for a time in my secondary systems. I keep them as back-ups and swap them in occasionally. My current cd players in use: Musical Fidelity CD PRE 24, Rega Apollo, and Magnavox CDP630.

Why did I buy the ERC3, if I already owned the ERC2? Emotiva announces its next year's offerings at its on-site fest every September. The ERC-3 was rumored to be able to play SACDs and I placed an order without doing any further checking. Turns out not to be the case.

Emotiva has its own forum, if you wish to get other opinions.

Rich

I had the ERC 3 for 10 days and sold it. Very disappointed. Rolled off at the top. I sold the ERC2 to get the ERC3 and did not care for either. I use a Theta Jade as a transport now.

Raf,

If it helps any ...

Stereophile review of the ERC 2 .

Rich

Hi fellows!Many thanks for your comments!I had the info I wanted to know.It´s clear to me that I can´t expect a superb hi end cd player/transport a this price range.I guess if I want to make an upgrade from my old Krell Kav 300 cd( which I am using now as transport), and not to spend a fortune, I should look at used transports of the nineties...for instance I would like a Theta Jade or an Audio Alchemy DDS pro,an EAD T 1000 or ARC CDT1.The only precaution I should have is to be sure that spare parts are available, and that´s not a minor issue.So, unfortunately my dream of having a brand new cd/ transport at a very convenient price will not come true.Again Hi End is a very expensive hobby.I will look for used staff of the ninties.Cheers and thanks again!Rafael

Why not just give the ERC-3 a try in your system? Emotiva has a very generous 30 to 45 day return period I think. The cost of shipping the ERC-3 back would be minimal. At least you would then know for sure how it will perform. It isn't like buying something on the used market, trying it and then selling at a sizeable loss if it doesn't mesh with your system.