Too many to describe them in detail. This CDP plays Music just pefectly ! Build Quality is astonishing

None ! Exept...maybe its value makes many higher-priced CDPs look very bad.

This Player is absolutely superb !
Having owned a Wadia 830 for 6 Months, I was not very happy with the sound of my system. I already thought, the room or the speakers could be the reason, until I listened to the Linn Ikemi in comparison to my 830. This exzellent player - although a bit cheaper - was clearly better in many points. After that experience, I decided to listen to some other Players. Well, I came to the conclusion, that also the Advantage CD1S, the Jadis JD3 and the Linn Ikemi are CDPs of the same quality. I didn´t like the other ones, mostly because they sounded flat and "digital".
However, the EMC1 has a wonderful, accurate midrange and very sweet, airy highs, but it is not "warm"-sounding, like EInstein or the Jadis are. On the contrary, the EMC1 has an extremly detailed, accurate sound and also reproduces Voices and Instruments absolutely natural (I would say, nearly perfect). If I ever knew, what a "musical" cd-player is: this is it (and I´m musician by myself). Its richness of colours is really amazing and better than the Linn Ikemi, which sound a bit tamed. The Einstein and the Jadis have, though very colourful, are less detailed and don´t have the awesome "pin point imaging" of the EMC1. Another BIIIG strength of the EMC1 is the unbelievable deep, tight and detailed Bass. Also in this point it is much better than the Wadia. I ´m exporing my whole CD-Coollection again and would never had thought, that so many Recordings have such an deep bass (and my speakers go down to 20 Hz ;-)
One could think, the wonderful sound of the EMC1 would go hand in hand with less dynamics ? This is not true! Its fa more dynamically as the Wadia, and more than the Ikemi, Jadis or Einstein. I don´t know, if the Naim CDX, the Phonosophie, the ML and the other Players are more dynamic...I don´t think so, maybe only at the first look. They just sound more digital and a bit flat...Listening to those, I know, why many audiophiles don´t like the "harshness" of the CD-Sound.
Well, it´s very difficult, to describe sound-impressions in a foreign language, but perhaps it isn´t necessary anyway: I don´t need to describe it, just let me say, that I am very happy, that I don´t have to spend more money than for the EMC1, becaus IMO it´s by far the best player under 15000 DM. If it wouldn´t look zynical, I´d say, its only weakness is, that it is underpriced, given its breathtaking, rocksolid build-quality (In this point, the Wadia is a shame anyway). Everybody should give this Player a listen and be glad, that one doesn´t have to spend more money to get a state of the art-player, one of the best out there.

I was looking out for better offers in CDPs after a very short time, I owned the Wadia. With the EMC1, I´m not interested in any other Players anymore and can enjoy my CD-Collection for hours and years, because it doesn´t only reproduce sound, but just play MUSIC. Listen to it and you will know, what I mean.

Similar Products Used:

Wadia 830, Jadis JD3, EInstein, ML 39, Naim CDX, Phonosophie CD1, Audionet Art, Linn Ikemi, Copland, Advantage CD1, Advantage CD1s, Krell KAV 300, many others..

Looks - build quality - simplicity

No pause on the unit- only remote - no HDCD

I was looking for a well built and great sounding CD player, which I could use with my Krell 30i also for recording and pleasure listening of two Cd's . I bought it only on recommendation and can say I am qiute pleased with its overall aspects of making music sound real. It is built similar to the 30i which until now I feel has been the best player I have heard and I have owned and heard many including Levinson, Cary and Sony SACD. I sold my Sony after hearing this unit because it was no contest even with Super CD"S. It is built very much like the Krell and what shocked me was its remote has the exact same functions as the Krell and when using it the Krell responds as well as the ECM which could present some problems for me but I am sure not for most people. I do wonder if this is really a Krell in disguise because of this cicumstance.(Play Twilight Zone)

Similar Products Used:

Krell 30i - CAL CL 10 - Anthem CD1 - Pioneer CDR05

A true music maker.

Very unforgiving of poor recordings.

This is a wonderful piece of equipment. Even before the mandatory 72 hours break in period was complete I knew that this was a special machine. I say special because it sounded like no other CD player I had ever heard before - completely transparent, no harshness or grain at all to the extent that I thought it lacked drive, but then found that I was listening to music more than I had ever done so before. This player plays the music on the disc you put into it - nothing more, nothing less. If you find a problem then blame the recording.

Similar Products Used:

BAT VK-D5, Wadia 830.

pure music,a lot better than my accuphase player dp65

bad display and remote control

since the upgrade to 24/192khz dac the player is makin music that i always wanted to hear.after 20 years my surch has come to an end!

Similar Products Used:

accuphase dp65

Great dynamics without harsh ot digital

Can't pick up some tracks well on isolated CDs, lens may be slightly too sensitive.

A totally different league of sonics with the above CD players I had although it cost 3-5 times more expensive (but well worth it price). A player whose sound is hard to fault even if played on mid-fi amps. Won't go through fine details as all had been said on previous reviews but to those who is considering upgrading... GO for it ! You will not be disappointed. Had an upgrade recently but before that I was happily listening to the 24/96. But after the upgrade... Wow, it has almost reached analogue nirvana !

Similar Products Used:

Marantz CD17
Arcam alpha 8
Mcintosh MCD7007

Natural Dynamics, living holographic presence, flowing & breathing analog-esque smoothness, highly resolving. Underpriced.

Closely approaches, but does not match, SACD or LP reproduction. However, it provides excellent consolation for those stuck with 44K/16bit playback.

I compared the EMC-1 to a number of highly established players. I was highly impressed by the Naim CDX, ML39, ARC CD2 and Meridian 508.24, which were introduced 2 years ago. Compared to the EMC-1, these older players sounded unmistakeably more harsh, mechanical and flat. The sonic detail they presented were more scattered and congested, and did not cohere as well. In contrast, the EMC-1 resolves very fine sonic details that organise themselves into living holographs of three dimensional instruments, played by living performers with musical passion.

Although one might think the EMC-1's smooth liquid sound (from lows to highs) is less dynamic compared to the older players, I realised that the older players tend to sound more lively because of their more agitated, gritty, strained and busy sonic signatures. The music from the EMC-1 seems to flow more naturally, without any artificial softening, and with a more realistic portrayal of dynamics. This is like how SACD sounds more relaxed and less congested than CD.

Although one gets the impression of tonal warmth, bass notes display shocking resolution compared to the older players. You hear not just clean tight bass, but the EMC-1 portrays the unique timbres of the bass instruments and, places them in space more realistically. The sensation of warmth comes not as a muddling of the music, but from the surprise of hearing natural mids after being accustomed to the mechanical midrange that has plagued mid-priced CD players until now.

I also heard the EMC-1 next to another NEW Scandinavian CDP, the costlier Bow Wizard. A recently released model, the Wizard sounds more bright and detailed to me, but also more sizzly and flat. I found the EMC-1 approaches the flowing, living, breathing, analog sound of the expensive Bow ZZ8 very closely.

All this surprised me as,having owned and enjoyed a Meridian 508.24 for 2 years, I did not imagine its musicality, imaging and "analog" smoothness could be improved upon so radically by a newer but cheaper player.

The EMC-1 will sound flat and cold until after two weeks of burn-in. It yields maximum performance with top ancilliaries, such as BDR or DH cones and shelves. In particular, it seems to demonstrate a unique synergy with the Powersnakes King Cobra A/C powercord. Although this powercord is about two-thirds the EMC-1's price, many users have paired them, and claim this to produce an unbeatable combination.

Although it may not fully match the "living" quality of a Naim CDS2, SACD, or a quality turntable, the EMC-1 marks the remarkable improvement made in the field of mid-priced CDPs in the short space of two years. It has narrowed the gap between digital and analog; an essential quality any CD player must achieve to remain viable in the dawn of he SACD and DVD-A age.

These opinions are based on the current version of the EMC-1. Since its introduction, this player has been through various stages of modification and tweaking.

Similar Products Used:

ARC CD2, Meridian 508.24, Bow ZZ8, Bow Wizard, Mark Levinson 39.

Soundstage, depth of imaging, overall detail, bass response, upgradeable to 24/192, build quality and aesthetics.

No significant weaknesses detected as yet; however the plastic remote is not of the same calibre as the player itself. Some would find the weight of the player at 44 lbs. to be excessive but this is due in part to the excellent vibration cancellation system that has been designed into this unit.

This unit was purchased new with the 24/192 chip installed by the dealer. I am very impressed with the soundstage, depth of imaging and overall detail that this unit provides. It is amazing to play familiar cd's and suddenly hear things that were previously buried by other units.

As well, the quality of the bass is the best I've heard to date. The typical glare or harshness that is associated with many units is virtually eliminated by this unit. It is the most analog sounding unit that I have heard to date.

For the money I do not believe that there is a better value out there and I would highly recommend anyone looking to upgrade that they give the Electrocompaniet serious consideration.

Similar Products Used:

Linn, Carver, McIntosh, Denon, Sim

Glorious, accurate midrange. Deep rhythmic bass, sweet airy highs, etc.

Not that I’ve heard yet

This is the first CD player I’ve had in my system (and I’ve had some very expensive ones) that sounds like . . . music! It hits all of the “audiophile points,” but much more than that, it presents the very soul of the music. I have a $12,000 turntable rig (all “Stereophile Class A” rated) and the Electrocompaniet is about 95% of the way there! Very, very impressive!

Similar Products Used:

Meridian 508.24

Looks great... that about all

Too Bright sounding, weighs a ton

I recently purchase the Electro at a dealer due to more for looks than performance. After reading the reviews here I thought so many people cannot be that wrong right ? After bringing it home I tested it for a few hours and noticed that I wasn't so relaxed when listening to the music as compared to the McIntosh 7007. On comparison the specs for the Electro far outweighs the McIntosh... however on reproduction of music I find the McIntosh more pleasing and tonally better. Although the soundstage of the Electro was good... the music sound a bit to bright while the highs sounded too forward that it hurt my ears after long hours of play. I then for the fun I compared the Electro to my Toshiba DVD/VCD/CD player... to my suprise the Toshiba player only lost out to the Electro in bass definition !! The Toshiba only cost one tenth of what I paid for the Electro.

In conclusion.. the Electro is not worth the price. I thought upgrading my 10 year old McIntosh would do wonders to my system... after all the new technology advances in the digital/cd field. However, I cannot be more wrong.

The system I am using now comprises of

Mark Levison 331
Mark Levision 38s
Electrocompaniet EMC1
McIntosh MCD7007
Monitor Audio Gold Reference Speakers
All interconnects by Audioquest

Similar Products Used:

McIntosh MCD7007

Excellent sound !

A bit expensive. Hard to operate for drunken people ;-)

First to Lai Ming Khoo :
Please let the EMC 1 burn in at for last 100 hours before reviewing it. The sound and soundstage improves incredibly during this periode.

This CD player reproduces music just as it was recorded.
It gives you a great soundstage, sweet hights and mellow midrange. Bass is dry and precise.
If you like this kind of reproduction, buy this CD player!

Current lineup :
Electrocompaniet EMC 1, Electrocompaniet ECI 3, Goertz cables (biwired), B&W CDM9 NT's. Sounds great!

Similar Products Used:

To many to mention