I started with Red Dawn (RCA) and then Pro-Silways MkII (XLR) both of which were too lean with the EMC-1. I then tried HT Truth-Link (balanced) which were too rolled off up top. All this makes sense....
I then tried Siltech ST48 (or whatever), and again found them too lean.
The magic occurred when I tried Discovery Essence (balanced)! Detail and air similar to the others, but with a sweeter balance. Truly great.
Note that I have a MkII version.
I've heard enough evidence of the MkII improvements in bass slam AND top end air and extension that I get a couple of the DAC upgrade kits now and again from EC and sell them near cost. See the auction if you want one.
I've also played with four PCs: Belden 14AWG, Harm Tech ProAC-11, DIY Belden 83802 (better), and finally Virtual Dynamics Cryo P2, which I can't tell from the DIY 83802...although I haven't performed a rigorous comparison as I should.
I'm trying to not be self-serving here, but I WOULD suggest you spend $600 on the MkII upgrade before you go crazy with interconnect and PC experiments. Or if your budget requires waiting, then try any decent, neutral BALANCED IC for now.
But great bass slam AND top end air won't be had until you get the MkII upgrade. So don't do things backwards....
Note that I run the EMC-1 MkII through AlephP/2 monos, via Red Dawn XLR, RD cables to Verity Audio Parsifals in the nearfield in a relatively dead medium-sized room.
I had 30+ guests over last night to celebrate my belated 50th b-day, and absolutely made several of them cry after listening to samples of everything from Miles, Evans, Tony B, as well Shostakovich 5 (Bernstein...wish Columbia had gotten the strings better, though). It was great!
I then finished with ME playing the Brahms Sonata 3 Andante on my B. What a great night! Sorry to bend the thread....Ernie
What a great night!
(sounded the same),