All the Emmlabs dcc2/cdsd hoopla..

It is close to Analogue but IMHO Analogue is better. It really becomes a matter of flavors. I did some recent comparisons of the same recordings on CD on the EMM set compared to Analogue w. my friends. We all prefered analogue. That being said, the EMM was excellent and without analogue you can be very happy. Now on SACD it is a different story and the EMM is much closer to Analogue although not there yet. In the end it is a matter of the different flavors. If you remove the turntable from your house & don't listen to analogue for a while you will end up being happy. Just don't go to any friends houses w. analogue & a great system. Also, you need a very good well setup analogue system at the top level to compete w. EMM. The EMM is plug & play, and analogue is a ton of work. Analogue satisfies the hobbiest urge to tinker, while SACD is just listening. I am sure you know the rest. Enjoy!

Oneobgyn, none even come close? Per chance is the APL modified Denon 3910 included in your list of ownership? How about the new APL modified NWO-1?

If so, I'd be very interested to hear your opinion of direct comparisons of either of these APL modded units and the EMMLabs.

I think Frankg has a very good suggestion.

-IMO

Evita, does that list of ownership include the APL modified Denon 3910 or even the new APL modified NWO-1? If so, I'd be very interested to hear more about your comparisons between either of those APL modified units and the EMMLabs.

I like Frankg's suggestion best. Not to mention Palm Springs is almost right around the corner from La Marada. Well...., it's a big corner.

-IMO

Thought I'd give a little different perspective. The EMM labs stuff IS very very good, no doubt. I owned it and enjoyed it. But I do not agree with Oneobgyn (who is a friend) that nothing comes close. Digital is always making advancements and I actually think that other players not only come close, but some exceed the EMM. Now remember, this is all about opinion and personal preference - not to mention system variables and component matching.

This said, because I am not a believer in the future of SACD and I KNOW that not all SACDS sound great, plus the fact that I have 30 times MORE redbook CDs than SACDs, I was willing to lose the SACD capability to go to a better redbook player. I, along with 5 of my audio friends (which included the guy who bought my EMM gear), sat in my room and compared the EMM (with both the DAC 6 and the DCC2) and the Reimyo CDP 777 side by side and all of them preferred the Reimyo.

Why? All said the Reimyo had as much or more resolution but sounded a bit less digital, richer and not as white or analytical. Now the difference was not night and day but enough to notice by anyone who is experienced in this hobby and appreciates those subtle differences.

I also have friends who are saying that some of the new players like the ARC CD-7, the new Ayre player and the real expensive Zanden combo (and others)are awfully good as well and give the EMM stiff competition.

Since you asked about redbook, I can assure you MY decision was based on the noticably better redbook performance. But, as always, YMMV.

Good luck.

Frank,
How does the modded APL/EMM/DENON transport compare to the CDSD in sound quality?
Cheers,
Neville