Any experience with the new EMM CDSA SE ?

Henry,

I haven't had the opportunity to hear the SE separates. Simply explained, they are basically the same except for very slight differences in power supplies (a single power supply used for both digital & analogue in the 1 box) and a single chassis w. no need for any connecting cables. It then gets down to money. That is a big difference. The SACD sound is certainly better than the non SE version. It is not huge, but a nice subtle improvement. It was excellent in the 1st place w. the separates. CD is still in the air as I don't find either truly special yet. I am still breaking in the CD section.

Obviously if you don't need the pre-amp functionality and the greater number of inputs, the single box player is the way to go. I got my DCC2 and used it for the pre amp as well (pretty good by the way!) until I purchased the Darts. If I had to do it all over again, I would go for the single box player (which was not around at the time), save the money and invest elsewhere. The sonic differences are likely to be minimal if they exist at all...and both are extremely good!

What is the purpose of the low and high gain settings? I can't imagine 4v is enough in almost any system. Some have said the higher setting sounds better, but not sure why that would be. Any thoughts? Consenus on the two settings?

bump...

I do not see any need to give up my CDSA indefinitely. If something isn't broke, I won't fix it (especially in the audio arena). The CDSA is so articulate, I can understand lyrics I never could on recordings I've heard for decades.
But still the CDSA is natural. The strange digital artifacts on other players that I didn't know were there are gone on the CDSA. I have the metal-tray version, which is much quieter then earlier EMM transports. I do however, think the EMM SE separates (DCC2 + CDSD) are a little better, with an even more defined bass and slightly more forgiving in the highs of poor recordings. Both versions are wonderful.

I went through other players trying to save some money; I tried some Sonys, Accuphases, Meridians, some Mods, Playback Designs, old Calif. Audio Labs, and I just keep coming back to the EMMs. Nothing gives my the satisfaction of EMM, as it just gets to the heart of things for me. I've been playing with CD players since 1986.

The original DCC2/CDSD in 2004 had a special magic that finally convinced me digital had arrived and stopped my nostalgia for my old Vinyl days, but it still had some annoying glare. The SE versions fixed that and then I was hooked on EMM.