EMM Labs DAC2

What I admire about the EMM sound (the DCC2-SE & CDSD-SE with the Phillips transport) was the way the soundstage was somewhat recessed but still the images had just the right amount of substance and density without feeling heavy or leaden. You could lean into music instead
of it being thrown at you, but still the details and
softly rounded components were all there.
And the bass, while not super-deep, was solid and clear but not thick and opaque.

Thus, the portrayal was satisfying w/o stepping over the line. (The highs can be a little aggressive though--sometimes, depending on the disc.)

(All of the above on redbook CD, by the way. SACD was
another story, occasionally awesome, sometimes not.)

Does the new CDSA have these qualities?
Thanks.

The CDSAse is as good if not better than the separates. More natural in sound, with a smoother presentation. SACD is incredible and CD is just better than it was before. The one flaw that remains is a little dynamic softness and a slight smoothness in the bass that could use improvement. The differences are a little bit more than subtle having owned both. This is in comparison to the original separates, not the SE version. I would say that the new EMM separates is a different presentation and for some would be more detailed but for others would be considered over the line. I happen to like my the CDSAse the way it is. The newer models in comparison might be too forward for some. It really depends on the music and your system. You get more forward sound, but with it comes more bass, more highs and more detail. But there is a point where too much detail is not a good thing. There have been some very well written reviews that explain the EMM/Marantz/Esoteric soundcamps. I would say the new EMM equipment has moved over more to the Esoteric camp. I wouldn't mind having the money for both, but I don't.

Thanks Dgad!

Are you guys aware that there is a five gran upgrade to the CDSA SE that replaces the Analog pcb and places a clock onto the digital pcb that brings this player closer to the new 25K machine. With the mod it's called the CDSA-X. Crazy good

Rickron51

I loo am looking at the 'X' upgrade.

Emm tells me the entire analogue board is changed. There is another thread that talks about changing the fuse, IEC receptacle, silk pillows underneath, etc. I am not confident that changing the fuse will give the same results as an upgraded board, so I am going for the upgrade.

Bill