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Electrocompaniet EMC-1 MkII: XLR better??

Just set up my burned-in EMC-1 MkII, and am wowed by the great dynamics, stage width and specificity, and especially the lack of digital glare, edge, or ANY roughness!
As it is a truly balanced design, I'd appreciate comments re the differences in sound between single-ended and balanced operation.
I only have ppairs of RCA'd Red Dawn and HT Pro-Silway MkII, and (perhaps) will need to buy XLR.
The Silways are a bit stiff and require more clearance than I'd like, but I'm leaning toward them over the easier-to-fit
Nordosts. It's been suggested that I try used Discovery Essence, or perhaps Nirvana SL, the new Coincident, or a Siltech. Greatly appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
Ernie
subaruguru
hawaiikid
107 posts
 
I agree with Cornfedboy, I am using single-ended with my EMC-1 and getting great results. Using Totem "Sinew" single ended ICs from EMC-1 to Joule Pre Amp, Nordost single ended Quattro Fil from pre amp to Berning Amp. Sound is system dependent and you won't know until actually trying. I tried the Coincident single ended ICs and this compared favorably to the Totem "Sinew" IC.
bwhite
807 posts
 
Hi Ernie,

For my application - I don't agree on the balanced vs. single ended comments as stated above. If an I/C is less than 2 (or maybe 3) meters, odds are that both RCA and balanced will sound identical when compared a/b. Of course the balanced has more gain but tonally and dynamically they are identical on the EMC-1 MkII (speaking of Quattro Fil here, other cables may be different).

Where balanced IS clearly better than RCA is in situations where LONG runs are required or EMI/RF is present.

My Electrocompaniet EC 4.5 preamp lets me switch from balanced mode to single ended mode via a nifty little button. In this scenario, my Quattro Fil .6m XLRs and .6m RCAs sound the same.


Given that the XLR/RCA's sound the EXACT same - I chose to use XLR from CD - Pre and from Pre to Amp simply because I use line level RCA output of my Home Theater Processor direct to my amplifier.

Bry
subaruguru OP
1,375 posts
 
Hi guys. I'm amazed by the difference in sound between the RCA Pro-Silway Mk II and the XLR Discovery Essence (both 1m)! The Essence is clearly more dynamnic, with a more vivid, less laid back presentation. Just when I'm tempted to call it a bit rougher, and therefore perhaps a bit fatiguing, I'm beguiled by how wonderful and excitingly musical it is. I've tried to be casually-careful about level-matching (6 dB diff), but all listeners nw find the Pro-Silways soft and boring by comparison. I had expected the silver/copper HTs to be the more extended and vivid cable, but the pure copper Essence is! I had read lately (Cordesman on the Essence in TAS??) that some cables achieve "vividness" with a upper-mid or presence (2-4k?)
"bump". Could that be what the Essence is doing?...or that the HT is soft in the upper-/low-treble? But the Essence seems more extended uptop, too.... Hmmm.

I am toying with the idea of getting the Pro-Silways in XLR for a true comparison, but note Bryan's remark above.
As I can instantly switch between them maybe I should leave the HT in place as a "6 dB mute" switch option to allow conversation (without losing previous gain setting), and of course to prove to my wife that it's not too loud when I wake her up in the wee hours!.... seriuosly, maybe I should keep it for too-bright CDs.
I had heard that the Harm Tech AC Pro-11 PC is a "smooth"
cable, too...and one just arrived UPS. I'm hoping that it will mate with my EMC-1 mkII and the Essence ideally.
Thanks for the help. Ern
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