Audio Research CD3 vs Electrocompaniet EMC 1

Can't comment about the Electrocompaniet but I auditioned the CD3 against thePhilips SACD.with all reference Audio Resarch electronics and the Vandersteen model 5's.Too close to call both were musically invovlving players.SACD didn't blow it away by a long shot,but it is much cheaper and does a good job.The quality of craftmanship on the CD3 is superior and so it's re-sale value ,as with all ARC cd players ,should be good.
I've also heard the CD3 against the Metronome ,,,the Metronome (no balanced outs)didn't even come close.
I've heard the Sony SCD-1 in surround mode and was impressed with it's quiet b.g. and overall sound,it sells for the same as the CD3,build quality is high,but i didn't hear the cd playback on it and I didn't like the surround mixes.Personally I would try to find a dealer who has your electronics and see if you can listen to both .maybe get a loan out on either one of the players and audition at home.... the best way to do it .
Final comment the CD3 is that it's an exceptional player,very analogue sounding with plenty of dynamics ,detail and punch.You won't regret the purchase,as a previous poster said it is a GREAT player! And for what it's worth all the ARC players were Stereophile class A,and I expect the CD3 to folow suit.

My deciding factor, which isn't very quantified... The music was much more real and true sounding. Different recordings sounded very different compared to the EMC1.. To my ears, EMC1 was slightly colored in my system...I felt like tweeking.. CD3 just disappeared and sat down and simply listened to the music. I have heard better players, but at 2-5 times the price.

Kubrickorange (great moniker, by the way--real horrorshow) some of the people replying to you haven't indicated which version of the EMC-1 they've compared to the ARC. There is a big difference between the original EMC-1 and the 24/192 version, and (supposedly, although I haven't heard it) another big difference with the latest upgrade. I have heard the CD3 and the Electrocompaniet w/ the 24/192, and thought the EMC was better--not by much. A little better bass, a little more 'analog' sounding. Now that may have been a system synergy thing, but both are great players for sure. You can get a used EMC1 24/192 relatively cheaply.

Oneprof, what do you think is a fair price to pay for a used EMC1 24/192?

I would suggest it's splitting hairs and only your ears can tell you which one you prefer, though my guess would be that if you heard one and never heard the other one you would be perfectly happy with your selection. I have the 24/196 EMC-1 and I love it. Paired with my Mcintosh MA6900 integrated and Tannoy D500s I'm very happy. I know I'm at a good point because when I listen to music I'm just note sure how much better a CD can be to my ears and what "better" would be. I suppose if it projected a holographic image of the musicians I would be impressed by the upgrade. Hey, I better patent that idea : )

I will add that I prefer the appearance of the EMC-1. The black goes well with my Mcintosh and being a trained designer I can never let go of the industrial design of these products.