Head-Fi.org › Forums › Summit-Fi (High-End Audio) › High-end Audio Forum › Sound signatures of Esoteric vs. EMM Labs
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Sound signatures of Esoteric vs. EMM Labs - Page 3

post #31 of 60
4/22/08 at 11:27pm
Thread Starter 
Thought I would update this thread with a pic on what I eventually chose:



Sorry for the poor image quality (taken using my cell phone).

My jaw is still on the floor with the improvement in sound transitioning from Transporter. This is sound you just have to experience yourself to fully appreciate - it's EXQUISITE. I'll try to add some comments later (stilling waiting for delivery of another digital cable).

Thanks to all for previous inputs.
Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #32 of 60
4/23/08 at 12:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2deadeyes View Post
My jaw is still on the floor with the improvement in sound transitioning from Transporter. This is sound you just have to experience yourself to fully appreciate - it's EXQUISITE. I'll try to add some comments later (stilling waiting for delivery of another digital cable).
My system is quite similar (see profile) and that was just my reaction when I moved to a dCS DAC from Lavry DA10. Now you need a better amp... ; )
Reply
post #33 of 60
4/23/08 at 12:46am
looks good.

if i ever upgrade my G08, it will probably be for a Emm Labs. the transporter looks great as well - really nice display. should be a killer system once you get your amp.
Reply
post #34 of 60
4/23/08 at 12:51am
great..another reason for me to dump $5k into this hobby. thanks!
Reply
post #35 of 60
4/23/08 at 2:21am
EmmLabs/transporter: That's pretty sweet!
Reply
post #36 of 60
4/23/08 at 11:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dvse View Post
... Now you need a better amp... ; )
Justin is currently working on that

Quote:
Originally Posted by chesebert View Post
great..another reason for me to dump $5k into this hobby. thanks!
You're very welcome! When you do, you'll be glad you did


I spent a good few hours listening last night well past midnight; I am now paying the price @ work holding out with tea

The difference is truly night and day. I'm not sure if my vocabulary is articulate enough to describe how wonderful it sounds but the gist of it is: everything sounds ultra-refined and natural. I now can't believe how grainy, noisy and "digital" the Transporter sounds compared to the DCC2. Areas of improvement? I would say everything. It has clarity but without the coldness/sterility that's often associated with digital. It has smoothness, but without blurring the details. For orchestral works, instead of trying to emulate a huge soundstage (not that it didn't increase any), it creates an accurate holographic view of the performing venue; it truly feels like you're transported to the performance. For the first time, classical sounds very satisfying out of the O2.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time for other music genres but that's for tonight.
Reply
post #37 of 60
4/23/08 at 12:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2deadeyes View Post
For the first time, classical sounds very satisfying out of the O2.
i guess source does matter.
Reply
post #38 of 60
4/23/08 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vcoheda View Post
i guess source does matter.
have you ever doubted that? maybe its time for that G08 to go
Reply
post #39 of 60
4/23/08 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vcoheda View Post
i guess source does matter.
I've got an EMM SE stack for ya. I will not take your soul as payment, though.
Reply
post #40 of 60
4/23/08 at 5:31pm
I have the Dac6e and the Transporter and have done comparisons. There is a big difference.
I use the Transporter aes/beu digital out into the aes/beu PCM input on the Emm to my pre, but also have the analog outs of the TP going to my pre-amp also, so I can toggle between the two.

In all fairness, the Meitner gear was $11,000 msrp and the TP is $1900. The dacs are not really in the same league or price range.
Reply
post #41 of 60
4/23/08 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
Very true regarding their performance/price relative to each other but I just wanted to give a perspective on where they stood. I chose the Transporter with the sole intention of using it as a transport slaved to an external DAC, steaming files from a server.
Reply
post #42 of 60
4/24/08 at 12:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by blubliss View Post
I've got an EMM SE stack for ya. I will not take your soul as payment, though.
SOLD.


edit: missed the "not." thought it seemed rather cheap.
Reply
post #43 of 60
4/24/08 at 12:50am
Congrats on an excellent choice!
Do you ever see getting emm cdsd?
I use an empirical audio offramp to play flac, but I still notice considerable improvement using the emm transport.
Reply
post #44 of 60
4/24/08 at 1:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2deadeyes View Post
I chose the Transporter with the sole intention of using it as a transport slaved to an external DAC, steaming files from a server.
I did the same thing. But in reality it was a mistake, because as long as you are not using the dac, the a Squeezebox would do the same thing and save $1500 (as Bozebuttons so diligently pointed out to me ).
Reply
post #45 of 60
4/24/08 at 12:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by foo_me View Post
Congrats on an excellent choice!
Do you ever see getting emm cdsd?
I use an empirical audio offramp to play flac, but I still notice considerable improvement using the emm transport.
Thanks. I highly doubt it unless the music industry suddenly decided to use SACD as the only format going forward

Quote:
Originally Posted by immtbiker View Post
I did the same thing. But in reality it was a mistake, because as long as you are not using the dac, the a Squeezebox would do the same thing and save $1500 (as Bozebuttons so diligently pointed out to me ).
Two reasons why I went with the Transporter over a SB: aesthetics and the word clock feature.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: High-end Audio Forum

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Summit-Fi (High-End Audio) › High-end Audio Forum › Sound signatures of Esoteric vs. EMM Labs