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Best CD between EMM Labs & DCS

Hi,

I'm living in France, so do not have the chance to heard EMM Labs because it's not imported.
I know well DCS to own a Delius & Purcell (no DSD) during few years
I've tested the new Audioaéro Capitol Reference, which sound to tubey in my system.

Few questions about EMM Labs :

- are they as good as they seem to be ?
- How could you discribed their sound ?
- why no reviews on this product ?
- why so many people sale them used ? There is few DCS on a used market, but there is a lot of EMM Labs combo ?

The system I will put them is :
- Lamm M1.1 (the hybrid one) - which should be replaced by a Lamm Tube (ML1.1 or ML2.2)
- Kharma CRM 3.2 as speaker

Thanks

David
davidri

Showing 2 responses by ckoffend

ckoffend
684 posts
 
Kops is referencing the software upgrades, which EMM Labs also offers (again software upgrades). neither DCS and/or EMM offer free physical or equipment upgrades. I am sure this is what Kops is conveying, just further clarifying.
ckoffend
684 posts
 
2010: Realizing the OP has moved on. I owned both and at the same time. To clarify, I owned the DCS Purcel and Delius and the EMM Labs CDSD and Dac6e combo.

Both are wonderful and are more alike than different. The differences that does exist are not significant (like night and day) but are different by shades.

Firstly, I think both are smooth and very well rounded devices that are not typically going to offend too many people. Not everybody will find they are their cup of tea, but I would be surprised if anybody can really say either offends them.

The EMM Labs is perhaps a hair warmer sounding than the DCS. The DCS is not analytical, but ever so slightly more detailed sounding - but both offer plenty of the details. I have also owned Wadia, Esoteric and other good CDP/digital front ends, but am just answering the OP Qs.

Personally, I would not exchange one DCS for an EMM Labs of the same vintage as I do not feel that the difference between the two will significantly change your sound, improve or otherwise. I think the DCS components are a bit more reliable than the EMM labs, which I fear are a bit more sensitive (but I never had a problem with mine when I owned them - EMM Labs that is).

Both loose their value significantly vs. new when newer models come out and based on the initial selling price. Both are much, much better values used and can be purchased for WELL under 50% of the new price.
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