EMC1 upgraded versus MKII

I own the EMC without the upgrade and my friend has one with the upgrade. I bypassed the add on upgrade after hearing the Kora Hermes DAC (tube) - I bought the Kora and use the EMC as a transport - The Kora has the 24/192 and just presents a better soundstage and naturalness to the music that I do not hear with just the EMC or the upgraded EMC. As a transport the EMC is great.

No, I did not get to try the Audio Aero - after I heard one of our audio club's member's Kora I was sold. I find no bass bloat or excess warmth in any region. It has a really nice balance. I really wasn't even thinking about changing or upgrading until I heard the Kora.

I do a lot of recording and the EMC 1 has a solid build and toploading which makes for quicker changes with less moving parts. It is a similar mechanism to the Krell 30i transport part (same actually and I have one of those too and was looking for something similar but more modern tech). My friend bought an EMC 1 after hearing and seeing mine and also upgraded it later which he described as a royal pain. I am sorry but I tried to hear a difference but I really do not. I wanted a tube Dac and went with Kora after researching it and the fact it was really affordable comparatively speaking to my next favorite the Dodson which is SS. It has a really natural and dare I say analog - like sound . It does not tire me out when listening for long periods . I am in the process of upgrading tubes simply to see what I get out of doing that but I am really very content now but you know how this hobby is - always looking for something. What happened to the speaker thing you have been exploring? We do not have a real official club but we make like we do. I have moved my ML Odysseys to another area of the house but will sell if things are right. I have the VMPS RM 40 arriving next week.

I got the EMC for 2900 and the Kora for 1500 - both new. I have a friend who uses a Pioneer Elite 65 as a transport - it is also a player that is well built and makes an excellent transport - it has a nice look. he has a Kora - the Elite can be picked up for 300 or less now. I am sure you can get many other recommendations on the transport idea. The Kora comes with the 24/192 upgrade - it also has undergone additional upgrades like silver this and that but I have not heard it and really at the moment do not wish to pursue . I am now tube searching - leaning towards the Telefunken Falcons.