Emm Labs CDSA 'X' upgrade

I had the PD MPS5 for a few months and sold it because the mids and lower mids seemed to lack control on redbook only, where they sounded a little woozy. I did like the tonal signature though, no glare or "digital" glassy upper mids in redbook. I hear the new software or long break in adds more control now (others I spoke to heard exactly what I did), but I have not heard it since I sold it. (SACD had none of the redbook problems and was superb, period.)

New X-upgrade is warmer on redbook with less glare and more depth and very nicely slightly recessed midrange, which I enjoy, and lots of micro imaging detail and rounded sounds with real-sounding boundaries. SACD is a joy with almost all recordings, making me wish everything was SACD. No need to analyze SACD sound on the X'd CDSA, but no digital pain and all is well, no need for analog with SACD, which beats vinyl for me. It's just from memory, but I think there is a smidge more unforced detail and relaxation on the X with SACD, but as I said, the MPS5 is superb on SACD too, and I could be happy with either for HiRez.

Rgs92, you may be able to eliminate the glare by using ICs in series.

Rgs92, I have not done the X upgrade. I have the EMM CDSA SE and had the same problem with glare/shrillness. I eliminated the problem by putting ICs and PCs in series and with careful use of Oyaide plugs and IECs. The glare/shrillness does not come from the EMM. It comes from cables and plugs/IECs.

Well, Sabai, I sure notice that the CDSA (& maybe most high end digital things) are super-sensitive to cables, especially power cables. The trick is to deal with the highs and sweeten them without horribly muddying up the bass. By the way, the X upgrade does produce a warmer sound (with no loss of bass control or detail) on the CDSA.

Hi Rgs92, I have found the same thing -- the CDSA being VERY sensitive to cables. I agree -- power cables -- and ICs as well. As I mentioned, I have not done the X upgrade but I have completely eliminated the harshness in the highs with my cabling. The highs are so much sweeter now. And the bass is much tighter and better defined -- not muddy at all. The improvement in the sound stage was also quite dramatic -- width, depth and height. I really cannot overstate the improvements. They have far exceeded my expectations.