RHMMMM

Did anyone else buy a ONE? I pre-ordered/crowdfunded/whatever mine late last night. They passed the $500K mark, so were offering a free upgrade to the drive-based unit and I took the plunge. It apparently supports hi-rez playback and has a digital output, and controllable via iOS, Android, and even WP8 apps they are working on! I want this to replace my modded Sonos.

Nice! Pretty decent review. Uses the successor to the DAC chip that was in the ECD-1, CS4398. The SRC is different (TI now, older model used a CS part I'm pretty sure) and I would hope they're using better clocks this go-round. I can't imagine the would change their analog stage sound signature a ton, so I would infer this sounds like a refined ECD-1 with an up to date feature set.

Nobody in any forums I've seen has heard this yet. There is a post on Audiogon from about a month ago about it, but it was between me and another guy asking about it, but no responses from anyone yet. Electrocompaniet gear is on the rare side. I did call a dealer in Baltimore back in January about it and he said he could get it no problem and quoted me the $3099 price. I'd love to see impressions if any of you buy one or find a thread somewhere. It's interesting they went to the triangular three-foot configuration on this. The ECD-1 had 4 feet, but if I recall, the EMP-1UP had 3 like this, also. New on this ECD-2 is USB input, the screen on the front, RS232 (I've never used this) as well as remote control support. Gone is the AES/EBU input as well as the handy digital outs, which was nice for daisy chaining DACs for A/B'ing. Edit: I'd also like to know what DAC chip they're using. I'm betting it's the Sabre which is all the rage these days. The ECD-1 had a Crystal/Cirrus Logic CS4397: http://www.cirrus.com/en/products/cs4397.html.

Isn't that all part of the fun of digital? If there wasn't always a better resolution around the corner, we'd have nothing to look forward to and we'd have to settle on enjoying the music. And who wants that?? [tongue-in-cheek]. I'm still holding out for some kind of quantum slipstream DAC that can reproduce infinite resolution and plugs directly into my brain. Hopefully when I'm 90 and deaf, they'll have that . I'll also mention that since many recent generation DAC chips are DSD capable, it may be possible to upgrade the firmware on a DAC that supports such things, to enable DSD playback. For example, PS Audio's Paul McGowan has already mentioned in "Paul's Tracks" on the psaudio.com site that he's got a guy working on an update to the PWD to enable this. Time will tell is the whole DSD thing is a fad or not, but personally I feel more secure having more capabilities (audio playback, in this case) than not when I dump a bunch of money into something. This was a factor in my decision criteria to go with the Meitner instead of an AMR DP-777, which sounds super sweet but is PCM only (at least right now)! So if someone is looking for a new DAC and soliciting recommendations, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the goings-on with DSD at this point in time.

Here is a good link regarding compatible equipment, software players and online sources for legal purchasing and download of DSD. It is expanding and being updated more and more since the end of 2011. http://www.audiostream.com/content/dsd-ready-dacs-short-list

You can rip SACDs with a firmware-hacked PS3, so the DSD source material catalog is essentially (and potentially) the whole SACD catalog plus the emerging download market. I have said PS3 and have ripped my SACD collection, which I am now able to enjoy again after years without a compatible player.

What's up guys and gals. Long time occasional lurker here and in other forums as well. Blessingx bought my Electrocompaniet ECD-1 and also reminded me that this forum exists. There isn't really an introduction section and I realize the community here is on the smaller side, but you guys seem pretty reasonable, so I may start posting more and join in the fun. Anyhow, I have been researching the hell out of DACs lately, particularly DSD ones. I bought the TEAC (compact, balanced) for a headphone setup at my desk, but have been enjoying DSD so much, I decided to sell both my DACs and upgrade to a Meitner MA-1 for my main system. If DSD interests you, there are several compact units with balanced outs and USB input. The Mytek DSD192 has already been mentioned, as has the Resonnessence Invicta (has SD also), also the new X-Sabre DAC from Matrix. Ayre is going to release a new QB9 with DSD capability soon (March I am told) and it will be based off the Sabre chip. As well, you should look into the exaSound e20 mkII just announced this week, which is compact and has headphone outputs as well as balanced and USB in, DSD4x(!) and DXD support for around $2500. Also check out the Auralic Vega, looks really cool. All of these somewhat fit your criteria, though price ranges are different. I have been particularly interested in the exaSound because it seems solid for the price. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about SD playback. The unit selection is very limited which has that specific feature. My conclusion and wisdom from my own research: there will be a lot of really cool digital stuff coming out this year supporting DSD. You may be wise to sit back a little more and watch what happens before making a move... [Don't ban me for this: if anyone interested in the TEAC, I have it for sale over at HF and probably will put it on audiogon or something soon to get a wider audience if it doesn't sell soon. If you're interested, PM me]