You NEED A CD Player! - Emotiva ERC-4 Review

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Test Track Playlist:
Satanic Panic Playlist:
Leg Warmers Playlist

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Recommended Speaker List

Around $100 (These prices will fluctuate between $75 - $150)
Pioneer AJ First Gen - Laid Back

Around $200

Around $400

Around $500

Around $600
Polk Reserve R100 - Neutral

Recommended Amp List

Under $100

Around $130

Around $250

Around $400

Recommended DACs

Subs

[DannerPlace]

I recently bought the ERC-4 based on this review. What a fine piece of gear, I could not be happier. Thank you.

[davidlara]

Yesterday I bought 2 cds and saw lots of people buying them, a dad was buying tons of cd's with his young daughters and they seemed to be into the world of music/audio, it made me smile ☺

[josexavierjr.]

Good review, Randy. Looks like a real nice machine from Emotiva. Last year I bought an Audiolab 6000CDT transport and love it. I have over 2000 CDs from 1983 to the present. Recently sold off my vinyl collection starting from 1972 (needed to downsize), and I have been replacing some of the old albums with CD versions that have been properly remastered more recently. These CDs sound fantastic, as good, or better than the vinyl, without the occasional "snap, crackle, and pop". I love vinyl, but it does need a lot of attention and maintenance; and the current price for a new album is a bit much. CDs are cheaper in the long run.

[davidwho]

Great review! I'm with you on the CD appreciation. I recently purchased a NAD C 538 player and resurrected my CD collection(100's). The CD player has a Wolfson DAC and it sounds awesome! I'm back on the CD kick again. lol!

Keep up the good work Randy.

[TheKnobCalledTone.]

In my opinion, CD is the best format ever made.

1. Putting on a CD is a similar physical experience to putting on vinyl.
2. Whilst the cover art isn't as big as it is on vinyl, it's still nice to look at and have.
3. CDs often come with great booklets.
4. A well-mastered CD (i.e. pre-loudness wars era) will sound better than vinyl.
5. CDs are way easier to maintain than vinyl.
6. CDs take up less space than vinyl.
7. There are many releases out there from the '80s and '90s that haven't made the transition from CD to streaming.
8. Used CDs are still cheap, even though they're getting a little more expensive now people are beginning to wake up to CDs.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy vinyl (even though it's become a meme) and I use streaming when I need something convenient e.g. music in the car. But when I feel like sitting down and actually listening to music, CD is still the way to go.

BTW it's nice to see there are dedicated CD players still being made that aren't terrible or insanely expensive.

[matthewharhai]

Just bought it, along with B2 bookshelves, stands, TA1 and xs8 subwoofer. Merry Christmas to me! I can't wait to receive.

[danashay]

Nice show Randy. Thanks so much for being there for us!
Going through my attic, and decided to pop a disc into an old Phillip's cd player. And changed my perception of cd players forever. That thing sounded WAY better than the players sprinkled throughout my home and shop. Real game changer! Gonna have to check out this affordable Emotiva deck, can't wait!
Merry Christmas!!

[donjaun]

I'll never get rid of my eclectic collection of CDs. I love them. 👍

[brodelicious]

I’ve been waiting for a long time for a source review from you. Thank you so much! Keep it up. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[clivepacker]

I had the ERC-3 and now have the ERC-4. It’s by far the best player I’ve listened to and I include some very high end multi thousand dollar units in that. It’s just so musical. It’s detailed without being clinical, deep and warm without being bloomy. You can’t buy better in my book.

[fts]

My very first more expensive CD player was the ERC 3. Stunned till this day, especially the DAC.

[rjzlwop]

Very awesome review sir I’m not wanting to spend that much money on a CD player, but thank you for the review and merry Christmas Eve to you and your family

[alanmodimages]

Thanks Randy! By all accounts, this Emotiva model does a better than average job with CD's. So glad you were able to bring it some love. Merry Christmas :)

[hoaxs]

I started purchasing CDs again for several reasons. 1. I own it and comes with art, lyrics. 2. Do not need the internet to enjoy it. 3. CDs, If no longer made / limited runs hold their value. 4. Rip it to flac and have two ways to enjoy it. 5. Thirft stores, resale shops have CDs for cheap. I like looking for movie soundtracks and compilations, fun way to discover new artist. 6. Often the only way to own lossless versions.

[g.d.]

Heeey ... hoo ... it's been a long time since the last CD player was reviewed on YouTube by any of the dozens of reviewers. So props, Randy, for that alone! CDs are not dead by a long stretch so we need more, and better CD players reviewed! Merry Christmas everybody!

[pzim]

Just got mine yesterday and yep, Emotiva built a real tank with the ERC-4. CDs sound great and patching the streaming through their dac is very good too. thanks for the recomendation

[jerrytook]

I've had the ERC-4 pretty much since it came out, and I'm pleased to see your review of it; there aren't many. Yep, it's a fine player, with a solid build and pleasing design, and I'm pretty happy with it, but I do have a few beefs: 1) It's true, it doesn't support gapless playback. 2) When you load a CD, even the cheapest players will display the total number of tracks and total time. Not the ERC-4. 3) Now, this one really bugs me: it automatically starts playing the CD when you close the tray. So, you either have to leave the tray open, or hit stop/pause until you get in position, or shrug and just let it play. Makes absolutely no sense to design it this way.

[shanedaiken]

I know this video is from the past but I had to mention my first ever cd I purchased was INXS KICK as well. Took the town bus to the mall at lunch in highschool when it first released.
Enjoyed your video as always. Greetings from Trenton Ontario 🇨🇦

[michaelschafer]

Good to hear there are still new players come out ... I am "rocking" a secondhand Yamaha CDX397 MkII because my secondhand Oppo BD-player I only use for BD's ...

[carminedesanto]

Still running my Denon 3520 after decades of faithful service ..it’s a BEAST!