Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP CD Player Reviewed

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter Print this article

HTR Product Rating

Performance: 5 Stars
Value: 3 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Disagree with our product rating? Email us and tell us why you think this product should receive a higher rating.

Page 1 | Page 2

For any high-end company to keep the same reference piece in production for more than a few years is rare. Yet, Electrocompaniet has been manufacturing the EMC-1UP CD player for over ten years. This Red Book CD player was revised from the original EMC-1 to the EMC-1UP when 24-bit / 192 KHz up-sampling technology was implemented in 2001. The price of this player is $7,295, but is it is worth the high price of admission in today's throwaway component market?

Additional Resources
• Read more source component reviews by HomeTheaterReview.com's writers.
• Find a receiver to pair with the EMC-1UP in our AV Receiver Review section.

The EMC-1UP is a top-loading player that uses the latest version of the Phillips CD Pro Top-Loading Drive unit. It is visually quite attractive looking with its acrylic front and gold and black scheme. The EMC-1UP can be controlled with its front panel buttons or with its dedicated remote control. It has the size, with a width of 19 inches, a depth 17.3 inches and a height of four and a half inches with a weight 44 pounds, to possibly pass as a power amplifier -yet we're talking about a CD player. The EMC-1UP has both XLR and single ended outs, along with a single ended out for its transport.

The build quality is superlative inside and out. There are two special aspects that are applied to the EMC-1 approach to getting the most sonically out of the red book format. First, Electrocompaniet has developed a proprietary "mechanical filter" that dramatically reduces internal and external vibration from entering the laser pick-up. Secondly, the EMC-1UP features this company's latest, fully balanced symmetrical circuit design powered by a Floating Transformer Technology power supply.

If you are looking for a CD player that gives you powerful dynamics, micro-details, resolution, and a great large and layered soundstage, the EMC-1UP might be just what you are looking for. What I find quite special, without a tube in sight, is how the EMC-1UP offers the timbres, warmth, and palpability of an analog front end without giving up any of the above stated sonic virtues. To use very subjective terms - this player is one of the most "musical" and "natural" CD players I have ever heard.

Read about the high points and low points of the EMC-1UP CD player on Page 2.

Page 1 | Page 2

Featured Audio-Video News

Are AV Retailers To Blame For Lofty High End AV Prices? -

The audio video has been in a state of flux or some time, splitting sales up between specialty dealers, big box stores, and online sellers. However, the dealers may have had more to do with this than they think.

Latest Source Component Reviews

Napa Acoustic NA-208C CD Player Reviewed -

Newcomer Napa Acoustic offers the NA-208C CD player. HomeTheaterReview.com reviewer Andrew Robinson took the player for a spin. Read on to see how his evaluation of the piece went.

Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 Digital to Analog Converter Reviewed -

The Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 digital to analog convertor more than impressed Home Theater Review editor Andrew Robinson when he reviewed it, and he put it through some rather extensive testing. Read about why the DAC-2 impressed him so much.

North Star Design USB dac32 Reviewed -

If you are in the market for a digital to analog convertor and don't want to break the bank, you should look into the North Star Design dac32, at least according to the performance Terry London encountered during his review.

Marantz SA8004 SACD / CD Player / USB DAC Reviewed -

Marantz adds the SA8004 SACD player to the company's offerings. However, the SA8004 has a few interesting tricks up its sleeve. Brian Kahn takes a look at the component to see if it is worth your time.

Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP CD Player Reviewed -

The most widely used physical media for music is still the Red Book CD. Electrocompaniet has made a new CD player, the EMC-1UP, that acknowledges this and attempts to elevate that media to new heights. But does it succeed?

Crestron HD-MD8x1 HDMI Switcher Reviewed -

HDMI can be a problem factor for any AV component, regardless of price. Crestron offers up the HD-MD8x1 HDMI switcher as a solution to this problem. Jerry Del Colliano examines whether or not it is successful.

McIntosh MCD500 SACD/CD Player Reviewed -

Brian Kahn unboxes the McIntosh MCD500 SACD/CD player and puts it to the test. What he discovered as he continued to attempt different sources, is that this player had several surprises in store for him.

High Resolution Technologies iStreamer Reviewed -

Connect your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad to the iStreamer to get the best sound from your portable music library. Compact, simple to use, and most importantly, very good sounding, the iStreamer advances the sonics of an iPod by leaps and bounds.

Home Theater Review's 2010 Best of Home Theater Awards -

The Editors of Home Theater Review have extensively searched, reviewed, and now chosen the best of the best home theater and audio gear, HDTVs and beyond. Click through for the winners in each category from the likes of Vizio, Samsung, Sharp and many others.

Wadia 151 PowerDAC Amp/DAC Reviewed -

Wadia's latest digital powerhouse combines a DAC with a power amp for a complete solution for anyone who wants not merely good, but great sound at their computer desktop. With USB, coaxial, and Toslink digital inputs the Wadia 151 PowerDAC is ready for any and digital sources up to 192/24.