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The sound of the EMC-1 has been compared quite favourable to the Linn CD12 Stereotimes magazine stated; “In summary, the EMC1 simply is the best sounding CD player to have graced my system. It humiliated the highly touted SACD’s in the all-important sonic parameters - richness, tonality, sound staging, resolution, image specificity and quietness - right out of the dog-gone box. The EMC1 outperformed SACD discs through the almighty Sony SCD1.”

While we did not have a Sony SCD-1 at the time of making our own listening tests the performance of the EMC-1 sets it apart from almost every other CD player within its price range and some. Is it perfect no, can it be improved; certainly.

Unlocking EMC-1UP (EMC-1) Performance.

Users of the EMC-1UP will know that it has it faults and is by no means perfect. Low frequencies can sound ‘loose’ lacking control and timing. Placement of instruments & vocals in the sound-stage can be fuzzy, lacking focus and depth. The presentation is often ‘too soft’, lacking dynamics and drive.

While component quality of the EMC-1UP is generally high there are several areas which can be significantly improved. The master clock of the CD player is the Philips OEM version that is supplied with the DSP board. The clock is CMOS based using the internal CMOS logic of the SAA7324 servo processor. Master clocks based on the CMOS gate of servo processors have poor phase noise performance and high levels of power supply noise injection when compared to a discretely designed, external, low phase noise oscillator.

Passive components like the electrolytic capacitors, diodes & voltage regulators are also ‘general purpose’ types. While this statement is no reflection on the quality of the EMC-1UP’s circuits, by correctly upgrading the capacitors, diodes & voltage regulators the EMC-1UP is drastically improved. The potentially here is vast, and we have developed upgrade paths starting by addressing the master clock system, and strategic replacements for passive components, removing AC noise and improving signal propagation with Bybee Quantum Purifiers.This ‘level-1’ modification seriously elevates the EMC-1UP and the player reveals a quality of sound that surpasses the stock player in every given area.

For those looking to squeeze every last ounce of performance from the EMC-1UP (EMC-1) consider the level-3 modification. This statement upgrade includes the Ultraclock reference clock with matching Ultraclock reference power supply; Black Gate NX (non-polar) capacitors,  Bybee Quantum Purifiers. The level-3 modification is the definitive statement for the EMC-1UP producing a sound from CD that matches a high-end vinyl set-up. The sound is so much more ‘analogue’ that you are detached from the fact that you are actually playing compact disc. Every inner detail and nuance is presented, shift in tempo felt, emotive clues, the music has a charismatic quality considered absent with CD; the music is enthralling.

Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP (EMC-1) Level-1 Upgrades

Superclock 4 ultra-low jitter master clock.
Superclock 4 ultra-low noise clock PSU.
Digital power supply reservoir capacitor upgrade.
Analogue power supply reservoir capacitor upgrade.
Digital + Analogue regulator bypass capacitor upgrade.

Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP (EMC-1) Level-2 Upgrades

Bybee Large Quantum Purifiers for AC input.
Superclock 4 ultra-low jitter master clock.
Superclock 4 ultra-low noise clock PSU.
Digital power supply reservoir capacitor upgrade.
Analogue power supply reservoir capacitor upgrade.
Digital + Analogue regulator bypass capacitor upgrade.
+5V digital regulator upgraded to Super-regulator 3, discrete, ultra-low noise regulator board.
DAC/Upsampling de-coupling capacitors upgraded to OS-CON SP
Audio power supply reservoir capacitor upgrade.
Audio power supply de-coupling upgraded to Panasonic FC
Audio output signal wire upgraded to UP-OCC.

Electrocompaniet EMC-1UP (EMC-1) Level-3 Upgrades

Bybee Large Quantum Purifiers for AC input.
Ultraclock mk2 reference master clock.
Ultraclock reference master clock PSU.
Digital power supply reservoir capacitor upgrade.
Analogue power supply reservoir capacitor upgrade.
Digital + Analogue regulator bypass capacitor upgrade.
+5V digital regulator upgraded to Super-regulator 3, discrete, ultra-low noise regulator board.
DAC/Upsampling de-coupling capacitors upgraded to Black Gate NX.
Audio power supply reservoir capacitor upgrade.
Audio power supply de-coupling upgraded to Panasonic FC
Audio output signal wire upgraded to UP-OCC.

This modification has been discontinued.