Any experience with the new EMM CDSA SE ?


I'm eager to here from anyone who has listened to the new EMM CDSA SE and how it compares to whatever else you listen to.
thanks
jls3
Hi.
I am from Italy.
I am curious to know how much in Usa for this beauty.
In Italy is listed 12.900 Euro but I think you can have it for 9.000 Euro.
Many thanks
Happy New Year from the old Europe.
Regards
Piero
Hi Dionakra - I agree with Fsarc. The base is excellent on my system also. I think that base should be tight yes, but not lean. More important I think all the frequencies should be in balance. The CDSA has allowed me to hear details and frequencies I didn't even realize I was missing with my previous player.
Hi Maurizio- I can only say the bass is exceptional with the CDSA SE on the MM3s in my room. I'm using a Purist 20th Anniversary Contego on the CDSA. Perhaps with further break-in or speaker repositioning the bass will be more to your liking. The CDSA really is the best digital I've heard in my system so far. Take care.

Frank
I agree with Fsarc, it's really a hi end player. But basses are too big. I wonder what is the best power cable for CDSA, I think it should be lean and tight in the bass frequencies. Any experience?
Maurizio
I've had my CDSA SE for a couple of days now and due to the holidays have not had too much time to listen critically.

The build quality is very nice- it appears to be a "polished" version of earlier EMM pieces. The faceplate and metal control buttons are extremely well done. The remote is an improvement over the previous EMM remote control. The transport is very smooth and reads Redbook very quickly with some additional time required for SACDs. I'm listening right now with the adjustable output (XLR) section set to "low" which is 4 volts. "High" is a little over 7 volts.

The few hours I have spent listening have been outstanding! Arthur's assessment is spot on. Compared to the non-signature DAC6 and CDSD the CDSA wins hands down. The noise floor is significantly lower on the CDSA. Bass has greater extension. Highs are more extended and really smooth- no trace of digital here. Soundstage is wider than the DAC6/CDSD with greater focus and better imaging within the soundstage.

Overall I’m very impressed and can’t wait to listen some more. Well done Ed Meitner.
Getting back to the EMM player, I received mine a few days ago and it is the best digital I have heard by a long shot. My previous player was the audio aero Capitole. I can reiterate the following posts about the sonics. The airy and silky smooth highs stood out. Can't say enough good things and the price is more in line
Jaysoncalavert - I don't appreciate your juvinial attempt at correcting my gramatical error. Obviously I attempted to communicate a Taut (tight) base. If you don't have some worth while input to offer on the subject of audio I think you should refrain from participating.
Here is an unsolisited, and I hope, valuable observation of the external digital clock. I own the Esoteric P-03 D-03 transport dac combo. I recently purchased the G-0s clock, as good, no, as spectacular as this combo is, the G-0s clock made, what I call, a massively subtle leap foward, in it's sonic performance. I called several dealers to assertain whether or not power cords made a difference with the clock, I understand that with most components good powercords are essential. Not one of those contacted could give me a definative answer concerning this strange animal, the clock. Basicaly, they did general thought's kind of talk, clearly not based upon experience. By saying these things, I do not mean to disrespect or show rudeness to our much needed and appreciated dealers, most of whom are under the gun.Hence, I took it upon myself to experiment. Using graduated cords. In this order. Stock, at least it powered it up, then The wonderful $50.00 blue pc from GTT audio, MUCH better, then the fantastic Isoclean super focus ($1800.00), extremely good, Then I went to the Isoclean Supreme focus ($4,000.00),astro stellar. (ASTRO STELLAR)? So, I find that cords do make a significant difference with digital clocks. You can go as high as you like, especially with an extreme machine like the Esoteric G-0s. And of course, taking into account the resolution of one's system. Just for general information, I use the magico reference speaker, powered by eight acoustic reality monoblocks. six of which are the thauma turge's and one set of ear 1001 with a special 2.5 uprade for the bass. my pre-amp Is the Supratek Sauvignon. This review is not to start a controversy, nor in fighting, just an attempt to address a seldom addressed issue and in my humble way to help our small community. HAPPY HOLLIDAY'S, and good on ya.

I've been breaking mine in for about 30 hours now and I just love it. The sound stage is enormous! The dynamics are awesome. The entire presentation is the best I've ever heard. The highs are extended and shimmer, but never overly bright. The base is powerful and taunt. The player portrays a very big sound. It just sounds like music.
According to FedEx mine should be here tomorrow just in time for the weekend.
It's here! It needs time to burn-in.. however I can say that medium frequencies have something magic!!
Just got my CDSA today. I have logged only 6-7 hours so far, so i don't think it would be right to offer any detailed comments. First impressions: Fit and finish is awesome. Substantial box; quality finish; silky smooth tray movement; somewhat laid back redbook playback (not at all in your face detail) -- maybe a bit too laid back, but this is likely to evolve with further use; crisp high end and smooth mids, but a bit lacking in bass punch. SACD was about 30% improvement, but tended to an overly "digital" sound. Overall, it hasn't blown me away right out of the box, and i am not rushing to re-listen to every disc that i onw. that said, it obviously is a seriously high quality machine and i expect with further use it will quickly open up.

I invite others who have had a chance to listen will tell me if they are hearing things differently.
Shortly after mine arrives I'll try to post some impressions. Hopefully this week.
I second that question. It would be really valuable to hear if anybody has compared CDSA to CDSD+DCC2. When used for playback purposes only, is there any difference? If not the CDSA could well be a real bargain..