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Electrocompaniet EMC-1 MkII: XLR better??

Just set up my burned-in EMC-1 MkII, and am wowed by the great dynamics, stage width and specificity, and especially the lack of digital glare, edge, or ANY roughness!
As it is a truly balanced design, I'd appreciate comments re the differences in sound between single-ended and balanced operation.
I only have ppairs of RCA'd Red Dawn and HT Pro-Silway MkII, and (perhaps) will need to buy XLR.
The Silways are a bit stiff and require more clearance than I'd like, but I'm leaning toward them over the easier-to-fit
Nordosts. It's been suggested that I try used Discovery Essence, or perhaps Nirvana SL, the new Coincident, or a Siltech. Greatly appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
Ernie
subaruguru

Showing 2 responses by subaruguru

subaruguru OP
1,374 posts
 
Thanks, Kelly.
Have Discovery Essence XLRs arriving soon, thanks to a fellow A'goner. Think I'm finally ready to turn the TV off and listen to some music. What a frightening and bewildering week. Ern
subaruguru OP
1,374 posts
 
Hi guys. I'm amazed by the difference in sound between the RCA Pro-Silway Mk II and the XLR Discovery Essence (both 1m)! The Essence is clearly more dynamnic, with a more vivid, less laid back presentation. Just when I'm tempted to call it a bit rougher, and therefore perhaps a bit fatiguing, I'm beguiled by how wonderful and excitingly musical it is. I've tried to be casually-careful about level-matching (6 dB diff), but all listeners nw find the Pro-Silways soft and boring by comparison. I had expected the silver/copper HTs to be the more extended and vivid cable, but the pure copper Essence is! I had read lately (Cordesman on the Essence in TAS??) that some cables achieve "vividness" with a upper-mid or presence (2-4k?)
"bump". Could that be what the Essence is doing?...or that the HT is soft in the upper-/low-treble? But the Essence seems more extended uptop, too.... Hmmm.

I am toying with the idea of getting the Pro-Silways in XLR for a true comparison, but note Bryan's remark above.
As I can instantly switch between them maybe I should leave the HT in place as a "6 dB mute" switch option to allow conversation (without losing previous gain setting), and of course to prove to my wife that it's not too loud when I wake her up in the wee hours!.... seriuosly, maybe I should keep it for too-bright CDs.
I had heard that the Harm Tech AC Pro-11 PC is a "smooth"
cable, too...and one just arrived UPS. I'm hoping that it will mate with my EMC-1 mkII and the Essence ideally.
Thanks for the help. Ern
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