I've had the ECM1UP for about a year, last winter I had the chance to play for 2 weeks with the 861 and the ARC CD3 at the same time.
My honest conclusion (and also the store manager whom very kindly brought the 2 cdp's to my home) was that the ECM1UP had nothing to envy the Wadia (and I really was excited about owning one!) They both sounded exactly the same, I was really surprised!
The ARC was a different story. It sounded 'different' (not better or worse, just 'different') but I couldn't honestly decide to keep either the 861 or the ARC. However, the sound of all 3 had me feeling that 'something' was missing on my setup (ARC LS25MKII + Krell FPB 300c + Martin Logan Prodigy).
I have since changed (I wouldn't dare to say 'upgraded', it is so subjective...) the EC for an Oracle CD2500, and so far I'm happy with the results and don't miss the EC at all.
brgds, marcelo
My honest conclusion (and also the store manager whom very kindly brought the 2 cdp's to my home) was that the ECM1UP had nothing to envy the Wadia (and I really was excited about owning one!) They both sounded exactly the same, I was really surprised!
The ARC was a different story. It sounded 'different' (not better or worse, just 'different') but I couldn't honestly decide to keep either the 861 or the ARC. However, the sound of all 3 had me feeling that 'something' was missing on my setup (ARC LS25MKII + Krell FPB 300c + Martin Logan Prodigy).
I have since changed (I wouldn't dare to say 'upgraded', it is so subjective...) the EC for an Oracle CD2500, and so far I'm happy with the results and don't miss the EC at all.
brgds, marcelo