EMM Labs TSD1 CD/SACD Transport & DAC2 D/A Converter (HiFi-Plus 68)

December 18th, 2009 -- by Jason Kennedy
Source: HiFi+

I could go on, this is the most engaging and yet refined digital source I’ve had the pleasure of using. It’s inconveniently expensive but if you have the wherewithal there’s no real competition.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

EMM Labs TSD1 CD/SACD Transport

Dimensions W x D x H: 435 x 400 x 140mm (17.13” x 15.75” x 5.51”)
Weight: 15kg (33.07 lbs.)
Outputs: Optilink ST optical, AES/EBU XLR, MDAT 5.6Mhz upsampling
Ceramic PCBs
Price: £8,995

EMM Labs CD2 Stereo D/A Converter

Remote control: Infrared
Dimensions W x D x H: 435 x 400 x 92mm (17.13” x 15.75” x 3.62”)
Weight: 12kg (26.46 lbs.)
MFAST jitter-free input interface
MDAT 5.6Mhz upsampling
Dual differential DACs
Ceramic PCBs
Inputs: EMM Link, AES/EBU, USB, SPDIF coax, 2x SPDIF Toslink
Audio Outputs: XLR 300 ohms balanced, RCA 150 ohms unbalanced
Price: DAC2 - £7,995

Manufacturer:
EMM Labs
URL: www.emmlabs.com

Distributed by:
Musicology
Tel: 01273 700759

Comments

lap (not verified) -- Sat, 12/19/2009 - 14:12

There is no real competion..........really?

ELM (not verified) -- Tue, 12/22/2009 - 12:45

How about the similarly heinously priced offerings from dCS, MBL and Esoteric.

How does the less expensive Meridian 808.2 in comparison?

Or how about PC based systems playing hi-res media through a high-end DAC?

Shoddy journalism for such an expensive and statement piece of engineering, in my opinion.

bhagwan (not verified) -- Tue, 12/22/2009 - 12:45

Accuphase ?
Playback Design ?
dCS ?
Esoteric ?

There may be a few more - but I do believe that there are options out there & some may be more 'accurate' some more 'musical' some just gratifying....

Regards,

Bhagwan

bhagwan (not verified) -- Tue, 12/22/2009 - 12:48

" How does the less expensive Meridian 808.2 in comparison?

Or how about PC based systems playing hi-res media through a high-end DAC?

Shoddy journalism for such an expensive and statement piece of engineering, in my opinion."

I own 2 pieces of the Meridian 808i.2 & the EMM is better in most aspects...

The dCS may be a different story...

The journalism part of the post - well - no comments !

TRD (not verified) -- Tue, 12/22/2009 - 15:46

What are the North American prices? UK prices for similar items sold in the US tend to be significantly more expensive than justified on the pound to dollar conversion.

Coco (not verified) -- Wed, 12/23/2009 - 03:04

You need to be aware of the US price are excl. VAT and duty, if you multiply the US price with the conversion and the VAT + 3-5% duty, I think it's almost there.
Review of the Playback Designs MPS-5 on our web, feel free to use translate.google.com (danish)

hka (not verified) -- Sat, 12/26/2009 - 11:28

however another reviewer of the same mag (HI-FI plus 69)... says ... Wonder Wadia 781i ... is the best cd player ever?...