Frenchmon and I got together this weekend and done some listening. He brought the X-ray, we began listening, hooking and unhooking and had a good time. I told him I'd get to the forum first and tell every one how bad his player sounded. No, Frenchmon is a good guy and I actually would have liked to let him post first but he has a very early morning and I wanted to post some impressions since a few here were talking about buying players.

I discovered the X-ray is a very good player and really had synergy with the CJ system. We both preferred it over the ERC-1. Not to say there was any big issue with the ERC, one has to keep in mind the X-ray's original price. The ERC was more neutral with a leaner controlled bass response. The X-ray was more warm but it didn't sacrifice detail. The ERC sound was like a charcoal picture compared to the X-ray being a full color painting. For instance, on one of Frenchmon's favorite Jazz pieces the sax through the ERC was clear and you heard the notes but it lacked, maybe I should leave it at that because I'm not sure how to describe how it lacked, it wasn't harsh. In comparison, the X-ray gave it tonal quality, the resonance and personality. Stand up bass on the ERC was controlled and detailed while through the X-ray you could hear the finger pluck but the strings had the lingering reverberation and deeper bottom end. The X-ray had a beautiful high end response, cymbals were clear and seemed proper decay but they were very sweet. The X-ray had all the micro and macro dynamics of a nice piece of tube gear. It would be a good player for some one wanting more of an analog sound from digital playback.

After agreeing we both preferred the X-ray I pulled the ERC and put the T+A back in the rack to see how the X-ray stacked up. I think I will take a break and let Frenchmon take over from here. We eventually drug the Krell amp in for a listen since Frenchmon told me he had never heard Krell, so hopefully he will share his thoughts on that as well.

So you guys looking for a second player I know Frenchmon would agree the ERC is a good player performing beyond it's price. While if you can go the extra bucks the X-ray is worth it for the additional refinement. More so than cost it may also come down to what you are looking for and type of music to be played. For instance, Kex likes to bang his head occasionally and still may prefer the more neutral and controlled ERC over the polite musicality of the X-ray.