{"id":24793,"date":"2022-02-01T10:34:59","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T09:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/?p=24793"},"modified":"2022-02-06T10:50:00","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T09:50:00","slug":"electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/","title":{"rendered":"ELECTROCOMPANIET EMC 1 MK V Reference CD Player > HiFI News review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Since 1998, Electrocompaniet has produced one of the best sound\u00ading CD players on the market, the EMC 1 UP. The new EMC 1 MKV builds upon this legacy and refines by using a new drive unit.<\/p>\n<p>The MKV also introduces updated electronics for better sonic perfor\u00admance, new mechanics for more rigid construction and brand new chassis with updated design to be in line with the new MKII edition of our other products.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Persuader<\/strong><br \/>\nAnother UK guitar star, Dire Straits&#8217; &#8216;Sultans Of Swing&#8217; [Money For Nothing; Vertigo\/Phonogram 836 419-2], showcased the player&#8217;s accomplished presentation of fine details, such as drummer Pick Withers alternating between his ride cymbal and hi-hat during the track&#8217;s verses, and, again, its persuasive rhythmic ability. But also notable was a way with bass that suggests the EMC 1 MKV will benefit from partnership with amplifiers and loudspeakers that have both depth and subtlety. Whether the music features a fluid, melodious bassline, as on &#8216;Sultans\u2026&#8217;, or something darker and more dramatic \u2013 a description that suits nearly every piece of Hans Zimmer&#8217;s score for Blade Runner 2049 [\u2026Original Motion Picture Soundtrack; Epic 19075803092] \u2013 the EMC 1 MKV player will dig it out.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; &#8211; &#8211; &#8211; &#8211;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hi-Fi News Verdict<\/strong><br \/>\nA CD player and nothing else \u2013 there aren&#8217;t even digital filters to experiment with, let alone inputs \u2013 Electrocompaniet&#8217;s EMC 1 MKV isn&#8217;t meant to be the hub of a multi-format system. Yet silver disc collectors will find their library is in very safe hands, as this fifth-gen flagship makes CDs sound thrillingly musical, and does so from a glamorous, well-engineered machine that&#8217;s a real pleasure to use.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Mark Craven, Hi-Fi News &amp; Record Review<\/p>\n<p>Link to product: <a href=\"https:\/\/electrocompaniet.com\/products\/emc-1-mkv-reference-cd-player\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Electrocompaniet EMC 1 MK V<\/a><br \/>\nLink to review: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hifinews.com\/content\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-cd-player\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hi-Fi News<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since 1998, Electrocompaniet has produced one of the best sound\u00ading CD players on the market,&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24794,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v17.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>ELECTROCOMPANIET EMC 1 MK V Reference CD Player &gt; HiFI News review - INTEK HI-FI<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"LOG IN | JOIN Search formSearch REVIEWS NEWS VINTAGE FEATURES AWARDS HI-FI SHOW OUR PLEDGE SUBSCRIBEDISC PLAYERSElectrocompaniet EMC 1 MK V CD PlayerReview: Mark Craven, Lab: Paul Miller | Jan 17, 2022facebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonhfncommendedRemember when a CD player was just, well, a CD player? No DAC input, streaming or other digital goodies. Electrocompaniet does \u2013 say &#039;hello&#039; to an old-school disc spinnerBy coincidence, I started writing this review of Electrocompaniet&#039;s EMC 1 MKV CD player on October 21, which serious film nerds will know is &#039;Back To The Future Day&#039;, the date, in 1955, that intrepid time traveller Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) arrives in the smash-hit sci-fi movie. Marty has bent the spacetime continuum to head back 30 years, and I had a similar feeling with this silver disc spinner, albeit by a decade or so less and without aid from a DeLorean.The \u00a34999 EMC 1 MKV is reminiscent of a CD player from another age, because it is just a CD player. Transport, DAC and analogue output stage combine to shunt music from disc to amp, but there&#039;s no other way of making use of Electrocompaniet&#039;s digital conversion circuitry \u2013 no optical, no coax, no USB. In the modern hi-fi arena, where almost every CD player you come across is really an outboard DAC with a disc mechanism added for good measure, it feels highly unusual, almost wilfully old-fashioned! The EMC 1 MKV therefore plays to a narrower audience than most CD spinning rivals, though the brand has a respected heritage.Origin StoryNorwegian-based Electrocompaniet was formed in 1973 but really broke onto the audio scene in 1976 with a radical solid-state preamp and power amp [The Two-Channel Audio Power Amplifier \u2013 HFN Dec &#039;11]. The product line now extends to a preamp and phono stage, integrated, mono and stereo power amps, DAC and CD players, plus a range of wireless speakers and network streamers.122electro.bacAn &#039;old-school&#039; CD player \u2013 no digital inputs and fixed analogue output only on RCAs and balanced XLRs alongside S\/PDIF digital out on coax and Toslink opticalThis &#039;new&#039; CD spinner is, of course, the latest generation of its flagship EMC 1 strand, which debuted in 1998 and was last revised with the EMC 1 MKIV in 2016. Electrocompaniet changed ownership in 2007, being acquired by Norwegian electronics specialist Westcontrol and moving to a new facility near Stavanger, where it designs and assembles all its products. Yet this hasn&#039;t resulted in a change of aesthetic philosophy. Put this machine next to its EMC 1 predecessor and you&#039;d notice little physical difference \u2013 although some of the turn-of-the-century catchphrases (&#039;24-bit High Resolution&#039;) have been scrubbed away, leaving the player&#039;s black Perspex front panel entirely clean of legends beyond the company logo and model name.The EMC 1 MKV&#039;s acrylic fascia and black steel chassis, heavy at 18kg courtesy of the player&#039;s PSU and mass-damped transport mechanism, is then offset by gold details (including the power button and transport controls). This is a flourish found on models throughout the company&#039;s &#039;Classic&#039; series, one of which being the ECM1 MKII streaming DAC that Electrocompaniet sells as a system partner.Undercover EvolutionUpgrades over the previous generation of EMC 1 are a new (unspecified) drive unit for the player&#039;s top-loading mechanism, refinements to the balanced analogue circuitry that sits downstream of the Cirrus Logic upsampling and DAC chips, and improvements to the vibration-cancelling properties of the chassis. Connections are exactly the same, however: balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, plus coaxial and optical digital audio outputs enabling the EMC 1 MKV to be paired with an outboard DAC, operating in transport-only mode.Back around the front, the display&#039;s illuminated blue text is large, making it easy to note track number and time elapsed, and it can be dimmed fully. The supplied plastic remote control is less impressive \u2013 lightweight compared to the player itself \u2013 and festooned with buttons that are of no use here. However, it makes operating the EMC 1 MKV a breeze with keys for direct track access, search, shuffle and various repeat play options.NEXT: Page 2 \u00bbCOMPANY INFOEC Living ASTau, NorwaySupplied by: Elite Audio Ltd, Fife01334 570 666electrocompaniet.com ARTICLE CONTENTSPage 1Page 2CD From The TopLab Reportfacebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonRelated Latest Reviews NewsMcIntosh MCD85 CD\/SACD Player\/USB DACCanor CD 2.10 CD Player\/USB DACMarantz SACD 30n\/Model 30 SACD\/Network Player\/AmpMarantz SA-12SE\/PM-12SE SACD Player\/AmplifierArcam CDS50 CD\/SACD Network PlayerExposure XM CD\/XM5 CD Player\/AmplifierRotel CD11\/A11 CD Player\/AmplifierT+A PDT\/SDV 3100 HV SACD Transport\/DACPro-Ject CD Box RS2 T \/ Pre Box RS2 Digital CD Player\/DACdCS Rossini Transport\/DAC v2 SACD Transport\/DACAudio Research REF CD9 SE CD Player\/DACNeodio Origine S2 CD Player\/DACMusical Fidelity M2scd\/M2si CD Player\/AmplifierPrimare CD35\/I35 Prisma Network\/CD Player &amp; AmpM\u00e9tronome Technologie AQWO SACD Player\/DACPioneer UDP-LX800 Universal BD Player SPONSORED VIDEO Equipment ReviewsIntegrated amplifiersOutboard DACsDisc PlayersLoudspeakersTurntables, Arms &amp; CartridgesPre\/Power amplifiersPhono PreamplifiersNetwork Audio Players\/ServersHeadphonesCablesVintage Music ReviewsAudiophile VinylAudiophile DigitalRockJazzClassicalHi-Res DownloadsAwardsAVTech Media AwardsEISA Awards Latest NewsNewsFeaturesClassical CompanionClassic VenuesFrom the VaultInside the StudioInvestigationMeet the ProducersMeet The TeamOpinionShow ReportsVinyl ReleaseVinyl Icons Back IssuesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesResourcesContact UsAbout UsHFN Reader PledgeRSS FeedThe UK Hi-Fi Show LiveMagazine LocatorPrivacyTerms of UseNewslettersNewsletter SignupSpecial OffersManage Settings SubscriptionsPrint MagazineDigital MagazinePrint &amp; Digital BundleRenew PrintRenew DigitalRenew BundleSubscriber ServicesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesDigital ArchiveMagazine LocatorWHERE TECHNOLOGY BECOMES ENTERTAINMENT\u00a9 2022 Hi-Fi NewsAVTech Media LtdAll rights reserved This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.Privacy PolicyPreferencesAcceptSkip to contentSite navigationELECTROCOMPANIET.COMLog in SearchEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerELECTROCOMPANIETEMC 1 MKV REFERENCE CD PLAYERREFERENCE CD PLAYERSince 1998, Electrocompaniet has produced one of the best sound\u00ading CD players on the market, the EMC 1 UP. The new EMC 1 MKV builds upon this legacy and refines by using a new drive unit.The MKV also introduces updated electronics for better sonic perfor\u00admance, new mechanics for more rigid construction and brand new chassis with updated design to be in line with the new MKII edition of our other products.MANUALSTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSFIND A SHOP ShareShare on Facebook TweetTweet on Twitter Pin itPin on PinterestEMC 1 MKVREFERENCE CD PLAYERMADE IN NORWAYTECHNOLOGYTOP LOADING CD TRANSPORTPreventing the laser pickup from receiving mechanical distortions.SHIELDEDCONSTRUCTIONNO-COMPROMISE MECHANICAL DESIGN WITH FIVE DIFFERENT HOUSINGS, WHICH SHIELD ANALOGUE, DIGITAL, TRANSPORT, TRANSFORMER AND CONTROLLER CIRCUITRY.MADE IN NORWAYSOUNDCARE\u00ae SUPERSPIKES\u2122is an all-in-one spike foot. The unique construction of the SuperSpikes eliminates the most common problem experienced when using a conventional spike: damaged surfaces, while offering the benefits of isolating the equipment from external vibrations in the environment.BALANCED AUDIOFully balanced D\/A converter with discrete analog audio circuitry.REVIEWS &amp; AWARDSVIEW ALLQuick viewEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardREVIEWS &amp; AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV EMC 1 MKV &quot; Recommended Award&quot;REVIEWS &amp; AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV -&quot; Klangtip&quot; AwardREVIEWS &amp; AWARDSMade in NorwayFacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTubeContact UsAboutMedia CenterReviewsSupportEC LIVINGTANA SL2 Speaker &amp; StreamerTANA L2 Add-on speakerSIRA L-1 SubwooferCLASSIC LINEPower amplifiersIntegrated amplifiersStreamers and SourcesPreamplifiersCCPA ComplianceGDPR CompliancePrivacy policyCookie Policy\u00a9 2022 ELECTROCOMPANIET.COM . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"ELECTROCOMPANIET EMC 1 MK V Reference CD Player &gt; HiFI News review - INTEK HI-FI\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"LOG IN | JOIN Search formSearch REVIEWS NEWS VINTAGE FEATURES AWARDS HI-FI SHOW OUR PLEDGE SUBSCRIBEDISC PLAYERSElectrocompaniet EMC 1 MK V CD PlayerReview: Mark Craven, Lab: Paul Miller | Jan 17, 2022facebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonhfncommendedRemember when a CD player was just, well, a CD player? No DAC input, streaming or other digital goodies. Electrocompaniet does \u2013 say &#039;hello&#039; to an old-school disc spinnerBy coincidence, I started writing this review of Electrocompaniet&#039;s EMC 1 MKV CD player on October 21, which serious film nerds will know is &#039;Back To The Future Day&#039;, the date, in 1955, that intrepid time traveller Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) arrives in the smash-hit sci-fi movie. Marty has bent the spacetime continuum to head back 30 years, and I had a similar feeling with this silver disc spinner, albeit by a decade or so less and without aid from a DeLorean.The \u00a34999 EMC 1 MKV is reminiscent of a CD player from another age, because it is just a CD player. Transport, DAC and analogue output stage combine to shunt music from disc to amp, but there&#039;s no other way of making use of Electrocompaniet&#039;s digital conversion circuitry \u2013 no optical, no coax, no USB. In the modern hi-fi arena, where almost every CD player you come across is really an outboard DAC with a disc mechanism added for good measure, it feels highly unusual, almost wilfully old-fashioned! The EMC 1 MKV therefore plays to a narrower audience than most CD spinning rivals, though the brand has a respected heritage.Origin StoryNorwegian-based Electrocompaniet was formed in 1973 but really broke onto the audio scene in 1976 with a radical solid-state preamp and power amp [The Two-Channel Audio Power Amplifier \u2013 HFN Dec &#039;11]. The product line now extends to a preamp and phono stage, integrated, mono and stereo power amps, DAC and CD players, plus a range of wireless speakers and network streamers.122electro.bacAn &#039;old-school&#039; CD player \u2013 no digital inputs and fixed analogue output only on RCAs and balanced XLRs alongside S\/PDIF digital out on coax and Toslink opticalThis &#039;new&#039; CD spinner is, of course, the latest generation of its flagship EMC 1 strand, which debuted in 1998 and was last revised with the EMC 1 MKIV in 2016. Electrocompaniet changed ownership in 2007, being acquired by Norwegian electronics specialist Westcontrol and moving to a new facility near Stavanger, where it designs and assembles all its products. Yet this hasn&#039;t resulted in a change of aesthetic philosophy. Put this machine next to its EMC 1 predecessor and you&#039;d notice little physical difference \u2013 although some of the turn-of-the-century catchphrases (&#039;24-bit High Resolution&#039;) have been scrubbed away, leaving the player&#039;s black Perspex front panel entirely clean of legends beyond the company logo and model name.The EMC 1 MKV&#039;s acrylic fascia and black steel chassis, heavy at 18kg courtesy of the player&#039;s PSU and mass-damped transport mechanism, is then offset by gold details (including the power button and transport controls). This is a flourish found on models throughout the company&#039;s &#039;Classic&#039; series, one of which being the ECM1 MKII streaming DAC that Electrocompaniet sells as a system partner.Undercover EvolutionUpgrades over the previous generation of EMC 1 are a new (unspecified) drive unit for the player&#039;s top-loading mechanism, refinements to the balanced analogue circuitry that sits downstream of the Cirrus Logic upsampling and DAC chips, and improvements to the vibration-cancelling properties of the chassis. Connections are exactly the same, however: balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, plus coaxial and optical digital audio outputs enabling the EMC 1 MKV to be paired with an outboard DAC, operating in transport-only mode.Back around the front, the display&#039;s illuminated blue text is large, making it easy to note track number and time elapsed, and it can be dimmed fully. The supplied plastic remote control is less impressive \u2013 lightweight compared to the player itself \u2013 and festooned with buttons that are of no use here. However, it makes operating the EMC 1 MKV a breeze with keys for direct track access, search, shuffle and various repeat play options.NEXT: Page 2 \u00bbCOMPANY INFOEC Living ASTau, NorwaySupplied by: Elite Audio Ltd, Fife01334 570 666electrocompaniet.com ARTICLE CONTENTSPage 1Page 2CD From The TopLab Reportfacebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonRelated Latest Reviews NewsMcIntosh MCD85 CD\/SACD Player\/USB DACCanor CD 2.10 CD Player\/USB DACMarantz SACD 30n\/Model 30 SACD\/Network Player\/AmpMarantz SA-12SE\/PM-12SE SACD Player\/AmplifierArcam CDS50 CD\/SACD Network PlayerExposure XM CD\/XM5 CD Player\/AmplifierRotel CD11\/A11 CD Player\/AmplifierT+A PDT\/SDV 3100 HV SACD Transport\/DACPro-Ject CD Box RS2 T \/ Pre Box RS2 Digital CD Player\/DACdCS Rossini Transport\/DAC v2 SACD Transport\/DACAudio Research REF CD9 SE CD Player\/DACNeodio Origine S2 CD Player\/DACMusical Fidelity M2scd\/M2si CD Player\/AmplifierPrimare CD35\/I35 Prisma Network\/CD Player &amp; AmpM\u00e9tronome Technologie AQWO SACD Player\/DACPioneer UDP-LX800 Universal BD Player SPONSORED VIDEO Equipment ReviewsIntegrated amplifiersOutboard DACsDisc PlayersLoudspeakersTurntables, Arms &amp; CartridgesPre\/Power amplifiersPhono PreamplifiersNetwork Audio Players\/ServersHeadphonesCablesVintage Music ReviewsAudiophile VinylAudiophile DigitalRockJazzClassicalHi-Res DownloadsAwardsAVTech Media AwardsEISA Awards Latest NewsNewsFeaturesClassical CompanionClassic VenuesFrom the VaultInside the StudioInvestigationMeet the ProducersMeet The TeamOpinionShow ReportsVinyl ReleaseVinyl Icons Back IssuesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesResourcesContact UsAbout UsHFN Reader PledgeRSS FeedThe UK Hi-Fi Show LiveMagazine LocatorPrivacyTerms of UseNewslettersNewsletter SignupSpecial OffersManage Settings SubscriptionsPrint MagazineDigital MagazinePrint &amp; Digital BundleRenew PrintRenew DigitalRenew BundleSubscriber ServicesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesDigital ArchiveMagazine LocatorWHERE TECHNOLOGY BECOMES ENTERTAINMENT\u00a9 2022 Hi-Fi NewsAVTech Media LtdAll rights reserved This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.Privacy PolicyPreferencesAcceptSkip to contentSite navigationELECTROCOMPANIET.COMLog in SearchEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerELECTROCOMPANIETEMC 1 MKV REFERENCE CD PLAYERREFERENCE CD PLAYERSince 1998, Electrocompaniet has produced one of the best sound\u00ading CD players on the market, the EMC 1 UP. The new EMC 1 MKV builds upon this legacy and refines by using a new drive unit.The MKV also introduces updated electronics for better sonic perfor\u00admance, new mechanics for more rigid construction and brand new chassis with updated design to be in line with the new MKII edition of our other products.MANUALSTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSFIND A SHOP ShareShare on Facebook TweetTweet on Twitter Pin itPin on PinterestEMC 1 MKVREFERENCE CD PLAYERMADE IN NORWAYTECHNOLOGYTOP LOADING CD TRANSPORTPreventing the laser pickup from receiving mechanical distortions.SHIELDEDCONSTRUCTIONNO-COMPROMISE MECHANICAL DESIGN WITH FIVE DIFFERENT HOUSINGS, WHICH SHIELD ANALOGUE, DIGITAL, TRANSPORT, TRANSFORMER AND CONTROLLER CIRCUITRY.MADE IN NORWAYSOUNDCARE\u00ae SUPERSPIKES\u2122is an all-in-one spike foot. The unique construction of the SuperSpikes eliminates the most common problem experienced when using a conventional spike: damaged surfaces, while offering the benefits of isolating the equipment from external vibrations in the environment.BALANCED AUDIOFully balanced D\/A converter with discrete analog audio circuitry.REVIEWS &amp; AWARDSVIEW ALLQuick viewEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardREVIEWS &amp; AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV EMC 1 MKV &quot; Recommended Award&quot;REVIEWS &amp; AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV -&quot; Klangtip&quot; AwardREVIEWS &amp; AWARDSMade in NorwayFacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTubeContact UsAboutMedia CenterReviewsSupportEC LIVINGTANA SL2 Speaker &amp; StreamerTANA L2 Add-on speakerSIRA L-1 SubwooferCLASSIC LINEPower amplifiersIntegrated amplifiersStreamers and SourcesPreamplifiersCCPA ComplianceGDPR CompliancePrivacy policyCookie Policy\u00a9 2022 ELECTROCOMPANIET.COM . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"INTEK HI-FI\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-02-01T09:34:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-02-06T09:50:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Electrocompaniet-EMC-1-MK-V.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"darko\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/\",\"name\":\"INTEK HI-FI\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Electrocompaniet-EMC-1-MK-V.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Electrocompaniet-EMC-1-MK-V.jpg\",\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"caption\":\"Electrocompaniet-EMC-1-MK-V\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/\",\"name\":\"ELECTROCOMPANIET EMC 1 MK V Reference CD Player > HiFI News review - INTEK HI-FI\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-02-01T09:34:59+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-02-06T09:50:00+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/02fa1742be92272c2fe50f2579f320e7\"},\"description\":\"LOG IN | JOIN Search formSearch REVIEWS NEWS VINTAGE FEATURES AWARDS HI-FI SHOW OUR PLEDGE SUBSCRIBEDISC PLAYERSElectrocompaniet EMC 1 MK V CD PlayerReview: Mark Craven, Lab: Paul Miller | Jan 17, 2022facebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonhfncommendedRemember when a CD player was just, well, a CD player? No DAC input, streaming or other digital goodies. Electrocompaniet does \\u2013 say 'hello' to an old-school disc spinnerBy coincidence, I started writing this review of Electrocompaniet's EMC 1 MKV CD player on October 21, which serious film nerds will know is 'Back To The Future Day', the date, in 1955, that intrepid time traveller Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) arrives in the smash-hit sci-fi movie. Marty has bent the spacetime continuum to head back 30 years, and I had a similar feeling with this silver disc spinner, albeit by a decade or so less and without aid from a DeLorean.The \\u00a34999 EMC 1 MKV is reminiscent of a CD player from another age, because it is just a CD player. Transport, DAC and analogue output stage combine to shunt music from disc to amp, but there's no other way of making use of Electrocompaniet's digital conversion circuitry \\u2013 no optical, no coax, no USB. In the modern hi-fi arena, where almost every CD player you come across is really an outboard DAC with a disc mechanism added for good measure, it feels highly unusual, almost wilfully old-fashioned! The EMC 1 MKV therefore plays to a narrower audience than most CD spinning rivals, though the brand has a respected heritage.Origin StoryNorwegian-based Electrocompaniet was formed in 1973 but really broke onto the audio scene in 1976 with a radical solid-state preamp and power amp [The Two-Channel Audio Power Amplifier \\u2013 HFN Dec '11]. The product line now extends to a preamp and phono stage, integrated, mono and stereo power amps, DAC and CD players, plus a range of wireless speakers and network streamers.122electro.bacAn 'old-school' CD player \\u2013 no digital inputs and fixed analogue output only on RCAs and balanced XLRs alongside S\/PDIF digital out on coax and Toslink opticalThis 'new' CD spinner is, of course, the latest generation of its flagship EMC 1 strand, which debuted in 1998 and was last revised with the EMC 1 MKIV in 2016. Electrocompaniet changed ownership in 2007, being acquired by Norwegian electronics specialist Westcontrol and moving to a new facility near Stavanger, where it designs and assembles all its products. Yet this hasn't resulted in a change of aesthetic philosophy. Put this machine next to its EMC 1 predecessor and you'd notice little physical difference \\u2013 although some of the turn-of-the-century catchphrases ('24-bit High Resolution') have been scrubbed away, leaving the player's black Perspex front panel entirely clean of legends beyond the company logo and model name.The EMC 1 MKV's acrylic fascia and black steel chassis, heavy at 18kg courtesy of the player's PSU and mass-damped transport mechanism, is then offset by gold details (including the power button and transport controls). This is a flourish found on models throughout the company's 'Classic' series, one of which being the ECM1 MKII streaming DAC that Electrocompaniet sells as a system partner.Undercover EvolutionUpgrades over the previous generation of EMC 1 are a new (unspecified) drive unit for the player's top-loading mechanism, refinements to the balanced analogue circuitry that sits downstream of the Cirrus Logic upsampling and DAC chips, and improvements to the vibration-cancelling properties of the chassis. Connections are exactly the same, however: balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, plus coaxial and optical digital audio outputs enabling the EMC 1 MKV to be paired with an outboard DAC, operating in transport-only mode.Back around the front, the display's illuminated blue text is large, making it easy to note track number and time elapsed, and it can be dimmed fully. The supplied plastic remote control is less impressive \\u2013 lightweight compared to the player itself \\u2013 and festooned with buttons that are of no use here. However, it makes operating the EMC 1 MKV a breeze with keys for direct track access, search, shuffle and various repeat play options.NEXT: Page 2 \\u00bbCOMPANY INFOEC Living ASTau, NorwaySupplied by: Elite Audio Ltd, Fife01334 570 666electrocompaniet.com ARTICLE CONTENTSPage 1Page 2CD From The TopLab Reportfacebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonRelated Latest Reviews NewsMcIntosh MCD85 CD\/SACD Player\/USB DACCanor CD 2.10 CD Player\/USB DACMarantz SACD 30n\/Model 30 SACD\/Network Player\/AmpMarantz SA-12SE\/PM-12SE SACD Player\/AmplifierArcam CDS50 CD\/SACD Network PlayerExposure XM CD\/XM5 CD Player\/AmplifierRotel CD11\/A11 CD Player\/AmplifierT+A PDT\/SDV 3100 HV SACD Transport\/DACPro-Ject CD Box RS2 T \/ Pre Box RS2 Digital CD Player\/DACdCS Rossini Transport\/DAC v2 SACD Transport\/DACAudio Research REF CD9 SE CD Player\/DACNeodio Origine S2 CD Player\/DACMusical Fidelity M2scd\/M2si CD Player\/AmplifierPrimare CD35\/I35 Prisma Network\/CD Player & AmpM\\u00e9tronome Technologie AQWO SACD Player\/DACPioneer UDP-LX800 Universal BD Player SPONSORED VIDEO Equipment ReviewsIntegrated amplifiersOutboard DACsDisc PlayersLoudspeakersTurntables, Arms & CartridgesPre\/Power amplifiersPhono PreamplifiersNetwork Audio Players\/ServersHeadphonesCablesVintage Music ReviewsAudiophile VinylAudiophile DigitalRockJazzClassicalHi-Res DownloadsAwardsAVTech Media AwardsEISA Awards Latest NewsNewsFeaturesClassical CompanionClassic VenuesFrom the VaultInside the StudioInvestigationMeet the ProducersMeet The TeamOpinionShow ReportsVinyl ReleaseVinyl Icons Back IssuesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesResourcesContact UsAbout UsHFN Reader PledgeRSS FeedThe UK Hi-Fi Show LiveMagazine LocatorPrivacyTerms of UseNewslettersNewsletter SignupSpecial OffersManage Settings SubscriptionsPrint MagazineDigital MagazinePrint & Digital BundleRenew PrintRenew DigitalRenew BundleSubscriber ServicesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesDigital ArchiveMagazine LocatorWHERE TECHNOLOGY BECOMES ENTERTAINMENT\\u00a9 2022 Hi-Fi NewsAVTech Media LtdAll rights reserved This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.Privacy PolicyPreferencesAcceptSkip to contentSite navigationELECTROCOMPANIET.COMLog in SearchEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerELECTROCOMPANIETEMC 1 MKV REFERENCE CD PLAYERREFERENCE CD PLAYERSince 1998, Electrocompaniet has produced one of the best sound\\u00ading CD players on the market, the EMC 1 UP. The new EMC 1 MKV builds upon this legacy and refines by using a new drive unit.The MKV also introduces updated electronics for better sonic perfor\\u00admance, new mechanics for more rigid construction and brand new chassis with updated design to be in line with the new MKII edition of our other products.MANUALSTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSFIND A SHOP ShareShare on Facebook TweetTweet on Twitter Pin itPin on PinterestEMC 1 MKVREFERENCE CD PLAYERMADE IN NORWAYTECHNOLOGYTOP LOADING CD TRANSPORTPreventing the laser pickup from receiving mechanical distortions.SHIELDEDCONSTRUCTIONNO-COMPROMISE MECHANICAL DESIGN WITH FIVE DIFFERENT HOUSINGS, WHICH SHIELD ANALOGUE, DIGITAL, TRANSPORT, TRANSFORMER AND CONTROLLER CIRCUITRY.MADE IN NORWAYSOUNDCARE\\u00ae SUPERSPIKES\\u2122is an all-in-one spike foot. The unique construction of the SuperSpikes eliminates the most common problem experienced when using a conventional spike: damaged surfaces, while offering the benefits of isolating the equipment from external vibrations in the environment.BALANCED AUDIOFully balanced D\/A converter with discrete analog audio circuitry.REVIEWS & AWARDSVIEW ALLQuick viewEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardREVIEWS & AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV EMC 1 MKV \\\" Recommended Award\\\"REVIEWS & AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV -\\\" Klangtip\\\" AwardREVIEWS & AWARDSMade in NorwayFacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTubeContact UsAboutMedia CenterReviewsSupportEC LIVINGTANA SL2 Speaker & StreamerTANA L2 Add-on speakerSIRA L-1 SubwooferCLASSIC LINEPower amplifiersIntegrated amplifiersStreamers and SourcesPreamplifiersCCPA ComplianceGDPR CompliancePrivacy policyCookie Policy\\u00a9 2022 ELECTROCOMPANIET.COM . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"ELECTROCOMPANIET EMC 1 MK V Reference CD Player > HiFI News review\"}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/02fa1742be92272c2fe50f2579f320e7\",\"name\":\"darko\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#personlogo\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d3b6149fb1fb06b36083b7009dbff0af?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d3b6149fb1fb06b36083b7009dbff0af?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"darko\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/author\/darko\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"ELECTROCOMPANIET EMC 1 MK V Reference CD Player > HiFI News review - INTEK HI-FI","description":"LOG IN | JOIN Search formSearch REVIEWS NEWS VINTAGE FEATURES AWARDS HI-FI SHOW OUR PLEDGE SUBSCRIBEDISC PLAYERSElectrocompaniet EMC 1 MK V CD PlayerReview: Mark Craven, Lab: Paul Miller | Jan 17, 2022facebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonhfncommendedRemember when a CD player was just, well, a CD player? No DAC input, streaming or other digital goodies. Electrocompaniet does \u2013 say 'hello' to an old-school disc spinnerBy coincidence, I started writing this review of Electrocompaniet's EMC 1 MKV CD player on October 21, which serious film nerds will know is 'Back To The Future Day', the date, in 1955, that intrepid time traveller Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) arrives in the smash-hit sci-fi movie. Marty has bent the spacetime continuum to head back 30 years, and I had a similar feeling with this silver disc spinner, albeit by a decade or so less and without aid from a DeLorean.The \u00a34999 EMC 1 MKV is reminiscent of a CD player from another age, because it is just a CD player. Transport, DAC and analogue output stage combine to shunt music from disc to amp, but there's no other way of making use of Electrocompaniet's digital conversion circuitry \u2013 no optical, no coax, no USB. In the modern hi-fi arena, where almost every CD player you come across is really an outboard DAC with a disc mechanism added for good measure, it feels highly unusual, almost wilfully old-fashioned! The EMC 1 MKV therefore plays to a narrower audience than most CD spinning rivals, though the brand has a respected heritage.Origin StoryNorwegian-based Electrocompaniet was formed in 1973 but really broke onto the audio scene in 1976 with a radical solid-state preamp and power amp [The Two-Channel Audio Power Amplifier \u2013 HFN Dec '11]. The product line now extends to a preamp and phono stage, integrated, mono and stereo power amps, DAC and CD players, plus a range of wireless speakers and network streamers.122electro.bacAn 'old-school' CD player \u2013 no digital inputs and fixed analogue output only on RCAs and balanced XLRs alongside S\/PDIF digital out on coax and Toslink opticalThis 'new' CD spinner is, of course, the latest generation of its flagship EMC 1 strand, which debuted in 1998 and was last revised with the EMC 1 MKIV in 2016. Electrocompaniet changed ownership in 2007, being acquired by Norwegian electronics specialist Westcontrol and moving to a new facility near Stavanger, where it designs and assembles all its products. Yet this hasn't resulted in a change of aesthetic philosophy. Put this machine next to its EMC 1 predecessor and you'd notice little physical difference \u2013 although some of the turn-of-the-century catchphrases ('24-bit High Resolution') have been scrubbed away, leaving the player's black Perspex front panel entirely clean of legends beyond the company logo and model name.The EMC 1 MKV's acrylic fascia and black steel chassis, heavy at 18kg courtesy of the player's PSU and mass-damped transport mechanism, is then offset by gold details (including the power button and transport controls). This is a flourish found on models throughout the company's 'Classic' series, one of which being the ECM1 MKII streaming DAC that Electrocompaniet sells as a system partner.Undercover EvolutionUpgrades over the previous generation of EMC 1 are a new (unspecified) drive unit for the player's top-loading mechanism, refinements to the balanced analogue circuitry that sits downstream of the Cirrus Logic upsampling and DAC chips, and improvements to the vibration-cancelling properties of the chassis. Connections are exactly the same, however: balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, plus coaxial and optical digital audio outputs enabling the EMC 1 MKV to be paired with an outboard DAC, operating in transport-only mode.Back around the front, the display's illuminated blue text is large, making it easy to note track number and time elapsed, and it can be dimmed fully. The supplied plastic remote control is less impressive \u2013 lightweight compared to the player itself \u2013 and festooned with buttons that are of no use here. However, it makes operating the EMC 1 MKV a breeze with keys for direct track access, search, shuffle and various repeat play options.NEXT: Page 2 \u00bbCOMPANY INFOEC Living ASTau, NorwaySupplied by: Elite Audio Ltd, Fife01334 570 666electrocompaniet.com ARTICLE CONTENTSPage 1Page 2CD From The TopLab Reportfacebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonRelated Latest Reviews NewsMcIntosh MCD85 CD\/SACD Player\/USB DACCanor CD 2.10 CD Player\/USB DACMarantz SACD 30n\/Model 30 SACD\/Network Player\/AmpMarantz SA-12SE\/PM-12SE SACD Player\/AmplifierArcam CDS50 CD\/SACD Network PlayerExposure XM CD\/XM5 CD Player\/AmplifierRotel CD11\/A11 CD Player\/AmplifierT+A PDT\/SDV 3100 HV SACD Transport\/DACPro-Ject CD Box RS2 T \/ Pre Box RS2 Digital CD Player\/DACdCS Rossini Transport\/DAC v2 SACD Transport\/DACAudio Research REF CD9 SE CD Player\/DACNeodio Origine S2 CD Player\/DACMusical Fidelity M2scd\/M2si CD Player\/AmplifierPrimare CD35\/I35 Prisma Network\/CD Player & AmpM\u00e9tronome Technologie AQWO SACD Player\/DACPioneer UDP-LX800 Universal BD Player SPONSORED VIDEO Equipment ReviewsIntegrated amplifiersOutboard DACsDisc PlayersLoudspeakersTurntables, Arms & CartridgesPre\/Power amplifiersPhono PreamplifiersNetwork Audio Players\/ServersHeadphonesCablesVintage Music ReviewsAudiophile VinylAudiophile DigitalRockJazzClassicalHi-Res DownloadsAwardsAVTech Media AwardsEISA Awards Latest NewsNewsFeaturesClassical CompanionClassic VenuesFrom the VaultInside the StudioInvestigationMeet the ProducersMeet The TeamOpinionShow ReportsVinyl ReleaseVinyl Icons Back IssuesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesResourcesContact UsAbout UsHFN Reader PledgeRSS FeedThe UK Hi-Fi Show LiveMagazine LocatorPrivacyTerms of UseNewslettersNewsletter SignupSpecial OffersManage Settings SubscriptionsPrint MagazineDigital MagazinePrint & Digital BundleRenew PrintRenew DigitalRenew BundleSubscriber ServicesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesDigital ArchiveMagazine LocatorWHERE TECHNOLOGY BECOMES ENTERTAINMENT\u00a9 2022 Hi-Fi NewsAVTech Media LtdAll rights reserved This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.Privacy PolicyPreferencesAcceptSkip to contentSite navigationELECTROCOMPANIET.COMLog in SearchEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerELECTROCOMPANIETEMC 1 MKV REFERENCE CD PLAYERREFERENCE CD PLAYERSince 1998, Electrocompaniet has produced one of the best sound\u00ading CD players on the market, the EMC 1 UP. The new EMC 1 MKV builds upon this legacy and refines by using a new drive unit.The MKV also introduces updated electronics for better sonic perfor\u00admance, new mechanics for more rigid construction and brand new chassis with updated design to be in line with the new MKII edition of our other products.MANUALSTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSFIND A SHOP ShareShare on Facebook TweetTweet on Twitter Pin itPin on PinterestEMC 1 MKVREFERENCE CD PLAYERMADE IN NORWAYTECHNOLOGYTOP LOADING CD TRANSPORTPreventing the laser pickup from receiving mechanical distortions.SHIELDEDCONSTRUCTIONNO-COMPROMISE MECHANICAL DESIGN WITH FIVE DIFFERENT HOUSINGS, WHICH SHIELD ANALOGUE, DIGITAL, TRANSPORT, TRANSFORMER AND CONTROLLER CIRCUITRY.MADE IN NORWAYSOUNDCARE\u00ae SUPERSPIKES\u2122is an all-in-one spike foot. The unique construction of the SuperSpikes eliminates the most common problem experienced when using a conventional spike: damaged surfaces, while offering the benefits of isolating the equipment from external vibrations in the environment.BALANCED AUDIOFully balanced D\/A converter with discrete analog audio circuitry.REVIEWS & AWARDSVIEW ALLQuick viewEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardREVIEWS & AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV EMC 1 MKV \" Recommended Award\"REVIEWS & AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV -\" Klangtip\" AwardREVIEWS & AWARDSMade in NorwayFacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTubeContact UsAboutMedia CenterReviewsSupportEC LIVINGTANA SL2 Speaker & StreamerTANA L2 Add-on speakerSIRA L-1 SubwooferCLASSIC LINEPower amplifiersIntegrated amplifiersStreamers and SourcesPreamplifiersCCPA ComplianceGDPR CompliancePrivacy policyCookie Policy\u00a9 2022 ELECTROCOMPANIET.COM . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"ELECTROCOMPANIET EMC 1 MK V Reference CD Player > HiFI News review - INTEK HI-FI","og_description":"LOG IN | JOIN Search formSearch REVIEWS NEWS VINTAGE FEATURES AWARDS HI-FI SHOW OUR PLEDGE SUBSCRIBEDISC PLAYERSElectrocompaniet EMC 1 MK V CD PlayerReview: Mark Craven, Lab: Paul Miller | Jan 17, 2022facebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonhfncommendedRemember when a CD player was just, well, a CD player? No DAC input, streaming or other digital goodies. Electrocompaniet does \u2013 say 'hello' to an old-school disc spinnerBy coincidence, I started writing this review of Electrocompaniet's EMC 1 MKV CD player on October 21, which serious film nerds will know is 'Back To The Future Day', the date, in 1955, that intrepid time traveller Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) arrives in the smash-hit sci-fi movie. Marty has bent the spacetime continuum to head back 30 years, and I had a similar feeling with this silver disc spinner, albeit by a decade or so less and without aid from a DeLorean.The \u00a34999 EMC 1 MKV is reminiscent of a CD player from another age, because it is just a CD player. Transport, DAC and analogue output stage combine to shunt music from disc to amp, but there's no other way of making use of Electrocompaniet's digital conversion circuitry \u2013 no optical, no coax, no USB. In the modern hi-fi arena, where almost every CD player you come across is really an outboard DAC with a disc mechanism added for good measure, it feels highly unusual, almost wilfully old-fashioned! The EMC 1 MKV therefore plays to a narrower audience than most CD spinning rivals, though the brand has a respected heritage.Origin StoryNorwegian-based Electrocompaniet was formed in 1973 but really broke onto the audio scene in 1976 with a radical solid-state preamp and power amp [The Two-Channel Audio Power Amplifier \u2013 HFN Dec '11]. The product line now extends to a preamp and phono stage, integrated, mono and stereo power amps, DAC and CD players, plus a range of wireless speakers and network streamers.122electro.bacAn 'old-school' CD player \u2013 no digital inputs and fixed analogue output only on RCAs and balanced XLRs alongside S\/PDIF digital out on coax and Toslink opticalThis 'new' CD spinner is, of course, the latest generation of its flagship EMC 1 strand, which debuted in 1998 and was last revised with the EMC 1 MKIV in 2016. Electrocompaniet changed ownership in 2007, being acquired by Norwegian electronics specialist Westcontrol and moving to a new facility near Stavanger, where it designs and assembles all its products. Yet this hasn't resulted in a change of aesthetic philosophy. Put this machine next to its EMC 1 predecessor and you'd notice little physical difference \u2013 although some of the turn-of-the-century catchphrases ('24-bit High Resolution') have been scrubbed away, leaving the player's black Perspex front panel entirely clean of legends beyond the company logo and model name.The EMC 1 MKV's acrylic fascia and black steel chassis, heavy at 18kg courtesy of the player's PSU and mass-damped transport mechanism, is then offset by gold details (including the power button and transport controls). This is a flourish found on models throughout the company's 'Classic' series, one of which being the ECM1 MKII streaming DAC that Electrocompaniet sells as a system partner.Undercover EvolutionUpgrades over the previous generation of EMC 1 are a new (unspecified) drive unit for the player's top-loading mechanism, refinements to the balanced analogue circuitry that sits downstream of the Cirrus Logic upsampling and DAC chips, and improvements to the vibration-cancelling properties of the chassis. Connections are exactly the same, however: balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, plus coaxial and optical digital audio outputs enabling the EMC 1 MKV to be paired with an outboard DAC, operating in transport-only mode.Back around the front, the display's illuminated blue text is large, making it easy to note track number and time elapsed, and it can be dimmed fully. The supplied plastic remote control is less impressive \u2013 lightweight compared to the player itself \u2013 and festooned with buttons that are of no use here. However, it makes operating the EMC 1 MKV a breeze with keys for direct track access, search, shuffle and various repeat play options.NEXT: Page 2 \u00bbCOMPANY INFOEC Living ASTau, NorwaySupplied by: Elite Audio Ltd, Fife01334 570 666electrocompaniet.com ARTICLE CONTENTSPage 1Page 2CD From The TopLab Reportfacebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonRelated Latest Reviews NewsMcIntosh MCD85 CD\/SACD Player\/USB DACCanor CD 2.10 CD Player\/USB DACMarantz SACD 30n\/Model 30 SACD\/Network Player\/AmpMarantz SA-12SE\/PM-12SE SACD Player\/AmplifierArcam CDS50 CD\/SACD Network PlayerExposure XM CD\/XM5 CD Player\/AmplifierRotel CD11\/A11 CD Player\/AmplifierT+A PDT\/SDV 3100 HV SACD Transport\/DACPro-Ject CD Box RS2 T \/ Pre Box RS2 Digital CD Player\/DACdCS Rossini Transport\/DAC v2 SACD Transport\/DACAudio Research REF CD9 SE CD Player\/DACNeodio Origine S2 CD Player\/DACMusical Fidelity M2scd\/M2si CD Player\/AmplifierPrimare CD35\/I35 Prisma Network\/CD Player & AmpM\u00e9tronome Technologie AQWO SACD Player\/DACPioneer UDP-LX800 Universal BD Player SPONSORED VIDEO Equipment ReviewsIntegrated amplifiersOutboard DACsDisc PlayersLoudspeakersTurntables, Arms & CartridgesPre\/Power amplifiersPhono PreamplifiersNetwork Audio Players\/ServersHeadphonesCablesVintage Music ReviewsAudiophile VinylAudiophile DigitalRockJazzClassicalHi-Res DownloadsAwardsAVTech Media AwardsEISA Awards Latest NewsNewsFeaturesClassical CompanionClassic VenuesFrom the VaultInside the StudioInvestigationMeet the ProducersMeet The TeamOpinionShow ReportsVinyl ReleaseVinyl Icons Back IssuesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesResourcesContact UsAbout UsHFN Reader PledgeRSS FeedThe UK Hi-Fi Show LiveMagazine LocatorPrivacyTerms of UseNewslettersNewsletter SignupSpecial OffersManage Settings SubscriptionsPrint MagazineDigital MagazinePrint & Digital BundleRenew PrintRenew DigitalRenew BundleSubscriber ServicesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesDigital ArchiveMagazine LocatorWHERE TECHNOLOGY BECOMES ENTERTAINMENT\u00a9 2022 Hi-Fi NewsAVTech Media LtdAll rights reserved This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.Privacy PolicyPreferencesAcceptSkip to contentSite navigationELECTROCOMPANIET.COMLog in SearchEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerELECTROCOMPANIETEMC 1 MKV REFERENCE CD PLAYERREFERENCE CD PLAYERSince 1998, Electrocompaniet has produced one of the best sound\u00ading CD players on the market, the EMC 1 UP. The new EMC 1 MKV builds upon this legacy and refines by using a new drive unit.The MKV also introduces updated electronics for better sonic perfor\u00admance, new mechanics for more rigid construction and brand new chassis with updated design to be in line with the new MKII edition of our other products.MANUALSTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSFIND A SHOP ShareShare on Facebook TweetTweet on Twitter Pin itPin on PinterestEMC 1 MKVREFERENCE CD PLAYERMADE IN NORWAYTECHNOLOGYTOP LOADING CD TRANSPORTPreventing the laser pickup from receiving mechanical distortions.SHIELDEDCONSTRUCTIONNO-COMPROMISE MECHANICAL DESIGN WITH FIVE DIFFERENT HOUSINGS, WHICH SHIELD ANALOGUE, DIGITAL, TRANSPORT, TRANSFORMER AND CONTROLLER CIRCUITRY.MADE IN NORWAYSOUNDCARE\u00ae SUPERSPIKES\u2122is an all-in-one spike foot. The unique construction of the SuperSpikes eliminates the most common problem experienced when using a conventional spike: damaged surfaces, while offering the benefits of isolating the equipment from external vibrations in the environment.BALANCED AUDIOFully balanced D\/A converter with discrete analog audio circuitry.REVIEWS & AWARDSVIEW ALLQuick viewEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardREVIEWS & AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV EMC 1 MKV \" Recommended Award\"REVIEWS & AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV -\" Klangtip\" AwardREVIEWS & AWARDSMade in NorwayFacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTubeContact UsAboutMedia CenterReviewsSupportEC LIVINGTANA SL2 Speaker & StreamerTANA L2 Add-on speakerSIRA L-1 SubwooferCLASSIC LINEPower amplifiersIntegrated amplifiersStreamers and SourcesPreamplifiersCCPA ComplianceGDPR CompliancePrivacy policyCookie Policy\u00a9 2022 ELECTROCOMPANIET.COM . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.","og_url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/en\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/","og_site_name":"INTEK HI-FI","article_published_time":"2022-02-01T09:34:59+00:00","article_modified_time":"2022-02-06T09:50:00+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Electrocompaniet-EMC-1-MK-V.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"darko","Est. reading time":"2 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/","name":"INTEK HI-FI","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Electrocompaniet-EMC-1-MK-V.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Electrocompaniet-EMC-1-MK-V.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"caption":"Electrocompaniet-EMC-1-MK-V"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/","name":"ELECTROCOMPANIET EMC 1 MK V Reference CD Player > HiFI News review - INTEK HI-FI","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/electrocompaniet-emc-1-mk-v-reference-cd-player-hifi-news-review\/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2022-02-01T09:34:59+00:00","dateModified":"2022-02-06T09:50:00+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/intek-hifi.com\/#\/schema\/person\/02fa1742be92272c2fe50f2579f320e7"},"description":"LOG IN | JOIN Search formSearch REVIEWS NEWS VINTAGE FEATURES AWARDS HI-FI SHOW OUR PLEDGE SUBSCRIBEDISC PLAYERSElectrocompaniet EMC 1 MK V CD PlayerReview: Mark Craven, Lab: Paul Miller | Jan 17, 2022facebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonhfncommendedRemember when a CD player was just, well, a CD player? No DAC input, streaming or other digital goodies. Electrocompaniet does \u2013 say 'hello' to an old-school disc spinnerBy coincidence, I started writing this review of Electrocompaniet's EMC 1 MKV CD player on October 21, which serious film nerds will know is 'Back To The Future Day', the date, in 1955, that intrepid time traveller Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) arrives in the smash-hit sci-fi movie. Marty has bent the spacetime continuum to head back 30 years, and I had a similar feeling with this silver disc spinner, albeit by a decade or so less and without aid from a DeLorean.The \u00a34999 EMC 1 MKV is reminiscent of a CD player from another age, because it is just a CD player. Transport, DAC and analogue output stage combine to shunt music from disc to amp, but there's no other way of making use of Electrocompaniet's digital conversion circuitry \u2013 no optical, no coax, no USB. In the modern hi-fi arena, where almost every CD player you come across is really an outboard DAC with a disc mechanism added for good measure, it feels highly unusual, almost wilfully old-fashioned! The EMC 1 MKV therefore plays to a narrower audience than most CD spinning rivals, though the brand has a respected heritage.Origin StoryNorwegian-based Electrocompaniet was formed in 1973 but really broke onto the audio scene in 1976 with a radical solid-state preamp and power amp [The Two-Channel Audio Power Amplifier \u2013 HFN Dec '11]. The product line now extends to a preamp and phono stage, integrated, mono and stereo power amps, DAC and CD players, plus a range of wireless speakers and network streamers.122electro.bacAn 'old-school' CD player \u2013 no digital inputs and fixed analogue output only on RCAs and balanced XLRs alongside S\/PDIF digital out on coax and Toslink opticalThis 'new' CD spinner is, of course, the latest generation of its flagship EMC 1 strand, which debuted in 1998 and was last revised with the EMC 1 MKIV in 2016. Electrocompaniet changed ownership in 2007, being acquired by Norwegian electronics specialist Westcontrol and moving to a new facility near Stavanger, where it designs and assembles all its products. Yet this hasn't resulted in a change of aesthetic philosophy. Put this machine next to its EMC 1 predecessor and you'd notice little physical difference \u2013 although some of the turn-of-the-century catchphrases ('24-bit High Resolution') have been scrubbed away, leaving the player's black Perspex front panel entirely clean of legends beyond the company logo and model name.The EMC 1 MKV's acrylic fascia and black steel chassis, heavy at 18kg courtesy of the player's PSU and mass-damped transport mechanism, is then offset by gold details (including the power button and transport controls). This is a flourish found on models throughout the company's 'Classic' series, one of which being the ECM1 MKII streaming DAC that Electrocompaniet sells as a system partner.Undercover EvolutionUpgrades over the previous generation of EMC 1 are a new (unspecified) drive unit for the player's top-loading mechanism, refinements to the balanced analogue circuitry that sits downstream of the Cirrus Logic upsampling and DAC chips, and improvements to the vibration-cancelling properties of the chassis. Connections are exactly the same, however: balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, plus coaxial and optical digital audio outputs enabling the EMC 1 MKV to be paired with an outboard DAC, operating in transport-only mode.Back around the front, the display's illuminated blue text is large, making it easy to note track number and time elapsed, and it can be dimmed fully. The supplied plastic remote control is less impressive \u2013 lightweight compared to the player itself \u2013 and festooned with buttons that are of no use here. However, it makes operating the EMC 1 MKV a breeze with keys for direct track access, search, shuffle and various repeat play options.NEXT: Page 2 \u00bbCOMPANY INFOEC Living ASTau, NorwaySupplied by: Elite Audio Ltd, Fife01334 570 666electrocompaniet.com ARTICLE CONTENTSPage 1Page 2CD From The TopLab Reportfacebook sharing buttontwitter sharing buttonflipboard sharing buttonpinterest sharing buttonemail sharing buttonsharethis sharing buttonRelated Latest Reviews NewsMcIntosh MCD85 CD\/SACD Player\/USB DACCanor CD 2.10 CD Player\/USB DACMarantz SACD 30n\/Model 30 SACD\/Network Player\/AmpMarantz SA-12SE\/PM-12SE SACD Player\/AmplifierArcam CDS50 CD\/SACD Network PlayerExposure XM CD\/XM5 CD Player\/AmplifierRotel CD11\/A11 CD Player\/AmplifierT+A PDT\/SDV 3100 HV SACD Transport\/DACPro-Ject CD Box RS2 T \/ Pre Box RS2 Digital CD Player\/DACdCS Rossini Transport\/DAC v2 SACD Transport\/DACAudio Research REF CD9 SE CD Player\/DACNeodio Origine S2 CD Player\/DACMusical Fidelity M2scd\/M2si CD Player\/AmplifierPrimare CD35\/I35 Prisma Network\/CD Player & AmpM\u00e9tronome Technologie AQWO SACD Player\/DACPioneer UDP-LX800 Universal BD Player SPONSORED VIDEO Equipment ReviewsIntegrated amplifiersOutboard DACsDisc PlayersLoudspeakersTurntables, Arms & CartridgesPre\/Power amplifiersPhono PreamplifiersNetwork Audio Players\/ServersHeadphonesCablesVintage Music ReviewsAudiophile VinylAudiophile DigitalRockJazzClassicalHi-Res DownloadsAwardsAVTech Media AwardsEISA Awards Latest NewsNewsFeaturesClassical CompanionClassic VenuesFrom the VaultInside the StudioInvestigationMeet the ProducersMeet The TeamOpinionShow ReportsVinyl ReleaseVinyl Icons Back IssuesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesResourcesContact UsAbout UsHFN Reader PledgeRSS FeedThe UK Hi-Fi Show LiveMagazine LocatorPrivacyTerms of UseNewslettersNewsletter SignupSpecial OffersManage Settings SubscriptionsPrint MagazineDigital MagazinePrint & Digital BundleRenew PrintRenew DigitalRenew BundleSubscriber ServicesPrint Back IssuesDigital Back IssuesDigital ArchiveMagazine LocatorWHERE TECHNOLOGY BECOMES ENTERTAINMENT\u00a9 2022 Hi-Fi NewsAVTech Media LtdAll rights reserved This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.Privacy PolicyPreferencesAcceptSkip to contentSite navigationELECTROCOMPANIET.COMLog in SearchEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerEMC 1 MKV Reference CD playerELECTROCOMPANIETEMC 1 MKV REFERENCE CD PLAYERREFERENCE CD PLAYERSince 1998, Electrocompaniet has produced one of the best sound\u00ading CD players on the market, the EMC 1 UP. The new EMC 1 MKV builds upon this legacy and refines by using a new drive unit.The MKV also introduces updated electronics for better sonic perfor\u00admance, new mechanics for more rigid construction and brand new chassis with updated design to be in line with the new MKII edition of our other products.MANUALSTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSFIND A SHOP ShareShare on Facebook TweetTweet on Twitter Pin itPin on PinterestEMC 1 MKVREFERENCE CD PLAYERMADE IN NORWAYTECHNOLOGYTOP LOADING CD TRANSPORTPreventing the laser pickup from receiving mechanical distortions.SHIELDEDCONSTRUCTIONNO-COMPROMISE MECHANICAL DESIGN WITH FIVE DIFFERENT HOUSINGS, WHICH SHIELD ANALOGUE, DIGITAL, TRANSPORT, TRANSFORMER AND CONTROLLER CIRCUITRY.MADE IN NORWAYSOUNDCARE\u00ae SUPERSPIKES\u2122is an all-in-one spike foot. The unique construction of the SuperSpikes eliminates the most common problem experienced when using a conventional spike: damaged surfaces, while offering the benefits of isolating the equipment from external vibrations in the environment.BALANCED AUDIOFully balanced D\/A converter with discrete analog audio circuitry.REVIEWS & AWARDSVIEW ALLQuick viewEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardEMC 1 MKV - 5 hearts AwardREVIEWS & AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV EMC 1 MKV \" Recommended Award\"REVIEWS & AWARDSQuick viewEMC 1 MKV -\" Klangtip\" AwardREVIEWS & AWARDSMade in NorwayFacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTubeContact UsAboutMedia CenterReviewsSupportEC LIVINGTANA SL2 Speaker & StreamerTANA L2 Add-on speakerSIRA L-1 SubwooferCLASSIC LINEPower amplifiersIntegrated amplifiersStreamers and SourcesPreamplifiersCCPA ComplianceGDPR CompliancePrivacy policyCookie Policy\u00a9 2022 ELECTROCOMPANIET.COM . 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