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Slot Drives

74.37.98.249
Posted on November 4, 2009 at 17:16:27
TheBob
Audiophile

Posts: 9
Location: N. California
Joined: July 9, 2006
 I'm giving serious consideration to the purchase of the Emotiva ERC-1 CD player. I like everything I've seen/read on internal construction, design philosophies, and what few reviews I could find.

Two points of hesitation exist:

1. It's direct from factory so I can't really hear it to judge altho I could return it.

2. It's slot loading strikes me as potentially abusive or abrasive. I'm not sure where the drive mechanism is sourced from, but I do appreciate the separate power supplies including one dedicated to this drive.

Am I overly concerned?

RE: Slot Drives, posted on November 6, 2009 at 10:03:20
Sunya
Audiophile

Posts: 386
Joined: July 11, 2007
 Classe and Meridian use slots.

And the PS3, posted on November 6, 2009 at 15:48:58
cfraser
Audiophile

Posts: 2061
Location: Pickering, Ontario
Joined: April 30, 2000
 LOL. Never marred a disc yet. Nor the one in my car (single disc). I think the lousy ones they used to put in cars, the multiple disc loading/stacking ones, and the cheap ones in PCs gave them a bad rep for scratching. They are actually quite convenient, and no chance of bumping into an open tray (often not very strong-looking).

RE: Slot Drives Are Getting More Popular:, posted on November 6, 2009 at 09:54:04
Vinylly
 I think they were first used with car CDP's. We have a slot loaded player in our car that has not been a problem. Cyrus and Rotel have both come out with a slot player. I would be afraid of the CD getting stuck in the player and not being able to get it out, -but this has never happened with the one in our car. Then there is the possible problem of dirt and grim getting in the slot and scratching up your CD.
Consumers that have bought the Cyrus CDP have complained that the player does not eject the CD far enough and it's difficult to grasp the CD with their fingers to remove it after playing.

What attracted you in Emotiva player in first place?, posted on November 5, 2009 at 09:25:03
carcass93
Audiophile

Posts: 2634
Location: NJ
Joined: September 20, 2006
 Frankly, in that price range I'd go for used unit from a company known for quality gear. There are deals sometimes on Audiogon for players in mint condition from dealers, with money back guarantee, or from private individual local to you.

Regarding the "giant killer" reputation that's Emotiva seems to be trying to create on various forums - if any other instance of "giant killer" is any indication, it's all BS. It's better to realize that you're paying $400 for a player that's worth $400 - if you're lucky, that is.

RE: Slot Drives, posted on November 5, 2009 at 08:41:39
Jack G
Audiophile

Posts: 6411
Joined: September 24, 1999
 The only slot drive I've ever used, was with the Olive server. Several irreplaceable discs got seriously scratched. I don't know if that is common or not, but I'll never use another slot loader.
Jack

Some slot drives grab the disc by the edge with rubber rollers, posted on November 5, 2009 at 07:37:59
Charles Hansen
Manufacturer

Posts: 4320
Joined: August 1, 2001
 Others grab it by the top and bottom surface with rubber rollers. If not clean, these rollers (or the felt "lip" at the opening of the slot) can mar the disc. But normally this is not a problem.

RE: Slot Drives, posted on November 5, 2009 at 02:27:51
fmak
Audiophile

Posts: 4100
Joined: June 1, 2002
 I don't like slot drives and on PC with them, I actually remove the units. They get 'sticky' and sometimes refuse to eject but worse of all, they mark CDs.

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