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Accuphase or Esoteric?

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a new CD player. I've had an Accuphase DP-78 that sounds wonderful, but has developed some mechanical issues, so I think it's time for a new player. I've been offered a great deal on a new Accuphase DP-600, but also very good deals on an Esoteric K-03 or K-01. The only one of any of these I've heard is the K-03. I have a friend who has one, and we auditioned his against my Accuphase side by side, and found them roughly equal in sound quality, although they were different and we preferred one or the other, depending on what was playing. I'm interested in whether anyone has heard the Esoteric against the Accuphase, and also how much better the K-01 really is. The Absolute Sound review was pretty unequivocal, but I never know what reviewers are thinking, and there is a big price difference. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
skreich
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,602 posts
 
Thank You! Ladycharnet.

did you ever spend time w/ the Esoteric X-03 or X-03SE spinner?

Keep me posted and Happy Listening!
2channel8
758 posts
 
I have a $17,000-ish system including an Oppo BDP-95 and about $1,300 to spend on an upgrade. I have about 60 hi-res albums including downloads on a USB drive and 350 RBCDs.

There are a number of used players on the market that interest me right now and I have no hope of auditioning any of them. The ones I can afford right now include an Esoteric DV-60 (or DV-50), and an Oppo BDP-105 with EVS mods.

Just beyond my reach are an Esoteric X-05, Ux- 3Pi and a McCormack UDP-1 Deluxe.

I worry that the ones I can afford are all very long in the tooth except the Oppo, yet the BDP-105 EVS won't sound that much better than the BDP-95. The UX-3Pi probably makes the most sense; but while I'm saving up for it I would probably loose the opportunity to buy the BDP-105 EVS or the UX-3Pi itself.

Does it make sense to spend money on an Esoteric or McCormack that's already older than my BDP-95? I am only interested in 2 channel audio and my Primare I32 does have balanced inputs.

Help
jeschiotz's avatar
jeschiotz
4 posts
 
Got the DV-50 and love it! Prefer the inboard D/A converter compared to my Hegel HD 25
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hk_fan
460 posts
 
I have a DV-50 and it goes toe-to-toe with my Ayre QB-9 DSD fed from a Mac Mini/Tidal combo. I would agree that it is one of the best kept secrets in digital playback.

I recently had Esoteric replace the drive since I was getting some tracking errors and it sounds better than ever.
007nguyen
6 posts
 
Longtime ago I had the Marantz SA7S1, I had compared it with an Accuphase DP-500...any differencies...
Now I have an Esoteric K-03XS since 3 years and its a great improvement...The Marantz SA7S1 is sold now.
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