APL 3910, Exemplar 3910, MF KW, Esoteric X-01?

I have recently received the Exemplar 5910 which is still too new to be assessed, although the first night was a revelation. Apart from the possibility that the 5910 will change this, I have not heard any digital that beats the Reimyo CDP777, although I have never bought one as I want to play sacds. I had both the Exemplar 2900 in its many mods as well as the Exemplar 3910 in its several versions, with many of them caused by the development of the 5910. I have preferred these to my old EMM and dCS gear, but those comparisons were made before there were changes in both. I have only heard the APL in several shows and not in a side by side comparison in any good circumstance. I have heard the DV-50, UX-1, and the mono dac unit whose name I don't recall. The DV-50 was easily bested by the Exemplar 2900 and the APL/Philips sacd100. I didn't like the UX-1 without the atomic clock and with it it was too expensive. Same for the mono dacs. I do not think any of the above would be a downward step from the Krell cd player, which I consider second rate.

I agree with dvavc in that you should listen to these in your system if possible.

Sd2005gt, I am most curious about the Reimyo also, but it may be difficult as I do not own the Reimyo.

Bob Fogel's impressions of the APL and identical to mine for the Exemplar 3910. I would have to say that I have a new Exemplar 3910 which is $2000 more expensive. Thus far it is outstanding and clearly better to my old 3910, however, it has only 90 hours of breakin on it. Previous experience suggests that at least 200 are needed.

Although I heard a comparison of the APL/Phillips SACD 1000 and the early Exemplar 2900 under very unfavorable circumstances, I have not had them side by side for a comparison.

Smilin, Alex has several times said that he will send me one. I too would love to have the opportunity to hear it. Now, of course, it would be compared with the Exemplar 5910 which is a dramatic jump in performance over the 3910.

Jayctoy, I think the "shootout" had many problems, but more importantly it is now grossly obsolete given all the changes that have taken place. I should also note that at the VSAC that took place somewhat earlier, few preferred the Modwright Sony 9000es. The contest there was between the Allen Wright mod and that by John Tucker. I ended up buying both.

Styxtrekr, I thought the Exemplar 3910 especially with it further mods was unapproachable. I was dramatically wrong. I continue to be amazed at how far digital has come these last several years. All I can say is that once I heard the 5910, I could not tolerate listening to the 3910. It has great clarity and sound stage, the best bass I have ever heard from digital, and just a realism to the sound that makes you want to play everything you have and hear it for the first time. And it has only about 100 hours on it.

Tvad, I certainly have limited experience with being able to compare the many moded units with few exceptions. It irks me, however, when others make blanket statements that all you need is to buy x unit even though I know few are taken in my such efforts. I warned early on in the shootout that it would end up as a pissing contest as you call it. It, of course, did.

I do not wish to participate in such a contest, but I would urge all to consider the idea of adding IMHO to their comments.

Darin, I think no one is likely to have heard everything or that you could really trust they might say anyway. This is why some people buy lousy cars or crappy wine. I once decided to buy six ac line conditioners and to decide on my own which was best. I got hopeless confused when some worked better with one component and ultimately sold all of them.

I briefly compared the Exemplar 3910 and a stock one. I was shocked at the greater quiet and dynamics of the moded unit.

Goose, I doubt if any more expensive unit gives twice the quality of sound as they cost more than twice as much.