Esoteric DV-50: Any cdp's Significantly better?


Is there are anyone out there who has compared the Esoteric DV-50 to a number of dedicated red book only players (or other universal's) and found one that is SIGNIFICANTLY better?

I stress significantly because in my humble opinion the redbook playback (if comparison unit is just a cd cd player only )must be significantly better to justify losing DVD-A, SACD and DVD-Video capability.

I keep hearing there are better one box solutions and being a die hard 2 channel fan I would sell my DV-50 if I found a player in the same price range that sounds significantly better. But every time I do an AB comparision to other well respected units the DV-50 has slayed each and every one.

So far, it has eaten the lunch of the Classe CDP-10, Ayre CX-7, Linn Ikemi, Cairn Fog Vers. 2, Cary 306/300, Arcam DV 27A and CD 33T, Myryad CD 600, etc. It even betters a Sony SCD 777ES/MF Tri-Vista 21 transport/dac combo that I previously owned. I'm only comparing the DV-50 to single box cd or universal players, but I just wanted to mention the Sony/MF combo. I'm sure there are some dac/transport combo's that will handily beat the DV 50.

Some may say that the DV 50 should beat all the above because the of price point ($5,500 vs. average price of $3,000 for the above players). But I disagree since conventional wisdom says that stand alone players (especially with the pedigree of those mentioned above) should produce better redbook than a universal player trying to be a jack of all trades. Only the DV 27A does video plus audio. By the way, I was very impressed with the 27A as just a cd player. Of all the above I would say the Ayre was the best.

Next on my list is the Electrocompaniet EMC 1UP and the Resolution Audio Opus 21. However, I must tell you I am really impressed with the DV 50 and all the great reviews are absolutely true. I've noticed that many people who are using it or comparing to other players are using the RCA analog outs instead of the balanced outs. There is a significant improvement in sound if you use the balanced outs and I'm only interested in hearing comments from people who have compared it against other players using the balanced outs on the DV-50.

My system components are as follows:

B&W N803's speakers & HTM-1 center
Cary Cinema 5 (5 x 200) amp
Anthem D1 Statement pre/pro
Esoteric DV 50
Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun speaker wire
Nirvana SX balanced interconnects from DV-50 to Anthem
Acoustic Zen Matrix reference II interconnects from D1 to Cary
No after market power cords or isolation equipment

My system sounds great! Those who comment please make sure to specify what specific improvements you heard over the DV 50 and what cdp were you comparing it against.

AVGURU
avguru

Showing 6 responses by guidocorona

My apologies smilin. I thought I had seen your first/last already posted elsewhere on this thread. Did not realize I had made a blunder. I have seen one instance where the system let me re-edit/modify a previous post, but can't find the option right now. Anyone knows how to do that? Oh well, I'll send a note to audiogon staff asking to edit or remove my previous post as appropriate.
Folks, I just wanted to inform everyone that APL HIFI has now its own forum facility. If you have questions which can be answered only by Alex Peychev, you may want to consider posting there, as he will no longer answer questions directly on these Audiogon pages. The address of the APL forums is:
http://www.aplhifi.com/phpBB/
The recent San Diego shootout suggests that the overall system performance was maximized by cutting the linestage out of the system, at least while using the APL 3910 or the Mightner as the source. I'd like to hear some impressions/findings from those who have experienced either the APL and Modwright players driving an amp without the benefit/hindrance of a linestage.
For example, the new Modwright 3910 -- which can have an optional volume control -- will generate a maximum 2.5V over 600Ohms. Will this drive amps directly with ease/grace?
Does anyone know the max output voltage and output impedance of the APL 3910 on its balanced and single ended outputs.
I would especially welcome findings from owners of both ModWright and APL, such as 711.
A user comparison of the TRL 595 with the similarly priced APL Pioneer 563 has been posted on AA at:
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/209929.html

The findings favor the APL machine.
Ahem. . . Sorry AudioGirl and Irishdog to have to burst your audiobubble so prematurely, but I have just discovered that Teac has introduced an updated P70/D70 redbook-only combo, dubbed the P70VU/D70VU.
I have absolute faith that it will surpass anything on the market today for redbook playback, as it appears to possess unique features never encountered in any digital source device before--at least according to the erudite google-translitteration of a Japanese page:

". . . The foot stand has entered in a state where it feels giddy, but when it installs, it becomes pinpoint support, makes the vibration disperse
effectively. The sound quality concern design and the ease of use which are idea of the ESOTERIC it is the pinpoint leg which is compatible. . ."

I don't know about you, but I always wanted to have one of these giddy feeling footstands in my player, ever since my Dad bought our first Dual 1019 turntable for Christmas in 1966. Now this may be my golden opportunity!
Volker, how would you characterize the actual sonic differences between the P70 and P70VU? Is it also true that VU is still redBook only, with no SACD/DVDA support?