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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 9 responses by phil_l

phil_l
14 posts
 
711Smilin, since you are a happy! APL Denon 3910 owner, can you tell me:

do you use the filters of the DAC and how do they differ?
how long does it take to warm up and sound its best?
is the tube exposed or totally enclosed?

You and others have given excellent descriptions of its sound and I appreciate your effort to use your ears and not reviews or the price to determine the best unit. I too am interested in hearing your impressions of the unit with upgraded Master Clock.

Thanks.
phil_l
14 posts
 
Alex now offers balanced output (see the updated website). He also posted the price for the package deal (Denon 3910 + mods + clock = $4,200).

711smilin, I may change my logon to Philsmilin soon. I ordered the package deal. I am curious about your use of DVD. I'm assuming you must use a monitor to navigate DVD-A, correct?
phil_l
14 posts
 
Doc Luke, I think you are saying that if a patient has a cold, he should self-medicate (DIY). But these fellows (myself included) have a much more serious condition -- audiophilia nervosa. Folks with this dis-ease, need to seek a specialist, since they certainly wouldn't want to handle a transplant themselves, nor would a GP be the right person. I'm sure we would all agree that there is a pychological component to this disorder, and that sometimes people who have had one transplant, want another one, even if it means replacing an organ that is functioning perfeclty well. Guilty as charged. But that doesn't mean the idea itself is flawed when the organ is not functioning as it should. To you I say, "Doctor heal thyself." To all the rest of us sickos, I say "Carpe Diem" and find the best mod that will cure you.

I thoroughly enjoy this thread and hope that you and Eldon will too.

Phil
phil_l
14 posts
 
Guido,I am so relieved that we can talk about this openly and sensitively. My name is Phil and I have DAC. My Dad had it too. He had tube gear that he built himself and a bozak speaker (tweeter suspended in the middle of the midrage driver) installed in the door of his bedroom closet, with a 15" woofer installed in something the size of a dish washing machine. He kept muttering: Infinite baffle, infinite baffle. My poor Mother. My poor neighbors. Dad would play his system at realistic levels. Being an engineer, (read: original propeller heads) he played a test record with a train comin' on down the tracks. One of our neighbors apparently made a mess of himself when he stood up suddenly upon hearing said train coming through the wall of his bathroom. The shame of it! This was a decent, middle-class neighborhood. Yet, how I loved Sunday mornings when my father would blast his classical music. We were eating downstairs in the kitchen, but the sound was at concert levels.

Guido, I know there is no hope for me (I have an order with Alex, that evil modder and facilitator of our sickness, that self-promoter who dedicates himself to this work by sleeping but a few hours a night and then has the unmitigated gall to be proud of his work!). I can only hope others escape this terrible fate. I hope to pass my remaining days in audio nirvana, but a shell of my previous virile, aggressive, unhappy self.

Phil
phil_l
14 posts
 
Giudo, others, perhaps it is time to return to our regularly scheduled program, or move the much needed DAC analysis elsehwere. But, before we do, I'd like to consider a few of the signs, since many here continue to suffer:

Have you ever considered the possibility of changing the power receptacle of an appliance to IEC so that you could either make that appliance quieter or to more quickly break in a new power cord? You got the DAC.

Have you ever placed padding around various parts of your body to change the high fequencies of your system? DAC is present.

Have you ever thought that NASA is hiding the fact that matter transmitters do exist during a time you really wanted quick delivery of a new tweak or gear? You have had a DAC attack.

Have you ever wondered why your favorite audio rag doesn't have a pull out for the amplifier of the month? DAC has you in its grip.

Have you ever considered, even for a short time, the possibility of selling a vital internal organ, either your own or that of your children, in order to have the resources to purchase the newest, hotest, amplifier or other piece of gear. You got it bad.

Hey, I know from experience it is rough. My wife became an enabler and is buying me an aplhifi mod for my birthday (they are the best! OK, just kidding). Yes, your wife can talk to my wife, but it's gonna cost you plenty. If this unit allows me to reach audio nirvana, I promise to report back.

Phil
phil_l
14 posts
 
Avguru,
I'd like to add a question: How long have these been warmed up before listening? As we know, some gear changes dramatically with warm up. If I'm willing to wait, say 1 hour, for gear to reach it's maximum, then I'm not too interested in players that take longer, nor would I know the full potential of those that have not had a sufficient warm up. I realize this isn't easy to do when you are listening to so many players.

I appreciate the effort being made for the shootouts (and know how much fun they can be), but it would be really great if a few modders would designate units that would be sent to different groups such as yours, so more people could hear them for themselves. I'm not mentioning this for myself, I have an APLhifi denon 3910 on order, but I do think it would be beneficial to both potential customers and the modders.

Phil
phil_l
14 posts
 
Bornie, and your integrated is?
phil_l
14 posts
 
Forever. Wow, I've never said that about any gear. Perhaps the APL 3910 I have on order will be the first. I'd love to tell my wife its a keeper since it is her gift to me (decadal birthday -- don't ask which one).

I'll write my impressions after it is burned in, but I don't think I'll be able to decide on forever until I've had it one year (seems to be that if a relationship can last that long, it may indeed be forever).

Aren't audiophiles among the most fickle people alive?
phil_l
14 posts
 
If you are interested in Alex's work, his dedicated thread is probably the best place to look: http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewforum.php?f=71

now be nice. This is an unpaid, unsolicited notice. I am an owner of an apl/denon 3910, but paid the going rate. Since it isn't completely broken in, I can't give my final impressions of the 3910, but as of now they are the same as the more enthusiastic owners. The good news is there is some really great digital available.
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