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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
avguru OP
116 posts
 
Bearman3,

I'd be interested in knowing what specific "improvements" you heard in the Tucker 2900 vs. the DV 50? In what areas did you think the modded 2900 was stronger? Where was it weaker (if any areas)?

Just curious to know if your hearing observations are similar to what we heard when comparing the 3910 to the DV 50. By the way, do you own the DV 50? Where did you do your listening comparision?

AVGURU
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
711, ordering a mighty X-01 for yourself? I's bleeding proud of ya!
But remember, the creature will need to be broken in 'real good' before it is worth conducting a meaningful shootout with it.
Guido
mail1068
1 posts
 
Avguru -- Good review. 1markr -- I purchased a ModWright 999ES (Platinum) in late October. It is quite remarkable. The sound stage is extremely wide and deep. With the 999ES, I get a similar presentation as described by Avguru: "Each musician on the soundstage has his own open and airy space to perform." Most importantly, the lack of edge and rich harmonic sweetness is phenomenal. Very highly recommended.
711smilin
513 posts
 
Guido, I am getting the demo, so it should be plenty broken in. I am SERIOUS about this journey. From what I have been told by Alex, the VRDS transport is the bomb. Now we will see what these players are made of. I am going to take my time here, plus it will be another week or so till I get back the APL, from the new clock board installation. I put a call into Dan Wright to see if he will sell me his best, and also to John Tucker to get his best. Am I missing anything here? I WANT THE BEST.
reb1208
518 posts
 
and cd players. Back in 1990 I had a Cal Aria Mk3 cd player with tube output. It was very musical but had limited resolution. I spent a great deal of time moding that unit myself. I can still clearly remember the space/ambience and layering that unit had. So, with the higher resolution dacs and low jitter clocks now available. It is probably not very hard for a professional modder to come up with a killer tube output machine. Yes, time has marched on, but tubes and digital still are a magical combination. I go about it abit differently with a solid state unit into a balanced tube pre-amp. That also gives a nice result too. But not as magical as having the tube inside the cd/sacd player. All this is very frustrating when these "modestly" priced moded units are smoking many of the high dollar units. Really should not be the case, but you can't ignore the evidence.
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