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  3. 1099737755

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
eldon
22 posts
 
My post is four years old and was made before I learned
the forum rules. You only found one post of mine. How
many thousands of posts are from Alex and his followers?
reb1208
518 posts
 
Why not start your own "Digital Modifiers" forum on a different website.
mikannen
4 posts
 
Hi AVGURU, Eldon & Flye

I second what Dbld is saying. We want to hear from RAM, Audiomods, Underwood and whoever else.

Eldon and Flye, can you or any of your clients can involved in the hearing sessions?

Rgds
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
DBLD, I couldn't have said it better myself. in fact last night I wrote, then deleted, a much less eloquent version of your post. I would invite Richard, Dan and others to post and contribute with their knowledge to our enjoyment. Alex posted his prices here because he was requested so by several of us. But mostly Alex has shared his expertise and his unique views of matters digital. And the beauty of it is that I do not even have to agree with him all the time in order to appreciate his input and his openness. In fact he has freely shared with us information that would by many companies most likely be deemed as valuable intellectual property to be protected from the eyes of competitors at all cost. So, Richard, please join us and share your views of the world.
711smilin
513 posts
 
Richard, I am the guy who has owned the APL, Exemplar, and have a Modwright on order. In all my research, Over 1000 hours on the net, I felt most comfortable with these guys, to trust with my money. I have read some some threads on AA which made me want to stay away from your mods. Kyle has emailed me claiming to be able to better my current favorite APL player, but at double the cost, with no ability to listen too before $$$$. Alex has never, that I know of tried to promote himself here, or on other BB's. He does not even post regularly on his own BB. Alex is a one man show, his operation is Alex, his fiance, his garage, his knowledge, and his love for musical truth.

Alex came out of nowhere in 2003, he quit his job as lead engineer from sony when he got fed up with the crap they were reducing his ideas too, and persued the AMERICAN dream
I respect that, I honore that, I encourage that, I BELIEVE what Alex has accomplished in his short tenure as an AMERICAN entreprenuer is absolutely amazing. At the 2004 CES show, with Alex's mods on a SACD 1000, he was awarded the "most wanted component award" This was after only a couple of months. The unusual thing about Alex, is that he is a TRUE engineer. Like John Tucker, and others who not only buy higher grade parts to install, but, who design circuits boards themselves and have manufactured EXCLUSIVELY for themselves. These are proprietary, but, still subject to copy. These guys develop their own signiture sound on these machines. I was blown away by Dan Wrights machine that Jayctoy owns. I feel I would love to have one in my digital arsenal, and am in fact buying one. I still feel, as of today the the APL modded 3910, is the very best digital source I have ever heard.

I welcome you into the mix, as they say on the price is right, COME ON DOWN......I believe all those here on audiogon, interested in digital, welcome positive feedback, comparisons, insight into your thoughts. I also believe ya better have a change of attitude, cause with comments and complaints about the way audiogon(and their wonderful staff
and moderators)have dissed you guys. Maybe thats because you have not made your customers as happy as others have. I do not know of any modder, who has asked me to be active in writing about them. I am just having FUN on my audio journey. I am will to spend $$$$, and HEAR the music, as a result of putting together the components in my pursuit for my latest hobby. Music, is suppose to be fun, stress relieving. Not stressful.

I invite all you guys to get into the mix. Just no more BS please. Let your work speak for you, and your HAPPY customers write about you. Please be available top answer questions, and give insight. Most importantly, appreciate this audiogon forum, cause it's the BEST.

Have fun in your pursuits
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