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.
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.
All, I have just requested and promptly obtained that my inappropriate post be removed by audiogon staff. Thank you for signalling the point of etiquette.
smilin, I am still not disposed to trusting what you hear for any of my choices, but I do wish Alex had sent me a unit to listen to given all you have said about it.
Seems strange Alex didn't send a unit to Tbg, so we'd have another head to head opinion of two players - in a single system over a somewhat extended period of time. If Alex was "supposed to" send one (whatever "supposed to" means, and I realize I'm the one initiating that phrase, not Tbg,i.e. I don't know what transpired between them), it seems a shame and I wonder why. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm on the "side" of those who are a bit skeptical of "shootout" results, primarily because (from everything I've read here), it seems variables were not controlled very well - but also because long term listening and satisfaction mean a lot to me. I think it's a wonderful thing that we have "smilin", because he's heard so many of these units in his own system over considerable time (and they were broken in). I wish there were more of us who were able to do that and report, however.
Tvad, actually I have never made any comparison with Alex's unit save in much earlier postings about a shootout at VSAC several years ago. I did not ask Alex to send me a unit; he asked if I would like to hear a unit. It is entirely possible that he is so far behind in filling orders that he has none, but he has not told me this. I did assure him in email and at CES that although I was happy with the Exemplar I felt I was open to a valid comparison.
Although John Tucker is a friend of mine, I have tried some of his products and not liked them. My liking everything he makes is not a condition of our friendship thankfully.
Thank you Jes45! Another thing, 711, keep your nose out of my business from now on. I have just as much right to express my opinions on Agon as you do. Thank you for your cooperation. Angela
All the discussion here seems to be around the APL, Sony Modwright, Esotetic, and at times Meitner. But there seems to be a lot of new models from comeptitors coming out and would be really interested if anyone has experience with them....Golmund universal, the dcs transport/dac, the new dcs one box sacd/cd player, the new Classe SACD player, even CJ is out with one.....the more the better I say! Now if only SACD software title issues would accelerate further!
Henryhk, I agree with you, If these players are available around Chicago, lets do onother shootout, and compare. Its very hard to do shootout, but it can be fun also. 711 what do you think?
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.
I don't mind if this thread lives or dies...personally I'd rather see it live because the conversation COULD be interesting...so long as folks don't get too ugly in their words.
I'd rather read about people's experience with these high caliber players than read about some guy's $300 CC special.
Yes I am back, no sneeky remarks. Just want to share the latest with all you audiophiles. Got the Fully Moded APL sacd phillips 1000. Fantastic presence, then blew it by plugging in 240v to the 115v, got the APL 3910 on order with Alex (is he still alive?). Couldnt wait got a modwright sony 999es. Warm tonally better than the apl but could not match it for sheer presence. Added my Musical Fidelity X10D, with extraordinary power supply, ECC85 mullards, and panasonic caps, and wow, couldn't explain the transformation. From very nice to very special. Do not know why. Adding the x10 'special' to the apl filled out the spaces and solidified the images, but in no way was it as great a transformation as I got from the modwright,talk about synergy. The modwright now easily bettered the APL. Cannot tell how good this cheap upgrade is until i compare it to the 3910 apl but looks extremely promising, may even beat it.
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/
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
To "audio girl": I looked up your system, and it represents excellent choices. The fact that you bought all of this gear used, and at good prices, is an added reason for pride on your part. Have you had any trouble with the Linn 1.1? A friend of mine has had to return his for service at least two times. By the way, what planet are you from? In my part of the world, "audio girls" are non-existant. Brava!!! P.S. I have an unmodded DV-50.
Thank you for the comments, Irishdog! Yes, I saved a ton of money on my system. If I would have paid full retail prices, I would have paid more than double what I have in it now. I am from Earth, believe it or not! I guess my breed is very rare! I have never had any kind of reliability problems with the Linn 1.1. What are your sonic impressions of your DV-50?
Audio girl: I like the DV-50, but compared to the Linn 1.1 it is simply not as "musical". I know this is a hard term to define, like the judge who said he could not define "pornography", but he knew it when he saw it, musicality is a "know it when you hear it" phenomenon. I listen to a lot of classical music, and this is,by far, the hardest sort of recorded music to get right. If you have attended many live concerts, you know what I mean. The Linn gets it right! Otherwise the DV-50 is fine, and never misfires. Thanks so much for your nice reply. By the way, I live in eastern North Carolina, not exactly audiophile territory, male or female.
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!
I am very late to this buffet of digital. I have been using a Rotel 1072 with Apogee Scintillas powered by H20 (soon to be sent back to be updated to Signature status) with a Supratek chenin. I am very interested in upgrading my digital source. To this point I only use Redbook CD's. Are there more contenders to consider. I think I read that the Exemplar is now using the 5910 to good effect. How great of a difference should I expect between my Rotel and all the contenders that are listed in the thread. I am located in Chicago and have contacted 711smillin. This thread has made me reconsider whether to resurrecting my Well Tempered Classic. All else being equal, cleaning records is a drag! Bob
Dear Friends, I have the Teac P70VU in combination with the Audio Note Dac5 signature. I can say its a good match. The difference between the P70 and the P70VU, is that VU have a better jitter solution .
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?
Hey folks, has anyone auditioned or even heard of a german made brand called Accustic Arts Digital Surround-Player 1. Its a german handmade uni-player, and from what i have heard it rivals the Esoteric UX-1 in all categories at a more generous price tag. Needless to say, i certainly assume it will beat up on the DV-50 and i own a DV-50 with great respect for its exellent sound and picture quality. Any feedback is worth it's weight in gold or at least sound quality. BTW. it is a toploader also. Sounds like it may be something to checkout. Peace. teeball.
I have some DVD-R burned with ISO like SACD-R, my Denon DVD 3910 can play it, but I am sure Teac is much better player. I would it buy second hand for very good price. Thanks for help.
Nice score! Thank You for the update. Yes, I agree that a Player like this is far better than server/streamer. Keep me posted as the Player settles into your Room and System.
Hi, still the same feeling! real high end sound (in the good sense of this expression)
Player gives a lot of informations, but at first plays music with original source.
How to explain... when I play Black Sabbath it is origin Black Sabbath, not high end transfered BS, the same Pink Floyd, Yes. And jazz and classic is very impressive too.
Excellent reply to my query. I concur with your assessment and evaluation of the Esoteric DV-50 (s). Black Sabbath is tough to achieve Sonics with any digital player.
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