Esoteric DV-50, Marantz SA-11 or Arc CD3 MKII???


Hi guys and gals,
I need some help here. I've never been a big digital kinda guy but I do need a CD player. I've owned and loved the Electrocompaniet ECD-1 and currently own an Esoteric D-50 that I like well enough but haven't fallen love with. I tried the Resolution Opus 21 and the new McCormack UDP-1 and preferred the DV-50 to either of these machines, at best it was a sideways move between the Dv-50 and the Udp-1. I'm now considering either the Marantz Sa-11 or the Audio Research CD-3 MKII. I know there are others but these two have come to the top of my list. I play all music, jazz, folk , blues, rock, classical yadda, yadda, yadda! I like the bass, dynamics, resolution of the DV-50 but I never get the 3D reach out and touch someone in your room feeling from this player. I would like something that gave me the sense of air and space that surrounds images in real space. The DV-50 images nicely, a little forward but plenty of width and depth but no organic feel to it. I know this is hard to describe but I hope someone can pick up on what I'm trying to describe and respond from expierience with the above mentioned players. Thanks in advance to everyone!
bryceeboy

Showing 1 response by irishdog

I own the DV-50, and find it accurate, spacious, and layered, BUT, it is a bit on the bright side on some material. Without a doubt, the best universal I have heard is the Linn 1.1, but it is quite pricey at 11,000. It is smooth,but detailed and with incredible depth and layering. It is the most musical of all the universals I have heard, but it is expensive, and early units had a lot of problems.