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Esoteric DV-50 or Meridian G-08.2 CD Player??

I just sold my krell kav 280 cd player and will be upgrading my digital source. I was originally looking for the esoteric X-03 or X-03SE but these are few and far between, and a bit out of my price range. I do not have any sacd's but have heard that the esoteric DV-50 is a good alternative for a cd player. Should I get the DV-50, or the well acclaimed Meridian G-08.2? I am also considering possibly an accuphase player. My budget is $2500. My system consists of the following:

Amp: Pass Labs X-250.5
Power Conditioner - BPT 2.5 Ultra Signature
Preamp- Krell Kav280P
Speakers- Totem Forest
Cables- Audiopath Custom Eight wire Silver (by Tom Hills at Hudson Audio)
CD Player - see thread... looking to upgrade esoteric, meridian or accuphase.

Any thoughts or recommendations is appreciated. Thanks.
roor

Showing 3 responses by klaudio

klaudio
113 posts
 
Just a quick note.........I thought the Meridian
had more of a "live" sound than the Esoteric (on redbook). The Esoteric X-03SE is a no brainer though. I don't know the deals on the Meridian G-08v2......most of the players for sale here are V1.
klaudio
113 posts
 
I have had both players (Esoteric DV-50s & Meridian G-08)
First of all you cannot go wrong with either.

They both ran through Mcintosh equipment.
The nod goes to the Esoteric for two channel DVD
concert playback. The best I have heard. Naturally the Meridian does not play dvd's. And I do think the upgrade in
picture quality is worth it for the "s" version. Like the above posters stated, the Esoteric is tremendous on SACD
and has outstanding build quality.

For redbook cd playback it is hard to beat the Meridian
until you go mega bucks. Yes the PRAT and musicality
are all there. It does not have the finite detail I have had on other players. Do not get me wrong, the detail is
good. But the seperation of instruments and total music
presentation is outstanding.
It is FUN to listen to.
It took the "I AM A CD PLAYER CRITIC"
out of the picture and let you listen to the music.
I have had quite a few cd players under $4500.

For concert video/SACD......ESOTERIC.
For redbook......MERIDIAN.
klaudio
113 posts
 
I did mean in my last post that the X03 is a no brainer compared to the DV-50s or the G08. It is a great player.
The Meridian is pretty good on older redbook cd's.
One reason I do like the G08.

Trust me I am a big Esoteric fan and these two companies would be the only road I would look for cd players now.

I have owned Mcintosh, Cambridge, Cary, Esoteric,
Meridian, NAD, Musical Fidelity and Rega just to name
a few. Trust me they all have there good points.

You cannot go wrong with either company. I still think overall redbook goes to the Meridian.......SACD and
hi-rez goes to Esoteric.
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