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For SACD fans only

Want to upgrade my SACD playback, currently have Oppo 105-D, which has been fine, but the weak link in my setup. I have a Hegel H390, Raidho XT-2’s and Ansuz cabling throughout, including the DTC distribution box. Currently love the system synergy, sound and setup, but want to upgrade.

So my question for the forum is-- I have narrowed it down to a couple of options and would like to hear thoughts...

1- PS Audio Perfectwave SACD transport, which is now on sale for $4000, and a DAC. I could wait for PS Audio’s forthcoming new Directstream DAC, which they say will utilize the same galvanic isolation in their Perfectwave transport. The reason for the match is the I2S connection, which can deliver "pure" DSD. I believe that a Sony chip is necessary. Another DAC option is to go with a Holo Audio May KTE DAC for around $5000. It has the I2S input, but I don’t believe it will play the "pure" DSD layer.

2- Esoteric K-05XD or Esoteric K-07XD SACD player. Two players not currently available but will be in the next month or 2, for I believe $8500 and $7500 respectively. Esoteric has confirmed to me that they will be available shortly. The nice thing here is that you get 2-in-1, both a high-end transport (one could argue the best available transport at any price) and also a fantastic DAC. I have read reviews of the Esoteric K-03XD, which is available and has the "Master Sound Discrete" DAC. The K-05XD and K-07XD will also use the "Master Sound Discrete" DAC-- reviews are that this is a big step up from previous Esoteric models, and sound fantastic. They have a USB input and other digital inputs, so you can utilize the internal DAC if I should use a server or go the streaming route-- or both.

Currently don’t use a server or streamer, but both options give me that flexibility. One box or 2 boxes? (Holo May DAC would make it 3 boxes!)

Won’t be able to audition unless I buy both and then return one.

Thoughts? Thanks


fred60

Showing 11 responses by fred60

fred60 OP
121 posts
 
@igor1069: Don't get what you are saying.  If you have the DS Memory Player and their DSD DAC, why would you need the Oppo 105D at all?  

fred60 OP
121 posts
 
@achipo: yes, I did think about the D.BOB, but I'd need to add a DAC like yours-- the Holo Audio May KTE is definitely on my short list.  But thinking that the Esoteric is 2-in-1, best transport available at any price, plus a fantastic DAC, for $7500-8500.  So 1K for the D.BOB and 5K for the Holo Audio May DAC puts it at $6000.  BTW the DAC in my Hegel doesn't cut it for me.  Demo'd the Oppo as a transport into the Hegel and the sound just isn't comparable.  Better via the Oppo.

@secretguy: "no actual improvement"?  you think that a step up from the Oppo to either a PS Audio Perfectwave SACD transport with a Holo Audio May DAC-- or-- an Esoteric K-05XD or 07XD is not an improvement?  I think it would be a massive step higher in SQ, in either case.  IMHO.

@melm: It's not easy.  I've tried it.  For some reason the player will not respond to the software that I downloaded and tried on numerous occasions.  So it won't initiate a rip.

fred60 OP
121 posts
 
@audiosaurusrex: No he nor anyone does Oppo 105 mods anymore.  I think he said that the 205 is better than the 105 mod, so it's not worth it.  But thanks for mentioning.

Everyone is trying to save me $$$, but that's not the issue for me.  It's just trying to decide between the two options that I wrote about.

fred60 OP
121 posts
 
@hamr: thanks for the idea.  K-01 is 2 or 3 generations ago for Esoteric.  I'd be interested to see a shoot-out between the SA-10 and the new Esoteric K-05XD or K-07XD.  But new Esoteric's not out yet.
fred60 OP
121 posts
 
@toddalin: will never get rid of the Oppo.

@larry5729: you're joking, right?  I have so many CD's and SACD's that are not on Tidal.  Who wants to be at the mercy of Tidal...not me...

fred60 OP
121 posts
 
@tweak1: Thanks-- that looks really interesting, I think that I'll try the Furutech sliver first.

fred60 OP
121 posts
 
@8th note:  thanks for the comments.  I think that is why PS Audio decided to go with the D&M transport (Denon & Marantz) in the new Perfectwave SACD transport.  But you have a point.  Esoteric uses what could be considered the best transport available at any price.  FWIW I will not buy any transport/player that does not have XLR analog outputs.  XLR is clearly superior to RCA's.
fred60 OP
121 posts
 
I'm leaning towards the Esoteric. For a couple of reasons.  First, I've read some reviews of the Esoteric K-03XD.  Second, it's one box.  Read this review of the K-03XD on Music Direct:
Well this is something completely different. I've not had it that long and am still running it through its paces but I'm coming to the conclusion that this outperforms any turntable that I'm familiar with. And this is coming from a true dyed in the wool, buried in the analog camp kind of person. It doesn't sound like a cd/sacd player or like any turntable that I'm familiar with. It sounds like master tape. Pretty convinced now that DSD is the way to go. No streamer i have listened to and I have heard some truly great machines don't sound like this. It has changed my world view about playback systems. The fact that some fifty cent discs from a resale shop can sound phenomenal makes it a game changer. Disc after disc in my collection sound like I never heard them before. I will definitely think twice next time some limited $135.00 plus disc comes out. That's it for now and I will be listening to a bunch of Mofi sacd discs recently purchased of music I already own on Mofi One Step pressings. It should be interesting. One more thing; it deserves an additional star. Score: ******

Pretty amazing review.  Of course I will buy the 05-XD or the 07-XD with a 60-day "satisfaction guarantee", so if it doesn't suit my fancy, I can return.  And one of them will be half the cost of the 03-XD, which is beyond my budget at $15K.

fred60 OP
121 posts
 

FINALLY!! Esoteric just announced that they will be coming out with a K-05XD this Spring. No pricing announced.

Update: I have not upgraded since I posted this over a year ago. PS Audio has not put their Perfectwave SACD transport on sale for $4K recently, still waiting. But $4K for the PS Audio transport (on sale), and $5.5K for the Holo Audio May DAC would put it around $10K. I think that the pricing for the K-05XD might be closer to $7.5K, but I have no idea. If it is $7.5K, then I’ll go with the Esoteric.

 

 

fred60 OP
121 posts
 

ghdprentice

I called this post "For SACD Fans Only" for a reason.  SACD or CD playback (with the right system) will sound better than any streaming.

And this from a review of the Esoteric K-03XD ($15,000) out of my price range, but not the forthcoming K-05XD:

"Well this is something completely different. I've not had it that long and am still running it through its paces but I'm coming to the conclusion that this outperforms any turntable that I'm familiar with. And this is coming from a true dyed in the wool, buried in the analog camp kind of person. It doesn't sound like a cd/sacd player or like any turntable that I'm familiar with. It sounds like master tape. Pretty convinced now that DSD is the way to go. No streamer i have listened to and I have heard some truly great machines don't sound like this. It has changed my world view about playback systems. The fact that some fifty cent discs from a resale shop can sound phenomenal makes it a game changer. Disc after disc in my collection sound like I never heard them before. I will definitely think twice next time some limited $135.00 plus disc comes out. That's it for now and I will be listening to a bunch of Mofi sacd discs recently purchased of music I already own on Mofi One Step pressings. It should be interesting. One more thing; it deserves an additional star." Score: ******

 

fred60 OP
121 posts
 

ghdprentice

"contemporary technology"?  what does that even mean?

I'm talking about using the Esoteric K-05XD (msrp $7500 or 8000) vs. the PS Audio Perfectwave SACD transport (msrp $6500) and the Holo Audio May DAC (msrp $5500) at a total cost of $12K.

There is no way any streamer or "contemporary technology" would equal either of the above choices.  I would argue that either choice above would better any turntable/cartridge under $50K.  Just like the Esoteric K-03XD.

 

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