Hi Eelii,
Welcome back. What is different in mk2 of 6300 versus the regular 6300 ?
If I am not mistaken the only change is better isolation. In which area or areas is it better ?
Same question goes for 9500 as well versus 9300 (assuming that you have heard it)
Happy New Year. |
To Colekat:
I spoke with a friend who auditioned the Vivaldi stack.
He liked a lot more than the older Scarlatti stack and the newer Puccini. He wanted to try just the dac without the clock/transport and upsampler to be used with his Scarlatti transport and computer files. Unfortunately he didint like the dac when used alone outside the Vivaldi stack. He said that the sound stage collapsed and magic of the big stack was gone.
If you consider it as a stack it is more than 100k, and then there are cables (I need more cables than the Esoteric stack). So initially I will try to compare the new updated Soulution 745 and Esoteric p1/d1 when they become available.
Meanwhile p1/d1 could be on CES. The new updated Soulution is at CES for sure. |
To Colekat:
Me too. I am more inclined to Esoteric or Soulution. I may not do full p1/d1 system initially. I may combine like p1/d02 or p02/d1.
A dealer made me a very nice offer to switch p01vuk to p02 transport which works better with newer dacs. This offer is valid for p1 if it becomes available. Somehow p01vuk sounds better, or natural despite many different settings and cables I tried with the older d01 and d03 dacs. |
To Eli:
My name is Emre. Thank you for the 6300 mk2 and 6300 comparison. I am curious about aes/ebu performance as well.
I was considering 9500 for some time. Some people made comments on 9300 and how revealing it was. Also they were saying that it had tendency to sound bright when used with the "wrong" equipment. Since it is not officially available in US, and special order only I have decided to wait till I find a demo piece.
So, thank you for the valuable insight on 9500. I am still using 7300 which is less detailed, less dynamic and darker balance overall according to some people who compared it with 9300.
Now I can consider 9500 with more faith. |
Hi Tony,
The new p02/d02 has a slightly different sound signature than p01vuk/d01 I compared with. I cant comment on full vuk upgrade since the d01 I compared with was a well broken in d01 store demo piece from Spearit Sound without the vuk upgrade. The d02 and p01 vuk I used had more than 1000hrs. during the comparison, but the p02 which was exhibit demo piece was not completely broken in.
Cables were Esoteric 6300s for AES and audio out. Power cables were 7300s. The clock was G0rb. Filter was s_dly1 on D02, FIR on D01.
In short the new combo was slightly more detailed ,extracting more spatial information then the older one. The older one was more together and had a sound slight more cohesive and laid back. The newer one was more forward and it was highlighting some details more than other. The new combo had a larger and bigger sound stage. The older combo had a deeper sound stage than the newer one. P01 vuk /D01 had slightly warmer and thicker mid bass that helped some leaner recordings. On the other hand the new combo was more refined and didnt sound coarse with greater separation. On some cds the older one was better(especially lesser recordings) on some other the new one.
With SACDs the winner was the new combo which is due to the fact that the older d01 down converts dsd signal either to 88k or 176k pcm.
In short one is more laid back and cohesive,also slightly less refined the other one is more dynamic, clean but also more forward and very slightly less cohesive. They may sound closer with better cable choices that can compliment slight shortcomings or personal choices.
They are both great sounding digital gear but I would go for the newer combo for true dsd support, usb capability, the new 35 bit processing, plus easier upgrade path to new p1 or d1. The d01 has a great built in analog preamp. But since you have a preamp. that is not a plus. |
To Tony,
If you like the sound of the older Esoteric gear than I would recommend using p01vuk which sounds better and complements better d01 than p03 you own.
They are still one of the best in the world and they have very well proven sonics. As you know most well respected Esoteric recordings used D01 in the recording process as the dac.
Since they are voiced together it is better to go for the natural partner. I didnt like the new dac with p01vuk that much. But it was great with p02. On the other hand the p01vuk sounded great with d01 or d03 (d03 is for sacds to do pure dsd) |
To Eli,
Thanks. I will try to find it. I will also check for the exhibit stock cables that they use at CES, or other shows. Sometimes they sell it for the half price, and they are basically used for a few days.
I am also waiting for the new p1/d1. |
To Colekat:
Ask for exhibit stock from your dealer. You can get a very good deal. I would go for the 9500 if it is available as exhibit stock. I would do the dac, transport then the clock. |
To Eli,
Thanks Eli. The word dark is misleading perhaps, because it makes you think the top end. What I mean it makes the mid rather flat and a bit shelved down compared to bass. So, as if the mid a bit in the dark.
I compared with Furutech PC and also Shunyata Anaconda.
As you know my system consists of Soulution 700 monos and 720 pre with Stella Utopia speakers, they dont tendency to sound dark, but they are truly neutral and have tendency to reveal any small change or any weaknesses. They are neither warm nor bright.
My second system is my older Krell KAV 400xi amp and Focal 907be speakers. Now the second system has tendency to sound bright, forward and lean. In the second system 7300 balanced some things better for ex.
7300 and 7100 are mid line PC cables. I am sure 9300 or 9500 will sound better. It is just some people preferred older 9100 better and found 9300 too revealing in some systems. |
To Guido,
I know this forum is not about the Rowland and amplifiers, but how does 625 sound compared to the previous Rowland amps with conventional power supply ?
I am asking because it is using Switching Mode Power Supply and Soulution has an upgrade for 700 mono blocks converting the conventional power supply to SMPS. Some people say SMPS may sound bass heavy with softer top, some others say mid band and treble may sound less natural due to some ultra sonic noise involved, etc. It is a very useful and cost/space effective technology that was around some time but it was not that popular before in high end. It looks like it is 2013/14's trend with some brands like Burmester, Rowland, Soulution to use it with conventional amp stages. So what are your findings ?
I also apologize from the forum and Eli for side tracking it. |
Hi Guido,
Thank you for excellent info. Looks like there will be more high end brands adopting SMPS to be used with conventional amp. stages.
The SMPS upgraded 700 delivers 600w in 8ohms, and 1200w in 4 ohms continuously versus the regular 700 that delivers 430/860w. Also the THD and IM is lower on the upgraded one.
Thanks again. |
6300s are great when used as aes/ebu. There are better interconnects than 6300. They are not the most refined, and they can be interpreted as bright sometimes since they are really extended as an interconnect. I prefer Tara 0.8, or the new more expensive Valhalla 2. A friend of mine likes Gutwire top model which costs around 3.5k over 6300s. I didnt hear it myself. |
As for the power cords, or pcs I didnt hear 9500 yet. But the new Shunyata Zitron Digital alpha sounded much better than 7300 in terms of soundstage, openness, noise, etc. I am considering selling my 7300 now. |
I agree it made the sound of both D02 and D03 dacs more refined, smooth and lowered the noise plus it is just under $1K. I recommend at least hearing it. They have also Alpha HC for amplifiers and conditioners, Alpha Analog for pre and turntables. If I am not mistaken this Alpha Digital may also work with class D amps. I am not sure if it would work with SMPS tough, probably HC version is the right choice for the amps. |
It hasnt been broken in yet with just an hour, and it sounded less noisy, eliminated the least bit of digital haze from DACs made vocals better, made the music flowing effortlessly as a whole. What can I say, it is a steal for this price. The only area that Esoteric 7300 is slightly better is the bass depth, but like I said it is not broken in yet. I can easily say that this is the best $1k pc cable I have heard challenging more expensive cables. |
I am waiting to hear the new Esoteric D1 Grandioso converter that is replacing d01vuk. I will compare it to d02, d03 and I will try to hear dCS Puccini one more time.
D02 still sounds a bit forward and dry for my taste. According to some European reviews K series players roll off treble a bit earlier than previous players with SACD. I still like SACDs better on D03(more fluent and musical if not as detailed) than D02.
D01vuk and even D03 sounds more laidback. There is definitely old and new sound of Esoteric.
I am hoping that the new D1 Grandioso will offer best of both worlds. |
