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Esoteric DV-50: Any cdp's Significantly better?

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.

AVGURU
avguru
audio_girl
91 posts
 
AMEN TGUN!
Way to go!
Alex, you just can't stand the fact that a SLIGHTLY modded Esoteric DV-50 by a DIFFERENT modder than YOURSELF, sounded equal or better than YOUR FULL-BLOWN Denon 3910!
EARS, sorry to burst your bubble, but the Onkyo DV-SP1000 isn't even in the same league as the Esoteric DV-50 or Linn Unidisc audiowise!
One of my friends DID own a Onkyo DV-SP1000, and another one owns a DV-50. When we installed the Onkyo in our systems, it wasn't even close! The Onkyo sounded muted, overly warm, distant, and rolled off in the highs in comparison!
Lesson: DO NOT PUT ALL YOUR FAITH IN REVIEWS!
Have a good rest of the day, guys.
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Tom,

…….As far as the Denon 3910, it is a completely redesigned unit that you put your “name” on. The DV-50 is something you modify if you have to. If this is not true, you could have stepped up at any point in this thread to say otherwise.…….

>>> My DV-50 mod is complete re-design similar to the one in the Denon. It incorporates new clock, new DACs, power supply upgrades and new analog stage. Please read this: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1099737755&openflup&736&4#736



…. The power cables used were different on each player. There was no isolation or bases used. The DV-50 was listened to single-ended instead of balanced, giving it a disadvantage. Some may consider that significant. If you want me to take the differences that I heard to the typical audiophile level, the facts are that the DV-50 was clearly superior. It excelled in bass definition, inner detail, and timing & pace. Even though the tube units were “warmer”, the DV-50 was more musical. It was equal to the other players in every other category. Are you all happy now? In my opinion, the owners shouldn’t have voted anyway…..

>>> The above justifies unfair comparison. “The tube units were warmer, but the DV-50 was more musical”?.....strange.

I believe we all agreed to agree that day not only because it was difficult to choose a clear winner, but because we were having a great time. This is what the hobby is all about anyway. I really don’t care whether you, Alex, believe it was close or not.

>>> It is not about belief; it is about knowledge and experience.

……I’ve been involved in hundreds of listening sessions and shootouts, many of which provide a clear outcome. FOR WHATEVER REASON this one was more complicated. In actuality, there was a larger improvement when Brian applied Optix and Nordost Eco to one of 711 smilins CDs. This difference was bigger than the differences between players – seriously……

>>> I like that - “For whatever reason”….:-) I can not comment on your DV-50, but I’ve heard Dan’s Sony 9000ES here in my system on two occasions. I am sure that many would like the sound of the Sony, but the difference in musical presentation was HUGE, actually night and day. There is no way in the world you can come up with similar ratings for these machines. If you do, then it is not “for whatever reason”, it is a problem somewhere in the system you have used for the shootout. It might be just a cable, but it is enough to “pinch the hose” in a way that everything sounds similar. I’ve heard this before and I thought you might be aware of it as well. With the experience you claim to have, don’t you think that it is a little strange all of these COMPLETELY DIFFERENT machines to sound similar?

Tom, I did not mean to offend you. I do not blame you either. I heard you have Maggies at home which I can trust as they are linear (uncolored) speakers. I am going to soon complete one demo unit because many are interested to hear it. It would be really great and fair if you are willing to listen to the Denon in YOUR system for 3 days and then come back and tell us the outcome.

Regards,
Alex
jamnesta
155 posts
 
Now that that's over..........
Which component will the Chicago Group be evaluating next?
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Audio_girl, unless you have heard the "slightly modded DV-50" and the "full blown" Denon 3910 in your own system or under FAIR conditions, your posts do not make much sense.

I can not stand the "fact"? You must be kidding...:-)

Regards,
Alex
tgun5's avatar
tgun5
138 posts
 
Alex, I'm certainly willing to take you up on that offer. In return, you will receive a fair and concise evaluation between just the two players in a different environment. There are at least two other seasoned audiophiles here that would be willing to post their thoughts after hearing it in my system as well. If you could make the demo with balanced outs, that would be helpful, but not absolutely necessary.
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