Redbook Comparison Esoteric and Reimyo

Teajay, thanks for your response and for the reference to the thread you started on "Reference DACS." I read the thread, and to the extent I'm able made interpretations of the opinions entered. But while the thread deals mostly with DACs, my question is about specific one box players. One box players narrow comparative evaluations in that the manufacturers have selected the transports. Open-ended questions about DACs make for more complexity in that the transports used are usually quite variable, and the quality and condition of transports will affect the performance of the DACs. (Transports are in part friction devices, and are, I would think, more difficult to evaluate than DACs.)Anyway, I am inclined to go for a one box player, and while I have not as yet heard the Reimyo and Esoteric X-01 (or the new DCS and most other recent machines), various posts (yours included) speak very highly of one or the other. Since I can't audition all (or even many) possibilities, I'm hoping that fellow hobbyists can help me narrow choices for Redbook CD players.

Kusina, as you stated, even in one box redbook players, there are different "flavors/tastes" which offer somewhat different sonic prespectives in the system they are used in. So, if you would share some of your personnal tastes, along with what gear you use in your system, we could offer more specific suggestions to you. The two players you asked about are both great sounding, but offer very different sonic presentations. I could see if a system was somewhat "forward/bright" the X-01 might not be as good as a fit as the CDP777, however if a system is some what "dark/closed-in" the X-01 might make the whole system blossom. System synergy is always, along with personnal taste, important factors. Post some details and lets see if some more specific suggestions will come your way.

Tejay, thanks for your suggestion. I listen mostly to classical music, with some folk and country. My listening room is large, and there is a large opening into another room a few feet from the left speaker. Because of furniture arrangements, I usually sit about 17 feet from the speakers. The speakers are SF Amatis driven by an Accuphase A-50v and a Bat VK51 SE. All components are plugged into an Isoclean power conditioner. I presently use an Audiomeca Mephisto II (not the II x) for Redbook and a Marantz SA-1 for SACD. The interconnect to the Marantz is Cardas Golden Reference. All other interconnects are Nordost Quatro Fils. Power cords are various.

The Esoteric XO-1/UX-1 I feel are inferior to the Reimyo CDP-777 on RBCD. By the way, the Reimyo is not less bright or less detailed. The Reimyo is not soft or warm sounding. The Reimyo has more body to the sound and is more relaxed in its presentation. The Esoteric X0-1 is more dynamic, but not as musically satisfying on CD. I do not believe that this is a matter of "pick your flavor" to match your system. These players are quite different sounding.

Steve

If the new DCS machine is anything like their Elgar/Purcell, and I have read that it is, then my advice would be to search out one of these players for audition if at all possible. Yes, it mostly boils down to personal preference among these top-notch machines but, the DCS seems to always take me closer to the live event. It always exhudes a "reach out a touch me" presentation to musicians and, the scale, definition and soundstaging just sound so realistic. Instruments sound exactly like they do in person. I like other players too but, in comparison I seem to always perceive some mild flaw in them such as slightly restricted dynamics, or restricted soundstage, or slightly soft, reserved, etc. I just can't indentify a flaw of any significance in the Elgar/Purcell.