Redbook Comparison Esoteric and Reimyo

Steve, I would never argue with your personnal opinion/experience regarding what your ear's told you. However, to say that the Esoteric XO-1/UX-1 is "inferior" on Redbook to the Reimyo is begging/negating the rest of your post. Regardless, of what language you use to describe the sound of both these pieces, they do both offer great sonics with different "flavors" as you state, therefore personnal taste not only enters the picture but the ever present importance of synergy and system matching. My hunch for what Kusina might like in his system is a type #2 sounding CDP. I suggest you put on your audition list the new Accustic Arts 24/192 upsampling CDP, along with the Reimyo. The Accustic Arts CDP sells for almost $8000.00 less then the reimyo, but might offer alot of its sonic performance for alot less expense.

Esoteric UX-1 and X-01 are not the same players and they are not, IMO sounding the same. X-01 is better than UX-01 in RBCDP. Also, all Esoteric gear that I auditioned in my system( I own DV50s and tried D-70vu/P-70vu and D-01/P-01/G-0s combos) sounded very best via balanced(XLRs) connection. Reimyo CDP-777 is very good indeed but, IMO it is sounding best via single-ended connection. More or less X-01 and CDP-777 are in the same class-I agree with Teajay.
One other thing-Esoteric is using PIN2 positive on thier balanced connection and Reimyo is using PIN3 positive on XLRs. I personally heard Reimyo out of phase and his owner was raving about the sound... When I pointed out that we are listening in inverted phase he didn't belive it. After correcting the phase we listen again and he didn't like the sound of his player any more!! So, there are many issues about good sound...but, personal preferences are allways first,IMO.

I thank all correspondents. I'll put the Accustic Arts CDP on my list. My preamp, by the way, has all balanced inputs, though one can buy adapter plugs so that single-ended cables can be used. As to phase reversal related to disparities between XLR pins 2 and 3 being hot on different connected components, many persons (I am one) really can't tell the difference. Some people, of course, can hear a difference, which is why many preamp remotes have a phase reversal switch. Further, some CD's, I'm told, are recorded out of phase to others. (This is not the same thing as having speaker drivers out of phase, a more serious sonic problem.)

Sorry guys, I have lived with the Esoteric UX-1 and XO-1. Yes, the X0-1 is the better sounding player on RBCD. And yes, the Reimyo sounds better with the single ended outputs. This is just my opinion-not law! As for the balanced outputs, I am aware of the wiring. My Levinson 32 allows me to change phase easily. Having lived with both Esoteric players and the Reimyo, I presented an opinion. I did not mean to offend anyone, after all, I own the UX-1. But I feel that the Reimyo is superior in RBCD over the UX-1/X0-1. I stated why I feel the Reimyo is better.

The fact is, I'm not that hung up on a particular component or brand. Heck, if the Esoteric makes you happy what more can you ask for. This is just a hobby-not a religion. The original post asked to compare the Esoteric X0-1 with the Reimyo. I did that.

Now lets have fun and listen to some music!

Steve

Kusina, I own a Teac Esoteric X-01 with approx 650 hrs on it. I listen almost exclusively to classical music--mostly chamber and vocal, with some symphonic works. The rest of my system consists of: ARC LS2B (to be replaced by ARC Ref 3), Rowland 7M monos, MagnePan 3A. It is true that X-01 out of the box may sound somewhat etched, with a forward and excessive treble. You will hear that quite easily in most recordings with high strings, high brass, and even some cembalo. While soundstage, midrange and bass open up rather rapidly, the treble does take longer, and some anomalous and displeasing treble energy can be detected up to about 450 hours of break-in. It was at that very point that I was hearing what I can only define as a residual burr in the upper violin strings in high fingering positions on Lara St. John playing Bach violin solo works. Another 150 hrs of break in time appears to have cured the remaining problem. I listen to the X-01 also on Babybear's system on a regular basis: there is absolutely nothing inherently hard or thin or sterile about a well broken in X-01. The extension and harmonic structure is rich and well fleshed out across the spectrum; Micro and macro dynamics is splendidly defined, but not overblown for my type of music, transients are equally correct, detail is out of this world; Soundstage is large and three dimensional, instrument imaging is extremely precise. Overall a splendid machine with a great pulsating and emotional heart! Downsides? yes, plenty! This is like an Arabian Thoroughbread horse. . . it is incredibly sensitive to its power chord upstream, and to what is downstream. A PC can make it sound glaring and slightly chesty (Epiphany), or too dark and hard (some PS Audio), extended but thin (Nordost Valhalla), very sweet but with slightely de-emphasized dynamics, transients and treble (DCCA); or absolutely glorious extended fleshed out and controlled (Shunyata Anaconda Alpha) -- yes, that's what I said, Alpha, not VX, which I will instead test by the end of the coming weekend. Sorry I will not comment about Reimyo, as I have not heard it.
In a nutshell . . . this is a magnificent player for classical music lovers. Note, I own only two SACDs.