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

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 (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

11-06-04

Responses (501-550 of 933)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

01-07-05 Eldon,brian from essential audio is inviting us again to his ... Jayctoy

01-07-05: Audiojoy4
Pscialli

the musical fidelity should sound utterly neutral when set up correctly. It is heavily influenced by the tubes it uses. I do not get any darkness or rolling off of my sound. It is so utterly neutral that the original sound remains mostly intact but with added air, detail (lower noise floor)improved tonality (as warmth)and three dimentionality to the soundstage. I do not know about the latest version, but the original x10 going for $80 on e bay, had 9922 tubes if you substitute these for ECC85 you will get a much more neutral sound. Tube rolling is simple cheap and fun. I also think contrary to belief that the more expensive the unit the more effective the x10D (in modified form). If you want to take it one step further you can buy a high quality transformer to step down to the 12v ac input instead of the cheap one provided by mf. Again, cheap easy to do and fun as long as you have some knowledge in electronics as the mains voltages can be lethal.

Another simple tweak is to make your own power cord. Again quite remarkable changes are possible, for peanuts.If anyone is interested I can post this revelationary DIY cable, far superior to the TNT site ones. This will make a mockery of those multi thousand pound cables you can buy.

I feel these bits of advice are applicable on this site as we are talking about modding. These mods are really no different to the ones you are buying from the professionals, some as good as their modifications and some not quite as good. I am only trying to open your eyes to what is possible on your own with minimum effort. We all know the matrix movie the final part of the first episode when suddenly 'the one' was able to see clearly how the world was made up from its digital components. Well looking at the internals of a hifi unit can be just that, but infact all tyhosse resistors and capacitors form simmple functions and can with patience and education be unravelled. I have never had an electronic tuition, but I did study physics as a student. If you look at my other suggestions in the original post, you will see I have added more black art ideas, that do work, believe me they really do. i can afford the $5000, but it seems so much more fun to try and out do the professionals (if you can) with simple cheap tweaks which can before your very eyes finely tuune an already good system to an evcen better one.

doc(luke)
Audiojoy4 (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

01-07-05 Guido, thank you for your understanding reply. i disagree ... Audiojoy4

01-07-05 You are all missing the point. i will not conduct myself on ... Eldon

01-07-05 Doc luke, i think you are saying that if a patient has a col ... Phil_l

01-07-05 Dear richard, i defend your right to post to this or any ot ... Guidocorona

01-08-05 Phil very well said, i had missed that diagnosis, and i hav ... Audiojoy4

01-08-05 I have said all i care to on this subject. if what i have sa ... Eldon

01-08-05 Hi all, i dont mean to be overburdening your site, but just ... Audiojoy4

01-08-05 I'm sure he will be amused to read some of the recent contri ... Carmantom

01-08-05 Bbbaaaa, bbaaaa, richard, get a life, and learn your trade. ... 711smilin

01-08-05 Can't imagine that anyone would ever place an order with ric ... Reb1208

01-08-05 Richard kern's response is the stuff of which dreams are mad ... Springbok10

01-08-05 711, your humor is contageous. yet, let's all try to avoi ... Guidocorona

01-08-05 Wow, i think i have dac!! is there a cure for it, doctor? 1markr

01-08-05 Guido,i am so relieved that we can talk about this openly an ... Phil_l

01-08-05 Hey guys lay off richard. what he says shouldn't hurt your f ... Aldavis

01-08-05 Phil, it is sad indeed to behold how the masses of the dac ... Guidocorona

01-08-05 Guido, how very lucky for me that neither of my children ... Pscialli

01-08-05 Aldavis, richard was politely, invited to participate, add h ... 711smilin

01-08-05 Well, i certainly agree with richard here, as well as the ot ... Flye

01-08-05 Phil and guido, thank you so much for your insightful words ... Dbld

01-09-05 Hello to all, this is avguru. i am the originator and moder ... Avguru

01-09-05 Kyle is right on! alex is unprofessional and arrogant and so ... Eldon

01-09-05 I am writing this just in case my last post was misunderstoo ... Eldon

01-09-05 Dbld, the news is exceedingly worrysome. your findings may ... Guidocorona

01-09-05 Kyle, respectfully i must request that you abstain from pe ... Guidocorona

01-09-05 Hi all dac, a neurotic condition founded on the unrealist ... Audiojoy4

01-09-05 Kyle- mahalo for your post,and sharing your mana'o.i also ag ... Kana813

01-09-05 Dear alex apl, i have left my e mail address on your websit ... Audiojoy4

01-09-05 It's amazing how the good intentions of an individual can ge ... Goose

01-09-05 Avguru, eagerly awating the shootout and your insightful co ... jf@

01-09-05 Avguru made a request (demand since it is his thread) that t ... Tlday

01-09-05 T1day, for your description of what you are looking for i th ... 711smilin

01-09-05 Avguru, great comments, i agree. lets keep this fun. 711smilin

01-09-05 Avguru - if, infact, there is another shootout. a new thre ... Oldpet

01-09-05 Eldon & flye (aka richard & kyle), i understand your frustr ... Avguru

01-09-05 Audiojoy 4, did you not read my post in regards to making a ... Avguru

01-09-05 I just bought the modwright 3910 dan was showing at the ces, ... 711smilin

01-09-05 Oldpet, i agree,i am one of the chicago gang as my friend gu ... Jayctoy

01-09-05 Giudo, others, perhaps it is time to return to our regularly ... Phil_l

01-09-05 Avguru- please don't accuse me of a comment i didn't make. i ... Kana813

01-09-05 Avguru, glad you jumped back into this mess! i'm all for ge ... 1markr

01-09-05 Wow, this is a snake pit. what does it mean, avguru, that yo ... Tbg

01-09-05 To avguru, 711smilin and all of the posters on this site. i ... Eldon

01-09-05 Goose, thanks for your kind comments. stay with us as we n ... Avguru

01-09-05 on a topic more closely related to the original title of t ... Pscialli

01-09-05 Eldon buddy, get a life, and a new career, cause things must ... 711smilin

01-09-05 Pscialli, you pose some very good questions. it seems there ... Avguru

01-09-05 711, please, please..you already made your disdain of eldon ... Avguru

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