EMM DCC2/CDSD versus Esoteric X-01


To stoke the raging fires in the current discussions about the relative virtues of the EMM DCC2/CDSD combination,
I would welcome comments from those who had the rare opportunity of auditioning, and possibly trying out the Esoteric X-01, the CD/SACD only version of the slightly better known UX-1.
If you had the additional privilege of comparing either X-01 or UX-1 with the EMM DCC2/CDSD combination, your comments would be especially appreciated.
guidocorona

Showing 2 responses by mgottlieb

This week I have had the X-01 and UX-1 in my system, although not on the same days, and listened to both by themselves and as transports for my firewire versions of the dCS Purcell and Elgar Plus. I have also heard the EMM separates (DCC2 and new transport) through someone else's system. My preferences:

CD: The X-01 is marginally better than the UX-1, and almost but not quite stands up to the Purcell and Elgar Plus (using the X-01 as the transport for the Purcell and Elgar Plus), which are a bit clearer, more precise, especially on low-level detail, and have a bit more air and sense of space. But we're not talking bang for the buck here; if I didn't already have the dCS units, I could very happily live with the X-01 alone for CD playback. I wasn't particularly overwhelmed by my experience with the EMM pair, and found the presentation too bright, forward and lacking in lower midrange-upper midbass weight, although certainly the sound was as clear as it gets. But except for the speakers (Kharma) I wasn't familiar with the amps and cables in the other system (Tenor and JM Labs), and in any event my tonal preferences run to rich and warm. I am not for a moment suggesting that this last was a fair test, so take it for as much or as little as you think it's worth.

SACD: The X-01 is simply the very best I've ever heard--spacious, amazingly dynamic, as clean as it gets, and with as much sheer weight in orchestral music as the analog side of my system. I liked the EMM pair better in SACD than I did in CD--real space, real clarity--but again I far prefer the X-01, and, in any event, since the EMM's weren't in my system, it wasn't a fair test. The UX-1 was close, but couldn't equal, the X-01.

DVD-A: This was a shock. The UX-1 was simply third rate, completely unacceptable. My Esoteric DV-50 beat it by miles. This suggests to me that there was something wrong with the demo unit, but I don't know.

The one thing I can tell you for sure is that the only test worth anything is your own ears in your own system. Based on that, I'm ordering an X-01.
Sounds like you had a good listening session, and I obviously agree with your conclusions. But if you think changing power cords makes a difference, try cable changes on the X-01. Especially, try my favorite, Purist Dominus (I use Revision B, but some people prefer C). This player does love Dominus! Even changing the digital cable to my
dCS separates from Dominus to my other favorite cable, Kharma Enigma, seems to make a bigger difference than I am used to when changing these two cables.