Tboooe, my remote model is RC-1156. Its more likely that this remote was meant for the P5, and that Esoteric intended its use for the combo. |
Hi Tboooe,
Your last comment interest me. Could you elaborate on why you think the X03se/X01ltd (not the X01D2) is the sweet spot in their line up?
I'm particularly interested in the X03se (to save some money), but could stretch to the P5D5 if really necessary. The local agent here doesn't carry the X03se, so I've no way to compare. However I do have the P5D5 combo at home now for demo/purchase... |
One comment about the X03se is that it does not convert DSD in its native format, rather down converts it to PCM then analog. IMO this is does not do justice to SACD playback.
The P5D5 OTOH, up converts PCM to DSD or upsamples to 176/192, as does the cheaper SA60. Now this is really confusing to customers, since you have a player that is cheaper, and supposedly lower spec than the X03se, yet it offers upconversion and even plays DVDA. The plethora of models and different features is sometimes confusing. The only way to make sense of this is to explain it through their transports. Am I making sense? |
Here you go Yada:
http://www.teac.com/esoteric/D-05.html |
Tbooe
What do you get more as you move up from the X03se to the X01Ltd?
Do the separates make a bigger deal than a single box unit? Separate power supplies, less noise, etc... |
Tboooe, thanks.
My initial impression of the P5D5 is:
Its an extraordinary combo. Powercords/digital cables and interconnects all play a part on the sound, as does footers. There is a kind of darkness/silence between the instruments, separation is on a different level from other CDP/DAC combos.
This combination is the best digital front end I've heard, there's nothing to add, nothing to subtract. It does not emphasize detail, highs/mids/bass, things appear separate and distinct, allow you to follow each sound. It does give very good decay, in this area alone, it stands out from others. When you play piano music, you would like to hear the varying tones from the initial strike of the hammer, to the harmonics, and this TPT/DAC combo does this so well. Folks pay big bucks for good pianos, and this does reproduce piano correctly.
Will be doing some further listening to get a better feel of its capabilities over the next couple of days. |
Tboooe, yes you can!
On the D5 under setup: set RC > Enable
On the P3 under setup: iLink > PCM, XLR > DUAL
Word set to 100khz
Then you can use the remote's "INPUT " to toggle between the inputs on the D5.
A word of caution: I tried to use another iLink cable and it didn't quite work. You have to use a good quality(make sure its S400 compatible) iLink cable in order for the 2 units to handshake. Also with the units set to send the WORD data, it takes longer for the WORD to light up/lock on. |
Henryhk, the Esoteric D5 would be great with other sources as well, I think Tboooe is using it for another source as well.
However you would not be able to gain the full benefits of a full Esoteric combo: Word clock lock - which reduces jitter and the dual XLR/iLink inputs. |
Hi Tboooe
I've just committed on the P5D5, almost knew once I took it back, if it sounded good, it was not going back to the shop. Well it sounded more than just good.
Digital system anciliaries:
P5 sits on top of the D5 which rests on Nordost Ti Pulsar points. Currently using Slinkylinks XLR cables as digital interconnects in DUAL mode, one each for L and R channels. Powercords are AudioMagic Powerdrive on the P5 and the Illusion(pure silver) on the D5. Interconnects are the AudioMagic Sorcerer 1m RCAs to the ModWright SWLP 9.0se preamp.
Esoteric settings:
I experimented with the upsampling, 2x/4x/DSD, set on the P5, then on the D5, the later providing the additional upsampling to DSD. The PLL was always set to the PLL2 as this sounded obviously better. While the 4x upsampling is very good, perfectly listenable for CD, it soon becomes clear that the D5 sounded best when upsampled to DSD, the 32bit processor providing more air and a more coherent soundstage.
After the last post, I tried out a wider range of music, including pop, rock, and orchestral music. THIS is the way digital should be done! One could have loads of fun switching between the various modes on the D5 from the comfort of the chair with the remote. Ultimately I decided to just stick with the DSD upsampling for the bulk of my listening, unless I wanted a bit more "punch", then I'd switch to FS4x.
Where the P5D5 excels are separation, air, and dynamics. Have you ever wondered why so many orchestral recordings sound congested, or lacking in dynamics? Well with the Esoterics, the orchestra is given its full measure, the instruments spread out well beyond my speaker/room boundaries, basses and typani hits have impact. Triangles have sparkle and air/reverb around them. Grand pianos sound like the real thing, listening to each, you are able to tell their different characteristics apart from each other. A Bluthner sounds different from a Steinway grand. BTW the Mari Kodama recordings of Beethoven sonatas on Pentatone SACD are simply sublime.
At the end of the day, their attention to detail is evident in the music reproduced. I suspect its the VRDS Neo mechanism which gives them the edge over the competition, and while digital technology will edge forward, their ridgid clamping system and the linear laser tracking system is simply superior. |
Tboooe, I haven't got a BNC cable yet, so that's the next thing on my to do list. I've been trying to understand all the settings on each unit in between enjoying the music.
BTW I think its real cool to see the clamp on the P5. |
Tboooe, have you tried the other connections available? Which is your preferred connection?
Anyone can recommend a good iLink cable? |
Tboooe, do try the dual XLR connection. |
For the XLR, I'm now using the Slinkylinks. |
Yesterday I tried using the iLink(Firewire) cable link between the P5D5 and it sounds pretty analog, smooth to me. This isn't some "audiophile" approved item, just a cheap computer cable from the electronics store. Quite surprised/impressed by the sound I'm getting from it. With the remote on the D5 turned on, I can also switch between digital cables on the fly. Quite cool.
I'll let it run a bit more before reporting on how it compares with the dual XLRs. |
Heres the pretigious 2008 Stereo Sound list - a Japanese hifi mag.
CD transports:
20pts = Esoteric P05 = 600,000yen
18pts = Accuphase DP800 = 950,000yen
14pts = Esoteric P03 = 1,200,000yen
8pts = Chord Coda = 760,000yen
6pts = Esoteric P01 = 2,200,000yen
5pts = Nagra CDT = 1,650,000yen
5pts = CEC TL0X = 1,800,000yen
DAC:
21pts = Esoteric D05 = 600,000yen
18pts = Chord DAC64mk2 = 530,000yen
8pts = North Star Extremo = 380,000yen
5pts = Goldmund Digin Stereo = 300,000yen
4pts = Soulnote dc1.0 = 240,000yen
3pts = Apogee Mini DAC = 106,000yen
3pts = North Star 192 DAC mk2 = 230,000yen |
Someone corrected me, it should be on a performance/price ratio that this ranking was compiled. |
The P5/D5 was designed to be used with another BNC link between the 2 units to sync the clock. Only then do you realise the full potential of the combo. |
