Esoteric P5/D5 Opinions please


Hi
I'm just wondering if anyone has had the opportunity to listen to the above combo? How does it sound compared to the other models in the Esoteric range, like the X03se? or the X01D2?
cmk
If to get with x01 d2 i would probably just opt for the accuphase dp78 which is very nice as well.
Whatever. The point was why would you settle for an X-03se when you can afford better units.
>>why would you settle for an X-03se when you can afford better units.<<

No intention of starting a war here but sometimes value becomes a consideration. Player Y might be better than player X but at what cost and how much better is it?

Not all systems and owners, for that matter, are sophisticated enough to appreciate the differences between the X-03SE and X-01D2

So is the person buying the X-03SE "settling" or is he "value conscious"?
No intention of starting a war here but sometimes value becomes a consideration. Player Y might be better than player X but at what cost and how much better is it?

## cost / value is a consideration, otherwise, its always better to aim for the "best" or better units.

Not all systems and owners, for that matter, are sophisticated enough to appreciate the differences between the X-03SE and X-01D2

## am sure there is a noticeable difference betwee these two units but again, the cost might be too high for my wallet to absorb.

So is the person buying the X-03SE "settling" or is he "value conscious"?

## in my case, more like value. but if i could afford it, i'd opt for the p5/d5 or the x01 ltd.
I'm not disputing value for money but if you're really concerned about that, then a GNSC Statement Wadia 861se is the way to go; it'll outperform the Esoteric one boxes (and hang with the P-03/D-03) and can be had used for the price of a X-03se.
its hard to believe a cdp that costs as much as the X-03se can be considered "value conscious". In my opinion it is a very good player and can easily be the pinnacle of digital playback for most people. In fact, a cheap $50 cdp from Best Buy can be SOTA and completely adequate for most people!
>>its hard to believe a cdp that costs as much as the X-03se can be considered "value conscious".<<

Actually it's not hard to believe given the context of the other products mentioned here to include the P-05/D-05, X-01D2, P-03/D-03, X-01LE.

In that regard, the X-03SE should appeal to the value conscious buyer.

I hope that helps.
audiofiel

would it be safe to say that in ranking, the best would be:

p3/d3
x01 d2
x01 le
x-03 se

Does x-03 se capture around 80% performance of the p3/d3 ?
Does x-03 se capture around 80% performance of the p3/d3?

Not even in anyone's wildest dreams. I would say it's maybe 50-60%.
02-22-08: Bar81
Am I reading that right, the P-05/D-05 is the second coming?!?

No, its not the second coming. The P-05/D-05 desparately needs the help of the G-03x master clock generator to really sing. Without this, a number of integrateds eclipse the combo and as such offer far better value for money.

IMHO the P-05/D-05 and the new X-05 are weak additions to the Esoteric family.
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.
No, its not the second coming. The P-05/D-05 desparately needs the help of the G-03x master clock generator to really sing. Without this, a number of integrateds eclipse the combo and as such offer far better value for money.

*** Kiwi,
WOuld you say that the X0-3se might represent a better value than the P5/D5 if the clock generator is not added to the combos ?

Tks.
Why not call or email Esoteric tech service?

Also consider your local dealer instead of relying on amateur opinion and hearsay.

They abound here.
Well, the dealer is himself an interested party so his opinion does not necessarily have any added credibility over those having experience with the units and, frankly, many times is less credible. The manufacturer also has his own agenda. This is precisely the reason that threads like this exist, to obtain alternative viewpoints other than those pushed by marketing and sales concerns.
Most dealers are looking beyond one sale and work to assist the customer in finding the best product for the application.

Plus the dealer in many cases has hundreds, even thousands, of hours of experience/familarity with the products.

For these reasons in this thread the dealer is far more credible than any poster.
*** Kiwi,
WOuld you say that the X0-3se might represent a better value than the P5/D5 if the clock generator is not added to the combos ?

Questions based around 'value' are always tricky to respond to as value is a very individual thing.

Speaking for myself, i firmly believe the X-03 is the sweet spot in the present Esoteric line up in the sense that you have to spend an awful lot more money to get to the next step which price wise [with the exit of the -01 ltd] is the P-05/D-05.

Conversely, I thought the P-05/D-05 was terrible value for money. When i told the dealer i was unsatisfied with the improvement in sound quality between the X-03 and P5/D5 for the money invested he told me that he frequently heard that opinion and that the one really needed to buy the G-03X to extract the best from the combo. After the dealer hooked up the master clock i had to agree with him. The combo needs this unit - but it adds another 4k (list) to the price tag. IMHO left to its own devices the P5/D5 is cannon fodder for a number of competitor single box tanks.

I have to wonder why Esoteric introduced P-05/D-05 to the portfolio. As i mentioned above i think this combo and the new X-05 are weak additions to the family.
thanks Kiwi, thats of big help.

I'll seriously consider the x-03 in the future.
Hi I've read all your posts about P05 D05 and the general consensus is that it's a good combo. I have the chance of buying a P05 D05 at exactly half new price the units are pristine as new with all boxes manuals etc. But I'm still tempted to try and find a used X01 D2 purely because of it's better transport? Does anyone have any listening experience to push me either way?
Thanks