I knew I should have been more careful in my quick assessment of the X-01 and DV-50. I made this assumption based on the few reviews that have been written on the new Esoteric’s. I also heard from more than one person who made the comparison in-store and found the X-01 to have more resolution than the DV-50. I understand there is a new review in either Stereophile or Absolute Sound stating that the X0-1 is a definitely a different beast than the DV-50 - so be it. I have not personally heard the X0-1, but as I previously said, it probably would have been the logical next step to my DV-50.
The real issue is whether the modified DV-50 is a significant improvement over stock, and whether it can compete with more expensive players. As far as your rebuttal, it is somewhat confusing to me. You are listening to an X-01 as a transport with DSC components for Red Book. You state that it is superior to the DV-50. I would expect it to be You also state that you only listen to SACD’s on the X-01 and only DVD-A’s on the DV-50. Then, I assume you mean that you prefer DVD-A’s to other formats on the DV-50, because you refer to them as “straight”, “less warm and cushy”. I simply don’t agree with that assessment.
If you mean the overall performance of the X-01 is superior to the DV-50 in all formats, I have already said that I expect that. It appears that you wouldn’t be interested in the Superclock mod anyway; as it seems that you have spent your way to a solution you are comfortable with - 3 players for 3 formats.
To give everyone an idea of my tastes as used for this review…..I do not prefer the sound of most DVD-A’s. This is primarily due to most of the remixing and not the DVD-A format. In either case, they are not as good as the majority of SACD’s. I do listen to primarily Red Book CD’s. There are now many Red Book releases that actually sound better than the current best SACD’s. A good example of this is Bobby Lyle’s current 2 CD release, straight and smooth. Listen to most selections on the Straight CD. – WOW.
As far as the analogue issue, the improvement in the Superclock mod has taken the DV-50 to the analogue level if you want to call it that. There is a presence in the overtones that will simply amaze. Wood sounds like wood, metal sounds like metal. – to the extent that I have never heard in ANY CD player – one box or not. The only comparison to this “realness” is what we used to experience with albums.
I am an audiophile of 30+ years, so I am very aware of the analogue / digital issue. I have owned many exotic tonearms, cartridges, and turntables. My last reference head-amp was the Conrad Johnson Premier Nu-Vista. Last pick-up consisted of an Oracle IV, Koetsu, and Sryinx. With newer CD’s, the presentation, feeling, and realness on the DV-50 is now superior to analogue in my opinion. It has much to do with the Superclock producing those “analogue” overtones and the fact that they are more prevalent without the surface noise on an album. And yes, I cleaned mine regularly with a Nitty Gritty. I know there are many vinyl guys that will just not believe this and may not agree even upon hearing.
That is what makes this hobby interesting.
At least one other SC3 owner has emailed me with the same observations with his mod to a Toshiba. The bottom line is that the DV-50/Superclock 3 is quite amazing and I am anxious to hear it against the X-01.
The real issue is whether the modified DV-50 is a significant improvement over stock, and whether it can compete with more expensive players. As far as your rebuttal, it is somewhat confusing to me. You are listening to an X-01 as a transport with DSC components for Red Book. You state that it is superior to the DV-50. I would expect it to be You also state that you only listen to SACD’s on the X-01 and only DVD-A’s on the DV-50. Then, I assume you mean that you prefer DVD-A’s to other formats on the DV-50, because you refer to them as “straight”, “less warm and cushy”. I simply don’t agree with that assessment.
If you mean the overall performance of the X-01 is superior to the DV-50 in all formats, I have already said that I expect that. It appears that you wouldn’t be interested in the Superclock mod anyway; as it seems that you have spent your way to a solution you are comfortable with - 3 players for 3 formats.
To give everyone an idea of my tastes as used for this review…..I do not prefer the sound of most DVD-A’s. This is primarily due to most of the remixing and not the DVD-A format. In either case, they are not as good as the majority of SACD’s. I do listen to primarily Red Book CD’s. There are now many Red Book releases that actually sound better than the current best SACD’s. A good example of this is Bobby Lyle’s current 2 CD release, straight and smooth. Listen to most selections on the Straight CD. – WOW.
As far as the analogue issue, the improvement in the Superclock mod has taken the DV-50 to the analogue level if you want to call it that. There is a presence in the overtones that will simply amaze. Wood sounds like wood, metal sounds like metal. – to the extent that I have never heard in ANY CD player – one box or not. The only comparison to this “realness” is what we used to experience with albums.
I am an audiophile of 30+ years, so I am very aware of the analogue / digital issue. I have owned many exotic tonearms, cartridges, and turntables. My last reference head-amp was the Conrad Johnson Premier Nu-Vista. Last pick-up consisted of an Oracle IV, Koetsu, and Sryinx. With newer CD’s, the presentation, feeling, and realness on the DV-50 is now superior to analogue in my opinion. It has much to do with the Superclock producing those “analogue” overtones and the fact that they are more prevalent without the surface noise on an album. And yes, I cleaned mine regularly with a Nitty Gritty. I know there are many vinyl guys that will just not believe this and may not agree even upon hearing.
That is what makes this hobby interesting.
At least one other SC3 owner has emailed me with the same observations with his mod to a Toshiba. The bottom line is that the DV-50/Superclock 3 is quite amazing and I am anxious to hear it against the X-01.