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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
bpwalsh
1,197 posts
 
Tvad, of course you're right, big grains of salt all around. Listening to something in your own system is the ultimate test. This so called shootout can't be definitive as to which is best, although we're doing our best to keep things relatively objective, which of course they never are. Now, if everyone owned Sound Lab speakers that'd be a big step in the right direction from my perspective (is my dealer fin showing?) :-)
Brian
dbld
297 posts
 
Brian - Please go for it with whatever pieces you have available. That will mean fewer when the next couple of pieces come along for the next session (I don't like calling it a shootout).

Tvad has a point though, if you don't hear differences right away, if they are subtle, too many pieces to compare can quickly become a burden rather than fun.

Tvad - Don't you know yet...it is never-ending!!!!!!!!!

OK, OK...yes Guido, I still have DAC.

Dave

Folks - keep it light. This shouldn't make people mad. It is just stereo equipment.
711smilin
513 posts
 
Charles AKA AVGURU, you are a horses ASS, put your $$$ where your mouth is already. I hope you like your Marantz SA14. BTW I am available this weekend, and have always been as gracious and HONEST as possible, even to the point of offering my players for audition without being there. I really do not care what you personnaly think Charles, for I lost respect for you when you told me you felt Bons modded Sony 9000 was more accurate than the APL or the Exdemplar. Dan Wright himself told me this is not the case, it is made to be more musical, not accurate. Dan also told me his new 3910 should be leages ahead of his earlier mods. This is a personal journey for me to find the digital I love most, than share my feelings freely on audio sites. I have never attacked you, or put you down, in fact the only real reason you have come this far is MY love for MY journey, and ME driving 60 miles to your home and letting you experience modified player by 2 genious's(John Tucker, and Alex Peychev). Where you favor Bons modwright for Accuracy, I do not. I do love what Dan does with his mods, Thus, again, I put my money where my mouth is, unlike you, I do not sit on the sidelines. You should be VERY CAREFUL what you put into print. It WILL come back to haunt you Mr. Moderator.

Best of luck your journey, and look forward to participating with Brian at his home, and listening to his AUDIOPHILE system.

I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH APL HIFI IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. I AM JUST A HAPPY CUSTOMER OF APL, EXEMPLAR, MODWRIGHT, WAVELENGTH, DENON, SONY, PIONEER, SVS, NOSVALVES, PATHOS, KLIPSCH, REIMER, TIVO, B&K, ECT.

I MAKE MY OWN MONEY BY WORKING FOR A LIVING, NOT SELLING AUDIO
avguru OP
116 posts
 
711,

You are entitled to your opinion as much as I am mine. Furthermore, I never accused you on this or any other forum of working for APL. However, others have accused you of just that ...both here and on other threads of your own origin. You know what they say, perception is reality.

In regards to a loss of respect, I'm not looking for yours or anyone else's respect here in this forum or any other arena in my life. I learned long ago that seeking other's approval or validation of what I do and who I am is pointless. In the end I am only accountable to myself, my family and God.

But I will say this..for you to lose respect for me because I (AND OTHERS) heard something in another unit that you did not hear or agree with is idiotic and shows a lack of tolerance on your part for others opinions. And just because the designer of the unit agrees with you does not change anything in my hearing or what I perceive. Last time I checked hearing and taste was a subjective thing. And for the record I never said the Sony was more or less accurate (that was your terminology) than the APL. I only said I enjoyed the performance of the Modwright Sony more than the APL.

Finally, I'm not going to trade barbs with you over this thread in terms of who has an AUDIOPHILE system but I'm quite happy with my B&W N803's/Vienna Acoustic Beethoven's/Anthem D1 processor/Cary Cinema 5 amp and dual cdp's of Classe CDP 100/Marantz SA 14 transport paired with a Tri-Vista 21 dac. I'll let others pass judgement on whether or not its at an audiophile system. My only goal is to enjoy it.

Anyway, enjoy your shootout this weekend!

AVGURU
audiojoy4
98 posts
 
I whole heartedly agree with you 711smiling you are true to your heart.
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