Confusion re Esoteric X-01 Limited and X-01D2

Digital is always moving forward with better dac's/other components, enginering etc. I haven't really compared the new units to the older one's but I'm sure they sound better.
However I would like to note that the new versions of the VRDS transports are not as good as the one's they replace. In an effort to reduce manufacturing costs, the new units are made of cheaper components. The transports in the X-O1 and UX-1 are too expensive to manufacture and thus we have the new "improved" models. Despite that I still think they're the best on the market.

FrankG, what transports for which models exactly are you comparing?

frankg, I have heard the same thing. The VRDS NEO in its various incarnation is inferior at least from the materials point of view to the original VRDS used in the X-01. Now, whether or not this makes a difference is another matter. I believe this is why APL chooses to use the X-01 as its foundation for its line of cdps. The transport used on the new P-05 is definitely inferior. I believe it uses some sort of ABS plastic as well as other cost saving measures.

yes, but is the comparison meaningful? Doesn't X-01 D2 cost a little more than twice the X-05? More interestingly, what is the sonic difference between the X-05 and the X-01 D2? G.

Great question Guido. I feel the same way. I guess the sonic differences will also be due to the other quality parts in the D2. Whether or not these differences are worth double the price is really up to the individual.