Accuphase DP-57 vs DP-67 Comparison

I own both the DP-67 and a DP-55V so while not quite you are looking for, I figured I would drop a response anyway.

The DP-67 seems to have a bit more resolution, a bit more detailed and present high end, and a ever so slightly more defined soundstage. However, the DP-55V seems more musical to me. They both sound Accuphase and I think it really comes down to taste actually. The differences are not that great but very clear in a side to side comparison (I suspect it is because the DP-55V sounds a bit dark).

To A/B them, I put them through my Conrad Johnson PV11 preamp. However, my normal setup is straight out of the Accuphase DP-67 to my VTL Deluxe 300 amps. The DP-55V goes straight out to a Grado headphone amp to my Grado RS2 headphones I have sitting at my desk.

I am not sure which I like better.

in late April I had the opportunity to listen to the Accuphase DP-57 CD player & the DP-78 SACD/CD player. The DP-57 was fed into an expensive Boulder preamp & that, in turn, was fed into either a BAT VK600SE or a Boulder 2060 power amp.
I can quite confidently say that the DP-57 is an utterly disappointing CD player from a sonic view point - flat sound that is devoid of any life, no soundstage. Just limp sound. A few minutes of the track I was playing was enough to hit the "stop" button. I used the Mark Levinson 390S that was also in the rack & connected it into the Boulder preamp. The music was *significantly* better.
In another system (much more modest) but in the same dealer's shop, I listened to the DP-78. The integrated amp it was connected to was the Mark Levinson No. 383. The speakers were Focal/JM Lab Electra 1027 Be. Cabling was all-TARA Labs in both systems.
The DP-78 was an *excellent* player! I loved its sound playing only redbook CDs. The few hours I auditioned this player w/ the various CDs I chose, I could not find an immediate flaw. I could not believe that the same company could make 2 separate machines w/ such disparate sound. If you get a chance audition the DP-78!
FWIW. IMHO. YMMV.

thanks folks for your input.

Having spent several months with the DP-57, my opinion is that it images extremely well, and is very musically involving. Plus, it has the smoothest opening and closing CD tray. I love the build quality! The Accuphase units invert phase out of the balanced outputs compared to most domestic units, so you have to take this in to consideration when listening. I guess it’s also a matter of system synergy. I am now using an Audio Research Ref Two MKII preamp in to a VT100 MKIII amp, with Tyler Linbrook Signature speakers. The Ref Two MKII preamp has a phase invert switch that allows for out of phase adjustments. This makes a noticeable difference in sound presentation on certain CD’s. For another opinion, check out the review on www.avguide.com. Good luck!