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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
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Kyle, respectfully I must request that you abstain from personal attacks on anyone on this list. I am truly not interested in reading about any professional or personal disagreement you may or may not have had in the past or in the present, or may be having or not having in any hypothetical future, with any list contributor, regardless of status.
Understandably, you hold that your products excell in quality and performance: the readers of these lines would rather be interested in knowing what makes them excell and how. Furthermore, I have reason to believe that 711 and the Chicago gang would be delighted to include a fine sample of your creativity in an upcoming shootout and report on these pages.
So, please take a big breath, raise your chin, and start back from the beginning. Regards, and very very marginally amused, Guido Dante Corona
audiojoy4
98 posts
 
Hi all

DAC,

A neurotic condition founded on the unrealistic obsession of seeking for the best sound. It is comparable to mania. A manic patient, has beliefs of grandiosity and super power, including spending money at will even though there is not that much in the coffers. This can potentially lead to financial ruin in some cases, and being kicked out of the house by the missis.

There are no strong foundations to believe it is hereditary directly, however, an obsessive verging on neurotic perfectionalist personality is deemed tobe the root trigger combined with intelligence and the need for progressing the boundaries of human interpretation.Such individuals are likely to lead other parts of their lives in a similar obsessive manner. This obsessive behaviour can lead to irritabillity and over sensitivity. (Hence the tone of some of the comments on this forum).

Biochemically this is easily explained by the presence of inadequate amounts of serotonin a neurotransmitter, which can be artificially replaced with its analogues that is the
SSRI (serotonin selective receptive inhibitors) ie such as prozac.

In itself it is not necessarily a bad thing as long as family, exercise, eating healthily etc. are not neglected.

After many hours in the laboratory and using Guido as my guinea pig, I have now come to two potential cures.

1) Someone reaches Audio nirvana and is able to duplicate the original performance replicated to perfection in your room I DONT THINK SO,not in our lifetime.

2) If there is a financial risk, then DIY is fun. See the many traetments I have so far contributed above, which do nbot cost much gives you hours of relaxation from constantly driving yourself mad over the accuracy of your present system. But above all, you do not need to make large payouyts. A power supply mod can cost a few quid, can be implemented in minutes, and then you can get the same amount of time analyzing it as you would a new piece of equipment.

3) I know a man in the heart of the Congo jungal who makaes a potent herbal remedy called JJ that is his term for Jungal Juice. I can let you have this doctors name and address if you wish. One word of warning though like some other one man team hifi manufacturers he is extermely difficult to get hold of, has a dubious address, and you may not get a quote for several months after which the potion may take up to a year to arrive, he is after all a one man team.

Alas as you can see there is no cure,it is a chronic condition with the possibility of burning itself out in the future.

best of Luck to you all, I will continue my research and let you know the minute I have implemented a new mod to my management program.

doc Luke.
kana813
956 posts
 
Kyle- Mahalo for your post,and sharing your mana'o.I also agree with Richard.Folks like 711 have no idea what's under the hood,so APLHI can charge them big bucks for cheap parts.Aloha,Kana.
audiojoy4
98 posts
 
DEAR ALEX APL,

I have left my E mail address on your website. Please get me on your order books as soon as possible, remember I am in LONDON uk, in the land of analogue lovers who can only make do with only reasonable products like chord dacs, arcams,musical fidelity etc, I have every confidence your mods will bring a new world of audio nirvana here, and I am your man to pass the message on this side of the pond.

Luke (doc)
goose
709 posts
 
It's amazing how the good intentions of an individual can get twisted into something that turns ugly. We should all be thankful to Avguru for the quest....I know I am. Everybody relax, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.
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