Esoteric X-01 SE vs EMM CDSA SE

SACDs do not murder music. . . irresponsible recording engineers with SACDs murder music!

Ditto!

Regards,
Alex

We did an extensive two weekend shoout-out between sveral top notch players incl. the Esoteric X-01 Ltd. The clear winner was the GNSC Ref. Level modded Wadia 581 I´ve owned followed by the DCS P-8i. Unfortunately the D2 version and the one box EMMLabs weren´t released that time.
rgds.

I know what you mean Leonx. I would also love to make my X-01 Ltd more revolving, but I just can't bear the thought of putting it in my microwave oven just to see it spin round and round. It would not be a high end solution. , you understand? and I do not have the budget for a matching SOTA turn table to load it on to. I guess my X-01 will have to stay sadly stationary and analytical for the time being. . . oh well, I'll keep on dreaming!

We have a new model scheduled for release in the spring of 2007. It is the X-01LE(R).

It is both limited and revolving.

I have had comparisons done in audio dealers between the following:
-Esoteric X01
-Esoteric P01 combo
-EMM separates before ES series
-Sony SCD1

The system was the same for all and got 2h with them for what it is worth.

I chose EMM hands down between these. The esoteric gear sounded lean, sort of like looking at the horizon, laid back. The EMM was more real sounding, more 3 dimensional and overall the sound filled space more accurately. This was at Dynamic Audio, the largest dealer in Japan. They told me Japanese customers were returning their Esoterics to switch to EMM. That was 2 years ago before anyone in the west had heard about the P01 and EMM had just arrived in Asia.

For those of you who dont know, it seems that the one box measures better than the separates. So if you do not need a preamp, the CDSA might be as good if not better than the separates. I have not heard it so I dont know for sure.

Most important advice: go listen before you buy. Taste plays a big role. And service, quality etc. Esoteric is ahead in that regard.

Finally, Accuphase played their new separates which also upsample 2x DSD at CES. Worth a listen, especially given the option for room equalization with a DG38.

Michael