Esoteric X-03 does it kill the DV-50 in cd quality

Billandsol,

I am currently running a Esoteric SZ-1 into a MSB Power DAC that feeds a BAT VK 31SE. I first bought the player and was very pleased and then tried the MSB and was stunned at how good Redbook could sound. Much better that the dac on the Esoteric in my opinion. I do not know what player you are running now but maybe look at an outboard DAC if the transport is good enough. I do run fully balanced to BAT and to the NuForce 9 SE V2.

Yes in my opinion, I heard both, but not together, DV50 was a little forward sounding in my system, but still very good. X03 sounded very detailed and nice but another system. Another step up in my opinion. I would do X03.

Thanks

Bill

I have had both in my system and while the DV50 was very good, the X03SE took it to another level. There was no comparison.

I have owned both, and while the DV-50 is an excellent unit, there is a substantial difference between the two players. The X-03 provides a more solid image, and fleshes out the midrange with more detail and presence; and there is considerably more 'air' with the X-03. In terms of musicality, there is no comparison. If you have only a single system for A/V, and to save on the budget, you can use the DV-50...but if you have two separate systems, go for the X-03, and get a separate blu-ray player. You will end up with no compromises in audio OR video.