your impression on esoteric sa-50


what do you think of SA-50, it's versatile(usb/digital input) and build with the new apodizing filter, has anyone heard it?
karmatogdral
guys thanks for sharing, i like the versatility of SA-50, but so many suggest x-05 is better sounding cdp despite a newer filter in SA-50.
never auditioned oppo, my current cdp is CEC, it does everything well, very musical, but shows shortcomings in the treble area, soundstage is not so dimensional, on the contrary with high end stuff there will be no problem with measurement(which demonstrates the diminishing return rule in hi-fi), there won't be night and day differences in sound, but with that much more money, you paying for the presentation, and realism. Like you guys said, it's not just about hearing the instrument, the ambience, the timbre is something the lower end can not acheive.
Look at the PS Audio Perfect Wave if you don't care about SACD or multichannel.
running in my sa-50 at the moment, things are a bit messy around the house as i just moved into a new place, it has around 10 hours on it, and i did some "uncritical listening" to learn about the settings and filters it has in this machine. I know this is not even close to burned in, it already out performed my cec+havana dac combo(these are not bad sounding equips)
Just wanna share this that this morning, was listening to YoyoMa+ silk road esemble live in chicago, once i had my eyes closed, i thought my TV(in between my speakers,not good for acoustic i know!) was making sound, the pinpoint imaging is that good, i have not compared to P5/D5 combo, but apart from the esoteric house sound, sa-50 seems put behind the cold clinical sound, it is smooth and very analogue sound straight out the box.
I will continue with the update after more hours of running in.
cheers