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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
pscialli
80 posts
 
Thank you AVGuru for your thoughtful reply to my questions. On my main system right now, I am using a Denon 2200 stock which I hate. I bought it too hastily on the strength of a brief review in TAS 149. I have yet to try the MF buffer stage on that system, but suspect it will help. However, I think it will be just a bandaid. I am currently very actively looking for a new CD/SACD player. My budget has a cap, I'd say of $4k either new or used nd I'd like to stay as much below that as possible so I can live to play another day. Audio has a relatively low WAF around here. A used DV50 is definitely still on the short list. Another machine I'm considering, and your comments would be welcome is the Underwood-modified Music Hall Maverick player. This runs $2k complete and, on paper it looks good. I think it was 6Moons that had a review of the modded machine and it went over very well. Any thoughts? My personal reference sound is that of my Linn Lp12, Ittok arm and Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridge. Thanks.

Peter
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
REB1208, while your comments about inverted polarity on Marantz may be shedding some light on the lack of detail perceived on these devices, I must gently point out that the tone on this thread has been very enthusiastic but also extremely polite and friendly. As such I do invite you to chime in sympathic resonance with the delightful atmosphere prevalent in these posts!
avguru OP
116 posts
 
Reb,

That's your opinion...and it goes against the grain of 95% of the reviewers and the numerous awards that the DV 50 has received. Obviously, you're the lone person out there whose smarter than everyone else and knows audio better than than anyone.

If you love your inverted polarity SA 11 that's fine. The SA 11 is only "slighty better" than the SA 14 IT IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE DV 50 IN REDBOOK PERFORMANCE..AND IN SACD ITS CLOSER BUT STILL NOT EQUAL.

Anytime you're prepared to do what I have done here..get a much of people whih different units and go head to head to see which is better and then bring us results that's fine. From the begginning you've been down on the DV 50 and that's fine.

Why don't you take your inverted polarity SA 11 and go head to head with other players its equal or better? And by the way, there is nothing neutral or tranparent about the SA 11 or any Marantz cd player that has ever been made. Their signatureound has always been warm and colored. If that's more analog to you then fine. But analog doesn't bring warmth at the expense of detail and transparency. It's obvious that's the sound you like because the Dv 50 is the exact opposite of that. So you never should have bought a DV 50 in the first place!

Next you're going to tell me the DV 9500 is as good as the DV 50 to, right?

OK!!

AVGURU
reb1208
518 posts
 
You listened to the unit with inverted polarity, thru the balanced outputs. How can you be in a position to report on the sound. Polarity is correct thru RCA. I don't love the SA11, nor any digital device. The DV-50 is the unit that is very warm sounding. The SA11 sounds like the recording, the interconnects hooked to it and powercord providing AC. Transparency, air, ambience, detail, resolution are the hallmark "sound" of this player. Just as that I hear from my analog frontend. What analog system are you comparing DV-50 to ? Again, I am FAR from alone in my criticism of the DV-50. The DV-50 has the exact opposite sound as to what a high-end machine should do. It is not able to get out if its own way. Music should flow forth in a natural way as it was recorded. Not rammed down your throat as if it were all movie soundtracks. I do not own a Home Theatre system. Nor am I an Audio/Video Guru. I am into 2ch music reproduction on a stereo system. Perhaps that is why my views differ from the majority. I have not heard the DV-9500, but I can tell you that I even would choose a 3950 over a DV-50. Even that has a more open sound.
sean125
7 posts
 
I am not a believer in cables,wires,cords etc.However I have tried a number of digital players and the DV-50 is an excellent machine.To deny that is ludicrous.I may even buy one in the near future.If something is good you have to give it it's due wether you like the brand or not.To knock good equipement makes no sense but one sees this all the time.
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