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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
 
Reb,
Do you have any sense of how the SA-11 compares with the Marantz DV-9500? What are the filtering options? Is upsampling switchable? Thanks.
avguru OP
116 posts
 
Reb 1208,

Thanks for the info. I didn't know about the three filters or the noise shaper. The dealer should have told me about that. Since the DV 50 has similar filters which I do change on a regular basis (depending on the type of music played) I understand the importance of using these correctly. The Marantz may be one of those machines that needs to be taken home for a demo to properly evaluate its performance. Ideally, all equipment should be taken home if possible but some units need it more than others to make a proper assessment.

When I go back to the dealer this week I will give it a more detailed listen, double check the polarity issue and play with the filters.

Regarding the DV 50, I've never experienced the sound changes you describe after the unit stays on for a considerable length of time. When my dealer sold me the DV 50 he did tell me from his own persnonal experience (and Tac's recommendation) is that the DV 50 be given 200 hours of break-in time in EACH FORMAT! I don't know if you were able to do that.

Anyway, I'm just glad we're talking civilly again as I consider you a valuable assest towards my search for digital nirvana audio and I value your input. If you feel the Marantz equals your turn table rig in terms of openess on the top end then that says alot. Are you talking in SACD or CD playback? Also, how do you like the Marantz in SACD? Is the Marantz still breaking in or are you past the break-in period?

Please keep me and this forum posted regarding your findings and successes!

AVGURU
aplhifi
515 posts
 
...AVGURU wrote: "The DV-50 transport (while not their famed VRDS one) is still clearly superior to the off the shelf one denon uses (either Pioneer or Philips). The 3910's build quality, while decent, is nowhere on the level of the DV-50's. Finally the DV-50 upsamples to some ungodly frequency rate (1,700) while the Denon (even with the mods) doesn't upsample at all."

The DV-50 uses unmodified (except for the clamper) off the shelf Pioneer transport as found in the $150 Pioneer 563a and 578a. This transport is also used in their top of the line DV-59AVi. It is nice transport, but it is not better than the Denon transports. Denon DOES NOT use off the shelf transport, they use their own, it's really nice and more solid than the Pioneer transport found in DV-50.

Sure, DV-50 enclosure is nicer than the Denon, but I doubt that DV-50 DSP is anywhere near the Denon. The Denon does not upsample because there is no theoretical or practical benefit of upsamppling the CD. The Denon expands the 16 bit CD data to 24 bit using World's best Analog Devices 32 bit floating point SHARC Audio DSP. The same DSP takes care of the HDCD decoding too.

I have a few DV-50 owners who have contacted me asking if I can implement the mod into their players. One of them is sending me his DV-50 next week. This should be interesting!

I hope you do not mind my intrusion! Please feel free to ask questions.

Regards,
paull
2 posts
 
The tube power amps that 711smilin uses, that Avguru couldn't remember the name of, are NOS Valves VRDs. They are excellent monoblocks handmade by Craig Ostby in Michigan.

You can see photos and read the specs at his webpage, www.nosvalves.com
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,203 posts
 
Avguru,your review is very accurate,and thorough,one
aspect that we forget to mention is the Sony mod,
bass wise is deeper and it flows to the music,also
we all agree that the Sony gave 711 system more
musicality, and the quality of music is just totally
out of my disbelief.One thing I would like to add
the Denon is very consistent both with Dealer and
711 system.Also the VD nite pc gave all three CDP
huge improvement.I would also be helping 711, to find
the right cabling,and I will visit AVguru"s place.
This are true audiophile.I am glad I met them.
Before I forgot the slam of Sony is world class.Both
Denon are very good unit also.That shoot out tell us
that modified unit can compete with at least 2 to 3
times the price of any other unit. Anyone who own
Meitner in Chicago, I would love to hear it.
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