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
I will be back the 22nd, I had offered to give my APL to someone for the shootout at essentials place on the 19th..

I will be around, I gotta hear these other units, and you need to hear the APL.
Avguru, Brian (Essentialaudio), that would be nice,
I know Brian and David they both own Blowtorch.
This will be really fun.Its too bad, 711(Steve)
cant make it,Anyway maybe Mark from Northbrook
is also interested.Thanks
Guido,

Still haven't been able to demo the X01 or UX1 directly against Jactoy's Dan Wright modded Sony, the Exemplar 3910 or the APL 3910. I don't know if we'll ever be able to demo the X01 vs. the Exemplar since I believe 711 just sold it and I'm not aware of any plans he has to obtain another one. I know he's also waiting to receive his APL 3910 with the new clock back from Alex sometime next week.

711 has indicated that he's still willing to purchase a X01 for demo purposes when time permits, however we will have to find another dealer as I don't think that particular dealer will have his demo unit much longer.

Regarding the Meitner, if Jactoy's next door neighbor is agreeable I see no reason why we won't be able to demo it against 711's and Jactoy's modded units against the Meitner at his home...but I don't know if he'd be willing to bring his unit to an Esoteric dealer to do a direct demo. That's a question I now pose to Brian at Essential Audio and Jactoy...will your associate be interested in bringing his Meitner to Qunitessence? And right now Quintessence is only scheduled to get a UX1 not an X01 so we really wouldn't be able to go up against Esoteric's best unit...although the UX1 is supposed to achieve 85-90% of the XO1's performance.

You should also know that Alex is in the process of modding a DV 50 (no tube output stage) so I'm excited to hear what that's going to sound like. Could he possibly bring it to the level of an X01? It will be interesting to hear Alex's comments about the before and after performance. It will be a couple of weeks before Alex finshes with that mod.

We'll keep you informed!!

AVGURU
Avguru, if and when there's a shootout between the Meitner and others, I'm all for it. I don't know if QA will want some of that gear coming in the door, but who knows. Looking forward to hearing 711's APL 3910, Jayctoy's Modwright'd Sony, Tim's Kern'd Sony 777, and any others that come to mind. Probably should get a headcount on those interested in coming over on the 19th, so would appreciate RSVPs.

Brian